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    Home » Gluten-Free Sourdough

    15 Best Gluten-Free Sourdough Discard Recipes

    Published: Nov 15, 2022 · Modified: Aug 11, 2023 by Natasha Levai · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This post contains all the recipes you need for using gluten-free sourdough discard, along with the resources on how to make your own gluten-free sourdough starter and sourdough bread!

    Four gluten-free sourdough discard recipes in a collage.

    Join our Facebook Sourdough Baking Community to get help, ask questions, and share success!

    Jump to:
    • Discard vs Mature Starter
    • One Secret To Professional Gluten-Free Baking
    • Fried Starter
    • Crumpets
    • Flatbread (Naan)
    • 3-Ingredients Banana Pancakes
    • Banana Muffins With Pecans
    • Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Fluffy Pancakes
    • Pizza Crust
    • English Muffins
    • Banana Bread
    • Cinnamon Rolls
    • Dinner Rolls
    • Soft Pretzels
    • Bagels
    • Challah
    • Hamburger Buns
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 15 Gluten-Free Sourdough Discard Recipes
    • 💬 Community

    Did you start making your first gluten-free sourdough starter? Good job! As you know, you need to discard sourdough starter regularly. In order to avoid waste, you can incorporate sourdough discard into recipes like the ones below!

    Discard vs Mature Starter

    One thing I would like to mention is that sourdough discard is different from a mature starter. Discard is an unfed starter that you get rid of right before feeding it. A mature starter is a bubbling and rising starter at its highest peak. A mature starter is used for making gluten-free sourdough bread, while discard is added to recipes that don’t rely on the wild yeast to raise the dough. Sometimes you will see me use discard along with commercial yeast, that is because discard doesn’t have the same rising and fermenting abilities as a mature starter.

    If you don't want to have to discard your starter daily, just keep in the refrigerator and feed once a week, or you can also freeze your starter, or dehydrate it for later use.

    New to gluten-free sourdough? Watch my tutorial for beginners!

    One Secret To Professional Gluten-Free Baking

    There are a few things that professional bakers do that set them apart from hobby bakers. One of those things is the consistency of quality results. And as gluten-free flour behaves so differently from regular all-purpose flour, it takes time and effort to learn to bake and cook with it well. However, If I could recommend one thing to speed up the learning process and significantly improve the consistency of great results for you, I would recommend you get a 9$ digital scale.

    Most of us are familiar with cups and spoons which require the spoon & level method, yet, when it comes to GF baking, cups & spoons are often the reason why bread and desserts don't turn out the way they should. Plus, using a scale will save you time and decrease the number of dishes to wash. If you are serious about gluten-free baking, I am sure you would want to give a digital scale a chance!

    Without further ado, let’s get into the list of the best gluten-free sourdough discard recipes!

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    P.S. I have recently released an e-book with my BEST 16 sourdough recipes so that you can save time and have them all in one spot. If interested, you can get it here!

    Fried Starter

    Fried sourdough starter with sesame seeds and poppy seeds and sauce.
    You can also simply top the starter with bagel seasoning.
    To start this round-up off, I first want to introduce you to the fastest and easiest way to use up surdough discard. Just fry it up on the stove!
    Get the Recipe!

    Crumpets

    gluten-free sourdough crumpets on a wooden tray lined with a kitchen towel and sprinkled with chocolate chips.

    This is another extremely simple recipe to make with gluten-free starter discard. All you need is 4 ingredients and 20 minutes of time!

    Get the Recipe!

    Flatbread (Naan)

    Gluten-free sourdough flatbread bent and held by a hand.

    This delicious gluten-free sourdough flatbread is incredibly flexible, soft, and moist. You can make it right away using sourdough discard or leave it for a longer fermentation.

    Get the Recipe!

    3-Ingredients Banana Pancakes

    Gluten-free sourdough banana pancakes on a plate with banana slices, blueberries, and pecans on top.
    If you have a laying around banana, then all you will need is an egg and some sourdough discard. Great breakfast idea for when you are in a hurry! These pancakes are naturally sweet from the sweetness of the banana used.
    Get the Recipe!

    Banana Muffins With Pecans

    Muffins on a plate with coffee and maple syrup in the background.
    These gluten free muffins are easy to make and are ready in less than an hour! They also have a delicious walnut crunch in every bite.
    Get the Recipe!

    Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Gluten free sourdough starter cookies on a tray and on a plate.
    Another reason to bake a whole batch of chocolate chip cookies! These cookies are soft and don't fall apart when you bite into them. Great treat!
    Get the Recipe!

    Fluffy Pancakes

    Gluten-free sourdough discard pancakes stacked with strawberries and blueberries.
    Probably one of the most popular ways to use up sourdough discard! Make a batch of delicious gluten free pancakes for breakfast to enjoy with your family.
    Get the Recipe!

    Pizza Crust

    Gluten-free sourdough pizza with mushrooms on the side.
    This is the best gluten-free sourdough pizza crust recipe because it is not only easy to handle but it is also full of flavor and easy to customize!
    Check out this recipe

    English Muffins

    Gluten-free sourdough English muffin cut in half on a plate with butter and jam.

    These gluten-free sourdough English muffins are soft, flavorful, and easy to make! A great make-ahead breakfast recipe. You can freeze these muffins for up to 3 months!

    Get the Recipe!

    Banana Bread

    Gluten-free sourdough banana bread sliced on a blue towel.

    This delicious gluten-free sourdough banana bread is soft, fluffy, and full of flavor! This recipe is a great way to use up your starter discard and share a delicious dessert with your family.

    Get the Recipe!

    Cinnamon Rolls

    Gluten-free sourdough cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting on a plate with a fork.

    These gluten-free sourdough cinnamon rolls are incredibly soft, moist, and flavorful! They stay just as soft and fluffy the next day after baking. An indulgent way to use up your starter discard!

    Get the Recipe!

    Dinner Rolls

    Gluten-free sourdough rolls on a kitchen towel in a bowl.

    While these rolls rely on the sourdough starter to give them a rise, if your starter is strong, this recipe will work with unfed discard as well. I have made sourdough bread with unfed discard and still got a good rise and an open crumb! These rolls are fluffy, soft, moist, and freeze well.

    Get the Recipe!

    Soft Pretzels

    Gluten-free sourdough soft pretzels on a cooling rack with a sauce and a kitchen towel in the background.

    These gluten-free sourdough soft pretzels are soft, chewy, and full of flavor. They go great with some basic cheese sauce and make for a meal on a lazy day!

    Get the Recipe!

    Bagels

    Gluten-free sourdough discard bagels on a table with plates and cream.

    These bagels can be made with gluten-free all-purpose flour. They are crusty on the outside and chewy on the inside! Add flavor by topping with seeds, dried onions, or cheese.

    Get the Recipe!

    Challah

    Gluten-free sourdough challah sliced with honey on the side.

    Gluten-free sourdough challah is a braided brioche bread that is slightly sweet and sour. I am using both psyllium husk and xanthan gum to create the softest texture, although you can omit one or the other if necessary!

    Get the Recipe!

    Hamburger Buns

    Gluten-free sourdough hamburger buns on a cooling rack.

    These hamburger buns are on the denser side because they are made without xanthan gum. They rely on psyllium husk for structure and thus have a more bread-like texture. If you like rather super fluffy and soft buns, check out my sourdough dinner rolls above! They are made with both psyllium husk and xanthan gum to give them that soft and fluffy texture.

    Get the Recipe!

    Get my Gluten-Free Sourdough E-Book today!

    Gluten-Free Sourdough Recipes E-Book cover.

    📖 Recipe

    Four gluten-free sourdough discard recipes in a collage.

    15 Gluten-Free Sourdough Discard Recipes

    Natasha Levai
    Here you will find everything from crumpets to elaborate bakes. You can make pretty much anything with a gluten-free starter discard!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Bread
    Cuisine American, European
    Servings 15 recipes
    Calories 300 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • Gluten-free starter discard
    • In case you are making bread or rolls, use instant yeast as well
    • The rest of the ingredients specific to the recipe you choose

    Instructions
     

    • You can start gathering starter discard ahead of time as some recipes need quite a bit of it!
    • If you are super short on time, I recommend goign with crumpets, pancakes, or muffins.
    • If you want to be creative and you have some time, try cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, and pizza!
    • Try as many recipes as you can to find a favorite!

    Notes

    Make sure your starer is not moldy. If it is, don't try to save any of it, just toss it! 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1recipeCalories: 300kcal
    Keyword Gluten-free sourdough discard recipes
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Michelle says

      August 22, 2023 at 6:31 pm

      hi Natasha, I would love to try some of these recipes however my starter is not gluten free. can I still use your recipes?

      Reply
      • Natasha Levai says

        August 22, 2023 at 6:59 pm

        Hi Michelle! I have not tried these with a regular starter, so can't guarantee the results! I think there are more recipes online for a regular starter discard that there are for gluten-free 😀 You will have no problem finding wonderful recipes for your starter! 🙂

        Reply
    2. David Kouri says

      August 24, 2023 at 2:46 pm

      Some of the GF recipes use psyllium husks soaked to make a gel, which I do all the time. I was wondering if adding the required olive oil to that mix might slow down the water absorption in the psyllium? I prefer adding the olive oil after the psyllium has absorbed most of the water. What are your thoughts? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Natasha Levai says

        August 26, 2023 at 4:06 pm

        I always add the olive oil to the mix and it hasn't really slowed down the process significantly! So, I'd say it's okay to add the oil!

        Reply

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    Natasha, the author of the blog.

    Hi, I'm Natasha! My gluten-free adventure began when I met my amazing husband, who has celiac. From that moment on, I've been happily baking gluten-free goodies almost every day. I can't wait to spread the love and share my tips and recipes with all of you!

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