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Weekends in our kitchen often start with something warm on the griddle and a stack of plates ready for breakfast. Sourdough baking leaves plenty of discard behind, and finding simple ways to use it keeps our starter active without wasting flour. These sourdough discard waffles have quickly become one of our favorite breakfast recipes. They cook up golden and crisp on the outside with a soft, fluffy interior and just a hint of that signature sourdough tang.
Breakfast food isn’t just for the morning. One night a week we serve Breakfast for Dinner, it’s one way I make my meal planning simpler – AND it’s one of our kids favorite meals! Sometimes it’s these Sourdough Waffles, usually with a side of eggs, some nights it’s Fluffy Pancakes, or Sourdough Pancakes, Cinnamon Rolls, Hotel Style Waffles or Cinnamon Sugar French Toast, and sometimes it’s Sourdough Discard Crepes with a side of Air Fryer Bacon and Homemade Hot Chocolate.
Browse all my Breakfast Recipes and build your breakfast for dinner menu!
A stack of waffles like this pairs beautifully with something savory like my Southwest Breakfast Burritos for a special brunch spread. On slower mornings, they’re just as good with a drizzle of maple syrup and a hot cup of coffee or Homemade Hot Chocolate.
The batter comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients, making it an easy way to turn sourdough discard into a cozy homemade breakfast. Plus, if you have left overs, these freeze beautifully to pull out throughout the week!
Need more ways to use your starter? See all my Sourdough Recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A great way to use leftover sourdough discard
- Crisp golden waffles with a soft fluffy center
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect for weekend breakfasts or brunch
- Kid-friendly recipe that little helpers can assist with
- Freezer-friendly for quick breakfasts later
- Pairs well with both sweet and savory breakfast sides
Ingredients
- Sourdough discard
- Milk
- Eggs
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Vanilla extract (optional)
Equipment
Waffle Iron – A good waffle iron creates the crisp edges and fluffy pockets that hold butter and syrup perfectly.
Large Mixing Bowl – Helpful for whisking together the batter without splashing.
Whisk – Ensures the batter becomes smooth without overmixing.
Measuring Cups and Spoons – Accurate measurements help maintain the correct batter consistency.
Rubber Spatula – Useful for scraping the bowl and portioning batter into the waffle iron.
How to Make
Sourdough discard waffles begin with a simple batter that comes together in just a few minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough discard, milk, eggs, melted butter, and optional vanilla extract. Whisk the mixture until it becomes smooth and fully blended. The sourdough discard adds a subtle tang while also contributing to the structure of the waffles.
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This step helps evenly distribute the leavening so the waffles rise properly when cooked. The dry ingredients are then gently whisked into the wet ingredients until a thick, pourable batter forms. Avoid overmixing, which can make waffles dense rather than tender.
Allow the batter to rest briefly while the waffle iron preheats. This short resting time helps hydrate the flour and improves the final texture.
Once the waffle iron is hot, lightly grease it if needed and pour in enough batter to cover the grid. As the waffles cook, steam will rise from the iron while the exterior becomes golden and crisp. The waffles are ready when they release easily from the iron and have a deep golden color.
Serve the waffles warm with butter and maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
While you’re here, browse all my Breakfast Recipes
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PrintSourdough Discard Waffles
Crispy, golden sourdough discard waffles with a light fluffy interior and a subtle tang from sourdough starter. This easy breakfast recipe is a perfect way to use leftover sourdough discard and makes classic homemade waffles the whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 waffles
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup sourdough discard (unfed)
- 2 cups milk (plus extra to thin out batter if desired)
- 4 TBSP butter, melted
- 4 large eggs
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 TBSP sugar
- 2 TBSP baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sourdough discard, milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk just until combined. The batter should be thick but pourable. Avoid overmixing.
- Allow the batter to rest for about 10–30 minutes while the waffle iron heats.
- Preheat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Lightly grease the waffle iron if needed, then pour the batter into the hot waffle iron and cook until the waffles are golden brown and crisp.
- Serve warm with butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit, or your favorite toppings.
Notes
- If the batter thickens too much while resting, add a small splash of milk to loosen it.
- For extra crisp waffles, cook slightly longer in the waffle iron until deeply golden.
- Leftover waffles freeze well and can be reheated in a toaster for a quick breakfast.
Equipment
- Waffle iron
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
Recipes That Pair Well With This
These waffles make a great centerpiece for a cozy breakfast or brunch. Try pairing them with other homemade favorites from the kitchen:
- Fluffy Pancakes for a classic brunch plate
- Sourdough Pancakes or Sourdough Crepes to stay on the sourdough theme
- Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls or Traditional Cinnamon Rolls for a sweet finish to brunch
- Cilantro Lime Rice for a savory brunch bowl
- Garlic Butter Rice for a hearty brunch plate
- Fluffy Steamed White Rice for simple breakfast bowls
- Homemade Fresh Egg Pasta for a full brunch spread
- Garlic Butter Sauce for savory breakfast dishes
More Recipes to Try
Looking for more cozy homemade favorites? These recipes are also popular in our kitchen:
- Classic Chicken Salad
- Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast
- Southwest Breakfast Burritos
- Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
- No Knead Jalapeño Cheddar Bread
Tips for Little Helpers
Kids love helping make waffles, and this recipe has several simple tasks for little hands.
- Let them help whisk the batter in the bowl.
- Older kids can help measure ingredients.
- Younger helpers can place berries or butter on the finished waffles.
Cooking together is a wonderful way to build confidence in the kitchen while creating family memories.
Tips for Success
- Allow the batter to rest briefly before cooking to improve texture.
- Preheat the waffle iron fully before adding batter.
- Cook waffles until deep golden brown for the best crisp texture.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the waffles tender.
FAQs
Can I use active sourdough starter instead of discard?
Yes. Active starter will work, though the flavor may be slightly milder.
Why are my waffles not crispy?
They may need a little more time in the waffle iron. Cooking until deep golden helps create crisp edges.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
It’s best cooked soon after mixing, but the batter can rest for up to 30 minutes if needed.
Storage
Leftover waffles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a toaster or oven at 350°F until warmed through and crisp again.
Freezing Instructions
Waffles freeze very well and are perfect for quick breakfasts.
Allow waffles to cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 2 months.
Reheat frozen waffles directly in the toaster or oven at 375°F until hot and crisp.
Variations
Buttermilk Waffles
Replace part of the milk with buttermilk for a slightly richer flavor. Make your own buttermilk with my Homemade Buttermilk Recipe.
Vanilla Waffles
Add vanilla extract for a sweeter breakfast-style waffle.
Berry Waffles
Fold fresh blueberries or chopped strawberries into the batter before cooking.
Chocolate Chip Waffles
Sprinkle chocolate chips into the batter for a fun breakfast treat.
Final Thoughts
Sourdough discard waffles are one of the simplest and most delicious ways to use extra starter. The batter comes together quickly with basic pantry ingredients and cooks into golden waffles with crisp edges and a fluffy interior.
Whether served with maple syrup, fresh berries, or alongside a full breakfast spread, these waffles make a cozy start to the day and a reliable way to turn sourdough discard into something special.
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