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If you’re looking for quick, delicious ways to use up the sourdough discard piling up in your fridge, these sourdough quick bread recipes are for you! From sourdough muffins and sweet breads to a special apple cake, you’ll never wonder what to bake next!
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When I first got into baking with sourdough, I had a really hard time making my sourdough starter. It wasn’t the feeding schedule or measuring, but the constant discarding that gave me trouble. It just felt so wasteful.
Probably because I was discarding straight into the trash.
I didn’t know about the endless sourdough discard recipes I could use with my discard, particularly sourdough quick bread recipes.
Sourdough quick bread recipes are perfect for beginners because they use up the discard you accumulate while establishing your starter, and the possibilities are honestly endless.
Muffins, sweet breads, and cakes, oh my!
Plus, it doesn’t matter if your sourdough discard is a little watery or not rising properly; you can make sourdough quick bread right now!
So, whether you have some discarding begging to be used or just need a sweet treat for the kids this afternoon, let me talk to you about my favorite sourdough quick bread recipes.
What is a Sourdough Quick Bread?
Sourdough quick breads are baked goods made with sourdough discard that use baking powder or baking soda for their rise instead of yeast. Unlike traditional sourdough bread, there’s no long fermentation or overnight proofing required, so you can satisfy your muffin craving asap! Simply mix the batter, bake, and enjoy!
Quick breads include favorites like muffins, sweet breads, biscuits, and other tender loaf-style breads. Adding sourdough discard gives these recipes extra moisture, a soft crumb, and a subtle tang that sourdough bakers love.
Whether you’re craving a cozy breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a simple dessert, sourdough quick bread recipes are one of the easiest and most delicious ways to put your sourdough discard to good use.
Why You’ll Love These Sourdough Quick Bread Recipes
Sourdough quick bread recipes are a staple in our house! You’ll love them because they’re:
- A delicious way to use sourdough discard. Put your extra starter to good use with recipes that are simple, flavorful, and quick.
- No long fermentation required. Unlike traditional sourdough bread that requires a long-ferment to rise properly, these quick breads are ready to bake as soon as the batter is mixed.
- Perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making breakfast, an afternoon snack, a holiday side, or a simple dessert, there’s a sourdough quick bread recipe for every craving.
- Soft, moist, and full of flavor. Sourdough discard adds tenderness and a subtle tang that makes muffins, sweet breads, and cornbread even more delicious.
- Beginner-friendly recipes. These easy recipes don’t require shaping dough or mastering fermentation, making them perfect for new sourdough bakers with no risk of a sticky dough or gummy crumb.
- A growing collection of favorites. From fruity muffins and cozy sweet breads to cornbread and breakfast cakes, you’ll find plenty of delicious ways to bake with sourdough discard all in one place.
Easy Sourdough Quick Bread Recipes
Here I’ll share with you all of our favorite sourdough quick bread recipes. I hope you find something your family loves as much as mine!
Sourdough Muffin Recipes
Sourdough Strawberry Muffins with Oat Crumble
These sourdough strawberry muffins are what summertime dreams are made of. Made with fresh or frozen strawberries and topped with a buttery oat crumble, it is one of those sourdough quick bread recipes you’ll reach for again and again!
Sourdough Discard Blueberry Muffins
These sourdough blueberry muffins are everything you want in a muffin: soft, buttery goodness swirled with fresh or frozen blueberries. I tend to use frozen wild blueberries, but use whatever you prefer!
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Muffins
These sourdough chocolate chip muffins are soft, fluffy, and studded with dark chocolate chips for an afternoon pick-me-up no one will argue with!
Sourdough Sweet Bread Recipes
The magical thing about sourdough sweet breads is that you can serve them for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a light dessert to share with friends! I especially love the strawberry bread as a Valentine’s Day treat.
Sourdough Strawberry Bread with Strawberry Gaze
This sourdough strawberry bread is a recipe you need to have in your back pocket for special occasions, rainy days, and whimsical holidays. Make it with or without the glaze and serve it to your favorite people with a tall glass of milk!
Sourdough Lemon Blueberry Bread with Lemon Glaze
This sourdough lemon blueberry bread is bursting with beautiful blueberries and sunshine thanks to the lemon glaze! As always, you can use fresh or frozen blueberries depending on what you have on hand.
Savory Sourdough Quick Breads
Sourdough quick bread recipes aren’t just for muffins and breads! Here are a couple of savory recipes that complement any meal perfectly.
Sourdough Buttermilk Biscuits
These sourdough buttermilk biscuits are soft, flaky, and best of all, buttery! I like to make them in a cast-iron skillet, but a stone or baking dish works beautifully too.
Sourdough Cornbread
This sourdough cornbread is perfect slathered with butter and served alongside your favorite soup or chili!
Sourdough Snack Cakes
Sourdough snack cakes are a beautiful compromise between indulgent dessert cakes and an afternoon treat that goes beautifully with afternoon tea! These sourdough quick bread recipes are best enjoyed with a friend.
Sourdough French Apple Cake
This sourdough French apple cake recipe is unbelievably simple to make and melts in your mouth!
Tips for Baking with Sourdough Discard
Use unfed sourdough discard
This is the perfect place to use the discard you’ve saved in the refrigerator. Since quick breads rely on baking powder or baking soda for leavening, your starter doesn’t need to be active or recently fed.
That being said, if you fed your starter like a diligent baker, but suddenly don’t have time for baguettes or English muffins, you can still use your active starter! Your baked goods might rise a little extra when combined with baking soda or powder, but it will be perfectly fine.
Stir before measuring
If your discard has been sitting for a while, it may have become watery or developed a layer of hooch on top. Simply stir everything together before measuring so you get a consistent texture and flavor.
Don’t overmix the batter
Once the dry ingredients are added, mix only until the flour disappears. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make muffins and sweet breads dense or gummy instead of soft and tender.
Measure ingredients accurately
For the most consistent results, use a kitchen scale whenever possible. Measuring flour by weight helps prevent dry or overly dense quick breads.
Let baked goods cool slightly
Allow muffins, breads, and cakes to cool for several minutes before removing them from the pan. This helps them finish setting and makes them less likely to break apart.
FAQs
What are sourdough quick breads?
Sourdough quick breads are recipes made with sourdough discard that are leavened with baking powder or baking soda instead of yeast. They include muffins, sweet breads, cornbread, coffee cakes, and similar baked goods that can be mixed and baked right away.
Can I use active sourdough starter instead of discard?
Yes! Active starter works just as well as discard in most quick bread recipes. Since the rise comes from baking powder or baking soda, either one will produce delicious results.
Do sourdough quick breads taste sour?
Not usually. Sourdough discard adds a mild tang and depth of flavor, but ingredients like butter, sugar, fruit, and spices keep the finished baked goods tasting balanced rather than sour.
Can I freeze sourdough quick breads?
Absolutely. Most muffins, loaf breads, cornbread, and breakfast cakes freeze very well. Once completely cooled, wrap them tightly or store them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Why use sourdough discard in quick breads?
Sourdough discard adds moisture, flavor, and tenderness while reducing food waste. It’s one of the easiest ways to make use of extra starter without planning ahead for a long fermentation.
What’s the difference between quick breads and traditional sourdough bread?
Traditional sourdough bread relies on an active starter and a long fermentation to develop its rise and flavor. Quick breads, on the other hand, are leavened with baking powder or baking soda, so they can be mixed and baked immediately while still benefiting from the flavor and moisture that sourdough discard provides.
You’re Going to Love These Sourdough Quick Bread Recipes
Sourdough quick bread recipes are the perfect way to brighten up your afternoon because you’re just a few steps from something magnificent like strawberry muffins or lemon blueberry bread. With no tricky steps or long fermentation, you can make a quick bread so tender and delicious that everyone will be begging for the recipe. Happy baking, friend!
For More Sourdough Help, check Out:
- Why is My Sourdough Not Rising?
- Why is My Sourdough Bread Gummy? (And how to Fix it)
- Why is My Sourdough Starter Not Rising?
- Why is My Sourdough So Sticky? (And How to Fix it!)
- Why is My Sourdough Starter Watery? Causes + Easy Fixes!
