Why Sourdough?
Sourdough isn’t just about baking—it’s about tradition, flavor, and connection (and having a super cool hipster granny skill that will impress your friends–haha). Whether you’re making a crusty loaf, fluffy pancakes, or golden waffles, sourdough adds depth and nutrition to your everyday meals. Plus, it’s a fun way to get the whole family involved in the kitchen!
Getting Started: Your Sourdough Starter
Before you can bake, you need a sourdough starter—your natural yeast culture that will bring your dough to life. If you don’t have one yet, don’t worry! It’s easy to make with just two ingredients: flour and water.
How to Make a Sourdough Starter from Scratch
You’ll Need:
- Whole wheat flour (for the first day)
- All-purpose flour
- Filtered water (avoid chlorinated tap water)
- A clean glass jar with a lid
- A thin spatula or chopstick for stirring
Instructions:
- Day 1: Mix 20g each of whole wheat flour and water in a jar. Cover loosely and let it sit at room temperature (18-24°C) for 24 hours.
- Day 2: Add 30g each of all-purpose flour and water. Stir well.
- Day 3: Check for bubbles. If none, continue adding 30g each of all-purpose flour and water daily until you see bubbles forming. Once you see bubbles, discard 1/2 of the mixture and begin feeding 50g each of all-purpose flour and water.
- Day 4 to Day ?: Continue discarding 1/2 and feeding 50g each of flour and water daily until the starter bubbles up and doubles in height within 4-5 hours and smells tangy & sour. Then it’s ready to start using for baking.
- Long-Term Care: Keep your starter on the counter and feed it daily, or store it in the fridge and feed it weekly.
3 Easy Sourdough Recipes to Make with Your Family
1. Fluffy Sourdough Pancakes
Perfect for lazy weekend mornings!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix starter, milk, egg, butter, and honey.
- Add baking soda, salt, and flour, stirring until combined.
- Cook on a hot greased skillet until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve with your favorite toppings!
2. Beginner-Friendly Sandwich Bread
A simple recipe for soft, kid-friendly sourdough bread.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients into a shaggy dough and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Knead for 5-10 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and let rise at room temperature for 6-8 hours.
- Shape into a loaf, place in a greased pan, and proof for another 2 hours.
- Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes.
3. Easy Overnight Sourdough Waffles
Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Instructions:
- The night before, mix starter, milk, and flour. Cover and leave at room temperature (18-24°C).
- In the morning, add sugar, salt, egg, butter, and baking soda. Stir well.
- Cook in a preheated waffle iron until golden and crispy.
Sourdough Troubleshooting & Tips
- Starter too weak? Feed it twice a day until bubbly.
- Too sour? Discard more starter before feeding to mellow the flavor.
- Not rising? Make sure your kitchen is warm enough and your starter is active.
Want More Sourdough Tips & Recipes?
If you’re loving these recipes and want to dive deeper into the world of sourdough, join my FREE Beginner’s Sourdough Course! You’ll get step-by-step guidance, troubleshooting tips, and even more delicious recipes to help you master sourdough baking with confidence.
Baking with sourdough is a journey, and I’m so excited to help you get started. Let me know what you’re baking in the comments below!