Sourdough Discard Crackers

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Crispy sourdough discard crackers are so ridiculously easy and seriously tasty. This easy recipe only takes a few ingredients and is a delicious way to put your extra discard to good use. Mix up some sourdough discard with spices, salt, and olive oil to make the most addicting and healthy crackers.

sourdough crackers, sliced cheese and pepperoni on a wood cutting board

The first time I had the idea about trying to create homemade crackers, I just kept thinking about how it would probably be really difficult and my family would just demolish them in 3 seconds flat. Then I would question my sanity for trying so hard to make something that would last seconds.

But then I wondered “what would happen if I just baked sourdough starter really thinly…”

Honestly, the most magical thing happened. It created the best cracker recipe. Savory, crispy, and healthy!

They still may be inhaled in 3 seconds, but at least it didn’t take too much of my own time.

Since we’ve been doing so many sourdough recipes this month, like these chocolate chip muffinssconesbanana bread, and cookies, that also means I’ve had to feed and discard a lot of starter. 

I’m not one to be wasteful, so I keep the extra discard in the fridge to make pancakespizza, or these homemade crackers.

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a wood cutting board with homemade sourdough crackers stacked up and cheese slices. Olives in a jar in the background

Recipe Highlights:

Super easy: Just mix, pour, and bake. No need for a rolling pin or kneading dough.

Naturally long-fermented: This is a grab-and-go type of recipe. You don’t need to add all-purpose flour or ferment it overnight. Since it is made with just sourdough discard (you could also use an active starter if desired), it is already fermented.

Tasty: These crunchy crackers are so delicious and have an incredible flavor. The tanginess from the sourdough almost makes them taste a little cheesy.

Healthy: Fermented grains, real ingredients, uncomplicated. Way better than store-bought.

Easy snack or appetizer: Sourdough starter crackers are the perfect thing to serve with a charcuterie board or just as a quick snack. There are so many different ways to enjoy these crispy crackers! 

Tips For Making This Recipe:

  • You can use olive oil or melted butter. I usually use olive oil because it saves me the step of having to melt butter.
  • Use a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy removal.
  • Switch up the seasonings if you like. There are so many options for different flavors! Add a bit of garlic powder, flaky sea salt, or even some everything bagel seasoning!
  • If you are totally new to sourdough, I got you! You can make your own sourdough starter with this recipe “how to make a no-fail sourdough starter in 2 days.

Tools you may need:

Liquid measuring cup

Baking sheet – I use a stainless steel baking sheet like this one.

Silicon baking mat or parchment paper

Silicon spatula

sourdough crackers, pepperonis, and cheese slices on a small cutting board

Ingredient List:

Sourdough starter discard: You could also use active starter, but it won’t have that deep sourdough flavor. This is a great way to use up leftover sourdough discard.

Olive oil: You could also use melted butter. I like to use olive oil because I’m lazy…ahem… efficient with my time and energy. 

Salt: I like to use sea salt or kosher salt.

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Extras: Sprinkle the top with herbs (like fresh rosemary), parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast, etc.

a charcuterie board with homemade sourdough crackers, cheese slices and pepperonis

How To Make Homemade Sourdough Crackers

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

pouring sourdough starter discard into a measuring cup that is sitting on a concrete countertop

In a medium bowl (or right in a liquid measuring cup), add all of the ingredients.

women wearing gray shirt stirring sourdough crackers batter with a fork

Stir well, making sure all the ingredients are incorporated.

pouring homemade cracker batter onto a parchment lined baking sheet

Pour the cracker batter onto a baking sheet. 

person with a red spatula smoothing out sourdough cracker batter on a parchment lined cookie sheet

For best results, smooth out the batter, making sure it goes to all of the edges and is mostly even. If there are any thicker spots, they will not get as crispy as the thin spots.

Add to the top of the dough your favorite toppings, if desired: fresh herbs, kosher salt, sesame seeds, nutritional yeast, parmesan cheese, black pepper, chili flakes, etc.

Place into the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. How thin you spread your crackers will determine how long they will need to bake. The thinner the cracker, the less baking time needed.

You can either break them after they are done baking or, if you want more even, square pieces, you can pull them out of the oven after about 15-20 minutes, cut them into squares using a knife or a pizza cutter (aka pizza wheel), and place back into the oven to finish baking for 20-30 minutes. 

Once they have started to turn golden brown, take them out of the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes. 

Enjoy! Eat by themselves or serve with hummuscheesy Mexican black bean dip, or whatever your favorite dip is.

How To Store These Crackers:

Place them in a glass jar or airtight container. They will stay fresh and crispy for at least 3 days. The thicker pieces will stay crispy for a very long time, and I recommend eating those pieces right away. 

hand holding a homemade sourdough cracker

FAQ:

Why is sourdough the healthier choice?

Regular wheat contains phytic acid, which is an anti-nutrient that binds to nutrients and inhibits their absorption by our bodies.
The lactic acid present in sourdough bread helps decrease the amount of phytic acid present, therefore allowing our bodies to absorb more nutrients (1) and increase the level of other nutrients present (like folate). (2
The fermentation process also helps break down some of the gluten, making it easier to digest for some people. (3)
Those with celiac disease will still not be able to tolerate sourdough, because it still contains gluten.

Are sourdough crackers healthy?

Yes. Not only do they contain healthy, fermented grains, but they are also made with healthy fat (olive oil) and spices. They are made with only simple and natural ingredients.

What is the benefit of sourdough crackers?

They contain fermented grains which have more vitamins and minerals, less phytic acid (an anti-nutrient), and a lower glycemic index compared to store-bought crackers.

What are sourdough crackers made of?

Sourdough discard, olive oil (or butter), salt, and herbs or spices (optional).

Does sourdough discard have health benefits?

Since it is fermented, it contains more nutrients and is easier to digest than unfermented grains. 

How do you use sourdough discard?

There are many ways to use excess starter. Making crackers, sconesmuffins, and quick breads, like sourdough banana bread, are a few of my favorites.

Find more delicious snacks:

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you could come back, comment on the post, and give it 5 stars! Please and thank you. 

a wood cutting board with homemade sourdough crackers stacked up and cheese slices. Olives in a jar in the background

Sourdough Crackers

Easy and delicious sourdough discard crackers are the perfect crispy salty snack.
5 from 3 votes
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Author: Amy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6

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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sourdough starter discard
  • 2.5 tbs olive oil or melted butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicon baking mat.
  • In a bowl or right in a liquid measuring cup, add all of the ingredients.
  • Stir well, making sure all the ingredients are incorporated well.
  • Pour cracker batter onto baking sheet. Smooth out the batter making sure it goes to all of the edges and is mostly even.
  • Place into the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. You can either break them after they are done baking or if you want more even square pieces you can pull them out of the oven after about 15 minutes, cut into squares using a knife or a pizza cutter, and place back into the oven to finish cooking for 25-35 more minutes.
  • Once they have started to turn golden, take them out of the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Homemade Crackers, Sourdough Crackers, Sourdough Discard Crackers
Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @ablossominglife or tag #ablossominglife!

7 Comments

  1. Wonder if you could dehydrate them (like I do for dog cookies) to get the crispier dryer productโ€ฆ Thanks for recipe. Gonna try it today with my discard.

  2. 5 stars
    This is my favorite way to make discard crackers! I usually donโ€™t bother with the seasoning, just discard, olive oil and salt. I do add nutritional yeast from time to time to a a bit of umami..

    Also, I bake for 30 minutes, flip the giant cracker and leave to cool in the oven. This crisps up the โ€œsoft spotsโ€.

    1. I should try to flip them over to get them even more crispy. Thanks for sharing and so glad you enjoy the recipe.

  3. 5 stars
    I like them. This is a great thing to do with discard. Zero brain damage. If you’re going to throw away your discard anyway, try these crackers. I don’t like store-bought crackers anymore. It’s different than store bought but nice on the belly and crunchy if made thin. Nice snack!

5 from 3 votes

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