Fluffy Sourdough Discard Pancakes

These light and fluffy sourdough discard pancakes make great use of leftover sourdough starter. 

The main batter for these sourdough discard pancakes is made the night for an easy breakfast the following day.

If you were wondering what to make with sourdough starter, here’s an easy recipe using starter. These fluffy sourdough pancakes are so good. There's not much better than a lazy Sunday morning eating sourdough pancakes (or waffles!) dripping with butter and maple syrup.

Sourdough Pancake Recipe Ingredients

To make these easy sourdough pancakes you will need:

• Flour. An all purpose flour works well 
• Milk - I use cow’s milk but this can be substituted for nut or seed mylks too.
• Maple syrup - For sweetness (both in the batter and for serving!). The syrup in the batter can be substituted for granulated sugar or sweetener of your choice.
• Sourdough discard starter - The addition of the starter helps to break down the flour and make these pancakes easier to digest. The acid in the starter helps to create a fluffy pancake too.
• Eggs, salt, baking powder and baking soda - Eggs add structure, salt adds flavour. The baking powder and baking soda add lift and it is the baking soda that reacts with the acid in the sourdough starter to create an extra fluffy pancake. 

How to Make Sourdough Pancakes - Overnight Sourdough Pancakes

The main sourdough pancake batter is made the night before. This is the flour, milk, sourdough discard starter and maple syrup. Mix it together until combined. Cover the bowl with a plate or a lid and pop it into the refrigerator overnight.

This gives the sourdough starter time to do its work, breaking down the flour and making it much easier to digest. It also makes breakfast so simple and quick the following day, as the main batter is already finished.

Quick Sourdough Pancakes 

The fermenting time can be shortened to 2-4 hours at room temperature instead. If you want to skip this step entirely you can but the fermenting time creates a lighter pancake. 

Sourdough Pancake Recipe - The Following Morning 

In the morning you will add the eggs, melted butter, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk it all together but don’t over-mix it. 

Frying the Sourdough Pancakes

Preheat a cast-iron or non stick pan over medium-high heat. Grease the pan with butter. Ensure the pan is hot, and the butter is sizzling, then pour in ¼-½ cup of batter for each pancake. If the pan gets too hot, turn down the heat a little once you've poured in the batter. 

The batter will spread out in the pan, and won’t rise just yet. Bubbles will start appearing on the surface of the pancake. Once bubbles cover the whole area (about 2-3 minutes), flip the pancake over and finish cooking the other side for another minute or 2. 

Transfer the pancake to a plate and continue with the rest of the batter until it is all used up, stacking the pancakes in a pile as you go. 

Serving the Fluffy Sourdough Pancakes 

Serve the sourdough discard pancakes warm with plenty of butter and maple syrup or cream and jam. 

Have you made these easy sourdough pancakes? Tag me and let me know! @home_grown_happinessnz

Looking for more sourdough discard starter recipes? Try puff pastry! Or sourdough chocolate cake.