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The Ultimate Fluffy Sourdough Discard Pancakes: Quick & Easy (Zero-Waste)

A tall stack of fluffy discard pancakes, with a slice removed to show the airy interior, drizzled with syrup.
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Stop wasting your sourdough starter. Transform your unfed discard into incredibly light, fluffy, and tangy pancakes perfect for a weekend family breakfast. This zero-waste sourdough recipe is surprisingly quick, delivering the best homemade sourdough breakfast without needing an active starter.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup sourdough discard (unfed starter)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup milk (buttermilk preferred for extra tang)
  • 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, plus more for the griddle

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This is your dry mix.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sourdough discard, egg, and milk until combined.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a whisk or spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are acceptable. Overmixing develops gluten and results in tough pancakes.
  4. Let the batter rest on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes. This short rest allows the leavening agents to activate, which helps create fluffy pancakes.
  5. Heat a griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease the surface with butter or cooking spray.
  6. Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges look set.
  7. Flip the pancakes and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown.
  8. Serve immediately with maple syrup, butter, or fresh berries.

Notes

  • For extra tang, use buttermilk instead of regular milk.
  • If you want crispier edges, add 1 teaspoon of melted butter directly into the batter just before cooking.
  • You can make the batter the night before and store it covered in the refrigerator for an even quicker morning breakfast.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://dishicious.com/discard-pancakes-fluffy-quick-easy/