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Sourdough Recipe Not Bread

Sourdough Recipe Not Bread: Crackers, Pancakes, and Flatbread

A flexible collection of three easy sourdough recipes that use starter or discard without baking a traditional loaf: crispy crackers, fluffy pancakes, and simple skillet flatbread.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American, Homemade

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup sourdough starter or discard unfed is fine; 100% hydration
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour for crackers; can swap up to 1/2 cup with whole wheat
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted; or use olive oil for crackers
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt for cracker dough
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder optional, for crackers
  • 1 teaspoon dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning; optional for crackers
  • 2 tablespoons water 2–3 tablespoons as needed for cracker dough
  • flaky sea salt, sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning optional, for topping crackers
  • 1 cup sourdough starter or discard for pancakes; 100% hydration
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour for pancakes
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey for pancakes; reduce or omit for savory
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder for pancakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda for pancakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt for pancakes
  • 1 large egg for pancakes
  • 3/4 cup milk or buttermilk up to 1 cup; more for thinner pancakes
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or neutral oil melted, for pancakes
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional, for sweet pancakes
  • 1 cup sourdough starter or discard for flatbread; 100% hydration
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting; for flatbread
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt for flatbread dough
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey optional, helps browning in flatbread
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for cooking and brushing flatbread
  • 1/4 cup warm water up to 1/2 cup, as needed for flatbread dough

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup sourdough starter or discard, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (if using), and 1 teaspoon dried herbs (if using). Stir until a rough dough forms, then add 2–3 tablespoons water a little at a time until the dough holds together and is not crumbly.
    1 cup sourdough starter or discard, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried herbs, 2 tablespoons water
  • Turn the cracker dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead 1–2 minutes until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap or cover with a bowl and let rest 20–30 minutes at room temperature for easier rolling and better flavor.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Divide the cracker dough in half. Roll each half directly on the parchment to about 1/16 inch thick. Use a pizza cutter or knife to score into squares or rectangles without separating. Lightly brush with water or a little olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt, sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning if desired.
    flaky sea salt, sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning
  • Bake the crackers for 15–20 minutes, rotating pans halfway through, until edges are golden and crackers feel firm. If the center is still soft, break off the crisp outer pieces and return the center to the oven for a few more minutes. Cool completely on the pan, then break along scored lines.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup sourdough starter or discard, 1 large egg, 3/4–1 cup milk or buttermilk, 2 tablespoons melted butter or neutral oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract if using, until smooth.
    1 cup sourdough starter or discard, 1 large egg, 3/4 cup milk or buttermilk, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or neutral oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar or honey, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt until evenly combined.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar or honey, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently stir just until combined; a few small lumps are fine. Let the batter rest 5–10 minutes so it puffs slightly.
  • Heat a lightly greased nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. When a drop of water sizzles, scoop about 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto the surface. Cook 2–3 minutes until bubbles form on top and edges look set, then flip and cook 1–2 more minutes until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.
  • In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup sourdough starter or discard, 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1 teaspoon sugar or honey if using, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Stir, then gradually add 1/4–1/2 cup warm water until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough.
    1 cup sourdough starter or discard, 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1 teaspoon sugar or honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup warm water
  • Turn the flatbread dough onto a floured surface and knead 3–5 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding a light dusting of flour as needed. Place back in the bowl, cover, and let rest 30–45 minutes at room temperature.
  • Divide the rested dough into 6–8 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball, then use a rolling pin to flatten to about 1/4 inch thick in circles or ovals.
  • Heat a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat and lightly brush with olive oil. Cook each flatbread 1–2 minutes per side until puffed in spots and lightly charred, adjusting heat as needed. Brush warm flatbreads with a little more olive oil and sprinkle with salt or herbs if desired. Serve as wraps, pizza bases, or alongside soups and salads.
    2 tablespoons olive oil

Notes

Storage: Crackers keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week; re-crisp in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes if needed. Pancakes keep refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 2 months; reheat in a toaster, toaster oven, or skillet. Flatbreads keep at room temperature 1–2 days, refrigerated up to 4 days, or frozen up to 2 months; reheat in a dry skillet or warm oven until soft.
Variations: Add 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar and 1 teaspoon dried thyme to cracker dough for cheesy herb crackers. Stir 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 tablespoons brown sugar into pancake batter for cinnamon sugar pancakes, or fold in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips for a sweet version. For savory pancakes, omit sugar and vanilla and add 1/4 cup chopped green onions. For flatbread, brush hot breads with garlic butter or top cooked flatbread like pizza and broil briefly to melt cheese.
Notes: All recipes work with active starter or discard, preferably at room temperature. Starters at different hydrations may require minor adjustments to flour or liquid.
Keyword No knead sourdough, Sourdough crackers, Sourdough Discard, Sourdough flatbread, Sourdough pancakes, Sourdough recipe not bread
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