These homemade Sourdough Crackers are delightfully crisp, lightly tangy, and unbelievably easy to make. With only three simple ingredients—sourdough discard, melted butter, and salt—you can turn what might otherwise be waste into a snack worth sharing.
No need for rolling, chilling, or complicated prep. Just mix, spread, bake, and you’ll have a tray of golden, crunchy crackers that store beautifully and pair perfectly with dips, cheese, or charcuterie.
Why You’ll Love These Crackers
If you’re already baking sourdough, you know how much discard piles up. This recipe is one of the most delicious ways to use it up! The result is a thin, crisp cracker with that signature sourdough flavor—savory, tangy, and slightly nutty.
Even better, these crackers are family-approved. My kids love them more than any store-bought version, and I love knowing exactly what’s in them.
What Is Sourdough Discard?
Sourdough discard is the portion of starter you remove before feeding to keep your starter healthy and balanced. Though it’s not active enough to make bread rise on its own, it still adds a wonderful sour flavor and nutritional benefits to recipes.
If you ever find yourself feeding your starter just to make these crackers—don’t worry, you’re not alone. They’re worth it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need three main ingredients, plus your favorite toppings for flavor variety:
- Sourdough discard – Provides tangy flavor and the base structure of the crackers.
- Butter – Adds richness and helps create a crisp, golden texture.
- Salt – Brings out the sourdough flavor and balances the tanginess.
Optional toppings: Everything Bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, grated cheese, or herbs like rosemary or thyme.
Flavor Variations
These crackers are endlessly customizable. Try one of these tasty variations:
- Seed lovers: Sprinkle sesame, chia, sunflower, or flax seeds.
- Cheesy twist: Add a dusting of Parmesan or cheddar before baking.
- Herb-infused: Sprinkle dried rosemary, oregano, or basil.
- Bold & crunchy: Try Everything But the Bagel seasoning or herbed sea salt.
How to Make Sourdough Discard Crackers
Step 1 – Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2 – Mix
In a mixing bowl or large measuring cup, melt the butter and let it cool until lukewarm. Add the sourdough discard and salt, stirring until smooth and well combined.
Step 3 – Spread
Pour the batter onto your lined baking sheet and use an offset spatula to spread it into a very thin, even layer (around 13×11 inches). The thinner you spread it, the crisper the crackers.
Step 4 – Season & Bake
Sprinkle with your favorite toppings. Bake for 10 minutes, remove from the oven, and score into bite-size squares using a pizza cutter or pastry wheel.
Step 5 – Final Bake
Return the tray to the oven for another 15–20 minutes, or until the crackers are golden and firm when tapped. Let them cool completely on the pan to finish crisping up.
Pro Tips for Success
- Bake right away: If you let the mixture sit too long before baking, it can stick to the parchment.
- Spread thin: Thin batter = crunchy crackers.
- Don’t over-salt: A little goes a long way since the crackers are so thin.
Serving Ideas
Serve these crackers on a charcuterie board or snack tray with:
- Soft cheeses like brie or whipped feta
- Dips like hummus, tzatziki, or spinach artichoke dip
- Sweet options like honey, fig jam, or fruit compote
- Or simply enjoy them on their own as a light, crunchy snack!
Storage Tips
Let the crackers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or jar at room temperature. They’re best within 3–4 days, though they’ll keep longer if you re-crisp them briefly in the oven.
Recipe Card
Sourdough Discard Crackers
Yield: about 25 crackers
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 200 g (1 cup) sourdough discard, unfed
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- Toppings of choice (flaky salt, seeds, herbs, cheese, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Combine melted butter, sourdough discard, and salt until smooth.
- Spread mixture thinly and evenly on the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with toppings and bake 10 minutes.
- Score into squares and bake another 15–20 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Cool completely before storing.
Calories: ~15 per cracker
A Little Sourdough Love
Sourdough has been around for thousands of years, and for good reason—it’s simple, nourishing, and deeply satisfying to bake with. These crackers celebrate that tradition in the easiest, tastiest way possible.
Once you make them, you’ll never want to toss your discard again!