Easy Sourdough Waffle Recipe

4.62 from 18 votes

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Crunchy and golden on the outside, soft and fluffy in the middle, this easy Sourdough Waffle Recipe makes a perfect classic breakfast when you have a sourdough starter on hand. If you love the taste of sourdough bread and the texture of waffles, get ready for your new favorite breakfast!

sourdough waffles on a cooking rack made with a sourdough waffle recipe.


 

Sourdough waffles are light and airy, with just the right amount of crispiness on the outside. The batter is very quick to put together and doesn’t need any resting time since baking soda is used as the leavening agent. They are a great quick option for weekday or weekend mornings alike.

Feel free to use mature starter or discard in this recipe. They both work great and taste good either way! What makes these waffles super awesome is their simplicity — just a handful of pantry staples and that sourdough discard you’d otherwise toss, and you’ll create breakfast perfection in just 25 minutes!

🍞 18 Easy Sourdough Recipes!

sourdough waffle on round white plate with pat of butter on white towel with forks

Why You’ll Love This Sourdough Waffle Recipe

  • Uses Up Sourdough Discard: If you’re maintaining a sourdough starter, you know the guilt of tossing that discard! These waffles transform it into something spectacular.
  • Crispy Outside, Fluffy Inside: The sourdough starter creates the perfect texture contrast – a satisfyingly crunchy exterior with a tender, airy center.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: The batter comes together in minutes, and any leftover waffles freeze beautifully for quick weekday breakfasts.
  • Versatile Canvas: These waffles work beautifully with every topping imaginable – from classic maple syrup to fresh berries, nut butters, or even savory options like fried chicken!

Recipe Ingredients

  • Sourdough starter or discard
  • Milk
  • Oil
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda

See recipe card below for full info on ingredients and quantities

sourdough starter in glass ball canning jar with rubberband white lid on crooked

How To Make Sourdough Waffles

  1. Preheat your waffle iron as directed. In a medium mixing bowl, add the sourdough starter, milk, oil, sugar, and eggs. Mix well to fully incorporate all of the ingredients together. 
  2. Add the flour and baking soda, and stir until combined. Adjust the flour or milk as needed to get the right consistency. It should be as thick as a traditional waffle or pancake batter, and your starter will play a role in the consistency. 
  3. Pour the batter into your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions.
  4. When the waffle is done cooking, carefully place it on a wire rack to cool, taking care not to stack the waffles on top of each other. Repeat with remaining batter.
sourdough waffles on a cooking rack made with a sourdough waffle recipe.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftover waffles?

Once the waffles are cooled, store them in an airtight bag or container with a lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

How do I reheat leftover waffles?

To reheat refrigerated waffles, place them on a wire rack placed inside of a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. You can also pop them in the toaster until heated through. To reheat frozen waffles, either allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight and then follow the steps above. You can also pop them in the toaster, but it will take twice as long when frozen!

My sourdough starter isn’t very active. Will this recipe still work?

Yes! This recipe works wonderfully with active starter or discard. The baking soda provides additional leavening, so even a sluggish starter will create beautiful waffles.

two sourdough waffles with butter on white plates with forks next to stick of butter and waffles on cooling rack

Expert Tips

  • Freezer Friendly: This recipe is really easy to scale up if you’d like to make a larger batch of waffles. They freeze very well and heat in a toaster nicely. 
  • Texture Adjusting: Feel free to adjust the flour or milk as needed to get a smoother batter; your starter or discard will influence the initial texture.
  • Hot Iron: Most waffle irons have an indicator light, but the surefire way to tell is when the steam stops escaping from the sides of your waffle iron. This typically takes 3-5 minutes, depending on your specific appliance.
  • Wire Rack Secret: Never stack warm waffles – they’ll lose their crispness! Instead, place them in a single layer on a wire cooling rack while you finish cooking the batch.

More Waffle Recipes to Consider

sourdough waffles on a cooking rack made with a sourdough waffle recipe.
4.62 from 18 votes

Easy Sourdough Waffle Recipe

Crunchy and golden on the outside, soft and fluffy in the middle, these easy sourdough waffles are the perfect classic breakfast dish when you have a sourdough starter on hand!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 large waffles

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup sourdough starter or discard
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Waffle toppings, (such as syrup, butter, jam, or fresh berries)
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Instructions 

  • Preheat your waffle iron as directed.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add the sourdough starter, milk, oil, sugar, and eggs. Mix well to fully incorporate all of the ingredients together. 
  • Add the flour and baking soda, and stir until combined. Adjust the flour or milk as needed to get the right consistency. It should be as thick as a traditional waffle or pancake batter, and your starter will play a role in the consistency. 
  • Pour the batter into your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions.
  • When the waffle is done cooking, carefully place it on a wire rack to cool, taking care not to stack the waffles on top of each other. Repeat with remaining batter.
  • Serve waffles hot with your favorite topping, such as buttermilk syrup, fruit, or whipped cream.

Notes

  • This recipe is really easy to scale up if you’d like to make a larger batch of waffles. They freeze very well and heat in a toaster nicely. 
  • Feel free to adjust the flour or milk as needed to get a smoother batter; your starter or discard will influence the initial texture.
  • A properly preheated waffle iron is crucial – it should be hot enough that a drop of water sizzles and evaporates immediately when it hits the surface.
  • Even with non-stick waffle irons, a light brushing of oil before the first waffle and as needed, possibly before putting each new scoop of batter on the iron.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 6 large waffles, Calories: 200kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 58mg, Sodium: 215mg, Potassium: 83mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 123IU, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 1mg
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4.62 from 18 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




19 Comments

  1. Ali Davis says:

    5 stars
    So goood! Made extra to freeze, perfect to throw in toaster for quick yummy breakfast (or snack)!

  2. Sierra says:

    This is a staple at our home! I make it as pancakes. So so yummy!!

  3. Diane Patten says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Krispy on the outside. Soft on the inside. They are light and fluffy but not too fluffy. Still dense enough to enjoy.

  4. Michelle Jarosak says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! Never buying waffles again .🥰

  5. Vanessa says:

    3 stars
    I only tried these once and I made them as the recipe stated… they were pretty bland. I’m pretty sure if you add a tsp of salt it would be more flavorful. Maybe I will try them next time with that.

  6. Melissa says:

    5 stars
    So easy and delicious. I make these a lot!