Sourdough Pancakes Recipe (Active or Discard Starter)

Are you searching for a fun and delicious way to use discarded sourdough starter? Look no further! You’re going to love these fluffy golden sourdough pancakes. Truth be told, we’re not usually big pancake eaters in this household… but we make an exception for these extra special cakes! With the addition of a little cinnamon, plus natural yeast and beneficial bacteria from the starter, homemade sourdough pancakes are definitely a healthier alternative to boxed pancake mix – and much tastier too! Yet they’re just as quick and easy to make. 

While sourdough pancakes are the perfect use for sourdough starter discard, you can absolutely use active starter too. Chances are you already have one… right? If not, you can follow this tutorial and try to make a starter from scratch. Or for an even more foolproof option, pick up an organic sourdough starter from our shop here.

Don’t miss the printable recipe and list of our other favorite sourdough recipes at the end of this article!

What do sourdough pancakes taste like?

Let’s get this out of the way: no, sourdough pancakes aren’t sour-tasting! That is a common misconception with all sourdough. Homemade sourdough doesn’t taste like the stuff you buy in the store, which is often artificially-flavored to taste super sour. Homemade sourdough is simply called ‘sourdough’ because it is made with fermented wild yeast and natural bacteria – the sourdough starter culture. That is what gives it an airy rise without the need for commercial instant yeast. 

Sourdough pancakes taste much like regular pancakes; perhaps a bit more rich, rustic, mildly sweet… and I don’t know how else to explain it but GOOD. If you do choose to allow your raw pancake batter to ferment for a day or two before using it, the sourdough pancakes will develop a slightly more earthy and tangy flavor, but I still wouldn’t consider it sour. 

How long can you keep or store sourdough pancake batter?

Like most sourdough baking, the timing on this sourdough pancake recipe is quite flexible. You can mix the batter and make pancakes right away, let it sit for a few hours first, or even refrigerate the batter overnight (or longer). If the batter is going to sit for more than an hour or two, move it to the refrigerator since it contains egg. 

For the best results, I recommend using sourdough pancake batter within 24 hours of mixing it, though it is still technically ‘good’ after several days! Simply keep the batter in a covered bowl in the refrigerator. When cooked the next day, we find the sourdough pancakes are just a teeny tiny less fluffy than the first day, but not bad at all. The baking soda and powder will start to lose some of their oomph over time, yet there is one definite benefit to waiting. The longer it sits, the more fermented the batter becomes, and therefore the more nutritious and easy-to-digest it is. 

Are sourdough pancakes good for you?

Let’s be real: pancakes aren’t salad… but that doesn’t mean they are bad for you! Like most meals, it’s all about moderation, serving size, and choice of ingredients. For instance, I love that we can use all organic ingredients in homemade sourdough pancakes, and they don’t contain all the extra preservatives in a boxed mix. 

The simple fact that these pancakes are made with sourdough starter makes them more healthy than classic pancakes. Because they’re fermented, sourdough baked goods are scientifically-proven to be more nutrient-dense, easier to digest, contain less gluten, and have a lower glycemic index than their traditional non-fermented counterparts. Fantastic news, right? Learn more about all that good stuff here.

To keep your sourdough pancakes extra healthy, go light on the syrup – or skip it altogether! We love to serve ours with a little butter, fresh tangy homemade cranberry sauce (aka superfood jam), and walnuts or pecans for a pop of protein. Or, sprinkle some hemp hearts on top for added protein and essential omegas. You can also dress them with savory toppings like goat cheese, kalamata olives, fresh herbs and a drizzle of flavored olive oil – fit to be enjoyed any time of day!

One final way we make our fluffy sourdough pancakes recipe even more nutritious is by adding cinnamon. Did you know that cinnamon is proven to lower post-meal blood sugar levels? It has even been dubbed an “anti-diabetic spice”. I have type 1 diabetes so I love incorporating cinnamon in as many recipes as possible, like our spiced sourdough chocolate chip cookie recipe! Reducing blood sugar spikes is great for your health, even if you aren’t diabetic.

Enough yakkity-yakkin’ – let’s get flap-jackin’.

Ingredients for Sourdough Pancakes 

Makes: approximately 6 large pancakes, or 8 to 10 small/medium cakes
 

• 1 cup sourdough starter, unfed discard starter or active
• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cup milk of choice. We love this recipe with oat milk! Yet you could use any type: almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, buttermilk, or regular dairy milk.
• 1 large egg (or 2 medium, either way works)
• 3 Tbsp melted coconut oil. Sub with olive oil or butter if you prefer. 
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional, but highly recommended)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (ditto as above)

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix Sourdough Pancake Batter

In a mixing bowl, whisk together all of the wet ingredients first: the sourdough starter, milk, egg, vanilla, and melted coconut oil (or butter/olive oil). Then add the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda and powder, sugar, salt and cinnamon. 

Do not overmix your pancake batter! Overmixing can lead to rubbery sourdough pancakes. Mix well until just combined. It is 100% okay if there are some lingering lumps and clumps. 

Now, you can either make your cakes right away, let the batter sit a while, or use it within the next couple of days. If possible, let it sit for at least 15 minutes so the starter can get friendly with the flour. Since it contains egg, store the batter in the refrigerator if it’s going to be more than a couple of hours before you make pancakes. You can use the batter cold. See the storage notes above for more details.

Cook Your Cakes

It is best to cook pancakes over medium heat. A cast iron skillet or griddle does a particularly superb job! To keep your sourdough pancakes warm until serving, turn the oven on low (200°F). Then, tuck finished pancakes inside the oven on an oven-safe plate as they come off the stove.  

Allow the pan to get nice and hot before adding any pancake batter. Once hot, add a small pad of butter (or drizzle/spray of oil) to the pan, and then ladle or pour in some batter. I typically eyeball it, but the general recommendation is about a quarter cup of batter per pancake. Make them any size you want! Either use the back of a spoon or gently swirl the skillet to help the batter spread into a fairly even circle.

Allow the sourdough pancakes to cook on the first side until bubbles rise to the surface and the bottom becomes golden brown, about 2 to 4 minutes. Then flip and continue to cook until the second side is also lightly brown. Wipe the pan and add a fresh bit of butter or oil between each pancake for the best results. Also adjust the flame or heat if needed. 

Serve warm and enjoy! 

Are you drooling yet?

Well, I know what I’m making this weekend… 🤤 I hope you love these fluffy sourdough pancakes just as much as we do! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments section below. Please pop back by for a review, tag me in your pancake party pics on Instagram (@deannacat3), and spread the love by sharing or pinning this post. Bon appetit! Looking for other ways to use discarded starter? See our list of the 15 Best Sourdough Discard Recipes here.

I bet you’ll love these related recipes:

• Fresh Cranberry Sauce Recipe
• Sourdough Focaccia Bread
• Cast Iron Whole Wheat Pizza Crust
• Spiced Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Simple No-Knead Sourdough Bread
• Sourdough Cornbread Recipe
• Herb Sourdough Starter Crackers