SOURDOUGH PANCAKES

Of course! Sourdough pancakes are a fantastic way to use your sourdough starter discard, resulting in pancakes with a delightful tang, incredible flavor depth, and a tender, fluffy texture.

Here is a comprehensive guide to making them, including a classic recipe and tips for success.

Why You’ll Love Sourdough Pancakes

· Unbeatable Flavor: They have a complex, slightly tangy taste that’s far more interesting than regular pancakes.
· Waste-Free: Perfect for using the starter you’d otherwise discard during feedings.
· Improved Digestion: The fermentation process can make the grains easier to digest for some people.
· Fantastic Texture: They are often lighter and fluffier with a lovely, tender crumb.


Classic Sourdough Pancakes Recipe

This recipe uses an “overnight sponge” for maximum tang and fluffiness, but I’ll also include a quick-mix option.

Yields: About 8-10 medium pancakes
Prep time: 10 minutes (plus 8-12 hours resting)
Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the Overnight Sponge:

· 1 cup (240g) unfed (“discard”) sourdough starter
· 1 cup (240ml) milk (any kind) or buttermilk*
· 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
· 1 tablespoon (12g) granulated sugar

For the Next Morning:

· 1 large egg
· 2 tablespoons (28g) melted butter or vegetable oil
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon baking soda

*Note on Buttermilk: Buttermilk will enhance the tanginess and tenderness. If you don’t have it, you can use regular milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice added to it. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.


Instructions

The Night Before:

  1. Mix the Sponge: In a large non-reactive bowl (glass, ceramic, or plastic), combine the sourdough starter, milk/buttermilk, flour, and sugar. Stir until well combined and smooth. It will be thick and shaggy.
  2. Ferment: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it sit at room temperature for 8-12 hours (overnight is perfect). By morning, it will be bubbly and have a pleasant, slightly sour aroma.

In the Morning:

  1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat a griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease it with butter or oil.
  2. Finish the Batter: To the fermented sponge, add the egg, melted butter/oil, and salt. Mix well.
  3. The Key Step: Right before cooking, sprinkle the 1 teaspoon of baking soda evenly over the batter and gently fold it in. You will see the batter immediately become frothy and full of air bubbles. This is what makes them incredibly fluffy! Do not overmix.
  4. Cook the Pancakes: Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the preheated griddle for each pancake. Cook until the edges look set and bubbles form on the surface and begin to pop, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Flip and Finish: Flip the pancakes and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side, until golden brown and cooked through.
  6. Serve: Serve immediately with your favorite toppings like butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.

Visual Guide: The Baking Soda Reaction

This is the most satisfying part! When you add the alkaline baking soda to the acidic sourdough batter, a chemical reaction occurs, creating tons of tiny CO₂ bubbles. This is what gives the pancakes an extra-airy lift.

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    columns 3
    "Acidic Sourdough Batter" -> "Alkaline Baking Soda Added" -> "Frothy & Airy Batter"

Tips for Perfect Pancakes

· Starter Consistency: This recipe is very forgiving. Whether your starter is thick or thin, it will work. If the final batter seems too thick, thin it with a tablespoon of milk. If it’s too thin, add a tablespoon of flour.
· Don’t Overmix: Once you add the baking soda, mix just until combined. Lumps are perfectly fine!
· Griddle Temperature Test: To see if your griddle is ready, sprinkle a few drops of water on it. If they “dance” and sizzle, it’s hot enough.
· Keeping Them Warm: To serve a crowd, keep finished pancakes on a baking sheet in a single layer in a 200°F (95°C) oven while you cook the rest.

Quick-Mix “Discard” Version

No time to wait? You can make them immediately, though they will be less tangy.

  1. In a bowl, mix 1 cup starter, 1 egg, 2 tbsp oil/melted butter, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  2. In a separate small bowl, mix 1 tsp baking soda with 1 tbsp of water or milk to activate it, then stir it into the batter.
  3. Cook immediately as directed above.

Flavor Variations

· Blueberry Lemon: Fold in 1 cup of fresh blueberries and the zest of one lemon into the batter.
· Chocolate Chip: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
· Cinnamon Spice: Add 1 tsp of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
· Whole Grain: Substitute up to 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.

Enjoy your delicious, tangy, and fluffy homemade sourdough pancakes! They are a perfect weekend treat.

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