7 Easy Sourdough Recipes Using Homemade Dough Starter
Sourdough baking is more than just making bread; it’s an art that combines patience, technique, and the rich flavor of naturally fermented dough. With a homemade, you can create a variety of breads and baked treats that are both wholesome and indulgent, without relying on commercial yeast. These seven recipes offer a refined approach to sourdough baking, perfect for home bakers who appreciate taste, texture, and quality.
7 Easy Sourdough Recipes
Classic Sourdough Bread
- 500g whole wheat flour
- 300ml water
- 10g salt
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, water, and starter until a cohesive dough forms. Cover and allow to ferment at room temperature for 8–12 hours.
- Incorporate salt and knead for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Shape into a loaf and let it rest for another 2 hours for the final rise.
- Preheat the oven to 230°C (450°F) and bake for 30–35 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp.
Whole Wheat Sourdough Loaf
- 500g whole wheat flour
- 300ml water
- 10g salt
- Mix the flour, water, and starter, and allow the dough to ferment for 8–12 hours.
- Add salt, knead thoroughly, and shape into a loaf.
- Let it rise for an additional 2 hours before baking.
- Bake at 230°C (450°F) for 30–35 minutes.
Sourdough Sandwich Bread
- 400g all-purpose flour
- 100g whole wheat flour
- 300ml water
- 10g salt
- Blend all ingredients and allow fermentation for 8 hours.
- Knead in the salt for 10 minutes, then place the dough into a loaf pan.
- Allow the dough to rise for 2 hours before baking.
- Bake at 220°C (430°F) for 30–35 minutes.
Sourdough Pizza Dough
- 400g all-purpose flour
- 250ml water
- 5g salt
- 15ml olive oil
- Mix flour and water, allowing fermentation for 6–8 hours.
- Incorporate salt and olive oil, kneading for 5–10 minutes until elastic.
- Shape the dough into pizza bases.
- Add your favorite toppings and bake at 250°C (480°F) for 12–15 minutes.
Sourdough Banana Bread
- 2 ripe bananas
- 150g flour
- 50g natural sugar or honey
- 1 egg
- 30ml oil
- Mash the bananas and combine with the starter, sugar, egg, and oil.
- Fold in flour until smooth.
- Pour into a greased loaf pan.
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 35–40 minutes.
Sourdough Garlic and Herb Bread
- 400g all-purpose flour
- 250ml water
- 10g salt
- 30ml olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp mixed dried herbs (thyme)
- Mix flour, water, and starter, and allow fermentation for 6–8 hours.
- Add salt, olive oil, garlic, and herbs, then knead until evenly incorporated.
- Shape into a loaf or braid the dough.
- Let rise for 2 hours.
- Bake at 220°C (430°F) for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and aromatic.
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
- 250g flour
- 50g brown sugar
- 30g butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Prepare the dough and allow fermentation for 6–8 hours.
- Roll out the dough, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and spread butter evenly.
- Roll tightly and slice into individual rolls.
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes until golden.
| Recipe | Ingredients | Fermentation Time | Baking Time | Total Time | Special Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Sourdough | Whole wheat flour, water, salt | 8–12 hrs | 30–35 min | 11–14 hrs | Steam for a crispy crust |
| Whole Wheat Loaf | Whole wheat flour, water, salt | 8–12 hrs | 30–35 min | 11–14 hrs | Mix with white flour for a lighter texture. |
| Sandwich Bread | All-purpose & whole wheat flour, water, salt | 8 hrs | 30–35 min | 10–12 hrs | Soft and fluffy, perfect for sandwiches |
| Pizza Dough | All-purpose flour, water, salt, oil | 6–8 hrs | 12–15 min | 7–9 hrs | Use a preheated pizza stone for a crisp crust. |
| Banana Bread | Bananas, flour, sugar, egg, oil | - | 35–40 min | 1 hr 15 min | Naturally sweet and moist |
| Sourdough cinnamon rolls | flour, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon | 6–8 hrs | 20–25 min | 7–8 hrs | Glaze with a light honey drizzle for natural sweetness. |
| Cinnamon Rolls | Flour, starter, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon | 6–8 hrs | 20–25 min | 7–9 hrs | Optional honey glaze |
Conclusion
Baking with a homemade sourdough starter transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary creations. From the timeless classic loaf to soft sandwich bread, crisp focaccia, pizza bases, and indulgent sweet treats like cinnamon rolls and banana bread, sourdough offers versatility and flavor unmatched by commercial yeast.
The beauty of sourdough lies not only in its taste but also in its health benefits. The natural fermentation process improves digestibility, enhances nutrient absorption, and develops complex, rich flavors. Patience is essential; allowing the dough to ferment fully results in superior texture and aroma.
These 7 recipes demonstrate how a simple ingredient can produce an array of baked goods suitable for any occasion. By experimenting with flours, toppings, and flavors, you can create signature breads and treats tailored to your taste. Embrace the art of sourdough baking, and enjoy the satisfaction of wholesome, homemade breads that delight both the palate and the soul.
