Easy Sourdough Discard Crackers (No Flour)

These sourdough discard crackers are perfect for my busy family- quick and easy, they make for a crunchy snack that is healthy and fun! As a bonus, no added flour is needed.

These crackers are thin and crispy, featuring that unique tangy sourdough taste we all know and love.

Added butter gives the sourdough discard a rich depth and dimension, lending the crackers an almost cheesy flavor. Add your choice of herbs or spices, and you’ve got an irresistibly quick and delicious sourdough snack.

My kids love these crisp crackers, and I love that they only have a few simple ingredients.

What I love most about this recipe is that the ingredients are not a mystery. Unlike store-bought crackers, I know exactly what lies within! No questionable additives or preservatives needed.

What Is Sourdough Discard?

Discard is simply the portion of your sourdough starter that is removed prior to feeding it with new water and flour.

If you keep your starter in the fridge and only feed it the amount needed for bread recipes, you may not have discard. Many people choose to feed their starter extra flour and water just for the purpose of making delicious discard recipes.

For this recipe, I fed my starter enough to make sure I have the 200 grams of discard needed. I normally feed equal portions of both flour and water.

The longer your starter sits out unfed, the more sour it becomes, thus affecting the taste of the crackers. If you want less sour crackers, use your starter when it is still a bit bubbly and active!

Ingredients

As a busy homeschooling mom, I love simple, easy recipes. Store bought snacks are often filled with sugar and preservatives, and I love how these crackers are made with just a few whole ingredients.

For these crunchy crackers, you’ll need:

• 200 grams sourdough discard (the longer your starter goes without being fed, the more sour it will taste)
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1-2 teaspoons herbs of your choice

*If using unsalted butter, add 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt to the batter.

How To Make Sourdough Discard Crackers

Here are step-by-step instructions for making this easy sourdough snack.  

Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 325 degrees and rip off a large piece of parchment paper that fits a baking sheet.

Step 2: Melt two tablespoons of butter in a medium mixing bowl. Let cool for a few minutes. (You can use a microwave OR melt the butter in a saucepan and transfer to the mixing bowl).

Step 3: Weigh 200 grams of sourdough discard into your bowl of cooled butter (make sure you “tare” the scale prior to weighing).  

Step 4: Add in 1-2 teaspoons of herbs. If you are using unsalted butter, add about one-half teaspoon of salt. Use a spatula or butter knife to mix ingredients together. Spread the batter in a thin, even layer on the sheet of parchment paper.

Step 5: Bake for 10 minutes, remove and score the crackers in the size and shape of your choosing. I like to use this pastry tool, but you can use a knife as well. Put the tray back in the oven.

Step 6: Bake for 20-35 minutes until the crackers are golden brown. (Oven temperatures and thickness of the sourdough batter can vary; keep a close eye on the crackers and remove them when they are consistently browned.)

Remove crackers from the oven and cool for ten minutes. Then, break apart along the pre cut cracker lines. Enjoy!

Tips + Troubleshooting

Here are a few tricks my kids and I have learned from baking these crackers over and over:

-Spread your mixture as evenly as possible for an even bake. If the batter is uneven, the crackers will cook unevenly. If this happens, use a spatula to remove the crackers that have finished baking, then continue to bake the rest.

-For the best taste and texture, thoroughly bake your crackers (make sure they are a light golden brown before removing).

-Experiment with different flavors. From poppy seeds to bagel seasoning, the sky is the limit!

Flavor Ideas

You can spice these crackers up or leave them neutral. Here are a few of my favorite seasonings:

• Bagel seasoning
• Rosemary and thyme
• Garlic and Parmesan
• Italian seasoning
• Sea salt sprinkled on top
• Poppyseed