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Congratulations, you finally learned how to bake your own sourdough bread. Now, it is time to repurpose all your sourdough discard. What can you make? For starters, why not try whipping up a batch of sourdough crackers?
Crispy, thin and crunchy, sourdough crackers are an excellent way to repurpose your discarded mother dough. They are extremely versatile as they can be flavoured with different herbs, oils, and cheeses to suit your preferences.
Let’s take a look at a few sourdough cracker recipes that will inspire you to turn your sourdough discard into a sumptuous homemade snack. First, a few basics about sourdough discard just in case you are new to the sourdough baking process.
What is sourdough discard?
Sourdough discard is the portion of dough you remove before feeding your starter (aka mother dough) more flour and water, which will help the yeast flourish. Since the dough has fermented for days on end, it would be a pity to throw it out. The sourdough discard will add a nice tang to crackers.
Learn more about the science of sourdough.
What do I need to make sourdough discard crackers?
Most recipes call for at least one cup of sourdough discard. This will be mixed with flour, some type of lipid (butter or oil), salt, and herbs to taste.
Equipment needed for sourdough crackers
You’ll need a big sheet pan which will allow the dough to be stretched thin, thus resulting in thin crackers with a nice crunch. A spatula is helpful in this endeavour, as is a silicone pad or parchment paper.
5 GOURMET SOURDOUGH CRACKER RECIPES
1. Chef-approved Sourdough Crackers
French-born chef Richard Bertinet, who is based in the UK, shares his easy recipe for posh crackers made from what he refers to as “ferment” (aka sourdough discard). His crackers are a fun take on traditional sourdough crackers and last up to three weeks when stored in an air-tight container.
Check out the video below for some great tips from this renowned chef. You’ll love his sea salt hack. You can find the written recipe here.
2. Vegan and Gluten-Free Sourdough Crackers
Is it possible to make vegan and gluten-free crackers that are tasty? Indeed it is. Just follow this video recipe from Fresh is Real. The crackers are flavoured with olive oil, herbs and flax seeds for extra oomph and texture.
The second half of the video focuses on something called 'cereal snack', essentially a sweet version of crackers. Enjoy.
3. Rye Sourdough Crackers aka Sourdough Crispbread
Rye sourdough crackers, also known as sourdough crispbread or Knäckebröd, are a tasty alternative to crackers made with wheat. The process of using a rye starter and blending the ingredients is similar to the one used in the crackers mentioned above.
In this recipe, the sourdough crispbreads are seasoned with honey for a faint touch of sweetness and coloured with squid ink (which can be omitted or substituted with black food colouring). Take a look:
4. Sourdough Focaccia Crackers Recipe
Sourdough focaccia crackers? Count us in. This creative recipe from Artisanal Touch Kitchen is flavoured with olive oil and thyme. It’s a lovely way to turn your sourdough discard into an elegant cracker.
Check out the video below and find the written instructions here.
5. Sourdough Cheese Crackers
Naturally, cheese makes a great addition to crackers. Here is a nifty sourdough cracker recipe from the Pioneer Woman which uses shredded cheddar cheese, but feel free to use your favourite cheese (preferably one with a strong flavour).
