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It is no secret that professional bakers have to discard a lot of sourdough starters each week. But what many people don’t know is that you can take those discarded bits and turn them into the most delicious crackers ever.
These Sourdough Discard Crackers are easy to make and taste absolutely amazing. Plus, you can customize them with your favorite spices and herbs. So why not give them a try? You won’t be disappointed!
Sourdough discard is the leftover liquid from a sourdough starter. It’s full of wild yeast and other fermentation byproducts that give sourdough bread its characteristic flavor.
Discard can be used to make all sorts of things, including crackers! These sourdough discard crackers are crispy, cheesy, and full of flavor.
What Is Sourdough Discard?
Sourdough discard is the by-product liquid that is left over after you have fed your sourdough starter. The starter is a living culture of yeast and bacteria, and when you feed it, the bacteria multiplies and produces lactic acid, which is the fermenting process.
This increase in acidity gives sourdough bread its characteristic tangy flavor. Sourdough discard can be used in a number of different recipes, including as a leavening agent for bread, as a starter for sourdough pancakes, or even as a substitute for vinegar in salad dressings, making of waffles. It can also be used as a replacement for buttermilk or yogurt in baking recipes.
While it may seem like a waste product, sourdough discard is actually packed full of flavor and can be a great addition to your baking repertoire. If you have a sourdough starter, don’t throw away the discard – put it to good use in your kitchen!
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How To Make Sourdough Discard Crackers: Step By Step Guide
In this tutorial, we’re going to show you how to make sourdough discard crackers step by step.
- First, you will need some sourdough starter. If you don’t have any sourdough starters available, you can also use bread yeast. Once you have your sourdough starter, you’ll need to mix it with some warm water. Make sure the mixture is about the consistency of pudding.
- Once the mixture is ready, you have to spread it out on a baking sheet. You will need the crackers to be about 1 inch wide and about 2 inches long.
- Next, mix together some salt, sugar, and baking powder. You’ll want to mix this together until it’s well combined.
- When the salt, sugar, and baking powder are mixed together, sprinkle them over the sourdough crackers. Make sure that the crackers are covered in the mixture.
- Now, let the crackers rise for about an hour. After the hour is up, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once the oven is preheated, you may want to bake the crackers for about 20 to 25 minutes. After the crackers are baked, let them cool off for a few minutes.
- Finally, you will want to assemble the crackers by putting them together with some butter, salt, and pepper. You can also add some seeds to the crackers if you would like to.
And that’s how you make sourdough discard crackers! Now you can enjoy some of the best-tasting crackers that you’ve ever had.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240ml) sourdough discard
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup (100g) grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sourdough discard, flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your hands to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in grated cheddar cheese.
- Use your hands to knead the dough until it comes together, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Roll out the dough to 1/4-inch (6mm) thickness and use a fork to prick holes all over the surface.
- Cut the dough into cracker-sized pieces and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- If you don't have any sourdough starter available, you can use 2 teaspoons (8g) of active dry yeast in place of the sourdough discard.
- These crackers are best enjoyed the day they are made but you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- The dough can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before proceeding with the recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 190
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 36mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 4g
>> Love Sourdough Discard Crackers? Then this video here will aid you with more tips to do it:
Tips To Make Perfect Sourdough Discard Crackers
- Make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly before using it in this recipe. If it’s not, your crackers won’t be as flavorful.
- Be sure to use cold butter when making the dough. This will help to create a flakier texture.
- If you want your crackers to be extra cheesy, you can add an additional 1/2 cup (50g) of grated cheddar cheese to the dough.
- For a spicy twist, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the dough.
- If you want to add some extra flavor to your crackers, you can sprinkle them with chopped fresh herbs or sesame seeds before baking.
Variations
Along with this Sourdough Discard Crackers, there are also some other variations of this recipe:
- Cheese Crackers: Simply omit the sourdough starter and increase the amount of grated cheddar cheese to 1 1/2 cups (150g).
- Herb Crackers: Add 1 tablespoon (4g) of chopped fresh herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, to the dough.
- Sesame Crackers: Before baking, sprinkle the surface of the crackers with sesame seeds.
- Parmesan Crackers: Substitute Parmesan cheese for the cheddar cheese in this recipe.
How To Store Sourdough Discard Crackers?
These crackers are best enjoyed the day they’re made but will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
The dough can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before proceeding with the recipe.
Sourdough Discard Crackers (By iStockphoto)
FAQs About Sourdough Discard Crackers
What are discard crackers?
Discard crackers are a type of cracker made with sourdough starter discard. They’re crispy, flavorful, and perfect for snacking on.
Is eating with sourdough discard healthy?
Yes, eating sourdough discard is perfectly safe and healthy. In fact, it’s a great way to use up sourdough starter that would otherwise be discarded.
How long can you keep sourdough discards?
Sourdough discards can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
What do you do with sourdough discard?
There are many ways to use sourdough discard. You can make crackers, bread, pancakes, waffles, pizza dough, and more.
What happens if you bake sourdough discard?
Baking sourdough discard will not kill the beneficial bacteria or yeast. However, it will make the discard less active, so it may not be as effective in baking.
What do you eat sourdough crackers with?
Sourdough crackers are great on their own, or you can enjoy them with cheese, dips, or spreads.
Is sourdough discard fed or unfed?
It doesn’t matter if the sourdough starter is fed or unfed. However, if it’s unfed, it may be less active and not produce as much flavor.
Conclusion
Sourdough discard crackers are a delicious, easy-to-make snack that’s perfect for when you’re craving something crunchy. They’re made with just a few simple ingredients, and they’re sure to satisfy your hunger.
So what are you waiting for? Get baking with our provided recipe! And if you are interested, you can visit us at Liliana Kitchen for more up-to-date content and topics for food!
