The Easiest Vegan Sourdough Discard Waffle Recipe

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Discover this simple vegan sourdough discard waffle recipe, and turn your discard into golden, fluffy waffles while minimizing food waste.

Explore sustainable and delicious cooking with this easy vegan sourdough discard waffle recipe. Learn how to transform your sourdough discard into light, fluffy, and delicious waffles. A great way to minimize food waste and turn leftovers into delightful, sustainable treats.

For years I’d throw away my sourdough starter discard before preparing bread or some other delicious sourdough treat but all the while I kept feeling pangs of guilt over the waste.

Determined to be more sustainable, I started saving the sourdough discard in a separate mason jar in the fridge, and I began experimenting with the discard, making a variety of food items.

This vegan sourdough discard waffle recipe was one of my first creations, and it continues to be a favorite among my family members.

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What is sourdough discard?

Sourdough discard is nothing more than the excess sourdough starter one usually throws away before a feeding – adding fresh flour and water.

Sourdough discard refers to the excess, or old, starter that is removed to make space for a fresh batch, allowing the new starter to rise, refresh its acidity, and develop a bubbly texture once more.

Although this recipe calls for sourdough discard, you can easily use an active sourdough starter too if you wish. Just know that the taste of your waffles will be slightly less pungent but will still taste fabulous.

5 common misconceptions about sourdough discard

Some people get pretty confused about sourdough starter and sourdough discard, making it more confusing than it needs to be.

Here are 5 common misconceptions about sourdough discard.

1. It’s Unusable: Some people believe sourdough discard must be thrown away and holds no culinary value. In reality, discard can be a versatile ingredient in a variety of recipes.
2. It Must be Discarded Daily: Some people believe they must discard and replenish their starter daily. In truth, starters and discards can be maintained in the fridge for days and even weeks before replenishing.
3. It Always Tastes the Same: Sourdough discard taste can vary depending on several factors, including the type of flour used and fermentation time.
4. It’s Exclusively for Sourdough Recipes: Sourdough discard can be used in both sweet and savory dishes of all kinds, providing a beautiful and unique flavor to many dishes.

What makes vegan sourdough discard waffles so special?

There aren’t too many ingredients in a waffle recipe, and you may be asking yourself, “What is so special about a vegan sourdough discard waffle recipe?”

Well, let me tell you the ways! Anytime you add sourdough discard, or starter, to a recipe, it elevates it to something very special. The taste becomes that much more distinct and flavorful.

Eggless and Dairy-Free

First, vegan sourdough discard waffles are…well…vegan! They are 100% plant-based, omitting eggs and dairy, which makes them suitable for those following a vegan diet or for individuals who may have dietary restrictions.

Complex Flavor

When you incorporate sourdough discard into a waffle recipe, it gives the homemade waffles a unique tangy flavor. The sourdough’s natural fermentation creates a more complex flavor profile, and the waffles develop a subtle hint of acidity which complements the sweet or savory toppings on top of the waffle.

Light and Airy

These easy sourdough waffles are incredibly light and airy in texture. The fermentation process of the sourdough contributes to a natural leavening effect, resulting in fluffy waffles.

Enhanced Nutritional Profile

Although more research is needed, using discard in vegan sourdough waffles may boost added nutritional benefits because the fermentation process increases the availability of nutrients, which makes them easier to digest (1).

Longer Shelf Life

Sourdough’s natural preservative qualities can contribute to a longer shelf life for these waffles as compared to regular waffles. This offers more flexibility with meal planning.

Vegan Sourdough Discard Waffle Recipe Ingredients

Sourdough Discard: Feel free to use a regular active starter as well but personally I like to use sourdough discard because it adds the most amazing flavor to these waffles.
Vegan Butter: There are now quite a few brands out there, all made with different mono and polyunsaturated fats. I use this 100% plant-based one.
Ground Flax Seeds: This is what you will use to make a “flax egg.”
Pure Maple Syrup: You can also swap this out for honey or date syrup. You can even use regular white or brown sugar instead but less refined is always better.
Plant-Based Milk: I will use pretty much whatever I have on hand which is most often an unsweetened soy or flax milk. Feel free to use whichever plant-based milk you prefer.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Although not absolutely necessary, this adds so much depth of flavor to the waffles, so I don’t recommend skipping this ingredient.
Pure Vanilla: For the best flavor, make sure you are using pure vanilla extract versus vanilla flavoring.
All-Purpose Flour: For the fluffiest pancakes I recommend using all-purpose flour however, you can also do half all-purpose and half whole wheat flour, or another type of flour such as rye, spelt, or oat flour.
Baking Soda: This leavening agent helps to make the waffles light, airy, and fluffy.
Salt: Just a pinch will help create a beautiful depth of flavor to these waffles.

My favorite toppings for waffles

• vegan butter
• maple syrup, date syrup, or honey
• fresh fruit and/or fresh berries such as blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries
• sliced bananas
• peanut butter, almond butter, or chocolate hazelnut butter
• sunflower butter
• 100% pure fruit jam such as strawberry, raspberry, peach, etc.
• fresh whipped cream (vegan style of course)

Kitchen tools you will need

mini waffle iron: You can use a regular-sized waffle iron, Belgian waffle maker, or even a cast iron waffle maker but I like using the mini-sized waffle iron. This is the one I use, and I love it. Simple, no fuss, and inexpensive.

glass mixing bowls: I use a medium and large bowl for measuring the dry ingredients in this recipe.

glass liquid measuring cup: I use this to measure out my liquid ingredients but also to pour the batter onto the waffle iron.

measuring spoons: A must in every kitchen, especially when you are baking.

Whisk: Using a whisk for this recipe aerates the batter and helps make the waffles light and fluffy.

baking sheet: You will need this to keep the already-made waffles in the oven while you are finishing up making the rest of the waffles with the waffle iron.

How To Make This Vegan Sourdough Discard Waffle Recipe

PREPARATION

Plug in the mini waffle iron and allow it to heat up.

Preheat the oven to 200°F, and place the oven rack on one of the lower shelves.
NOTE: While making the waffles, you will be placing them in the oven to keep warm.

In a small bowl, measure out the ground flax seeds and add 3 tablespoons of filtered water. Mix thoroughly and set aside to thicken.

In a separate bowl, melt the butter either in the microwave or on the stove on low heat to prevent burning.

WAFFLE BATTER INSTRUCTIONS

In a large mixing bowl, measure out the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine evenly.

In the liquid measuring cup, measure out the plant-based milk. Add the maple syrup, vanilla, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine and set aside for a minute or two.

To the flour mixture add the melted butter, sourdough discard, flax, and milk mixture. Stir to combine until smooth with few clumps.
NOTE: If the batter seems too thick you can add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired pouring consistency.

Pour the waffle batter into the liquid measuring cup in preparation for making the waffles.

WAFFLE MAKING INSTRUCTIONS

When the waffle iron is ready, the circle light on top will turn off.

Open the hot waffle iron and pour or spoon batter, approximately 1/4 cup, toward the back end of the waffle iron. Close the lid and allow to cook.
NOTE: The waffle iron light will turn back on when you are using the iron and when the waffles are cooking. The light will turn off when the waffle is done.

When the waffle light turns off, open the top of the iron and, using a fork, place the golden brown waffle onto a plate.

Place the plate into the preheated oven to keep warm while you make the rest of the waffles.

Continue this process to make the waffles, using up all the batter.

SERVING INSTRUCTIONS

Place one or two waffles on a plate, and serve with your desired toppings.

Grab a steaming hot cup of coffee, or a cool and refreshing juice, plop yourself down into a nice comfortable chair, and enjoy your delicious, hot, yummy, comforting waffles!

Tips For Success

If you do not have any leftover sourdough discard, then feel free to use an active mature starter instead. Both will work just fine for this sourdough waffle batter.

Depending on the size of your waffle maker, you may want to make a double batch to make sure you have enough delicious sourdough waffles.

I do not recommend using bread flour for this sourdough waffle recipe as it will make the waffles too dry and tough.

If you are looking for crispy waffles, then I highly recommend you place the waffles in a single layer on your baking sheet when keeping them warm in the oven versus stacking them on top of one another. This will keep the steam from softening the waffles.

If you do not have apple cider vinegar on hand, then you can easily use lemon juice instead.

Although I am not a fan of using coconut oil, due to its high saturated fat content, I know some people like to cook with it. Coconut oil can easily be used in this sourdough discard waffle recipe.

This batter can also be used to make sourdough pancakes. Use the same measurements however you may need to use a bit more milk to thin out the batter. When making sourdough discard pancakes, just add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

How To Store

These delicious sourdough waffles can be stored in an airtight container, or a tightly sealed (BPA-free) plastic bag, on the kitchen counter for 2-3 days.

They can also be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days.

For longer storage, you can place these waffles in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure to separate each waffle with a piece of unbleached parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together, and store them in a freezer-safe container.

How To Reheat

To reheat your waffles, place them on low heat in the oven for approximately 5-10 minutes, or you can also use a toaster oven.

While the microwave is an option for reheating, it may compromise the waffle’s crispiness. For those who desire to preserve that delicious crispy crunch, then I recommend using the oven method for reheating.

Enjoy these waffles, and let me know what you think in the comment section below!

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Let’s Connect

I hope you try this delicious sourdough discard waffle recipe, and I hope you like it so much that you share it with your friends and family too.

Please consider giving this yummy recipe 5 stars and comment below. I would be so grateful, and I’d love to hear from you.

Reference

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10399781/

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