Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits: Perfect 1 Bowl Recipe

I absolutely hate throwing things away. Seriously, every time I have to scoop out half of my sourdough starter and toss it in the trash, a little part of me feels guilty. It is like throwing away potential magic. That is why I am so obsessed with these biscuits. There is nothing quite like waking up on a Saturday morning and smelling that buttery, tangy aroma wafting from the oven. I just grab some basic pantry staples and that jar of cold discard sitting in the back of my fridge. You do not even have to let it warm up. These are my secret weapon for the best weekend breakfast ever.

Why You Will Love Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits

You are going to fall in love with these Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits because they have a flavor you just cannot get from a box or a can. That sourdough discard adds a beautiful tang that balances the rich butter perfectly. Plus, they are so fast to make. While the oven preheats, you are basically done with the prep. They are light, they are flaky, and they are a thousand times better than those store bought canned biscuits that always taste a little like chemicals.

Ingredients for Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits

To make these Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits, you only need a few things from your kitchen. You will need all purpose flour, a good amount of baking powder to get that lift, and some salt. For the fat, we use cold unsalted butter. Then, of course, you need your sourdough discard. For the liquid, I usually use whole milk, but if I am making these to go with a big bowl of beef gravy, I sometimes use a splash of beef broth for a savory twist. It makes them extra rich and delicious without needing any pork products or alcohol.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits

Making these Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits is a total breeze. You are looking at about 15 minutes of prep work and 15 minutes in the oven. Do not panic when you see the dough for the first time. It is going to look a little messy and maybe even a bit dry, but I promise that is exactly how it should look to get those perfect layers.

Mixing Your Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits Dough

First, you want to cut your cold butter into the flour mixture. I use a pastry cutter or even just my fingers to work it in until it looks like coarse crumbs with some pea sized chunks of butter left. Then, gently stir in your cold sourdough discard. The dough for your Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits will look very shaggy and dry at first. Resist the urge to keep adding liquid. Just keep gently folding it until it barely holds together.

Folding and Shaping Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits

This is where the magic happens for your Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and do what I call a letter fold. You fold the dough over itself, pat it down, and repeat this three times. This creates those tall, flaky layers we all love. When you are ready to cut them, just pat the dough down to about one inch thickness. Do not use a rolling pin because it can overwork the dough and make it tough. Just use your hands.

Expert Tips for Perfect Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits

If you want your Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits to be legendary, keep everything ice cold. If your kitchen is hot, put the flour and the butter in the freezer for a few minutes before you start. And here is my biggest secret: when you use your biscuit cutter, do not twist it. Just press straight down and pull straight up. If you twist it, you seal the edges of the dough and the biscuits will not rise as high as they should.

How to Store Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits

If you actually have leftovers, you can keep your Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for about two days. They are best when you pop them back in the toaster oven for a minute to get them crispy again. You can also freeze the unbaked dough rounds. Just put them on a tray in the freezer until they are solid, then toss them in a bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer whenever you want a quick breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions

I get asked all the time if you can use active starter instead of discard. Yes, you totally can, but the flavor will be a bit milder. As for the discard, I think it works best if it is up to two weeks old. The older the discard, the stronger that sourdough tang will be in your Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits. If your discard is very fresh, the flavor will be much more subtle.

Nutritional Information for Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits

Here is the estimated nutritional data for one of these Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits so you know what to expect.

• Calories: 210 kcal
• Total Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 25mg
• Sodium: 350mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 26g
• Protein: 4g

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