I have to tell you about the time I almost ruined Sunday dinner. I completely forgot to buy bread and I had a jar of sourdough discard staring at me from the back of the fridge. I was in a total panic but then I realized I could use that discard to make the fluffiest rolls ever. They saved the day and honestly they tasted better than anything I could have bought at the store. That tangy discard adds such a deep flavor without making you wait three days for a loaf of bread. It is my favorite kitchen hack and I am so excited to share it with you.

Why You Will Love These Easy to Make Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls

You are going to love these because they are incredibly soft and pillowy. There is something so satisfying about pulling a tray of warm rolls out of the oven and knowing you did not waste a single drop of your sourdough starter. It feels like a total win for any home cook. Plus they make your whole house smell like a cozy bakery which is basically the best feeling in the world. You get that amazing sourdough taste in a fraction of the time.

Essential Ingredients for Easy to Make Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls

Grab these items before you start. Make sure your milk is warm but not so hot that it hurts your finger or you will kill the yeast and we definitely do not want that. Using fresh ingredients will give you the best rise and the softest texture possible.

Sourdough discard (unfed)
All-purpose or bread flour
Warm whole milk (not hot)
Melted butter (unsalted)
Honey or organic sugar
Active dry yeast
Sea salt

Step-by-Step Guide to Easy to Make Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls

Okay let us get into it. I am going to walk you through exactly how I do this so your rolls turn out perfect every time. Just follow along and do not worry if you have never made bread before because this recipe is very forgiving.

Mixing the Dough

First take your warm milk and stir in the yeast and honey. Let it sit for a few minutes until it gets a little foamy on top. Then stir in your sourdough discard and the melted butter. Slowly add the flour and salt. If the milk is too hot it will kill the yeast so just keep it nice and lukewarm to the touch.

Kneading and First Rise

Now you need to knead the dough. I usually do this by hand on a floured surface or in a mixer until it feels smooth and just a tiny bit tacky. You do not want it sticking to everything but it should not be dry like a rock either. Put it in a greased bowl and cover it up. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 60 to 90 minutes until it has doubled in size and looks all puffy.

Shaping Your Easy to Make Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls

This is the fun part. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. I like to use a kitchen scale because I am a bit of a perfectionist about them being the same size. To shape them pull the sides of the dough down to the bottom to create tension on the top. This gives you those beautiful smooth tops that look like they came from a professional bakery.

Preparation Time and Schedule

Here is the breakdown so you can plan your day around these beauties. It takes about three hours from start to finish but most of that is just waiting for the dough to rise while you do other things.

Prep time: 20 minutes
First rise: 1.5 hours
Second rise: 45 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes

Avoiding Confusion with Easy to Make Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls

I know people get confused about the word discard. This is just the portion of your starter you would normally throw away when you feed it. It does not need to be bubbly or active because we are using dry yeast to do the heavy lifting. The yeast makes them rise fast while the discard gives them that amazing sourdough depth of flavor without the long wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze these rolls? Yes you absolutely can. Just bake them and let them cool completely before popping them in a freezer bag. When you are ready to eat them just warm them up in the oven. You can also use bread flour if you want a slightly chewier roll but all-purpose works just fine for a classic soft dinner roll texture.

Nutritional Facts for Easy to Make Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls

Here is the estimated nutritional data for one roll if you make a batch of 12 rolls. They are the perfect size for a side dish or a small sandwich.

Calories: 185 kcal
Total Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 5g
Sodium: 210mg