Simple Sourdough Waffles Recipe

This simple sourdough waffles recipe is quick to make, simple to mix up, and absolutely delicious. If you are looking for an easy way to use up some of your sourdough starter, these sourdough waffles are one of my favorite ways to do it!

Ingredients You Need For This Sourdough Waffles Recipe:

Sourdough Discard – This recipe uses unfed sourdough starter, so it is called “sourdough discard.” You will need 1/2 cup of discard for this recipe, so this is a good one to use when you have been feeding your starter and have an excess to use.

We make this sourdough waffles recipe at least once (if not more!) per week in our house!

Here is a picture of my happy and active, but unfed sourdough starter. Just in case you wanted to see what it should look like!

Milk – You can use any milk, but we use raw whole milk from our Jersey dairy cow, Lucy 😊

Melted Butter –  Raw, grass fed butter is our family favorite- but any butter will work in this recipe!

Sugar- white organic cane sugar from Azure Standard is our favorite!

Eggs – If you are using store bought eggs, then you will need 1 “large” egg. If you are using eggs from your flock, then you will need either 1 large eggs or 2 medium eggs. It depends on the size of eggs your hens lay.

All-purpose Flour (we purchase bulk organic, unbleached, all purpose flour every month from Azure Standard. If you want to give Azure Standard a try, click the link HERE!)

Baking Powder (aluminum free, if you can!)

Salt (our favorite brand is Redmond’s!)

How to Make Sourdough Waffles:

Turn on your waffle maker so it can begin to heat up.

Combine your wet ingredients first! In a large bowl, combine your sourdough discard, milk, sugar, eggs and melted butter. Mix well.

Make sure that your melted butter is warm, not hot before adding it to the bowl.

Then mix together and add your dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix briefly, then add to the bowl with the wet ingredients. Stir until there are no large lumps or bits of dry batter visible.

Add batter to waffle maker:

Spoon batter into your waffle maker. How much batter you use will depend upon the size of your waffle maker. In our waffle maker, I use about 1/3-1/2 cup of batter per waffle.

The cook time will also depend on your waffle maker and how much batter you are cooking at once.

Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Sourdough Waffles Recipe Topping Ideas

Waffle toppings are pretty much the same as pancake toppings. The only difference is that waffles have all those nooks and crannies to catch the toppings and let the flavors mix together for that perfect bite.

Some topping suggestions:

Organic Maple Syrup

Honey

Homemade Whipped Cream

Fruit – Any kind of berry, sliced peaches or diced mango.

Chocolate sauce

Caramel sauce

Jam

Fruit Sauce – Spoon some homemade strawberry sauce or blueberry sauce onto your waffles. Yum!

FAQ’s:

What is the secret of making crispy waffles?

Not waiting until the iron heats up properly means your waffles will cook, but never achieve that satisfyingly crisp exterior. Overworking the batter will leave your waffles dense and chewy instead of light and airy. And stacking even the most perfect waffles will cause them to become soggy and limp in minutes.

What is the best flour for waffles?

Good old AP, or all-purpose, flour is where it’s at. If you want to sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of buckwheat or rye flour for added nutty heft, go for it

What does baking soda do in waffles?

Most waffle recipes are leavened with baking powder and/or baking soda, which helps the batter turn light and fluffy as it cooks.

Is it better to let waffle batter rest?

If you don’t let the batter rest, you get a full waffle LESS than if you wait, plus they’re more chewy and not as delicious. 

Is milk or buttermilk better for waffles?

You can make waffles with all buttermilk, or all milk. The buttermilk gives waffles the best flavor, while the milk helps to produce a lighter texture.

Should waffle batter be thicker or thinner than pancake batter?

Waffle batter is thicker than pancake batter. This thick consistency lets you pour the waffle batter into a waffle maker without running out the sides

Should waffle batter be cold or warm?

Liquid ingredients blend together more easily and completely when they’re all around the same (warm or room) temperature.

What makes sourdough waffles taste better?

A great way to make waffles taste better is to add some vanilla extract to the batter. The addition of vanilla will bring depth of flavor and touch of sweetness to the waffles, without adding any extra sugar.

Can you freeze homemade sourdough waffles?

Yes, these freeze great! Double or triple the batch, make extra, and then freeze the rest.

Lay them on a cookie sheet and freeze flat before placing them in a storage container so they don’t stick together. Or just place parchment paper between each one.

Are sourdough waffles healthy?

Yes. They contain healthy fermented grains and whole food ingredients. They are a great way to keep tummies full and fuel the day.

Here is a pin you can use to save this recipe for later!