3 Creative Ways to Use Your Sourdough Starter This Season

Autumn is the season of cosy kitchens, slow evenings, and comfort food.

While sourdough bread is a classic, your starter can do so much more than loaves alone.

From sweet breakfasts to indulgent snacks, there are plenty of creative ways to put your starter (or even your discard) to good use.

Here are three recipes to try this season that bring warmth, flavour, and a little creativity to your sourdough journey.

🥞 1. Sourdough Pancakes (using discard)

Perfect for slow Sunday mornings, these fluffy pancakes make the most of your sourdough discard. Slightly tangy with a light texture, they pair beautifully with autumn fruit and maple syrup.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 200g sourdough discard (unfed)
• 200g plain flour
• 2 tbsp sugar or honey
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 250ml milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp melted butter (plus more for cooking)

Method

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the discard, flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarb, and salt.
2. In a separate jug, whisk the milk, egg, and melted butter.
3. Pour the wet mix into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined (don’t overmix – lumps are fine).
4. Heat a non-stick pan with a little butter. Spoon in the batter to form pancakes.
5. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown.
6. Serve warm with sliced apples or pears, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a dollop of yoghurt.

💡 Tip: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a spiced autumn twist.

🎃 2. Pumpkin-Spiced Sourdough Rolls (using active starter)

These soft, lightly sweet rolls bring together the earthy flavour of pumpkin with the warmth of autumn spices. Perfect with coffee, as a teatime treat, or served alongside soup.

Ingredients (makes 12)

• 150g active sourdough starter
• 500g strong white bread flour
• 150g pumpkin purée (roasted and blended, or tinned)
• 60g sugar
• 1 large egg
• 60g butter, softened
• 150ml milk (lukewarm)
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp ginger
• Optional glaze: melted butter + sugar + cinnamon

Method

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the starter, flour, pumpkin purée, sugar, egg, butter, milk, spices, and salt.
2. Mix into a soft dough, then knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and bulk ferment for 3–4 hours at room temperature until doubled.
4. Divide into 12 equal pieces, shape into rolls, and place on a lined baking tray.
5. Cover and proof for 1–2 hours until puffy.
6. Bake at 190°C (fan 170°C) for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.
7. While warm, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

✨ These rolls are especially good served warm with butter, or toasted the next day.

🧀 3. Cheesy Pull-Apart Sourdough Loaf (using active starter)

This is the ultimate sharing bread: buttery, herby, and packed with gooey cheese. Tear it apart at the table for an irresistible centrepiece – ideal for movie nights, game nights, or Bonfire Night gatherings.

Ingredients

• 100g active sourdough starter
• 500g strong white bread flour
• 300ml water (lukewarm)
• 10g salt
• 50g butter, melted
• 200g cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix), grated
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, or thyme)
• Extra butter for brushing

Method

1. Mix the starter, flour, water, and salt into a dough. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
2. Bulk ferment in an oiled bowl for 4–5 hours, folding once halfway through.
3. Roll the dough into a rectangle. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with cheese and herbs.
4. Cut into strips, then squares, and stack loosely into a greased loaf tin (like stacking cards).
5. Cover and proof for 1–2 hours until risen close to the top of the tin.
6. Bake at 200°C (fan 180°C) for 30–35 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
7. Brush with extra butter and serve hot, tearing it apart at the table.

💡 For a festive twist later in the season, add garlic butter or cranberry + brie in place of herbs.

Your sourdough starter is more versatile than you might think.

Whether you’re using up discard in quick pancakes, baking spiced rolls for autumn mornings, or sharing a cheesy pull-apart loaf with friends, these recipes bring comfort and creativity to the season.

✨ Want to start your own sourdough journey? Our starter culture pouches make it easy to begin – just mix, feed, and you’re on your way to baking all these recipes and more.