Fluffy sourdough pancakes for sweet weekend mornings
These fluffy Sourdough Discard Buttermilk Pancakes are just begging to be topped with a pat of butter, a drizzle of syrup, or topped high with hot spiced blueberry sauce and whipped cream for your weekend breakfast. They're a super tasty and easy way to use up some of your sourdough discard, which if you're anything like me, seems to grow to a neverending supply. This one-bowl pancake recipe can be partially prepped the night before for super fluffy sourdough pancakes or made the same day for lighter sourdough pancakes.
How to make really fluffy pancakes
For super fluffy sourdough pancakes, I like to partially prep the recipe the night before I plan to cook them by starting a sponge comprised of sourdough discard (100% hydration), buttermilk, flour, sugar, and melted butter which will rest at cool room temperature (about 65 F - 70 F) for about 8 - 12 hours, or overnight. The following morning, the egg, vanilla, salt, baking powder, and baking soda gets added to the sponge to make a batter 'just' before I cook the pancakes. This allows the sourdough to ferment overnight, growing the sponge, and resulting in a tangier and fluffier sourdough pancake.
A quicker method
If leaving your buttermilk sponge out overnight makes you uncomfortable for food safety reasons or if your kitchen is especially warm, you can certainly assemble the pancake batter the same morning you plan to cook the pancakes. To maximize fluffiness, you can allow the sponge to rest for up to two hours at a cool room temperature before adding the remaining ingredients. For lighter, less fluffy sourdough pancakes, you can skip the resting time and make the batter right before you plan to cook the pancakes. For either option, make sure that the leavening agents (baking soda and baking powder) are added in just before you plan to cook the batter so it doesn't fall flat.
How to top these sourdough discard pancakes
I love to serve these Sourdough Discard Buttermilk Pancakes with syrupy hot berries or other fruit and a dollop (or two) of fresh whipped cream. Simply syrupy spiced blueberries are a favorite in our house so I've included the recipe below, but these pancakes are delightful topped with whatever fresh or cooked fruit you prefer. In the summer months, you're just as likely to see these sourdough pancakes topped with peaches and nectarines, or marionberries and other blackberries. In the fall months, I also love spices apples and pears. If fruit isn't your preference, they are always delicious topped with a pat of salted butter and a drizzle of maple syrup!
If warm brown butter fruit toppings sound delicious to you, I've included instructions for making brown butter spiced apples, peaches, and blueberries in this post!
What tools do I need to make this recipe?
- A large mixing bowl
- A kitchen scale -- OR -- Measuring cups (for less precise measurements)
- Measuring spoons
- A whisk
- A clean kitchen towel
- A skillet
- A silicone spatula or turner
Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.
Looking for more brunch inspiration?
Love these Sourdough Discard Buttermilk Pancakes? Here are some of my other favorite brunch recipes:
- Classic French Crepes
- Buttermilk Dutch Baby
- Sourdough Discard Spiced Pear Muffins
- Sourdough Discard Strawberry Mint Scones
- Sourdough Discard Cranberry Orange Scones
- Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Scones
- Hogwarts Scottish Porridge
- Honey Lavender Blueberry Granola
- Eggs Benedict Pizza
- Fall Frittata with Sausage, Butternut Squash, and Kale
Sourdough Discard Buttermilk Pancakes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast & Brunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
These fluffy Sourdough Discard Buttermilk Pancakes are just begging to be topped with a pat of butter, a drizzle of syrup, or topped high with hot spiced blueberry sauce and whipped cream for your weekend breakfast. They're a super tasty and easy way to use up some of your sourdough discard, which if you're anything like me, seems to grow to a neverending supply. This one-bowl pancake recipe can be partially prepped the night before for super fluffy sourdough pancakes or made the same day for lighter sourdough pancakes.
Ingredients
For the pancakes:
- 240 g (about 1 cup) sourdough discard (100% hydration)
- 250 g (about 1 cup) buttermilk
- 180 g (about 1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, room temp
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
Optional toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Spiced Blueberry Sauce:
- 420 g (about 3 cups) frozen blueberries
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 ½ tsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
Instructions
If you're prepping the sponge the night before (the fluffiest pancakes):
- The night before, make the sponge. In a large mixing bowl combine the sourdough discard, buttermilk, flour, sugar, and melted butter until fully mixed. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rest at cool room temperature (about 65 - 70 degrees F) overnight, about 8-12 hours.
- The following morning, just before you want to cook the pancakes, add the egg, vanilla, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, stirring until just combined. It's important that the baking powder and baking soda go in just before cooking for the fluffiest pancakes.
If you're making the entire batter the same day (for moderately fluffy or lighter pancakes):
- If leaving your buttermilk sponge out overnight makes you uncomfortable for food safety reasons or if your kitchen is especially warm, you can certainly assemble the pancake batter the same morning you plan to cook the pancakes. To maximize fluffiness, you can allow the sponge (sourdough discard, buttermilk, flour, butter) to rest for up to two hours at a cool room temperature before adding the remaining ingredients (egg, vanilla, salt, baking powder, baking soda). For lighter, less fluffy sourdough pancakes, you can skip the resting time and make the batter right before you plan to cook the pancakes. For either option, make sure that the leavening agents (baking soda and baking powder) are added in just before you plan to cook the batter so it doesn't fall flat.
To cook the pancakes:
- Preheat a cast-iron or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of butter or canola oil to the pan to lightly coat. Once the pan is hot, pour pancakes in ½ cup increments into the pan, taking care not to crowd the pancakes or they'll spread together. Cook until bubbles form at the top and sides of the pancake and the underside is golden (about 2-3 minutes), then flip and cook the opposite side until golden (about 2 minutes). Repeat with the remaining batter in ½ cup increments per pancake. You should get 7-8 pancakes depending on how far down the batter has been stirred. Reserve pancakes to the side on a plate with a clean towel on top to help retain their heat.
To make the optional spiced blueberry sauce:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the frozen blueberries, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, and cardamom. Allow to cook down, stirring occasionally until syrupy and soft. The juices from the blueberries will thicken as the mixture cooks. If you'd prefer to thin the syrup down, you can add water in 1 tablespoon increments until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve warm over top of the pancakes with optional whipped cream on top.
Notes
Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pancakes
- Calories: 396
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 686 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 64 mg
Lane says
I made these this morning on a snowy December day. They are delicious! I’ve been trying to find the right sourdough recipe that is closest to my mother’s that I enjoyed years ago. This is it! ❄️🎊🙂
Jenni says
Lane, That makes me so happy to hear—especially on a snowy December morning! I'm honored this reminded you of your mother’s pancakes. Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to leave such a thoughtful note!
Kate says
Fantastic recipe! Super easy to whip together day of and taste fantastic, thanks!
Jenni says
Kate, So glad you enjoyed them! Love that they were easy to throw together—perfect for a cozy breakfast. Thanks for sharing!
Jeanette says
Excellent pancakes! I appreciate the grams and cup measurements as well as the extra instructions for overnight and same day baking. I have done the same day baking only and they are plenty fluffy for my taste. This recipe makes around 20 smaller pancakes using a 2 tbsp cookie scoop. Thanks again! What a great way to use the sourdough discard.
Jenni says
Jeanette, I'm so glad you enjoy this sourdough discard pancake recipe! They are such a great way to use up sourdough discard and so fluffy. Thanks for your kind words!
Laressa says
These were so fluffy and delicious. My 1 year old was eating them quicker than I could make them. New favorite pancake recipe!