The tangy flavor and crisp texture of these classic sourdough waffles or pancakes is a great way to start your morning while providing all the health benefits of long-fermented sourdough.
I’ve been on a quest to make the perfect waffles using our cast-iron waffle maker. Through trial and error {and a whole lot of waffles!} I’ve learned the technique that works for me, and I even made you a guide with my best tips!
You can use pretty much any type of waffle batter in a cast iron waffle maker, so I was on the search for a tangy, classic sourdough waffle recipe. I decided to start with our family’s go-to favorite waffle recipe and turn it into a sourdough version. I also cut the recipe in half because, now that we only have one child at home, we just can’t eat that much! You can definitely double the recipe to make more. This recipe is interchangeable, which means you can use it to make classic sourdough waffles or pancakes. You decide what you’re in the mood for!
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Watch: Overnight Sourdough Waffles
I created this recipe on a busy summer morning. I started the fermentation process the night before, so I knew I needed to get these waffles made before my son and I rushed out the door to a morning appointment. It takes a little longer to cook waffles on a cast iron waffle maker, and I was down to the last minute! I put the final waffle on a plate, added several pats of butter, pure maple syrup, and sliced fresh strawberries from our garden. I snapped a few pictures for the blog and then brought the waffle with me to eat in the car. And I was soooo impressed with this recipe! I know you will be too! Yes, you have to plan ahead the night before, but it is worth the effort!
Why Is Sourdough Good For You?
Sourdough has so many benefits, which is why it has been around for thousands of years. When you allow sourdough to ferment, which is what happens when you feed it and then let it sit at room temperature on your counter, gluten breaks down and makes the bread (or waffles) easier to digest. Many of the simple sugars in bread are also broken down during fermentation, making it less likely that your blood sugar will spike. Fermentation also increases the nutrients in bread. Source
But there are more than just nutritional benefits. Sourdough bread is made without store bought yeast! As long as you maintain your starter, you will be able to make sourdough recipes over and over again without relying on yeast from the store. One final benefit is that the acid produced when sourdough is fermenting acts as a natural preservative and helps the bread to keep longer. Source
What Does Long Fermentation Do?
While using sourdough discard for recipes adds a nice addition of flavor, it doesn’t provide all the benefits that long fermentation does. Long fermentation allows more time for the grain to be broken down into a more digestible form. It also allows the bread to rise without needing to use yeast. In addition, the flavor of long-fermented sourdough is a tangy flavor that you just won’t get with unfed sourdough starter. Source
How to Make Classic Sourdough Waffles or Pancakes
1 cup unfed sourdough starter
¾ cups flour
1 tsp honey
¾ cups buttermilk or milk kefir
Mix together the above ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap and let ferment at room temperature overnight or about 12 hours.
In the morning, mix in 1 egg, 1/2 cup oil, ½ tsp salt, and 1 tsp baking powder.
To cook waffles: Preheat a waffle iron. Grease, then add batter according to manufacturer’s directions. In my cast iron waffle maker I put a little more than ½ cup. An electric waffle maker will hold about 1 cup.
To cook pancakes: Preheat skillet to 375 degrees. Grease, then add 1/4 cup batter to make pancakes. Cook until bubbles form on top of the batter, then flip. Cook until lightly brown on both sides.
Note: Buttermilk or milk kefir is used instead of regular milk to prevent bacteria from growing while the batter ferments at room temperature overnight. If you’d like to learn how to make your own milk kefir, make sure to check out this post.
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- I found this pretty, white porcelain pitcher which is the perfect size for pouring syrup over your waffles.
- If you want to cook the best waffles ever on a cast iron waffle maker.
- You’ll need these kefir grains to get started making your own milk kefir.
If you make this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @littlehouseonlaurel with your delicious creation.
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