Name: Right Away Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Spice Waffles
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 57 grams Unsalted Butter (melted); 400 grams Sourdough Discard; 100 grams Pumpkin Puree; 40 grams Maple Syrup; 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract; 2 tsp Ginger (ground); 1 tsp Cinnamon (ground); 1/4 tsp Nutmeg (ground); 1/8 tsp Clove (ground); 40 grams Quick Oats; 1/4 tsp Baking Soda; 1/4 tsp Salt; 2 eggs

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Make these Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Spice Waffles right away!

If you have a backstock of leftover sourdough starter, also known as sourdough discard, on hand you can enjoy these within 15-20 minutes.

Why use Sourdough Starter Discard?

You can discard the old sourdough starter, but you can also use it in a variety of sourdough recipes to create more flavor and texture.

Sourdough discard recipes are a good use of excess sourdough starter (also known as leftover sourdough discard) and reduce food waste.

Another benefit of using sourdough starter discard in sourdough recipes is that when used properly, it can make the recipe more digestible.

Since sourdough starter discard doesn’t have the rising power of active sourdough starter, it is commonly used in crackers, cookies, scones, pancakes, and other versions of quick breads when other leavening agents like baking soda, baking powder, eggs, or a combination are used.

Check out these other posts with videos:

Want more sourdough starter info?

You can get my free Quick Start Sourdough Guide to begin learning some of the key parts of the cycle of sourdough starter.

Learn the phases, the signs of an active, how to care for a sourdough starter to keep it alive and thriving, as well as how to make your own sourdough starter.

How to get started in Sourdough Starter Discard recipes

If you aren’t saving your sourdough discard yet, start now. Any starter that is not used during its active phase for bread making or starter that is used to simply refresh your starter on a regular basis, can be saved in a jar in your fridge.

I use ours frequently for crackers, waffles, muffins, and other discard recipes.

These waffles are perfect for throwing together a quick breakfast with leftover discard the morning of.

If you have time to prepare, I recommend doing the overnight sourdough sponge method for my other Sourdough Waffles recipe.

How to make Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Spice Waffles

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make these delicious sourdough discard waffles:

57 grams unsalted butter, melted (1/4 cup)
400 grams sourdough discard (about 2 cups)
100 grams pumpkin puree (1/2 cup)
40 grams maple syrup (3 T.)
1/2 t. vanilla extract
2 t. ground ginger
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. ground nutmeg (freshly grated tastes best)
1/8 t. ground clove
40 g quick oats (1/4 cup and 3 T.)
1/4 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
2 eggs

Ingredient notes: You can substitute brown sugar for the maple syrup.

Ingredient Preparation for Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Waffles

First, preheat your waffle maker.

Start with melting the butter so that it has time to cool down before adding to the dough. Scrape the melted butter with a spatula into a heat safe carafe or bowl to help it cool down faster.

Add the sourdough discard to a large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. You can adjust the recipe up or down based on how much discard you have.

Add the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, spices, oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix with a large spoon or paddle attachment.

Mix in the eggs until completely mixed in.

Ingredient notes: Applesauce adds more liquid to the batter and creates an effect like oil that helps them have nice color and crisp on the outside. Separating the eggs and beating the egg whites adds a fluffier, lighter texture but if you decide to add whole eggs without separating the waffles will still turn out great.

Final mix for Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Spice Waffles

Slowly stir in the cooled melted butter until is completely added and combined.

Finally, if you did the optional extra step of beating separated egg whites, fold in the egg whites until just incorporated.

Perfect way to Bake Sourdough Waffles

Your waffle maker should be preheated and ready to bake your sourdough waffle batter.

Place a large plate to the side to catch the baked waffles.

Use a 1/4 cup scoop to spoon batter onto the hot waffle iron. I like using this 1/4-cup Stainless Steel Cookie Scoop for scooping and pouring out the batter easily with minimal mess.

How much batter you use may vary depending on your model of waffle iron. I use two scoops of batter for each waffle in my Belgian waffle maker.

For our family of 6, I love my double waffle iron. My parents also use one for our regular waffle Saturday with the whole family.

I also like using a mini waffle maker for special occasions or creating waffles to make ahead of time to freeze.

It also has several models for holidays and special occasions. This version of the mini waffle maker has 7 different plates for spring and summer holidays.

Enjoy these sweet light, beautifully spiced, and crispy waffles with some butter and maple syrup, jam, fresh fruit, or other favorite toppings!

Sourdough Waffle Additions

Here are some delicious additions to make your sourdough discard pumpkin spice waffles even more delicious!

Chocolate chips
Sautéed apples
Bits of cooked bacon

Other ways to Bake Your Waffle Batter

You can use this batter to make pancakes as well!

Use a skillet or hot griddle to make pancakes, see pancake baking tips in this recipe: the Best Sourdough Pancakes.

Another way to use this batter is to make Overnight Sourdough Sheetpan Pancakes. This method is great for making pancakes in bulk and they also turn out softer after oven baking.

And make sure to check out my preferred way to make pancakes and waffles using an overnight sourdough discard sponge:

More Favorite Sourdough Recipes

Savor and Share

This recipe makes the best waffles and is a great way to create memories as a family.

Make sure to share this recipe with a friend! And if you make it, I’d love to hear about it–you can comment on this post or tag me on instagram @livingbreadbaker!

Get started or jump ahead in your sourdough journey!

If you haven’t started sourdough baking or this recipe feels daunting, I’d love to guide you from sourdough starter 101 through baking your first loaf to give you the foundational skills you need.

My Intro. to Sourdough course will give you the sourdough knowledge and skills to take on a recipe like this one.

You can skip the floundering and uncertainty in sourdough and get the confidence to discover something you’ll love and will be an invaluable skill to share and pass on!

Learn more about the course here: Living Bread Baker Intro. to Sourdough

Living Bread Baker posts mentioned

What is a Starter?

What is sourdough discard?

Why use Sourdough Discard?

How to Store Sourdough Discard for Starter Discard Recipes

How to use Sourdough Discard

The Best Sourdough Pancakes Recipe (Discard Sponge Method)

Overnight Sourdough Sheetpan Pancakes

Sourdough Apple Fritter Bread Fall Sourdough Recipe

Plain Sweet Scones with sourdough discard

Summer Berry Scones (Sourdough & regular version)

Pumpkin Spice Scones (Sourdough Discard)

Gingerbread Scones with Eggnog Icing (Sourdough Discard)

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1/4-cup Stainless Steel Cookie Scoop

Metal spatula

Wooden Spatula

Double Belgian waffle maker

mini waffle maker

mini waffle maker spring and summer holiday set

free sourdough quick start guide

online Intro. to Sourdough course

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