I made my first (and only) sourdough starter in June 2013 and Bertha is still going strong today! Sourdough has become a staple in our house, and we absolutely LOVE it! In fact, I rarely, if ever, buy store-bought bread. I allot one day a week (at least) for baking sourdough bread–and we certainly have our favorite recipes. Picking my 13 Favorite Sourdough Recipes proved quite difficult, but I finally settled on a Baker’s Dozen!
When I updated this recipe in 2026, I had to add 2 more recipes to the list, making this 15 Favorite Sourdough Recipes.
After so many years of working with sourdough, I’ve tried many recipes. Some I’ve made a lot, and some not so much. Sometimes we find one that we absolutely love. But trust me, you’ll only find my tried-and-true recipes listed below.
I have so many favorite sourdough recipes that I’ve modified this post to feature sourdough recipes that have active or “fed” starters. Watch for another post in the near future that will feature my favorite “unfed” or discard recipes.
I encourage you to try your hand at Sourdough.
People tend to be afraid to try making sourdough, thinking it’s hard to maintain or difficult to use. But after more than a decade of baking with it, I can assure you that you can do it!
Begin by making my Starter Recipe Here. Or if you have a friend who bakes with Sourdough, I’m sure she would give you some! It takes about a week to get the starter going, but after that you may begin baking with it. And when you’re not using it, place it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake again.
I encourage you to use it often, though, both to build the sourdough as well as your confidence. Remember, the more you use your sourdough, the more vigorous and sour it will be become. Soon you will be looking for more new recipes to try!
See my Sourdough Recipes Here. Browse Discard Recipes Here.
Recommended Tools For Making Sourdough
While you may bake sourdough with only a loaf pan, you may want to build on your tools as you learn to use the dough. I’ve listed some of my favorite pieces below and use all of them frequently.
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Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
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Bread Banneton Proofing Basket
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Buy Now → My Favorite “Active” Sourdough Recipes
Below are 15 of my Favorite “Active” Sourdough Recipes. This means that your sourdough starter has been “fed” with flour and water, it has set for a few hours at room temperature, and is now “active” and bubbly.
#1 – Tangy Sourdough Bread
This is my most traditional sourdough loaf — you know, like one you might find in San Francisco. Traditional shape. Traditional sour flavor. And absolutely wonderful. I make this recipe every week for 2 loaves. One for eating, and one for the freezer or to take to church potluck dinners. I’ve also been known to give these loaves as gifts. This is by far, our staple sourdough recipe that we never tire of. Especially when it comes straight from the oven. Yum!
#2 – Multigrain Sourdough Sandwich Bread
Number 2 is another main recipe that I make each week, which I call our breakfast bread, as I serve it toasted nearly every morning with bacon and eggs. It would certainly make good sandwich bread, too.
#3 – Sourdough Whole Wheat Bagels
Who doesn’t love homemade bagels? This is a great recipe to use with your active sourdough or discard. I like adding whole wheat flour for a little extra nutritional value, but also just because I like the flavor of whole wheat products. Smear with cream cheese. Oh yeah.
#4 – Sourdough English Muffins
This is another recipe you may use with an active starter, or with discard. Again, I like to add some whole wheat flour to the recipe. This makes up to 20 muffins, depending on the size you make. I usually keep a few out to enjoy and freeze the remainder to use when desired. My favorite way to use these English muffins is for a breakfast egg sandwich, but they are also delicious with butter and jam. Yum!
#5 – Rosemary-Garlic Sourdough Flatbread
When summer arrives, I love making this flatbread, when we tend to eat a little bit lighter evening meals. This is perfect served with a salad, or simply by itself. The rosemary and garlic place this bread high on my list of favorites!
#6 – Artisan Sourdough Pizza Dough
This Artisan Sourdough Pizza Dough is one of the best recipes I’ve worked with to date, especially if you’re going for that charred crispy edge, puffy crust, and a simple topping. Flavored with a touch of onion and garlic, and a homemade chunky sauce, I think you’re going to love this one.
#7 – Rustic Sourdough Baguettes
If you’ve never tried making baguettes, I encourage you to try this recipe. It’s perfect for Italian dinners when you want a hard, crusty bread to sop up some juices. Hard and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This recipe makes 4 small baguettes. Unlike most of my other sourdough recipes, this one is best eaten the day you make it. Otherwise, freeze it and warm up as needed.
#8 – Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for a weekend with family or to give to those you love. Bake them in two round cake pans–one for your family and the other for a friend. The Sourdough compliments the cinnamon sugar filling so well, plus, they stay fresher longer because of the sourdough.
#9 – Kansas Sourdough Bread
This Kansas Sourdough Bread could be used for sandwiches or just with butter as a table bread. it’s quite wonderful and names after my home state of Kansas with wheat flour, malted wheat flakes, and roasted sunflower kernels.
#10 – Sourdough Pretzels with Mustard Dip
Just because this is listed as #10 on my list, does not mean it’s not a favorite. We love homemade pretzels. When I make these, I’m almost sure to have a family member stop by to enjoy them with us! Dipped in the tangy mustard dip, they have been known to ruin a person’s supper. They are so good!
#11 – Sourdough Brioche Bread
Sourdough Brioche is quite similar to Challah, or even what is known as egg bread. It’s soft and tender, and is often topped with pearl sugar, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds. My husband loves this bread and would like me to bake it every week.
#12 – Sourdough Puff Pastry
This recipe is not only great for desserts and appetizers, but also for topping pot pies or even for making Beef or Elk Wellington! Just a little tweaking and you can make Sourdough Chocolate Croissants. I was amazed at how easy this is to prepare, and how well the tanginess of the sourdough compliments the dough. Plus, you may also freeze it. Time-consuming, yes. But so worth it!
#13 – Sourdough Dinner Rolls
Sourdough Dinner Rolls are so light and delicious, and they go well with most comfort food. Think Chicken and Noodles, Chicken Pot Pie, Roast Beef, etc. I like them with butter and honey. Or apple butter.
#14 – Sourdough Sausage Cheese Rolls
A dear lady from our church used to bring a breakfast dish on Sunday mornings that we all loved, which is what this recipe is based on. Dorathy always laughed and said it was the easiest recipe, yet my mother-in-law and I both struggled to capture the wonderful flavor in a homemade version. After multiple tries and failures, I finally added sourdough to the recipe. And that’s when I found success!
#15 – Sourdough Herb Cheese Ring
This recipe is one I’ve had in my files for many years. I finally converted it to a sourdough recipe, and I love how it turned out! Sourdough Herb Cheese Ring actually makes two loaves, so there is plenty for a large gathering, or you may gift one or freeze it for later.
Okay, so there you have it–15 of my Favorite Sourdough Recipes! I hope this post will tempt you to make at least one. I’m always adding to my recipes, so be sure to check back often. And if you’ve never made sourdough before, please consider doing so. I would be happy to try and answer any questions you might have or offer help, if possible.
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