This delightful Sourdough Discard Rolls recipe comes together in about 90 minutes and is made entirely by hand for a quick and easy side dish that your family will love! These rolls are perfect for busy weeknight dinners, a lovely complement to soups, or even as a stand-alone snack!
Ingredient Breakdown for Sourdough Discard Rolls
To make these fluffy rolls, you’ll need the following ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry:
¾ cup + 1 teaspoon milk (non-dairy or regular dairy, warmed to 110℉): This adds moisture and tenderness to the rolls. The warm milk helps activate the yeast!
1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast: A faster-acting yeast that allows the dough to rise quickly. Feel free to substitute with active dry yeast, but the rising times may vary slightly.
2 teaspoons granulated sugar: This adds a touch of sweetness and helps feed the yeast, contributing to a nice rise.
3 ½ cups + 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour: Just standard flour you might already have. Always measure flour correctly for best results!
200 grams (about ¾ cup) sourdough discard: The star of the show! This is what gives these rolls that slightly tangy flavor. Remember, it should be unfed and at room temperature.
1 egg (lightly beaten): Eggs bind everything together and add richness to the rolls.
1 teaspoon kosher salt: A couple pinches of salt really enhances the flavor of the dough and the final rolls.
5 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and divided): Butter adds that wonderful, rich taste and contributes to a beautiful golden crust. Make sure to reserve a tablespoon for brushing the tops!
Flaky sea salt (for topping): This is optional, but it adds a lovely crunch and enhances the flavors.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Making these Sourdough Discard Rolls is a fun and rewarding process! Here’s how it’s done:
Combine Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix the warmed milk, instant yeast, and sugar until well combined. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
Mix the Dough: To the yeast mixture, add the 3 ½ cups flour, sourdough discard, beaten egg, and salt. With the mixer on low, slowly pour in 2 Tablespoons of melted butter. Increase the speed to medium; mix until a rough dough forms (about 2 minutes).
Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 3-4 minutes. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky, if it is, add more flour a tablespoon at a time.
First Rise: Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl, covering it with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 90 minutes or until it’s doubled in size.
Prepare the Baking Dish: While the dough is rising, brush a 9×13-inch baking pan with 1 Tablespoon melted butter and set it aside.
Shape the Rolls: Turn the dough onto a smooth work surface. Divide it into 15 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball, this doesn’t have to be perfect! If you’re into precision, weighing the pieces might be fun.
Second Rise: Plop those lovely balls in the prepared baking dish, cover again with plastic wrap, and let rise for another 60 minutes, until puffy and doubled.
Preheat Oven: Ten minutes before you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375℉.
Bake: Brush the rolls with the remaining melted butter, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and bake for 25-28 minutes until golden brown. If you want a shiny finish, feel free to brush with extra melted butter right after they come out!
And voilà! Your Sourdough Discard Rolls are ready to be enjoyed!
If you loved these rolls, be sure to check out my Lemon Cake with Sourdough Discard, my Sourdough Discard Apple Muffins, or my mouth-watering “The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies” for even more delicious uses of sourdough discard!
What Makes This Recipe Special
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together in under 90 minutes (after factoring in rising time), which means you won’t have to spend your whole evening in the kitchen. It’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Minimal Cleanup
With just one mixing bowl and your baking pan to clean, you can savor more time with your family and less time scrubbing pots and pans.
Budget-Friendly
The ingredients are everyday staples that won’t break the bank. Perfect for families watching their budget while still enjoying home-cooked meals.
Comfort Food
These rolls are loaded with tons of flavor and have that soft inside and slight crusty outside that makes them melt in your mouth. I mean, who can resist warm bread right out of the oven?
Customizable
Switching up the flavors is easy! You can fold in herbs, cheese, or even spices for a little twist. This versatility means you’ll never get bored with the same recipe.
Serving and Storage Tips for Your Rolls
These Sourdough Discard Rolls are incredible straight out of the oven, but they are also fantastic the next day! Here are a few tips on how to enjoy and store them:
Serving Suggestions
Serve these rolls warm with a shmear of butter, or pair them with soups and stews. They’re also great for breakfast with jams or honey. I love them with a hearty chili or… get this, a nice soak in some homemade garlic butter.
How to Store
If you have leftovers (which is a rare occurrence, I promise!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They taste best fresh, but you can enjoy them after they’ve been stored, too!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, pop them in a warm oven (about 350℉) for about 5-10 minutes just until they’re warmed through, or microwave them for about 10 seconds.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! These rolls freeze beautifully. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, pop them in the oven straight from the freezer to warm them up!
Pro Tip!
For an extra treat, try brushing the rolls with garlic butter right before serving! Just melt a little butter with minced garlic and brush it all over those golden tops for a heavenly finish!
Cooking should be a happy, stress-free experience, and that’s exactly what my Sourdough Discard Rolls bring to the table! Whether you’re baking just for your family or planning a get-together, these rolls are sure to impress. I’m telling you, they are SO good that your family will be asking for more!
And before I forget, remember, food is all about bringing people together, so gather your loved ones around for some warm rolls and create those flavorful memories together!
Happy baking, friends! Enjoy these rolls and all the wonderful meals they accompany. I can’t wait to hear how yours turn out! And follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Sourdough Discard Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix the warmed milk, instant yeast, and sugar until well combined. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- To the yeast mixture, add the 3 ½ cups flour, sourdough discard, beaten egg, and salt. With the mixer on low, slowly pour in 2 Tablespoons of melted butter. Increase the speed to medium; mix until a rough dough forms (about 2 minutes).
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl, covering it with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 90 minutes or until it’s doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, brush a 9×13-inch baking pan with 1 Tablespoon melted butter and set it aside.
- Turn the dough onto a smooth work surface. Divide it into 15 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
- Plop the balls in the prepared baking dish, cover again with plastic wrap, and let rise for another 60 minutes, until puffy and doubled.
- Ten minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 375℉.
- Brush the rolls with the remaining melted butter, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and bake for 25-28 minutes until golden brown.