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Easy Sourdough Discard Pizza – A Quick, No Yeast Recipe!

This sourdough discard pizza recipe always comes in clutch for me when I need a last minute dinner idea and I don’t have anything planned. It’s so easy to create a delicious pizza with whatever you have in the fridge, and just one ingredient: sourdough discard! You don’t need any yeast, flour, or hours to wait for this recipe, making it the perfect “lazy” dinner. This sourdough discard pizza always turns out super crunchy, with a delicious tangy flavor that I know your family is going to love.

Top view of easy sourdough discard pizza in a cast iron pan

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If you are looking for more sourdough recipes, check out these sourdough tortillas, sourdough bagels, or beginner sourdough bread. These recipes are some of the staples in my house that I make often! 

What You Will Love About This Recipe

A Great Way To Use Up Extra Discard – If you are overflowing with sourdough discard, this recipe is a great way to make sure it doesn’t go to waste. The crust is primarily made up of discard, so this recipe uses a good amount! This pizza is one of my favorite ways to use my extra discard, but I also like to make crackers, tortillas, and pancakes. 

A No-Stress Dinner Idea – I come back to this recipe whenever dinnertime is approaching and I realize I don’t have anything planned. It’s perfect for those nights when you need an easy recipe that doesn’t require planning ahead. As long as you have discard, and a few pizza toppings you can throw this recipe together in about 30 minutes! 

A No-Wait Sourdough Recipe – Since you are just using discard and no additional flour, the pizza crust will already be fermented and you don’t have to mix anything ahead of time. This pizza crust has that classic sourdough flavor without all of the steps or the waiting. 

Customizable – Pizza is so great because you can really make it into anything you want. It’s a blank canvas that you can decorate with your favorite toppings and flavors! 

Close up view of hot sourdough discard pizza in a cast iron pan

What Is Sourdough Discard?

Sourdough discard is the portion of sourdough starter that is typically removed during the feeding process. When maintaining a sourdough starter, regular feedings with fresh flour and water are necessary to keep it active and healthy. To prevent the starter from growing too large, a portion is “discarded” before each feeding. Essentially sourdough discard is unfed sourdough starter. 

While discard is not as bubbly or active as a fully-fed starter, it still contains the same tangy, sourdough flavor and can be used in recipes like pancakes, crackers, and tortillas. It’s a great way to reduce waste and add a unique depth of flavor to your cooking and baking!

Is Sourdough Discard Pizza Healthy?

The short answer is YES! Especially when you compare homemade sourdough pizza with traditional store-bought crusts. Most store-bought breads and pizza crusts are incredibly over-processed and have lots of preservatives and unnecessary ingredients. Sourdough bread (when homemade) skips all the processed junk and also has lots of health benefits compared to traditional breads. Here are a few:

  • Easier to digest: The fermentation process of sourdough bread breaks down gluten and phytic acid found in the flour, making sourdough bread easier to digest, especially for individuals with gluten sensitivities or digestive issues.
  • Improved nutrient absorption: The sourdough fermentation process increases the bioavailability of nutrients in the bread, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
  • Supports gut health: The beneficial bacteria and yeast present in sourdough starter and the fermentation process promote a healthy balance of gut microbiota. A healthy gut microbiome is essential for proper digestion, immune function, and overall well-being.
  • Balanced blood sugar levels: Sourdough bread typically has a lower glycemic index compared to bread made with commercial yeast or refined flour. This means that it causes a slower and more gradual increase in blood sugar levels after consumption, helping to prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes in energy and mood.

If you want to learn more about the health benefits of sourdough bread, check out this in-depth post.

Two sourdough discard pepperoni pizzas in cast iron skillets on a countertop

Ingredients You Will Need For Sourdough Discard Pizza

Sourdough starter discard – this is really the only ingredient that is non-negotiable for this recipe. The rest of the ingredients can be flexible depending on what you have on hand. Depending on how many pizzas you want to make, and how big your pan is, you will need anywhere from 1/2 cup to 2 cups of sourdough discard. 

Olive oil or butter

Seasonings – I like to use Italian seasoning, but you can use your favorite herbs

Sauce & Toppings: We tend to go pretty classic when we make this pizza, with pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni or veggies. But really, you can top your pizzas with anything you like to eat or you have in your fridge. 

Other Tools You Need

You really don’t need much to make this easy pizza! No rolling pin, mixing bowls, or stand mixers required here. You will only need:

  • Cast Iron Skillet – I highly recommend a cast iron skillet for this recipe. If you don’t have one, you could use another oven safe (non-stick) skillet, or a pizza stone would work. Cast iron is my favorite, it heats up so well and helps to achieve the crispy crust we are going for.
  • Spoon – a large metal spoon works well to spread the sourdough discard on the hot pan 
  • Pizza Cutter

How To Make Easy Sourdough Discard Pizza Crust

You won’t believe how easy it is to make sourdough discard pizza. It’s almost too easy! 

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, with the cast iron skillet or pizza stone you are going to use inside the oven. You want to get your cast iron nice and piping hot before adding the discard to it. 

Step 2. Once the oven is preheated and the cast iron is hot, remove it from the oven. 

Step 3. Sprinkle a little bit of olive oil, or spread a little bit of butter in the pan. 

Step 4. Scoop your sourdough discard right onto the hot pan, spreading it into a circle as you go. The amount will depend on the size of your pan, but you want the crust to be about 1/4″ thick on the pan. Start with about 1/2 cup of sourdough discard and add more if you need it. It will start sizzling and cooking, that’s good! 

Hand spreading sourdough discard into hot cast iron skillet

Step 5. Sprinkle the top of the sourdough discard with Italian seasoning or your choice of herbs. 

Step 6. Put the cast iron back in the oven, and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the edges of the crust are turning golden brown, and it is starting to pull away from the pan slightly. 

Sourdough discard pizza crust in a cast iron skillet

Step 7. Add your favorite pizza toppings, and return to the oven.

Step 8. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. 

Step 9. Let the pizza cool slightly, then cut into slices and serve! 

Recipe Notes & Tips

  • You could certainly go thinner with the discard if you don’t have enough, just be sure to keep an eye on the cooking time so you don’t burn your crust.
  • Make sure the crust is nice and crispy before you add your toppings. If the crust is undercooked, the sauce might make your pizza a little soggy.
  • This pizza has the texture of a thin crust, crispy pizza. If you are looking for a pizza with a more traditional chewy cirst, try my easy sourdough pizza dough recipe.
  • You can also use active sourdough starter if that’s what you have! If you are going to use active starter, stir it down a little bit to remove some of the bubbles before you use it. With active starter you might end up with a little thicker crust than with discard, so make sure that it cooks all the way through before you add toppings. 
Two pepperoni sourdough discard pizzas in cast iron pans

How To Store Leftover Discard Pizza

This pizza is best fresh, because it will maintain the crispy texture. Storing it in the fridge can make it a little soggy from the toppings. If you do have leftovers though, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for a few days. Reheat in the oven in a cast iron skillet, or in a toaster oven. 

Topping Ideas For Sourdough Discard Pizza

Sauce Ideas:

  • Classic tomato sauce
  • Extra virgin olive oil + minced garlic – When we don’t have any pizza sauce, this is my favorite alternative. It adds a delicious garlic flavor to pizza! 
  • Homemade white sauce or Alfredo sauce – Homemade Alfredo sauce is pretty simple, you just need butter, cream, parmesan cheese, and garlic. 
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Buffalo Sauce 

Topping Ideas:

  • Meat: pepperoni, sausage, chicken, bacon, or pulled pork
  • Veggies: onions, olives, mushrooms, peppers, spinach, 
  • Fresh herbs
  • Cheese – any and all cheese work! We have used irish cheese, cheddar, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. Let’s put it this way, I haven’t found a cheese I didn’t like! 
  • Garlic cloves

Tip: Batch Cook & Freeze Discard Pizza Crusts For An Easy Meal! 

These pizza crusts can be made ahead of time and frozen for an easy meal! After you cook the crust in the cast iron, remove it from the pan and let it cool completely (without adding toppings). Once the crust is completely cool, store in a freezer-safe bag or container with pieces of parchment paper between each one. The crusts will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

When you are ready to use them, set out the crusts at room temperature to thaw for 20 minutes. Add your toppings, and cook in a 425 degree heated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the crust is heated through and the toppings are melted. 

Close up view of crispy sourdough discard pizza in a cast iron pan

Sourdough Discard Pizza Frequently Asked Questions

No, traditional sourdough discard is not considered gluten-free because it is made from wheat-based flours (such as all-purpose, whole wheat, or bread flour), which contain gluten. The fermentation process in sourdough starter does break down some of the gluten proteins, making the dough easier to digest for some people with mild gluten sensitivities. However, it does not remove gluten entirely, so it is not safe for individuals with celiac disease or those who need to avoid gluten completely.

Sourdough discard can last about 1–2 weeks when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Be sure to give it a quick stir before using it in recipes.

While I recommend one of the two mentioned for best success, you can certainly try your luck using a baking sheet! Make sure to coat it really well with olive oil to avoid sticking, and you may need to adjust the cooking time. 

Easy Sourdough Discard Pizza – A Quick, No Yeast Recipe!

Make the easiest sourdough discard pizza with just one ingredient! This no-yeast recipe creates a super crunchy crust that’s perfect for quick and delicious homemade pizza. Top it with your favorite ingredients for a simple meal everyone will love!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 1 medium pizza

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet or pizza stone
  • Spoon for spreading sourdough discard
  • 1 Pizza Cutter

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 – 1 cup sourdough starter discard 1/2 cup as a starter amount, you may need more depending on the size of your pan
  • olive oil or butter
  • italian seasoning or your favorite herbs
  • sauce & pizza toppings of choice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, with the cast iron skillet or pizza stone you are going to use inside the oven. You want to get your cast iron nice and piping hot before adding the discard to it. 
  • Once the oven is preheated and the cast iron is hot, remove it from the oven. 
  • Sprinkle a little bit of olive oil, or spread a little bit of butter in the pan. 
  • Scoop your sourdough discard right onto the hot pan, spreading it into a circle as you go. The amount will depend on the size of your pan, but you want the crust to be about 1/4″ thick on the pan. Start with about 1/2 cup of sourdough discard and add more if you need it. It will start sizzling and cooking, that’s good! 
  • Sprinkle the top of the sourdough discard with Italian seasoning or your choice of herbs. 
  • Put the cast iron back in the oven, and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the edges of the crust are turning golden brown, and it is starting to pull away from the pan slightly. 
  • Add your favorite pizza toppings, and return to the oven.
  • Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. 
  • Let the pizza cool slightly, then cut into slices and serve! 
Keyword pizza, quick dinner, sourdough discard recipes

Conclusion… You Need This Discard Pizza In Your Life!

This easy recipe is perfect for pizza night, or just a regular weeknight when you need to throw dinner together quickly. We’ve all been there! Don’t be afraid to add this into your meal planning rotation, we eat this probably 3 or 4 times a month! 

If you liked this pizza recipe, you have to try my traditional sourdough pizza crust recipe. It also uses sourdough discard, but combines the discard with flour and uses a more traditional process of letting the dough ferment overnight. The result is a delicious chewy crust that is so hard to beat! 

two sourdough discard pepperoni pizzas in cast iron skillets with text "no yeast quick sourdough discard pizza"

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