These sourdough waffles, which are made with sourdough discard and lightened with baking soda, have a fluffy, airy texture and a slight aromatic tang. They're ideal for soaking up maple syrup, but they also make a perfect base for savory dishes like fried chicken. If you prefer pancakes, check out our recipe for Classic Sourdough Pancakes.
To make the overnight sponge: In a large bowl, stir together the unfed starter, buttermilk, flour, and sugar.
Cover and let rest at cool room temperature (about 65°F to 70°F) for about 12 hours, or overnight.
To make the batter: In a small bowl or mixing cup, beat together the eggs and oil or butter. Add the egg mixture to the overnight sponge, stirring just to combine.
Add the baking soda and salt, stirring to combine. The batter will expand and may bubble a bit.
To cook the sourdough waffles: Pour the batter onto a preheated, greased waffle iron, and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Serve waffles immediately, with your favorite toppings; or hold in a warm oven until ready to serve.
Storage instructions: Store any leftover sourdough waffles in the refrigerator for a day or two; freeze for longer storage.
For whole grain waffles, substitute our Golden Wheat Flour or Premium Whole Wheat Flour for some or all of the all-purpose flour.
Don’t have any starter? Here’s a recipe for homemade sourdough starter. If you're making it from scratch, you'll need to feed it for 5 to 7 days before it’s ready for baking. Want a head start? Purchase our classic fresh sourdough starter — it’ll be ready for baking soon after it arrives at your door. Looking for tips, techniques, and all kinds of great information about sourdough baking? Find what you need in our sourdough baking guide.
Want to make this gluten-free? For great results, substitute King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour for the all-purpose flour in this recipe, no further ingredient changes necessary. Be sure to cook thoroughly; gluten-free pancakes and waffles may cook more slowly than standard pancakes and waffles.
