Easy Italian Sourdough Flatbread Discard Recipe

This Easy Italian Sourdough Flatbread Discard Recipe makes amazingly delicious breadsticks with clean and simple ingredients, in a very little amount of time. Unlike traditional sourdough breads, this recipe comes straight from the sourdough discard, so no rolling pin, bench scraper (dough scraper), or dough hook needed! All you will need for the sourdough flatbread dough is to feed your active starter the night before, and by the next day you will be ready to make your italian sourdough discard flat breads!

We love bread products, so I usually have some sort of sourdough going all of the time, but there are those times when I get very busy, and tending to a dough is not on my priority list. Of course this leaves me with an ample amount of active sourdough starter, and possibly no starch for dinner. This easy sourdough flatbread recipe is one of our favorite recipes! Most people throw out their discard, but sourdough discard recipes are a perfect way to stop food waste. These fluffy flatbreads have tons of incredible flavor with the added health benefits from the phytic acid and lactic acid bacteria found in the sourdough! 

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Substituting the Sourdough Flatbread Seasonings

Substituting the sourdough flatbread seasonings is a great way to revive the mundane recipe. You can change it up by switching out the dried herbs for fresh ones (I love the combination of rosemary and thyme– or even fresh lavender!), or by changing out the seasonings with spices to give it a unique flavor. This easy recipe can be baked on a pizza stone or a cast-iron skillet in the oven, or cooked on the stove in a hot cast iron skillet on medium heat until done.

How to Eat Sourdough Discard Flatbreads or Naan Bread

This sourdough bread is amazing on its own or on the side of any dish! It can be used as a pizza dough for the perfect pizza bases too. Just add a marinara sauce with some parmesan cheese grated on top of your flat bread for a quick and easy meal! Another delicious way to have sourdough naan bread is as breadsticks with a greek yogurt dip or sour cream dip for a fun finger food. Or pair this sourdough discard recipe with an amazing tomato basil soup or minestrone soup for the perfect fall dinner.

Tips for Making These Soft Flatbreads

1.These will work with a pizza stone or a cast iron pan.  I have not tried making them on a baking sheet (I usually make these on a pizza stone), but I would imagine that they would still come out very tasty. I would suggest using parchment paper underneath the flat bread to keep it from sticking. 

2. Make sure to preheat your oven for about 30 minutes with either the pizza stone or cast iron pan in it.

3. Feed the sourdough starter the night before or at least 12 hours before you are planning on making these, to make sure that the sourdough has fully cultured. 

4. Make sure you have enough starter to make 2 cups of flat bread dough and a little extra to feed for later sourdough bread recipes.

What You Will Need to Make This Flatbread Recipe

Large mixing bowl

Wooden spoon

Pizza stone or a cast-iron pan

Butter knife

Small piece of foil

​Small bowl to mash the roasted garlic​

Ingredients for the Sourdough Starter Discard Flatbread

1 whole roasted garlic

2 cups of active sourdough starter (fed the night before or at least 12 hours before)

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon garlic powder

4 tablespoons fresh chopped basil (optional–or herb of your choice)

Extra virgin olive oil

​Easy Italian Sourdough Flatbread Discard Recipe

​Feed your sourdough starter the night before. Place plastic wrap or a tea towel over it and allow it to ferment for at least 12 hours.

The next morning, or when you are ready to bake it, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Roast the whole garlic by cutting the top off of the garic, then pour about a tablespoon of olive oil all over it and wrapping the garlic in foil. Place the wrapped garlic on a baking sheet and into the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until completely soft and aromatic. 

Place the pizza stone and cast iron pan in the oven that has already been preheated to 400 degrees. Allow the stone to heat for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Measure out active sourdough starter and place it in a large mixing bowl.

Place salt, basil, oregano, thyme, and dried garlic powder in the large bowl. 

With a wooden spoon stir the seasoning until well incorporated with the sourdough starter.

Carefully remove the hot skillet or hot pizza stone from the oven.

Pour the italian flatbread sourdough mixture across the pizza stone, leaving about a 3 inch radius around the edge so that it does not spew over and make a mess.

Place the sourdough starter discard flatbread into the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

While the flat bread is cooking, use a butter knife to mash up the roasted garlic in a small bowl.

After 10 minutes is up, remove the flatbread from the oven and place it on the stove. 

​Immediately spread the mashed garlic across the baked flat bread using the butter knife.

Drizzle a little bit of olive oil across the top of the Italian sourdough flatbread.

Sprinkle the chopped basil over the top and serve! 

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for about 4 days.

For more easy and delicious sourdough recipes check out these:

More Sourdough Recipes

The Best Cinnamon Raisin Sweet Sourdough Bread Recipe

Peanut Butter with Chocolate Sourdough Bread Recipe

Best Sourdough Bread Recipe with Almond and Raisins

Easy Same Day Sourdough Bread (Beginner’s Recipe)

Easy Sourdough Bread Recipe Without A Dutch Oven

Sourdough Bread Breakfast Recipe with Egg and Avocado

Easy Recipe for How to Make Einkorn Sourdough Bread