How to Make Dried Sourdough Starter From Scratch

This how to make dried sourdough starter from scratch method is the best way to dehydrate sourdough and keep it in its dormant state for a very long time! In this blog post you will find a simple step by step guide with pictures that makes the process conveniently easy.

Whether you are looking to sell your dried sourdough starter, give a wonderful gift of sourdough, or simply keep your sourdough "alive" without regular feedings, you will find this to be the perfect, no mess way, of doing so. It is a wonderful thought to know that making a dry sourdough starter is a great way to preserve it for long-term storage, and that it can even be passed down from generation to generation!

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Making a sourdough starter from scratch can be a real practice of patience! I know, I have been there. Regretfully, twice. Several years ago, pre sourdough bandwagon, I was dabbling in sourdough bread making daily, and really enjoying it. Once we moved out to our farm, I began learning and mastering other skills and the sourdough bread baking thingy was put on the back burner, the way back burner, like the very back of my fridge. I couldn't even see it. It was completely forgotten about with the notorious black nastiness growing across it. So gross. I threw the whole thing away!

Little did I know, nor did I care to investigate any further, that I could have just scraped off the gunk, began discarding and feeding it daily to bring it back to life. Then I would have dried it out in such an easy way, and stored it for an eternity! Sadly, I did none of the such. I had to start from scratch and wait about 5 to 6 weeks before it became a vigorous sourdough starter that would raise a roof! 

Luckily, you are one step ahead of me!

Why Dehydrate Sourdough Starter

Dehydrating sourdough starter offers several benefits, making it a practical option for many bakers. Here are some key reasons why you might choose to dehydrate your sourdough starter:

1. Long-Term Storage: A dry starter can be stored indefinitely when kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. This is ideal for having a backup in case your active starter dies or gets contaminated.
2. Portability: Dried starter is lightweight and easy to transport. It’s convenient for taking on trips, sharing with friends, or mailing to others.
3. Convenience: If you need a break from regular feeding routines, dehydrating your starter allows you to pause without the risk of losing it. You can revive it whenever you're ready to bake again.
4. Preservation of Strain: Dehydrating preserves the lactic acid bacteria of your starter. This ensures that you can revive the same flavor and characteristics specific to your starter even after a long time.
5. Disaster Recovery: In case of an accidental contamination or if you lose your active starter, having a dehydrated version allows for easy recovery without starting from scratch.
6. Gift-Giving: Dormant starter makes a thoughtful and unique gift for fellow bakers. It’s a way to share a piece of your kitchen with others.
7. Space Efficiency: Dehydrated starter takes up very little space compared to maintaining an active starter. This can be advantageous if you have limited storage space.

Overall, dehydrating sourdough starter provides a flexible and reliable way to ensure that you always have access to your sourdough culture, regardless of your circumstances.

Common Questions:​

How long does it take to revive a dried sourdough starter?

Rehydrating a dehydrated sourdough starter can take anywhere from 3 days to a week, depending on the starter's strength and the room temperature. You can always opt for a sourdough home or a sourdough proofer such as this one here. This will help revive your sourdough starter by maintaining the perfect temperature until it becomes bubbly and active. Not only is it great for reviving a dried sourdough starter but it will help with starting your starter for the first time and maintaining it thereafter. This is a wonderful thing to have during those winter months, especially if you live in a colder environment like me! 

Is it better to freeze or dehydrate sourdough starter?

If you're considering long term storage for your sourdough starter, drying it is the best option. While a frozen sourdough starter lasts about 12 months, a dried starter can remain viable for years when stored in a dry place.

How long can a dehydrated sourdough starter last?

Dried sourdough starter can last indefinitely if kept in a cool dark place, away from heat and moisture. For optimal storage, use an airtight container.

Can you dry sourdough starter in the oven?

Sourdough starter can be dried in the oven! In fact, this is my method of choice. However, I would caution you to not forget about it and accidentally turn on the oven! Placing a sticky note or some sort of reminder on the oven door could be helpful. 

Placing the starter in the oven with the oven light on could help speed up the drying process but, if your oven light is like mine, it could heat up way too much and cook your starter. If that is the case, crack open your oven door to remove some of the heat, or for best results, be patient and give it a few extra hours without the light to play it safe.

How long to dehydrate sourdough starter?

Dehydrating a sourdough starter should take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. It really depends on how thin you spread your layer. For me, it took about 36 hours because I found it difficult to spread it evenly, so some areas took a bit longer than others.

Can I use dehydrated sourdough starter in baking mix?

Unfortunately you can not use dried sourdough starter like commercial yeast (aka active dry yeast or rapid rise yeast). It needs to be rehydrated, and is also a good idea to have it very active before using. 

Materials Needed for Dried Sourdough Starter

• Parchment paper
• Baking sheet
• Wooden spoon or offset spatula
• Blender or spice grinder
• Large airtight container such as a glass jar with a lid or a ziplock bag
• Bowl scraper (optional)

Ingredients

• Active sourdough starter (wet starter)

How to Make Dried Sourdough Starter From Scratch

1. Activate Your Starter: Feed your sourdough starter with equal parts flour and filtered water and cover with plastic wrap to ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly. Place in a warm spot and wait until it reaches its peak activity when starter doubles, between 4 to 6 hours.
2. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Spread the Starter: Spread a very thin layer of the wet sourdough starter onto the parchment paper. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, aiming for a thickness of about ⅛ inch (3 mm). If any thicker, it will take longer for your starter to dry out.
4. Air Dry: Place the baking sheet in a well-ventilated, dry area away from direct sunlight. Allow it to dry completely, which can take 1-3 days depending on the humidity and temperature. The oven would be the perfect spot for this to make sure it is not accessible to animals like cats or bugs like flys and fruit flies. Just make sure not to turn on the oven! This usually takes anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. 
5. Break into Pieces: Once the starter is completely dry and brittle, break it into small pieces.
6. Grind to a Powder Form (Optional): For easier storage and rehydration, you can grind the dried starter into a powder using a food processor or blender.
7. Store: Place the dried starter chips or powder into an airtight container or plastic bag. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. I have mine in my refrigerator. Properly stored, the dried starter can last indefinitely.

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Easy Same Day Sourdough Bread (Beginner’s Recipe)