Sourdough Discard Rolls [soft + pull apart]

These super soft sourdough discard rolls couldn't be easier to make - and you can have them ready in just a few hours!

This sourdough discard rolls recipe is a great way to use up excess sourdough discard (although you can use fed starter too!).

If you love my recipe for Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread, then you are going to love these sourdough discard rolls!

They are super simple, soft and tender with a slight sourdough tang.

Sourdough Pull Apart Rolls

I have chosen to shape these sourdough discard rolls into "pull apart rolls". By placing them into a cast iron skillet and allowing them to rise "into each other" they form a deliciously soft pull apart rolls.

If you'd prefer individual rolls, you can place them further apart on a baking tray and allow them to rise.

The choice is entirely yours.

If you're looking for other sourdough roll recipes you might also like to check out sourdough buttered knot rolls, Sourdough Hot Dog Rolls, Sourdough Sandwich Rolls, Sourdough Discard Hamburger Rolls, sourdough Tiger rolls or Soft & Sweet Sourdough Hawaiian Rolls. Or for the ultimate sourdough garlic buns, try this Sourdough Pampushky recipe.

Making Sourdough Discard Rolls

These rolls are super simple to make. Using commercial yeast along with sourdough discard allows you to have these on the table in record time.

The great thing is, you'll still have some sourdough flavor by using your discard. They are a great way to use up some sourdough discard while you build your sourdough starter - but you can also use fed, active starter too!

The trick to getting the softest, squishiest rolls is allowing them to get super puffy on their second rise. If you don't allow them to rise enough, they will be dense when you bake them.

How To Make Sourdough Discard Rolls

• Combine the sourdough discard, water, sugar and yeast into the bowl of your stand mixer or Thermomix and mix for 30 seconds until it's foamy.
  
• Now, add the flour to the foamy mixture and combine until it forms a shaggy dough (around 30 seconds will do it). Leave the dough to rest for 30 minutes.
  
• Now add the salt and butter to the bowl and knead the dough for around 3 to 6 minutes.You want the dough to be elastic, silky and slapping the sides of the bowl. Just keep the mixer going until you achieve this. If you are using a stand mixer you'll need to use your dough hook attachment for this step (see notes for other kneading options).
  
• Now you need to let your dough rise. You are using instant yeast as the leavening agent in this recipe, rather than sourdough/wild yeast, so it will rise very quickly, particularly if your home is warm.Leave it for around an hour (it will take longer if your house is cooler). You want it to double.
  
• Once the dough has doubled, tip it out onto the counter top. Divide the dough into equal pieces. You'll need to use a set of scales to get them exactly weighted - or you do it by sight if you prefer. For this recipe I did 11 rolls at 86g each. If you want 12 rolls, you'd need to make them 78g.
  
• Shape each piece of dough into a ball and place the balls of dough into a cast iron skillet (see notes for options).
  
• Now you need to let the rolls rise again. It's really important to make sure their soft and puffy before you bake them! This will take around an hour, depending on the temperature of your home.Make sure you cover them with a plastic food cover to stop them drying out.
  
• Once the rolls have risen, you'll need to bake them.Turn your oven on and set the temperature to 180C/350F.Let it warm for around 10 minutes. Spray the top of your rolls with some water mist and place into the oven.
  
• Bake your rolls at 180C/350F for around 30 minutes or until they are golden brown.
  
• Remove from the oven and while they're still in the skillet, use a pastry brush to slather them in melted butter.
  
• Once the butter has soaked in, remove them from the skillet and allow to cool on a wire rack.

Can You Knead These By Hand?

Yes you absolutely can make this recipe by hand. I do prefer to use a stand mixer because I find it much easier to get a silky, elastic dough. It's also easier to add the butter when the machine does it for you.

But if you don't have a stand mixer - or you just don't want to use one - you absolutely can mix by hand.Just follow the recipe as it is.

The only thing I would say you might want to change is to add the butter in small dots when you are hand kneading. If you add it all at once it can sometimes be hard to knead in thoroughly.

Flavor Additions for Sourdough Discard Rolls

While these rolls are truly delicious just as they are, there are always a few things you can do to jazz them up! Here are a few ideas:

• Brush the baked rolls with garlic butter and sprinkle with parsley
  
• Add 20g of honey and 50g of oats to the mixture. Top the risen rolls with rolled oats before baking.
  
• Add 40g of chopped jalapeños and 100g of grated cheddar to the dough or alternatively serve the rolls with spicy sweet jalapeño butter.
  
• Add 100g of chocolate chips to the dough and brush with golden syrup or whipped honey butter once baked.
  
• You might also like to use this dough to make sourdough discard monkey bread.

Freezing Instructions

These sourdough discard rolls freeze really well!

I have frozen these rolls with great success. I have frozen them as a whole "pull apart" without breaking them into individual rolls. I've also frozen a few leftover rolls on their own.

They have both frozen successfully wrapped in foil and placed into the freezer.

Allow them to come to room temperature before using. You can zap them in the microwave to make them soft again.

Frequently Asked Questions

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