Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with flavor, making them a perfect use for your leftover sourdough starter. Easy to make and golden-brown, these rolls are ideal for dinner, sandwiches, or as a side for any meal.

Golden, fluffy sourdough discard dinner rolls freshly baked and ready to serve
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Quick Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls (One Hour Rise) are a fast and flavorful way to use up your leftover sourdough starter.

Soft, fluffy, and golden-brown, these rolls come together quickly with just a one-hour rise, making them perfect for weeknight dinners, sandwiches, or any meal that calls for fresh, homemade bread without the long wait.

Golden, fluffy sourdough discard dinner rolls freshly baked and ready to serve

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Fast and Easy: Ready in about an hour, no long rise required.
  • Uses Leftover Starter: A delicious way to reduce sourdough waste.
  • Soft and Fluffy: Light, tender rolls everyone will enjoy.
  • Golden and Flavorful: Crispy exterior with rich, tangy sourdough flavor.
  • Versatile: Perfect for dinner, sandwiches, or as a side dish.

If you are looking for even more Air Fryer Bread Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER GARLIC BREAD, AIR FRYER CHOCOLATE CROISSANTS, AIR FRYER 2 INGREDIENT WEIGHT WATCHER FRIENDLY BAGELS, and AIR FRYER OLIVE CHEESE BREAD.

Ingredients Needed

Quick Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls (One Hour Rise) ingredients on kitchen table.
  • Sourdough Starter: Leftover active sourdough starter for flavor and rise
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and a light, tender crumb
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, fluffy dough
  • Butter: Adds richness, flavor, and tenderizes the bread
  • Sugar: Sweetens slightly and helps with browning the crust
  • Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness in the dough
  • Instant Yeast (optional for faster rise): Boosts rising and ensures soft, fluffy rolls

Recipe Variations

Optional Add-Ins: Add shredded cheese, herbs, or garlic powder to the dough for extra flavor. Sweet variations work too—try a pinch of cinnamon and sugar.

Serving Tips: Serve warm with butter, jam, or alongside soups, stews, or sandwiches.

How To Make Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls

Mixing sourdough discard, flour, milk, butter, sugar, salt, and yeast into sticky dough in a large bowl

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine your sourdough discard, all-purpose flour, milk, melted butter, sugar, salt, and instant yeast (if using). Stir until a sticky, cohesive dough forms.

Step 2: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little flour as needed.

Kneading sourdough discard dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic

Step 3: Divide the dough into equal portions (about 8–12 pieces). Shape each portion into a smooth ball and place them in a greased baking dish or on a parchment-lined pan, leaving a little space between each roll.

Step 4: Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm spot for about 45–60 minutes, or until puffed and nearly doubled in size.

Dividing dough into equal portions and shaping into smooth balls on a greased pan

Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Optional: brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter for extra golden color. Bake the rolls for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 6: Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with butter, jam, or alongside your favorite meal.

Sourdough rolls covered with towel, rising in warm spot until puffed and doubled

Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls Recipe Tips

  • Use Active Starter: Ensure your sourdough discard is fresh for better flavor and rise.
  • Warm Environment for Rising: Place rolls in a slightly warm spot to help them rise quickly.
  • Don’t Overknead: Knead just until smooth to keep rolls tender and soft.
  • Even Sizing: Divide dough evenly so rolls bake uniformly.
  • Optional Butter Brush: Brushing tops with melted butter before or after baking adds extra golden color and flavor.

Storing Instructions

  • Room Temperature: Store cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Refrigerate: Keep in an airtight container for 3–4 days; warm slightly before serving.
  • Freezing: Wrap cooled rolls tightly in foil or plastic wrap and freeze up to 1 month; thaw and reheat in oven before serving.
Golden, fluffy sourdough discard dinner rolls freshly baked and ready to serve

Other Cooking Instructions

  • Oven Method: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Shape rolls and place in a greased baking dish or on a parchment-lined pan. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  • Air Fryer Method: Place rolls in a greased air fryer-safe pan or basket. Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes, checking for golden color and doneness.

Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls Recipe Faqs

Can I use frozen sourdough discard? Yes, thaw it completely before using for best results.

Can I make these gluten-free? Substitute with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, though texture may vary slightly.

Why didn’t my rolls rise much? Ensure your sourdough discard is active and warm enough for the quick rise.

Can I freeze the rolls? Yes, wrap cooled rolls tightly and freeze up to 1 month; thaw and reheat before serving.

How should I reheat leftover rolls? Warm in a preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for 5–10 minutes or in an air fryer for 3–5 minutes.

Golden, fluffy sourdough discard dinner rolls freshly baked and served on a plate

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Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls

Quick Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls (One Hour Rise)

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Proof Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Description

Soft, fluffy sourdough discard dinner rolls made quickly with leftover starter. Perfect for dinner, sandwiches, or as a flavorful side.

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup sourdough discard, 240 g, (unfed)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, 240 g
  • ¼ cup milk, 60 ml, warmed
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 28 g, melted
  • 1 tablespoon sugar, 12 g
  • 1 teaspoon salt, 6 g
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast, 3 g (optional, for faster rise)

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1 cup sourdough discard, 2 cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup milk, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon instant yeast (if using). Stir until a sticky, cohesive dough forms.
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Sprinkle a little flour if the dough is too sticky.
  • Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball and place in a greased baking dish or parchment-lined pan, leaving space between rolls.
  • Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm spot for 45–60 minutes, or until puffed and nearly doubled.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Optional: brush tops with melted butter. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  • Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with butter, jam, or alongside your favorite meal.

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk

Notes

Other Cooking Instructions

Oven Method:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Shape rolls and place in a greased baking dish or on a parchment-lined pan. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Air Fryer Method:
Place rolls in a greased air fryer-safe pan or basket. Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes, checking for golden color and doneness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 7gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 394mgPotassium: 80mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 133IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 2mg

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