If you’ve been hanging around Fork to Spoon for a while, you know I’m all about getting big, delicious flavor without overcomplicating things in the kitchen. So when I finally stopped being intimidated by sourdough and started actually playing with it, everything changed. That tangy, complex flavor sourdough brings to a recipe? There’s just nothing else like it. And here’s the best part — you don’t need to be a seasoned baker or spend an entire weekend babying a loaf to enjoy it. Whether you’re working with an active starter, using up your discard, or simply grabbing a beautiful sourdough loaf from the store, there are so many incredible ways to put it to work. I’m talking fluffy muffins with streusel tops, pull-apart pizza bread dripping with mozzarella, cozy cinnamon rolls, and even a high-protein breakfast toast that tastes like dessert. I’ve rounded up eight of my absolute favorite sourdough recipes — and a few of them come together right in the air fryer. Let’s get into it!
1. Air Fryer Sourdough Bread
Yes, you can bake a gorgeous, golden sourdough loaf right in your air fryer — and it comes out perfectly crusty on the outside with a soft, chewy interior every single time. No Dutch oven, no complicated oven setup, no stress. This is the recipe that made me fall in love with baking sourdough at home!
2. Foolproof Air Fryer Sourdough Discard Donuts
Before you even think about tossing that sourdough discard, make these donuts. They turn out light, airy, and just lightly tangy — and the whole family will go absolutely wild for them. Top them with a maple glaze and watch them disappear in minutes!
3. Air Fryer Sourdough Blueberry Muffins
These muffins are one of my all-time favorite ways to start a morning — the sourdough gives them a subtle tang that pairs so beautifully with sweet, juicy blueberries. I finish them with a buttery streusel topping that crisps up perfectly in the air fryer. Trust me, these will become a weekly staple!
4. Sourdough Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
These soft, fluffy rolls are what fall breakfast dreams are made of. The sourdough starter adds a rich, cozy depth that balances the sweet pumpkin and warm spices in the most incredible way. Drizzle on that cream cheese icing and you’ve got a brunch centerpiece everyone will be talking about.
5. Air Fryer Mozzarella Pizza Bread
Got a sourdough loaf sitting on the counter? This pull-apart pizza bread is exactly what you need to make with it. Stuffed with garlic butter, mozzarella, and parmesan, the air fryer melts it all into ooey-gooey, golden perfection. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing snack that never lasts long!
6. First Watch Grilled Cheese Recipe
A truly great grilled cheese starts with truly great bread — and thick, sturdy sourdough is the secret to nailing this diner-style classic at home. The sourdough crust gets beautifully golden and crispy while holding up to every pull of that gooey, melty cheese inside. Simple, comforting, and absolutely delicious.
7. Air Fryer Blueberry Cottage Cheese Toast
This is my go-to when I want a high-protein breakfast that still feels like a little treat. Sourdough toast goes into the air fryer until perfectly golden and crispy, then gets piled high with creamy cottage cheese and fresh blueberries that burst as they warm. The tangy sourdough base makes every single bite pop!
