Cultured Guru Logo
Cultured Guru Logo
  • Start Here
  • RecipesWe love to create delicious recipes with gut health in mind. By using our recipes, you can easily create any dish knowing that it’s good for gut health! Our recipe blog also includes Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, and Paleo Recipes.
  • About
  • Learn
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Start Here
  • RecipesWe love to create delicious recipes with gut health in mind. By using our recipes, you can easily create any dish knowing that it’s good for gut health! Our recipe blog also includes Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, and Paleo Recipes.
  • About
  • Learn
  • Shop
  • Contact
Freshly baked sourdough crackers with flaky sea salt pieces and rosemary, pile don a baking sheet. Zoomed in to show texture of the fully baked crackers
Sourdough Discard

Buttery Rosemary Sea Salt Sourdough Crackers

These are the most buttery, flavorful, crisp sourdough crackers you will ever have! Once you try these crackers you’ll never want to do anything else with your sourdough starter discard. Enjoy these crunchy, flaky crackers with cheese and fruit for a perfect snack.

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 24 hours 35 minutes
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
Recipe Index | Ferment | Sourdough Discard

Buttery Rosemary Sea Salt Sourdough Crackers

These are the most buttery, flavorful, crisp sourdough crackers you will ever have! Once you try these crackers you’ll never want to do anything else with your sourdough starter discard. Enjoy these crunchy, flaky crackers with cheese and fruit for a perfect snack.

Freshly baked sourdough crackers with flaky sea salt pieces and rosemary, pile don a baking sheet. Zoomed in to show texture of the fully baked crackers

Sourdough Discard Crackers

We consider these “sourdough discard” crackers because you use sourdough starter in the recipe, but we don’t use it for rising, and it is not necessary for the baking process. So the starter is considered “discarded” into the sourdough crackers recipe.

I use a stirred-down active, bubbly sourdough starter in these crackers. The starter adds such delicious flavor to these crackers, though.

It may not contribute to baking, but it gives the best tangy flavor. Jon and I think these crackers taste like high-class goldfish.

Sourdough Starter Crackers

You have options with these crackers. First, you can mix the dough, refrigerate the dough for an hour covered, then bake.

Alternatively, let the dough ferment in the fridge for 24-48 hours before rolling, cutting, and baking the crackers. A longer ferment can make these easier to digest, especially if you have sensitivities to non-sourdough gluten products.

Sourdough Crackers Recipe

This is such a simple recipe for sourdough crackers, and it’s best to weigh all your ingredients for the best crispiest texture. If rosemary isn’t your thing, here are some fun alternative mix-ins to try:

  • Parmesan cheese
  • Garlic and black pepper
  • Sesame seeds
  • Minced Jalapeno and shredded cheddar
one crispy baked sourdough cracker on a plate next to fresh rosemary. Light hits the cracker to show textured sea salt and rosemary baked into the dough.

How to Make Sourdough Crackers

You are probably wondering how to make crackers by now. First, you mix the dough. Next, you wrap the dough with reusable bees wrap or plastic wrap and refrigerate it.

Then all that is left is to roll, cut, and bake the crackers. When cutting the crackers, you need to poke them with a fork to ensure they don’t puff up in the oven.

These are butter crackers, so once they are baked and cooled, you should store them in an airtight container at room temperature, so they don’t stale. I keep mine in a big sealed weck jar.

More Sourdough Recipes to Try

  • Buttery Flaky Sourdough Biscuits From Scratch
  • Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler with Sourdough Biscuit Topping
  • Customizable Sourdough Focaccia Bread From Scratch
crisp, browned sourdough crackers with flaky sea salt sit in a pile on a white plate.
Print
Freshly baked sourdough crackers with flaky sea salt pieces and rosemary, pile don a baking sheet. Zoomed in to show texture of the fully baked crackers
Sourdough Discard

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 12 reviews

Buttery Rosemary Sea Salt Sourdough Crackers

These are the most buttery, flavorful, crisp sourdough crackers you will ever have! Once you try these crackers, you’ll never want to do anything else with your sourdough starter discard. Enjoy these crunchy, flaky crackers with cheese and fruit for a perfect snack.

  • Prep: 10 minutes
  • Cook: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 24 hours 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 200 grams sourdough starter, stirred down
  • 120 grams all purpose flour
  • 5 grams sea salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary chopped, plus extra set aside
  • Olive oil, for brushing
  • Flake salt

Instructions

  1. Mix the sourdough starter, flour, salt, butter, and rosemary. Knead until a smooth dough forms.
  2. Shape the dough into a small slab. Wrap tightly with reusable bee’s wrap or plastic wrap.
  3. To bake immediately, refrigerate for 1 hour. For a longer ferment, refrigerate for 24 hours, then proceed to the next step.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  5. Lightly flour a piece of parchment paper sized to fit your baking pan and the top of the dough. (You may want to split the dough and work in batches. I had to use two sheet pans to fit all the crackers)
  6. Place the dough onto the floured parchment and roll it about 1/16 inch thick.
  7. Transfer the dough and parchment together onto a baking sheet.
  8. Cut the dough into about 1-inch squares; I suggest using a pizza or cracker cutter.
  9. Poke each cracker a few times with a fork; this will keep them from puffing up.
  10. Lightly brush with extra virgin olive oil and then sprinkle the salt over the top of the crackers.
  11. Bake the crackers for 20 to 25 minutes until they start to crisp and brown around the edges. Midway through, rotate the baking sheets.
  12. When browned and crisped to your liking, remove the crackers from the oven and allow them to cool.
  13. Store crackers in an air-tight container at room temperature for about a week or two. I like to store them in a sealed glass weck jar.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a 5-star review below if you loved it! Tag @cultured.guru on Instagram

 

Nutrition information is auto-calculated and estimated as close as possible. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary.

author avatar
Kaitlynn Fenley Author, Educator, Food Microbiologist
Kaitlynn is a food microbiologist and fermentation expert teaching people how to ferment foods and drinks at home.
See Full Bio
fermentation food microbiology sourdough sauerkraut fermenting at home fermented foods fermented drinks
social network icon social network icon social network icon social network icon

welcome!

hey i’m kaitlynn, i’m a microbiologist and together with my husband jon we are cultured guru.

more about us

let’s connect!

newest recipe

Fermented Hot Sauce with Habaneros and Roasted Winter Squash
Peppers & Sauces

Fermented Hot Sauce with Habaneros and Roasted Winter Squash

never miss a thing

learn more about microbes from a microbiologist
Loading

on pinterest

Instant Pot Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup
Sourdough Smores Cookies
High Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
Sourdough & Miso Chicolate Chip Cookies
Sourdough Dinner Rolls
Homemade Cottage Cheese

top rated recipes

How to Make Moroccan Preserved Lemons with Sea Salt
Fruits & Roots

How to Make Moroccan Preserved Lemons with Sea Salt

Slow Cooked Pork Roast with Sauerkraut Potatoes and Carrots
Protein

Slow Cooked Pork Roast with Sauerkraut Potatoes and Carrots

Sparkling Golden Beet Kvass Made the Traditional Way
Beverage Fermentation

Sparkling Golden Beet Kvass Made the Traditional Way

learn more

Understand microbes and master fermentation with our online courses!

learn

rate and review
We would love to hear what you think!
Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star


  1. Sarah
    08|14|2022

    Can these be made gluten-free?

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      08|15|2022

      Maybe, but I’ve never made them with GF flour and a GF starter so I’m not sure.

      Reply
    2. Tiffany
      12|26|2023

      If you don’t need them 100% GF, I’ve used my normal starter/discard and almond flour. No gut issues thanks to the 24hr fermentation.

      Reply
  2. Sammy
    08|20|2022

    I made these twice this week! They are so delicious and totally easy to make. Thank you for such a great recipe! I will be the most popular person at the next charcuterie game night with my neighbors.

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      08|20|2022

      I’m so happy that you enjoyed the crackers! I hope your neighbors enjoy them.

      Reply
  3. Laura
    08|20|2022

    AMAZING! Made these with my kiddos and they both had so much fun being apart of the process. AND— they also loved them! Already have another cracker dough ball fermenting overnight 🙂

    Reply
  4. Lauren Zumwalt
    08|21|2022

    So fantastic! This one checks all the boxes — quick, easy, very flavorful, and the instructions are excellent!

    Reply
  5. Millie
    10|20|2022

    These crackers were so good!! My mother-in-law took most of them home with her when I made them because she loved them so much! The tanginess from the starter is awesome and I imagine you could pretty much change up the flavor to whatever you want!

    Reply
  6. Saana
    10|28|2022

    Nom nom nom. I’m still looking for the optimal thickness and the baking time with my not-so-consistent oven but darn these crackers are delicious. Even if they get a bit darker from the edges or stay softer. Nom.

    Reply
  7. Elisabeth
    11|09|2022

    These crackers are so easy and taste delicious! Such a fun way to use up discard and everyone that tried them raved about them!

    Reply
  8. Heidi
    11|26|2022

    Can you substitute olive oil for the butter in this recipe?

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      11|26|2022

      no, it needs to be a fat that is pretty much solid at room temperature. coconut oil could work.

      Reply
  9. carol clemans
    03|09|2023

    These crackers are delicious! Made one batch, brought them to my grandkids who ate them up! Brought the rest to work, where they were gobbled up immediately! I’m surprised how subtle a flavor rosemary adds to baking! Love it-thanks!

    Reply
  10. Leah Bleke
    03|13|2023

    These crackers are amazing! Love the sourdough flavor that comes through. We’ve made them with and without rosemary, just phenomenal! 🤌🏻

    Reply
  11. Tiffany
    12|26|2023

    Fantastic taste and easy to make! I love Simple Mills rosemary sea salt crackers and was looking for something that would allow me to replicate them. This is the recipe! I decided to make an AP batch and an almond flour batch. Needed to add more flour to the almond batch, but both turned out great.

    Reply
  12. Aimee
    08|15|2024

    I was on the hunt for a sourdough discard cracker recipe and this is hands down soooo good and love how detailed and simple the instructions are. I did half without rosemary for my littles and added rosemary to half during the kneading.

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      08|15|2024

      I’m so glad you loved the recipe! Such a great snack for the kiddos!

      Reply
  13. Hannah
    09|05|2024

    I love these crackers. I am going to make them for my 10 month old tomorrow- these will be her first go at a cracker as well as her first wheat product. I’m excited!

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      09|07|2024

      I love this! I hope your little one enjoyed them!

      Reply
  14. Ale
    12|13|2025

    I did it and they are DELICIOUS! and so easy to make

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      12|15|2025

      Thanks for leaving a review! so glad you enjoyed the crackers!

      Reply

you may also like

Kids Love It
Sourdough Discard View Recipe

Sourdough Cheese Crackers with Aged Gouda and Cheddar

Kids Love It
Sourdough Discard View Recipe

Honey Cinnamon Sourdough Graham Crackers Fermented Overnight

Sourdough Discard View Recipe

Buttery Flaky Sourdough Biscuits From Scratch

join us on insta

@cultured.guru

My favorite topic I teach in our online course is My favorite topic I teach in our online course is called Fermentation Variables. The whole lesson is centered around the fact that there are six main variables that influence the outcome of fermentation.

Here they are, in no particular order:

Sugar
Salt
Oxygen
Acidity
Temperature
Time

Temperature and time depend on each other most closely. 

that means, for all of our foods and drinks that ferment at room temp, things slow way down in the winter cold. 

The fermentation timeline is simply longer when it’s colder (and faster when it’s hotter). The microbes, kind of like us, make things happen slowly in the cold winter. 

I think this is yet another sign from nature that we’re supposed to rest and be gentle and gracious with deadlines, work, and not rush things this time of year. 

Let it be slow, it’ll still be great, it just takes a little more patience and time. 

If you’re looking to start fermentation as an analog hobby in the new year, our courses are 40% off right now! You can use code NEWYEARS at checkout. (Yes, you learn online, but it’s delicious, long form content + the skills are life long). What you learn empowers you to get off the computer/phone and go ferment some delicious foods and drinks. 

Touching cabbage and dough is just as good as “touching grass” lol 

Let me know if you have questions about our courses or just fermentation in general in the comments!

#fermentation
Yes cooking kills the microbes, but idc. I mean, I Yes cooking kills the microbes, but idc. I mean, I care, but in a “thank you for your service microbes” kinda way. 🫡

Cider braised pork and sauerkraut is a perfect choice for New Year’s or any winter meal! I lovvveee pairing it with butternut squash polenta bc it’s full of vitamin C for cold and flu szn. 

Eating pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s Day is a tradition. And I really do think it brings good luck and prosperity.

Get the recipe on our blog, linked in my profile and in story highlights! 

I’m really looking forward to creating more recipes like this in the new year, to show you all the joys of incorporating ferments into meals and recipes 😌✨ stay tuned! 

#newyear #sauerkraut #fermentation
One Christmas I gifted everyone in my family the N One Christmas I gifted everyone in my family the New York style sourdough bagels and they were thrilled. (The bagels we’re actually way under proofed, but I still gifted them and everyone loved them lol)

You can get the full recipe on my blog! And these can be made with discard and instant yeast or with just active starter.

 All the details are in the 5-star rated recipe on my website. 

#bagels #sourdough
This cookie dough is long-fermented overnight in t This cookie dough is long-fermented overnight in the fridge for the softest, most flavorful, melt-in your mouth sourdough gingerbread cookies.

For Christmas 2025, I tried something new with these cookies. I created a gingerbread sourdough starter to use in this recipe! I made it by feeding some of my established starter a mix that includes molasses and gingerbread spices. I just added the instructions for the gingerbread starter in the notes of my cookie recipe.

Get the full recipe and directions on my website! https://cultured.guru 

You can use the recipe index to see all my Christmas season recipes!

#gingerbread #sourdough
My gingerbread sourdough starter recipe 🎄✨ Like a My gingerbread sourdough starter recipe 🎄✨

Like and save for some fun Christmas sourdough baking! 

I made this up a few days ago to use in my soft sourdough gingerbread cookies. (cookie recipe is in my recipe index on my website!)

#sourdough #gingerbread
Christmas gift feta cheese🧀🎄✨ Part two of my four Christmas gift feta cheese🧀🎄✨

Part two of my four part series on homemade fermented foods to gift this holiday season! This one takes about five days total to prepare, so start now if you plan to gift this one on Christmas. 

GOOGLE “cultured guru feta” to get my feta recipe any time! You can also use the recipe index linked in my bio! 

#fermentation
Flower Icon
LEARN ABOUT MICROBES FROM A MICROBIOLoGIST
Loading

recipes

  • Sourdough
  • Sauerkraut
  • Yogurt & Kefir
  • Pickles
  • Sweets & Snacks

more

  • Start Here
  • About
  • Learn
  • Shop
  • Contact

social

  • TikTokVisit Cultured Guru TikTok Account
  • InstagramCultured Guru Instagram Account
  • PinterestVisit Cultured Guru’s Pinterest Account
  • FacebookVisit Cultured Guru’s Facebook page
  • Privacy & Terms
Footer Logo
Footer tagline
copyright

©2026

Cultured Guru

.

website by saevil row + MTT. all rights reserved.