The Best Overnight Sourdough Pancakes Recipe | Fluffy & Gut-Friendly

My husband loves pancakes for Sunday breakfast. So i set out on a mission to make this tasty weekend treat more easily digestible. The only problem is that many online recipes for long-fermented overnight sourdough pancakes can become too sour. The ratio here is perfect for those of us who want the benefits, without the super sour taste.

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Watch me make these overnight sourdough pancakes

Why you’ll love this recipe 

• Time-saving: You prepare the batter the night before and make it in the morning, reducing the stress of getting breakfast on the table.
• Gut healthy: Allowing the grains to soak overnight increases their digestibility. 
• Mild Flavor: They have a slight tang, but not overly sour.

Overnight sourdough pancakes ingredients 

• Flour: Provides structure for the pancakes 
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps the leavening agents activate. 
• Sourdough Starter: Adds the signature sourdough flavor and the gut-healthy benefits to the batter.  You can use an active starter or discard.
• Sugar: Gives something for the yeast to feed on, adds a subtle sweetness, and helps with browning. 
• Baking Powder and baking soda provide extra lift to the pancakes.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the sourdough pancakes.
• An egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness.
• Melted butter: Adds flavor richness and tenderness.

Tools 

• Mixing Bowls 
• Whisk 
• Measuring cups 
• Cast iron griddle 
• Metal turner

Step-by-step instructions for overnight sourdough pancakes

Mix the overnight sponge

The night before, whisk flour, milk, and sugar. Cover with a damp tea towel and allow to ferment overnight. 

If you want to make this a quick recipe, skip this step. 

Prepare Batter 

The next morning, add baking powder, baking soda, salt, melted butter, and an egg and whisk until fully combined. 

Cook pancakes

Heat a cast-iron griddle and lightly grease with butter or cooking spray. Pour ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Allow each pancake to cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form on the surface, flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. 

Enjoy

Serve with butter, syrup, and fruit.

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Tips for making the best overnight sourdough pancakes

• Use discard for more tang and deeper flavor
• Use an active starter if you want a milder, more fluffy pancake 
• Don’t overmix the batter, this will make the pancakes dense

Variations 

• Add blueberry, cinnamon, vanilla or chocolate chips for extra flavor. 
• Use almond or oat milk to change the flavor profile or make the recipe dairy-free.
• Swap in half whole wheat flour to make the pancakes more filling.

Storage 

Fridge 

• Allow the pancakes to cool and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days 
• Reheat in a toaster oven or the microwave until warmed through. 

Freezer 

• Allow pancakes to cool completely and stack each pancake between parchment paper to prevent sticking. 
• Store in an airtight container, such as a ziploc bag, in the freezer for up to 6 months. 
• Reheat from frozen in a toaster to the microwave. 

Overnight Sourdough Pancakes FAQs

Can i use sourdough discard straight from the fridge?

Yes! Just be aware that depending on how old the sourdough discard is, it may make the sourdough pancakes overly sour. 

Do i have to ferment the batter overnight?

To get the gut benefits of the sourdough, yes, you do have to soak the grains overnight. However, this recipe can be made without long fermentation. 

Can i make the pancakes dairy-free?

Yes, swap out the milk for a dairy-free alternative, such as almond milk, and use a neutral oil, such as avocado oil. 

What kind of sourdough starter should i use?

You can use active or discard for this recipe. The active starter will yield fluffier pancakes with a milder sourdough flavor. While discard pancakes will have less rise and be tangier. 

Can i use other flours?

Yes, feel free to experiment with flours such as whole grain or einkorn. These flours will absorb more liquid, so you may need to add additional milk. 

You may also like 

• Sourdough biscuits 
• Sourdough sandwich bread 
• Sourdough bagels

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