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Bread Machine Sourdough

Bread machine sourdough is light, airy, and delicious with a perfectly crisp crust. I bet you didn't know it was so easy to make bread maker sourdough!

Kevy called me from work while I was reorganizing the fridge. Heavy sigh.

Usually, that's a him job, because it doesn't really bug me. But at this point, I've got various sourdough starters, discards, and somewhere-in-betweens happening in there and I have run out of room.

He was razzing me about my ferment-y buddies taking up all the fridge space and I thought to myself: I gotta deal with this and I really don't need to eat more sourdough brownies!

This sourdough bread machine recipe is dedicated to using discard!

Cross section of a loaf of bread machine sourdough.
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Tips + Tricks

No. 1 --> New to sourdough? Need a starter? Check out my super easy sourdough starter. It's ready in 24 hours!

No. 2 --> As with ALL my recipes, make absolutely sure to measure your flour using the scoop and level method. This involves vigorously stirring the flour in your container or bag, then spooning it into your measuring cup before leveling it off using the back of a knife or spoon handle. This ensures a more consistent result from batch to batch.

No. 3 --> This is a "quick" sourdough bread maker recipe as we are using discard and also instant yeast. It doesn't have the same amount of tang as an overnight fermented sourdough loaf, but it's damn delicious either way!

No. 4 --> Not all sourdough discards are equal. A fresher, recent sourdough discard will have a much more mild sour flavor than an aged discard that's been hiding in the back of your fridge for 3 weeks. I prefer to use a discard that's been fed within the last 7 days.

Side view of a loaf of bread machine bread made with sourdough discard.

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Key Ingredients

Sourdough Discard: This recipe is pretty flexible when it comes to starter discard. Use the stuff you've been saving in the fridge for a week or use the leftover's from this morning's feeding. Just make sure your starter is 100% hydration, and you stir down any bubbles before measuring! Ensure your discard is near room temperature before using, and stir in any hooch that has accumulated on the top, this affects the flavor as well as the hydration level.

Flour: Use a high protein flour in this recipe, something like unbleached bread flour or all purpose flour with 13+% protein. Calculate protein content as follows:

Grams of Protein / Grams per Serving = _________ X 100 = ______%.
ex: 4g protein /30g per serving =.1333 x 100= 13.3% protein

Yeast: Because sometimes you just want instant gratification when it comes to sourdough goodies, this recipe is written with instant yeast included. You'll be enjoying freshly baked sourdough bread machine bread in mere hours with this recipe!

Bread machine sourdough bread ingredients.

How To Make Bread Machine Sourdough Bread

  1. Combine sourdough discard, water, oil, sugar, and salt in the baking pan of your bread maker.
  2. Add the flour on top of the liquid ingredients.
  3. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the flour, avoid any wet spots.
  4. Place the baking pan into the bread machine and select the Crusty or French loaf setting.
  5. Once the bread has baked, remove it from the bread machine, and turn it onto a wire mesh rack to cool as soon as possible. Brush the top of the loaf with softened butter or margarine.
  6. Allow the sourdough bread to cool completely before slicing. (If you can't wait, the bread is still delicious, but it's just harder to slice!)

Bake In The Oven

You can certainly bake this bread machine sourdough bread in the oven! Follow these steps:

  1. Follow steps 1-3 as you would if baking in the bread machine.
  2. Place the baking pan into the bread machine and choose the "Dough" cycle.
  3. Once the dough cycle is complete, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and shape it into a boule or a loaf, then transfer it to a greased baking dish.
  4. Cover baking dishes with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise for 45- 60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
  5. Near the end of the rising, preheat the oven to 350f.
  6. Bake your loaves at 350f for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown on top. Turn onto a wire rack when done baking and brush with softened butter or margarine.
Brushing the sourdough loaf with softened butter.

Batch + Storage Information

Batch:

This recipe makes one 1 1/2 lb loaf of sourdough bread. Unfortunately, due to constraints in the bread machine it cannot be doubled.

Storage:

Store your bread machine sourdough cut side down on a cutting board for up to 12 hours before the crust becomes too crisp. After 12 hours, I recommend transferring it to a bread bag.

Your sourdough loaf can also be frozen. To freeze, cool the loaf to room temperature, then tightly wrap it in plastic wrap, slide it into a bread bag, seal it up and stick it in the freezer for 1-2 months. To use after freezing, remove the loaf from the freezer, unwrap and allow to come to room temperature (1 -2 hours) before slicing and enjoying.

More Sourdough Recipes To Try!

Variations + Substitutions

This is simply a base recipe. Get creative!

  • Swap the granulated sugar for brown sugar for a hint of caramel flavor
  • Use olive oil instead of vegetable oil
  • Omit the oil and use water instead for a crispier crust
  • Make it cardamom cranberry bread by adding 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons cardamom, and 1 cup of chopped craisins.
  • Make it everything bagel bread by pausing the cycle immediately before baking, brush the surface of the loaf with an egg wash, and sprinkle generously with everything bagel seasoning.
Overhead view of sourdough from the bread machine.

Bread maker: I have and love a BREVILLE CUSTOM LOAF. It takes everything I throw at it, and I throw a LOT at it! It's got a decent footprint and can handle larger batches of bread. I also love that the loaf pan is the perfect size to fit in my kids' SISTEMA SANDWICH CONTAINERS. Check out my other bread recipes!

📖 Printable Recipe

Cross section of a loaf of bread machine sourdough.
Yield: 1 1/2 lb loaf

Bread Machine Sourdough

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes

Bread machine sourdough is incredibly easy to make. It's got that familiar sourdough tang with none of the work! You'll love this fluffy, tender crumbed bread maker sourdough loaf!

Ingredients

  • 1 cups sourdough discard, stirred down
  • 3/4 cup warm water *See Note 1
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 3 cups bread flour *See Note 2
  • 1 teaspoon instant or bread machine yeast

Instructions

Bake In Bread Machine:

  1. Combine sourdough discard, water, oil, sugar, and salt in the baking pan of your bread maker.
  2. Add the flour on top of the liquid ingredients.
  3. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the flour, avoid any wet spots.
  4. Place the baking pan into the bread machine and select the Crusty or French loaf setting.
  5. Once the bread has baked, remove it from the bread machine, and turn it onto a wire mesh rack to cool as soon as possible. Brush the top with softened butter or margarine.
  6. Allow the sourdough bread to cool completely before slicing.


Bake In Oven:

  1. Combine sourdough discard, water, oil, sugar, and salt in the baking pan of your bread maker.
  2. Add the flour on top of the liquid ingredients.
  3. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the flour, avoid any wet spots.
  4. Place the baking pan into the bread machine and select the dough setting.
  5. Once the dough cycle is complete, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and shape it into a boule or a loaf, then transfer it to a greased baking dish.
  6. Cover baking dishes with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise for 45- 60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
  7. Near the end of the rising, preheat the oven to 350f.
  8. Bake your loaf at 350f for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown on top, turn onto a wire mesh cooling rack and brush the top with softened butter or margarine.

Notes

NOTE 1: If your sourdough discard is quite thick and paste-y, add an extra 2 tablespoons of water. Then keep an eye on the bread dough as it kneads through the first kneading cycle. You may need to add more.

NOTE 2: Flour must be measured using the scoop and level method. This involves vigorously stirring the flour in your container or bag, then spooning it into your measuring cup before leveling it off using the back of a knife or spoon handle. This ensures a more consistent result from batch to batch.

Batch:

This recipe makes one 1 1/2 lb loaf of sourdough bread. Unfortunately, due to constraints in the bread machine, it cannot be doubled.

Storage:

Store your bread machine sourdough cut side down on a cutting board for up to 18 hours before the crust becomes too crisp. After 18 hours, I recommend transferring it to a bread bag.

Your sourdough loaf can also be frozen. To freeze, cool the loaf to room temperature, then tightly wrap it in plastic wrap, slide it into a bread bag, seal it up and stick it in the freezer for 1-2 months. To use after freezing, remove the loaf from the freezer, unwrap and allow to come to room temperature (1 -2 hours) before slicing and enjoying.

variations + substitutions

  • Swap the granulated sugar for brown sugar for a hint of caramel flavor
  • Use olive oil instead of vegetable oil
  • Omit the oil and use water instead for a crispier crust
  • Make it CARDAMOM CRANBERRY BREAD by adding 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons cardamom, and 1 cup of chopped craisins.
  • Make it EVERYTHING BAGEL BREAD by pausing the cycle immediately before baking, brush the surface of the loaf with an egg wash, and sprinkle generously with everything bagel seasoning

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 188Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 264mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g

Did you make this recipe?

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Bread maker sourdough bread pinterest graphic.
Share Your Thoughts

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Ellis

Wednesday 25th of January 2023

I need help on why my dough got holes/divots in it during the last rise. When it baked it got even more holes/divots and cracks.. please help.

Ally

Wednesday 1st of February 2023

I don't! How was the texture of the dough during the kneading cycles? Did you happen to check?

Kara

Tuesday 13th of December 2022

This came out perfect and so delicious! Thank you!

Ally

Thursday 15th of December 2022

Awesome! Love to hear this!

Dilushani

Saturday 3rd of December 2022

Hi can you make this without the yeast? I’d like to buy the breville machine but is the crusty loaf setting the same as a ‘sourdough’ setting? Or are we meant to adjust the dough and bake times accordingly? Thank you

Ally

Sunday 4th of December 2022

My sister actually makes sourdough in her bread machine without yeast. Check out her recipe. Hopefully that helps!

Rosana

Monday 28th of November 2022

Hi Ally, thank you for sharing this recipe just one question I am planning to bake this using my oven , do i need to do a second rise or just one rise is sufficient ? Thanks

Ally

Sunday 4th of December 2022

I would do a second rise!

Mary G. De Vries

Saturday 19th of November 2022

1. Can I use this recipe for rolls 2. Honey instead of sugar 3. Butter instead of oil 4. egg?

Ally

Sunday 20th of November 2022

I have not tested this recipe with those modifications. I can't see why it wouldn't make good rolls, or why you can't sub honey for sugar, and butter for oil, I can't speak to the egg. Sorry!

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