Light and Fluffy Sourdough Discard Donuts (Donut Holes) | Air Fryer + Oven

These sourdough discard doughnuts are the perfect easy way to use up extra sourdough starter. They have a tangy taste with a sweet sugar and cinnamon finish.These sourdough discard donuts are quick, fluffy donut holes made with no yeast. Choose the air fryer or oven for a fast cinnamon-sugar treat that uses up extra discard.

The sourdough discard donuts can be made in the oven or the air fryer. They have the perfect light and fluffy texture with mouthwatering flavor profiles. These sourdough discard donuts use up 1/2 cup of sourdough discard and only require a few extra ingredients to make.

My kids absolutely loved these sourdough donuts. Fresh out of the air fryer with melted butter and topped with a cinnamon sugar mixture. So yummy!

These sourdough discard donuts are light and fluffy sourdough discard donut holes. If you’re looking for an air fryer sourdough donuts method, see the variation notes below.

This recipe makes sourdough discard donut holes (little donut “bites”), not traditional ring-shaped donuts. If you want rings, you can roll and cut the dough, but the bite-size shape cooks more evenly in both the air fryer and the oven.

What is sourdough discard, and how does it differ from active sourdough starter?

Sourdough discard is the portion of starter you remove before feeding. It’s a mature starter that adds tangy flavor, but it isn’t always at peak activity like a freshly fed starter.

Sourdough discard refers to the portion of sourdough starter that is removed and discarded during the feeding or refreshing process. When maintaining a sourdough starter, it needs regular feedings of flour and water to keep the natural fermentation process going. During these feedings, a portion of the mature starter is removed to make room for the fresh flour and water mixture. This discarded portion is known as sourdough discard. Learn how to discard properly in our feeding and maintaining Starter guide.

The key difference between sourdough discard and an active sourdough starter lies in their stage of development and activity. Sourdough discard is essentially a mature but unfed portion of the starter. It may not have the same leavening power or activity as a freshly fed starter, but it still contains the complex flavors developed during fermentation.

For this recipe, discard can come straight from the fridge as long as it was fed recently—these donut holes are no yeast and get their lift from baking powder and baking soda. Here’s a quick explanation of how those leaveners work.

A strong, recently fed starter may also do some lifting. Let the discard warm to room temperature for easier mixing and fluffier results.

Can I prepare the sourdough discard donuts ahead of time and refrigerate the dough overnight for a next-day bake?

Can I prep the dough ahead and refrigerate overnight?
Yes. For the best flavor, you can mix the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate up to 12 hours. Because this recipe uses baking powder and baking soda (not yeast), the dough won’t “rise” overnight the same way a yeasted dough would — the overnight rest is mainly for convenience and flavor.
When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature 20–30 minutes, then cook as directed.

Here’s a general guideline on how to do it:

1. Prepare the Dough: Follow your sourdough discard donut recipe up until the point where you have shaped the donuts or cut them into rounds. Instead of letting them rise at room temperature, you’ll be refrigerating the dough.
2. Cover and Refrigerate: Place the shaped or cut-out donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the sheet with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel to prevent the dough from drying out. Place the entire baking sheet in the refrigerator. Or just the dough unshaped. You can shape them in the morning after warming the dough.
3. Overnight Rest: Allow the donut dough to rest in the refrigerator overnight.
4. Next-Day Bake: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your air fryer or your oven for baking. Take the donut dough out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 15-30 minutes.
5. Air Fry or Bake as Usual: Proceed with air frying or baking the donuts as per the recipe instructions. The chilled dough may take a bit longer to rise or puff up.

Remember to monitor the donuts closely as they cook to ensure they achieve the desired golden brown color and doneness. This overnight refrigeration method can be a time-saving technique for making delicious sourdough discard donuts.

Additions and topping ideas for the donuts.

Glazes:

1. Classic Vanilla Glaze: A simple combination of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract creates a sweet and slightly tangy glaze that complements the sourdough notes.
2. Lemon or Orange Zest Glaze: Add a citrusy kick by incorporating lemon or orange zest into your glaze. The bright, fresh flavors contrast nicely with the richness of the donuts.
3. Maple Glaze: For a comforting and slightly earthy sweetness, try a glaze made with maple syrup. It adds depth and richness to the donuts.

Toppings:

1. Cinnamon Sugar: Roll warm donuts in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a classic, comforting coating that enhances the sweetness of the sourdough.
2. Chopped Nuts: Finely chopped nuts, such as pecans or almonds, add crunch and nutty undertones to each bite.
3. Toasted Coconut Flakes: Toasted coconut not only provides a delightful crunch but also adds a hint of tropical flavor to the donuts.

Fillings:

1. Fruit Jam or Preserves: Inject a burst of fruity goodness by filling the donuts with your favorite fruit jam or preserves. Raspberry, strawberry, or apricot work well.
2. Chocolate Ganache: For chocolate lovers, a smooth and glossy chocolate ganache filling or drizzle can elevate the richness of the sourdough donuts.
3. Cream Cheese Filling: A cream cheese-based filling, perhaps with a touch of vanilla or citrus zest, can offer a creamy and tangy contrast to the donut’s texture.

More Delicious Sourdough Discard Recipes:

f you’ve got more discard to use, these easy sourdough discard recipes are next on my list.

For more discard treats, try our full collection of sourdough discard recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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