Soft & Fluffy Sourdough Discard Rolls (Bread Machine Dough Cycle)

January 13, 2026

These are the softest and fluffiest sourdough discard rolls! They are made using the bread machine dough cycle, making them incredibly easy and hands-off. This recipe uses all-purpose flour and is the perfect way to use up extra sourdough starter without waste. Simply add the ingredients to your bread machine, let it mix and rise on the dough setting, then shape and bake for light, pillowy, bakery-style dinner rolls. This is a beginner-friendly recipe with dependable results every time.

Sourdough Discard Rolls – Bread Machine Recipe

Add ingredients to the bread machine pan in this order:

1 cup + 2 tablespoons (250 g) warm water (100–110°F)
1/2 cup (100 g) sourdough discard (unfed starter)
1 tablespoon (20 g) honey or sugar
4 tablespoons (50 g) butter, melted
4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour or bread flour
2 teaspoons (10 g) salt
2 1/4 teaspoons (7 g) instant yeast

1. Set your bread machine to the dough cycle. 5 minutes into the cycle, check on your ball of dough. If sticky → add 1 tablespoon flour at a time. If dry → add 1 teaspoon water at a time until it comes into a smooth, tacky ball of dough. Let it mix, knead, rise (about 1.5 hours total)

Remove dough when cycle ends.
Press out dough, divide into 12-16 pieces, and shape into rolls.
Place in a well-oiled 9x13 baking dish (12 rolls) or 12” cast iron skillet (16 rolls).
Let rise on the counter until the dough has expanded, about 45 minutes.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22-25 minutes or until as brown as you like.
Brush with melted butter and enjoy!

1 LB Bread Machine Recipe – Will make 6-8 rolls

1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon (130 g) warm water
1/4 cup (50 g) sourdough discard or active starter
1 1/2 teaspoons (10 g) honey or sugar
2 tablespoons (25 g) melted butter
2 cups (250 g) flour
1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
1 1/4 teaspoons (4 g) instant yeast

Click here for the Printable Recipe!

My freeze dried sourdough starters are your shortcut to sourdough!

*If you're looking for an alternative to plastic bread bags, our beeswax bread bags are a healthy way to store your bread! They are reusable, made of 100% cotton, infused with organic beeswax and coconut oil, naturally antibacterial to keep your bread from molding, and handmade by me and my daughters on our family farm!