There’s something magical about the smell of freshly baked sourdough bread wafting through your kitchen — warm, tangy, and irresistibly crisp. If you’ve always thought sourdough was too complicated or time-consuming, think again! With a few simple ingredients and smart shortcuts, you can make homemade easy sourdough bread in minutes (yes, really!).
Whether you’re a beginner or a bread-baking pro, this no-fuss recipe delivers that classic sourdough flavor and texture — golden crust, chewy inside, and just the right tang — every single time. Let’s dive in!
🥣 Why You’ll Love This Easy Sourdough Bread Recipe
This version of homemade easy sourdough bread is perfect for busy bakers. No need for fancy tools or endless kneading — just mix, rest, bake, and enjoy!
Here’s why you’ll love it:
✅ Minimal prep time — just 10 minutes of hands-on work!
✅ Perfect crusty loaf every time
✅ Healthier than store-bought bread (no preservatives!)
✅ Beginner-friendly — ideal for your first sourdough loaf
💡 Hack Inside: Use your fridge to slow-proof the dough overnight — it deepens the flavor while saving you time in the morning.
🌾 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need for your easy sourdough bread recipe:
🫙 1 cup (240g) active sourdough starter
💧 1 ½ cups (360ml) warm water
🌾 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour or bread flour
🧂 2 teaspoons salt
That’s it — no yeast, no sugar, no oil. Just pure, natural ingredients that come together to make magic.
💡 Hack Inside: Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the dough if you want a slightly softer crust and longer shelf life.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Feed Your Starter
If your sourdough starter has been in the fridge, take it out and feed it a few hours before baking. It should be bubbly and doubled in size before you use it.
💡 Pro Tip: Drop a small spoonful in water — if it floats, it’s ready!
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter and warm water. Stir to dissolve. Add the flour and salt, then mix with a spoon or your hands until a rough dough forms.
💡 Hack Inside: Don’t overmix — it’s fine if it looks a bit shaggy! The gluten will develop during the resting period.
Step 3: Rest the Dough (Autolyse)
Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. This helps the flour absorb the water and improves texture.
Step 4: Stretch and Fold
Instead of kneading, gently stretch one side of the dough and fold it over the center. Turn the bowl a quarter turn and repeat 3 more times. Do this once every 30 minutes for 2 hours.
💡 Hack Inside: This easy “stretch and fold” technique builds structure and strength without kneading — perfect for soft, airy bread.
Step 5: Bulk Fermentation (First Rise)
Cover the bowl again and let the dough rise at room temperature for 4–6 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
For even better flavor, refrigerate it overnight — this slow fermentation enhances tanginess.
Step 6: Shape the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and gently turn out the dough. Shape it into a round ball by folding the edges under. Place it seam-side down into a floured proofing basket or bowl lined with a towel.
💡 Pro Tip: Use rice flour to dust the towel — it prevents sticking better than wheat flour!
Step 7: Final Rise
Let the shaped dough rest for 1–2 hours at room temperature, or refrigerate again for up to 12 hours if baking later. It should feel puffy and slightly jiggly when ready.
Step 8: Preheat Your Oven
Place a Dutch oven (with the lid) inside your oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) for at least 30 minutes.
💡 Hack Inside: Baking in a preheated Dutch oven traps steam, giving you that professional, crackly crust!
Step 9: Score and Bake
Carefully transfer the dough onto parchment paper. Score the top with a sharp knife or razor blade — a single slash across the top works perfectly.
Gently lower it into the hot Dutch oven, cover with the lid, and bake for 25 minutes covered, then 20 minutes uncovered until golden brown.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Remove the bread and let it cool on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing. This helps set the crumb and makes slicing easier.
💡 Hack Inside: Resist the urge to cut it while hot! Cooling fully enhances texture and flavor.
🥐 Optional Add-Ins for Flavor
Make your sourdough loaf extra special with these tasty variations:
🌿 Herb & Garlic: Add chopped rosemary, thyme, or roasted garlic.
🧀 Cheddar Jalapeño: Stir in shredded cheese and diced jalapeños.
🍇 Cranberry Walnut: Perfect for breakfast — mix in dried cranberries and chopped nuts.
🍯 Honey Oat: Brush the top with honey and sprinkle with oats before baking.
💡 Hack Inside: Always add mix-ins after the first hour of rising to avoid interrupting gluten development.
🧊 Storage & Serving Tips
Room Temperature: Store in a paper bag or bread box for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Slice and freeze in an airtight bag for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Toast slices directly from the freezer for fresh-baked flavor anytime!
🥖 Serve your sourdough warm with butter, alongside soups, or topped with smashed avocado for the perfect breakfast toast.
💡 Hack Inside: Spritz leftover bread with water and reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes — it’ll taste like freshly baked again!
🌟 Sourdough Success Tips
✅ Use weighed measurements for consistent results.
✅ Always let the dough rest properly — patience = flavor.
✅ Keep your starter healthy by feeding it regularly (1:1:1 ratio of starter, water, and flour).
✅ Adjust hydration slightly if your dough feels too sticky or too dry.
💡 Pro Tip: The longer your dough ferments (without over-proofing), the better the sour flavor will be.
🥖 Conclusion
And there you have it — your foolproof, homemade easy sourdough bread recipe in minutes! 🍞✨
With a crunchy crust, chewy center, and perfectly tangy flavor, this loaf is everything you love about artisan bread — made simpler. Whether it’s your first time baking or your hundredth, this recipe proves that anyone can make bakery-quality sourdough right in their own kitchen.
So grab your starter, preheat that oven, and get ready to impress yourself (and everyone else) with your homemade masterpiece.
Your house is about to smell amazing. 😋💛