Have you ever stared at that jar of sourdough discard sitting in your fridge and wondered what magic you could create with it? Well, my friend, prepare to have your pizza world turned upside down. This quick sourdough discard pizza dough recipe is about to become your new favorite kitchen hack one that transforms what would have been wasted into the crispiest, most flavorful pizza crust youve ever tasted.

What makes this recipe so special? Its the speed. While traditional pizza dough can take hours or even days to ferment and rise, this clever method skips all that waiting. By leveraging the natural leavening power already present in your sourdough starter discard, you get a pizza crust thats ready to bake in minutes, not hours. And the best part? You dont need any additional yeast.

Quick Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough [no yeast]

Why This Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough Works So Well

The secret to this recipes success lies in the cast iron skillet method. When you preheat the skillet in the oven, it becomes incredibly hot a perfect surface for creating that crispy, golden-brown crust we all crave. The sourdough discard spreads thinly across the hot surface, cooking quickly and developing those beautiful bubbles and crisp edges that make pizza so irresistible.

Another benefit? The flavor. Sourdough discard brings a subtle tanginess to the crust that commercial yeast simply cant replicate. Its that complex, fermented flavor that makes each bite more interesting than the last. Plus, using discard means youre reducing food waste, which always feels good.

Perfect Toppings for Your Sourdough Pizza

Once youve mastered the crust, the topping possibilities are endless. For a classic approach, try a simple marinara sauce with fresh mozzarella and basil. Feeling adventurous? How about some caramelized onions, mushrooms, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs? The sturdy crust can handle whatever deliciousness you throw at it.

If youre looking for inspiration beyond traditional pizza toppings, consider pairing your sourdough crust with other easy weeknight favorites. For instance, the flavors from our garlic broccoli stir fry with chickpeas would make an incredible pizza topping combination. Or, if youre a cheese lover, take inspiration from our chicken parmesan recipe and load up your pizza with melty mozzarella and parmesan.

Ingredients Breakdown

Lets talk about what makes this pizza dough tick. The ingredient list is beautifully simple, which is part of what makes this recipe so accessible:

Sourdough discard: Use discard thats been fed within the last week for best results
Olive oil: Adds richness and helps create that crispy texture
Italian seasoning: Brings those classic pizza flavors right into the crust
Garlic powder: Because everything tastes better with a hint of garlic
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the tanginess

The beauty of this recipe is that you likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry already. No special trips to the store required!

Step-by-Step Success Tips

While the process is straightforward, a few pro tips will ensure your sourdough discard pizza turns out perfectly every time:

Preheat thoroughly: Dont skimp on the preheating time. Your skillet needs to be piping hot to create that signature crispiness
Spread evenly: Use a rubber spatula to spread the discard thinly and evenly across the hot skillet
Dont overload toppings: Remember, this is a thin crust pizza. Too many toppings can make it soggy
Work quickly: Have your toppings ready to go so you can assemble quickly between baking stages

If youre new to working with cast iron, this recipe is a fantastic introduction. The method is forgiving, and youll love how the skillet creates that restaurant-quality crust texture.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This sourdough discard pizza makes a fantastic main course for any meal. Serve it alongside a fresh salad for a complete dinner, or cut it into smaller pieces for a party appetizer. The crust holds up well, so its perfect for serving to guests.

For a complete Italian-themed meal, consider pairing your pizza with one of our other delicious recipes. Our creamy chicken fettuccine alfredo would make an excellent side dish, or keep it simple with a crisp green salad.

Common Questions Answered

Can I use active sourdough starter instead of discard? Absolutely! While discard works perfectly, active starter will give you a slightly more risen crust. The method remains the same.

What if I dont have a cast iron skillet? A regular pizza stone or baking sheet can work, but the cast iron really makes the difference in creating that crispy texture.

Can I make this gluten-free? Unfortunately, sourdough discard contains gluten. Youd need to start with a gluten-free sourdough starter for that adaptation.

Why Youll Love This Recipe

This quick sourdough discard pizza dough recipe checks all the boxes: its fast, its easy, it reduces food waste, and it delivers incredible flavor and texture. Whether youre a sourdough beginner or a seasoned pro, this method will become a regular in your recipe rotation.

The satisfaction of transforming something that would normally be discarded into a delicious meal is hard to beat. Plus, the speed means you can satisfy pizza cravings any night of the week no planning ahead required.

So next time you find yourself with extra sourdough discard, dont pour it down the drain. Whip up this incredible pizza crust instead. Your taste buds and your fridge will thank you!

Quick Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough [no yeast]

This quick sourdough discard pizza dough transforms leftover sourdough starter into a crispy, flavorful pizza crust in minutes instead of hours. Using a cast iron skillet method, it creates restaurant-quality texture with subtle tanginess from the sourdough. The recipe requires no additional yeast and reduces food waste while delivering incredible pizza.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings: 1 servings

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

180 grams sourdough discard (3/4 cup)
15 grams olive oil (1 Tablespoon)
1 gram Italian seasoning (1/4 teaspoon)
1 gram garlic powder (1/4 teaspoon)
3 grams salt (1/2 teaspoon)
pizza sauce, cheese and favorite toppings as desired

Equipment

12-inch cast iron skillet
oven
rubber spatula
Paper towels

Method

Instructions

Place a 12-inch cast iron skillet in an off oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Preheat for at least 10 minutes or until piping hot.
Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and drizzle the olive oil in the center. Use a paper towel to evenly spread the oil on the bottom and sides of the skillet.
Pour the discard into the hot skillet and evenly spread on the bottom and sides of the cast iron skillet with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt on top of the discard.
Place the skillet back into the hot oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the edges are gold brown and crispy. The pizza crust should easily pop out of the skillet.
Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven, top with pizza sauce, cheese and favorite toppings. See notes for recommendations and quantities.
Pop the skillet back into the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 8-10 minutes more. Slice and enjoy!

Notes

Use sourdough discard that’s been fed within the last week for best results. Preheat skillet thoroughly for crispy crust. Spread discard thinly and evenly. Don’t overload toppings to prevent sogginess. Have toppings ready for quick assembly.