Same Day Sourdough Bread
This easy same day sourdough bread recipe is one every baker needs in their arsenal. It’s perfect for times when you wake up and think, “oh my gosh I forgot to make bread and I need it tonight.”
You know we’ve all had one of those days haha! With a shortened fermentation, it produces a subtle sourdough flavor but it still tastes amazing especially when you’re in a pinch! Also, my recipe is perfect for beginners due to the simplified steps.
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Same Day Sourdough Bread Recipe Inspiration
One summer Saturday morning, I realized I forgot to make bread for our planned crockpot Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes that night. Knowing I didn’t have time for my usual artisanal loaf, I tried a quicker method by adding extra sourdough and shortening the ferment process.
Surprisingly, it turned out perfect. The only drawback was the reduced sourdough flavor and a smaller loaf size. This recipe has become my go-to when I forget or run out of time.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy recipe to follow
- Produces a small but delicious loaf
- Allows sourdough bread within the same day
- Has a strong sourdough flavor
Tips for Baking Flexibility
If you get side tracked or have to run out of the house and won’t be back before the proofing time, place the dough into the fridge. It can stay in there up to 24 hours if needed before baking.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup fed sourdough starter
- 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup water (may need a little more depending on thickness of your starter)
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
Step by Step Instructions
Feed sourdoughs starter 4 to 12 hours before making this recipe.
First, mix together all ingredients until combined in a large mixing bowl. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and let sit 30 minutes
Second, after 30 minutes uncover dough and do the stretch and fold method all the way around the dough twice. Cover again and let sit 30 more minutes.
Third, after 30 minutes, uncover again and repeat stretch and fold method around the dough twice. Recover bowl and let bulk ferment at room temperature for 6-8 hours.
Forth, once the dough has doubled in size and has passed the poke test (thumb print in dough bounces pack almost all the way but not quite) preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Fifth, shape dough by stretching it out into a rectangle with your hands on a lightly floured surface. Fold in the long sides to meet halfway then roll the dough into a log. Either pinch both ends to seal for a loaf shape or bring the ends together underneath and pinch for a round loaf.
Sixth, bake bread in a vessel such as a bread cloche or Dutch oven for 30 minutes covered. Then uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes. If you don’t have either of these vessels, bake or 45 minutes and cover with foil if crust starts to burn.
How To Do Stretch and Fold Method
Timeline for Same Day Sourdough Bread
8 a.m. – mix dough and cover for 30 minutes
8:30 a.m. – 1st stretch and fold
9 a.m. – 2nd stretch and fold
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – bulk ferment
3 p.m. – test dough, preheat oven, and shape bread
3:10 p.m. – bake covered 30 minutes
3:40 p.m. – bake uncovered 15 minutes
3:55 p.m. – let cool and enjoy fresh baked bread!
How to Serve
Serve slices of this bread with butter, use it to make homemade garlic bread, or toast it and add a nut butter spread.
Recipe FAQ
Does same day sourdough bread still taste good?
Yes, this bread has a great taste but less sourdough flavor than a no knead or artisanal loaf. By shortening the fermentation process the cultures don’t have as much time to ferment resulting in a subtle flavor.
How do you feed a sourdough starter?
To prepare your starter, feed it a 3:1 ratio of flour to water 4-12 hours before using it. There’s really no exact rule to follow, that ratio is just what I use. After feeding the consistency should look like thick pancake batter.
How do you know when your sourdough starter is ready to use?
When your sourdough starter has doubled in size after feeding it, it’s ready to use.
Can you use sourdough starter the same day you feed it?
Yes, just make sure it’s at least 4 hours before you need to use it so the starter has time to double in size.
Can I use sourdough discard to make same day sourdough bread?
You can however you’ll need to add commercial yeast to your dough to rise in the same day timeframe. Personally I don’t recommend this.
How long does sourdough need to ferment?
This is a one size doesn’t fit all kind of question. It really depends on the recipe you’re using, amount of starter, temperature of ingredients and your kitchen, and even the age of your starter.
In general it takes a minimum of 6 hours to bulk ferment at room temperature. However if it’s chilly in your home or your starter is a bit weak it can take up to 12 hours at room temperature.
Will sourdough bread baked in the same day process still taste like sourdough?
Yes, this will still taste like sourdough but with a much lighter flavor. Since the dough doesn’t have a long ferment time it doesn’t develop a robust sourdough flavor.
How do I know when sourdough bread is ready to bake?
After the fermenting stages you can do the poke test to ensure it’s ready to bake. This is where you gently push your thumb into the dough.
If the indent springs back right away it’s overproofed and needs baked ASAP. If the indent doesn’t spring back at all it’s underproofed and needs a few more hours. When the indent springs back at a good speed but not all the way, it’s ready to bake.
How is this recipe different from other sourdough breads?
This same day sourdough recipe uses more sourdough starter, skips the cold ferment, and therefore produces a smaller loaf. It’s perfect for days when you’re needing a loaf but don’t have time to wait.
I don’t have a Dutch oven or bread cloche, can I still make this?
No Dutch oven or bread cloche? No problem! Just bake the bread for the recommended time. When it says to uncover, use foil if needed to prevent burning.
More Sourdough Bread Recipes
- Easiest No Knead Sourdough Bread (Great for Beginners)
- Artisan Sourdough Made Simple (Bread Recipe for Beginners)
- Sourdough Multi Seed Bread Recipe from Scratch
- Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Bread From Scratch
Recipe
Same Day Sourdough Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup fed sourdough starter
- 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup water (may need a little more depending on thickness of your starter)
Instructions
- Feed sourdoughs starter 4 to 12 hours before making this recipe.
- Mix together all ingredients until combined in a large mixing bowl. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and let sit 30 minutes
- After 30 minutes uncover dough and do the stretch and fold method all the way around the dough twice. Cover again and let sit 30 more minutes.
- After 30 minutes, uncover again and repeat stretch and fold method around the dough twice. Recover bowl and let bulk ferment at room temperature for 6-8 hours.
- Once the dough has doubled in size and has passed the poke test (thumb print in dough bounces pack almost all the way but not quite) preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Shape dough by stretching it out into a rectangle with your hands on a lightly floured surface. Fold in the long sides to meet halfway then roll the dough into a log. Either pinch both ends to seal for a loaf shape or bring the ends together underneath and pinch for a round loaf.
- Bake bread in a vessel such as a bread cloche or Dutch oven for 30 minutes covered. Then uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes. If you don’t have either of these vessels, bake or 45 minutes and cover with foil if crust starts to burn.
I made this recipe yesterday! Forgot to plan ahead, but had bread on the menu last night. A great recipe for when you have limited time for fermentation, and it doesn’t alter the taste or texture, so good!
Thank you so much for this kind review and 5 stars! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this bread recipe!