25+ Game Day Food Recipes Using Sourdough Starter

I liked foods that can be made ahead of time on game day, and if you keep an active starter or have sourdough discard on hand, these 10+ game day recipes are made with sourdough starter.

Delicious sourdough baked goods perfect for game day gatherings. — A variety of sourdough recipes ideal for serving at game day parties and gatherings.

This list is a mix of sourdough discard recipes and a few that use active starter. Most of them are easy to prep, kid-friendly, and good for sharing with friends. And if you are also looking for game day food ideas that are not sourdough, check out my list of 20 Winning Game Day Food Ideas.

Below you'll find short descriptions of each recipe so you can mix and match based on what kind of game day you're planning.

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Delicious Sourdough Pizza Dough
Sourdough Poppy Seed Rolls
Sourdough Picnic Rolls (Pull-Apart Bread Rolls)
Easy Skillet Sourdough Naan (Pillowy + Chewy)
Fresh Milled Sourdough Burger Buns
Fresh Milled Sourdough Pizza Toast
Sourdough Discard Garlic Knots
Sourdough Discard Cheese Crackers
No Roll Sourdough Discard Crackers With Olive Oil
Sourdough Tortillas Recipe (No Discard)
Savory Sourdough Hand Pies With Spinach and Feta Cheese
Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites
Quick Sourdough Discard Pretzels with Added Yeast
Sourdough Discard Pop Tarts
Sourdough Vanilla Wafers
Savory Sourdough Crackers (Parmesan + Nutritional Yeast)
Sourdough Burger Buns with Tangzhong
Sourdough Pull Apart Garlic Bread
Sourdough Ciabatta Bread
Sourdough Discard Skillet Pizza with Barbecue Chicken and Sweet Potato
Sourdough Potato Rolls
Fresh Milled Sourdough Tortillas (Soft and Foldable!)
Perfect Sourdough Pizza Crust: Step-by-Step Tutorial
Sourdough Hot Dog Buns with Tangzhong
Sourdough Pizza Rolls with Fresh Milled Flour (Soft + Cheesy)

Delicious Sourdough Pizza Dough

Close-up of homemade tomato pizza with melted cheese and sourdough crust.

This recipe is a great alternative to the traditional pizza you can get either in-store or at the restaurant, which often uses refined flour and other fillers you don't know about.

Sourdough Poppy Seed Rolls

These sourdough poppy seed rolls are soft, not overly sweet, and look so pretty on the table. They have a tender crumb, a swirled poppy seed filling, and just enough sweetness to make them perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.

Sourdough Picnic Rolls (Pull-Apart Bread Rolls)

Close-up of freshly baked sourdough bread rolls with sesame seeds.

These Sourdough Picnic Rolls (Pull-Apart Bread Rolls) are firm enough for pulled pork, burgers, and sandwich fillings, but still light enough to enjoy with a little bit of butter.

Easy Skillet Sourdough Naan (Pillowy + Chewy)

Close-up of freshly baked sourdough flatbreads on a white plate.

I used to think tortillas and flatbread were all I needed. But this Skillet Sourdough Naan comes out tender with a slight chew, and is perfect for scooping curries, dunking into sauces, or enjoying straight from the pan.

Fresh Milled Sourdough Burger Buns

Close-up of sourdough bread rolls with sesame seeds, perfect for game day snacks.

These fresh milled sourdough burger buns are everything you want in a homemade burger bun. They're soft and extra flavorful thanks to sifted freshly milled flour, but still sturdy enough to hold all your favorite burger toppings.

Fresh Milled Sourdough Pizza Toast

Delicious sourdough bread slices topped with cheese and ham for game day snacks.

This Fresh Milled Sourdough Pizza Toast has all the pizza flavors we love, but it comes together in minutes on thick slices of fresh milled sourdough bread.

Sourdough Discard Garlic Knots

Close-up of a round sourdough bread with herbs, dipped in tomato sauce.

If you have tons of sourdough discard to use and are craving something warm, buttery, and snackable, these sourdough discard garlic knots are it! They're soft on the inside, golden on the outside, and brushed with garlicky butter that makes them disappear fast.

Sourdough Discard Cheese Crackers

Close-up of sourdough starter crackers in a glass jar for game day food ideas.

These sourdough discard cheese crackers are made with just a few simple ingredients and a dash of creativity. You'll transform the discard into a convenient snack that everyone I know loves

No Roll Sourdough Discard Crackers With Olive Oil

Sourdough starter pieces in a jar for game day recipes.

Thin and crispy, these sourdough discard crackers are my favorite way to use sourdough discard! We're transforming what would be food waste into a perfect snack. This easy, no-roll recipe takes only 3 ingredients and 3 minutes of your time.

Sourdough Tortillas Recipe (No Discard)

Close-up of sourdough bread slices for game day food ideas.

These homemade sourdough tortillas are one of those things that really take a meal to the next level. Not only are they better taste-wise, but they also present a healthier option. Combining the rich flavors of freshly-grilled tortillas with a slight sourdough tang, great to serve for game day food.

Savory Sourdough Hand Pies With Spinach and Feta Cheese

Close-up of baked sourdough empanadas on a white plate.

This savory hand pie recipe, using sourdough discard and filled with spinach and feta cheese, offers a delightful twist on traditional sweet pies. The sourdough crust adds a unique flavor that sets these apart!

Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites

Roasted sourdough starter nuts on parchment paper for game day snacks.

These soft and salty sourdough discard pretzel bites are made with simple ingredients and are delicious served up warm with your favorite cheese sauce. Or try them sweet with an irresistible cinnamon sugar coating.

Quick Sourdough Discard Pretzels with Added Yeast

Close-up of freshly baked sourdough bagels with a shiny crust.

Perfect for beginners, this recipe yields sourdough discard pretzels that are golden, chewy, and not tangy at all. And it uses up sourdough discard! A perfect snack idea for you game day party.

Sourdough Discard Pop Tarts

Close-up of flaky sourdough pastry showing layered interior.

Pop-Tarts just got an upgrade with this grown-up version of every kid's favorite breakfast treat. These sourdough homemade Pop-Tarts are simple to make yet elegant enough to grace any bakery store display case. It's a perfect game day treat, too!

Sourdough Vanilla Wafers

Fresh sourdough bread rolls cooling on a wire rack for game day snacks.

If you think baking with sourdough is all about bread, you'll be pleasantly surprised by these sourdough vanilla wafers! They're straightforward, quick to make, and utterly delicious. Perfect for when you need a simple, satisfying game day treat.

Savory Sourdough Crackers (Parmesan + Nutritional Yeast)

Delicious homemade sourdough crackers and snacks for game day.

These Savory Sourdough Crackers are one of my best easy sourdough recipes using discard. It's a kind of cheesy and savory snack-I love making a batch of this for a game day party.

Sourdough Burger Buns with Tangzhong

Close-up of freshly baked sourdough bread with airy crumb.

I love making my own burger buns from scratch-they're soft, fluffy, and naturally leavened with my sourdough starter. In these Sourdough Burger Buns, I use a simple tangzhong (a flour and milk paste) to lock in moisture and keep the buns tender for days.

Sourdough Pull Apart Garlic Bread

Homemade sourdough bread with a golden crust on a cooling rack.

This Sourdough Pull-Apart Garlic Bread is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Perfectly soft, buttery, and garlicky, it's made with a fluffy sourdough base that tears apart easily, making it ideal for sharing.

Sourdough Ciabatta Bread

Freshly baked sourdough bread with a crispy crust and airy crumb.

This Sourdough Ciabatta Bread is like having the best artisan bread on hand … in one person's portion size. You mix a few simple ingredients, give the dough time to do its thing, and somehow end up with bakery-style bread at home.

Sourdough Discard Skillet Pizza with Barbecue Chicken and Sweet Potato

Delicious sourdough-based pizza topped with cheese, vegetables, and herbs for game day.

This Sourdough Discard Skillet Pizza isn't just perfect for discard; it's also a great way to use up leftover chicken or sweet potatoes. It's like your favorite BBQ chicken pizza got a cozy, homemade upgrade.

Sourdough Potato Rolls

Close-up of soft, golden sourdough dinner rolls on a wire rack.

These sourdough potato rolls are made with a sourdough starter only. After some experimentation, I quite like them that way (and my family agrees!). And unlike some sourdough recipes, you can have them done in one day.

Fresh Milled Sourdough Tortillas (Soft and Foldable!)

Close-up of sourdough bread being folded during baking process.

These fresh milled sourdough tortillas are soft, foldable, and have an incredible flavor from fresh-milled flour and sourdough discard. They roll out beautifully, cook up with classic brown spots, and stay soft enough to use for tacos, wraps, quesadillas, or quick everyday meals.

Perfect Sourdough Pizza Crust: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Close-up of homemade pizza topped with cherry tomatoes, black olives, tuna, and melted cheese.

This simple sourdough pizza crust comes together easily in a stand mixer, or you can mix it up by hand. I'll walk you through the steps so you can enjoy a molten cheesy pizza night.

Sourdough Hot Dog Buns with Tangzhong

When I want ultra-soft sourdough hot dog buns for summer grilling (or just a family dinner), I reach for this recipe. The secret is tangzhong - a Japanese technique that turns flour and milk into a roux, locking in moisture. You'll get fluffy, pillowy buns that don't dry out and can hold up to any filling, from hot dogs to pulled pork.

Sourdough Pizza Rolls with Fresh Milled Flour (Soft + Cheesy)

Delicious sourdough bread rolls for game day snacks.

If you need an easy win that feels like real food but still makes everyone excited to eat, these sourdough pizza rolls with fresh milled flour are it. They're fluffy, gooey in the middle, golden on top, and honestly hard to stop "taste testing."