How to Dry a Sourdough Starter for Easy Storage

Stretch and Folds

Drying your sourdough starter is a brilliant method for long-term storage, ensuring you have your trusty starter ready whenever the baking urge strikes.

Here's a simple, step-by-step guide to drying your sourdough starter that I use when I want to have some on hand when disasters strike.

ingredients:

sourdough starter

STEP 1

Prepare Your Starter. Begin with a well-fed, bubbly sourdough starter. If it’s been a while since you last fed it, give it a good feed and wait until it’s active and full of bubbles.

Spread It Out. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. With a spatula, spread your sourdough starter thinly across the paper.

STEP 2

STEP 3

Let It Dry. Place the baking sheet in a warm, dry area with good airflow. A sunny spot on the countertop or a barely warm oven (turned off) with the door slightly open can work well.

STEP 4

Break It Up. Once fully dry, the starter should be brittle and easy to crack. Break it into small flakes or grind it into a powder.

STEP 5

Store It Safely. Transfer the dried sourdough flakes or powder into an airtight container, mason jar, or a sealed zip-top bag – a Mason jar is my preference.

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