National Sourdough Bread Day: 3 nutritional benefits and recipes you can try at home

April 1 recognizes one of the world’s oldest leavened breads

UPDATED APR 1, 2023

National Sourdough Bread Day on April 1st recognizes one of the world’s oldest leavened breads. National Sourdough Day is celebrated to commemorate the history of one of our most important staples and to remind us that one of the best breads on the market still exists!

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Benefits of sourdough breads

Boudin Bakery master baker Fernando Padilla checks loaves of freshly baked sourdough bread at Boudin Bakery April 21, 2008 in San Francisco, California. Boudin, the oldest continuously operating business in San Francisco and the original Sourdough French bread maker is being forced to raise prices on its popular sourdough bread as the cost of flour has nearly tripled in the past year due to high wheat prices caused by strong worldwide demand and increased price speculation. — Boudin Bakery master baker Fernando Padilla checks loaves of freshly baked sourdough bread at Boudin Bakery April 21, 2008 in San Francisco, California (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Reduced risk of heart disease

Typically, a lower risk of heart disease is associated with a high fiber diet. Fermentation appears to have additional benefits in sourdough that reduce the risk of heart disease.

Easier to digest

The slow fermentation of traditional sourdough increases the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals contained in bread. This process makes the sourdough more easily digestible.

May help manage blood sugar

Sourdough is a good choice for people who have difficulty controlling their blood sugar because of the fermentation process and higher fiber content. This is because sourdough has a lower impact on blood sugar levels than many commercial breads.

Recipes for sourdough breads

Sourdough pizza crust

1. Combine the sourdough starter with the flour, salt, yeast, pizza dough flavor, and water in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl.

2. Using a stand mixer, knead for about 7 minutes.

3. Place the dough in a lightly greased container and cover it for about 3 to 4 hours.

4. Divide the dough in half and place it in a flattened disk. Drizzle two 12" round pizza pans with olive oil.

5. Cover the pans and let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Then gently press each piece of dough to the edge of the pan.

6. When the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 450°F and your pizza is ready!

Sourdough pancakes

1. Cover and allow to rest for approximately 12 hours or overnight at a cool room temperature (65°F to 70°F).

2. Beat the eggs, oil, or butter together in a small bowl or mixing cup.

3. Mix the ingredients with the overnight sponge. Stir in the baking powder and salt to combine. The dough will expand and may have slight bubbles.

4. The batter should be poured onto a lightly greased, preheated griddle by the 1/4 cupful.

5. Flip the pancakes and bake until browned on the bottom or until bubbles form and rise on the top.

Sourdough banana bread

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

2. Beat the butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and baking powder in a large bowl until smooth. Add the salt.

3. Beat in the eggs, honey, mashed bananas, and sourdough starter once more until smooth. Mix in the flour and then the nuts until smooth.

4. To prevent the bread from becoming overly brown, gently place a piece of aluminum foil on top after 45 minutes of baking.

5. Let the bread cool in the mold for 10 minutes. Store leftover bread at room temperature in a tightly sealed container for several days. For longer storage, you can freeze it.