How to Make Low-Carb Sourdough Discard Pizza

Low carb sourdough discard pizza is a game-changer for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious, guilt-free meal. If you’re following a low-carb or keto diet, you know how hard it can be to find satisfying alternatives that still hit the spot. That’s where sourdough discard comes into play. Instead of throwing away the discard from your sourdough starter, why not put it to good use? Not only does it help you reduce waste, but it also creates a flavorful, gut-friendly base for your pizza that’s low in carbs and packed with protein.

By using sourdough discard, you’re adding a unique tangy flavor to your pizza crust, which is much healthier than traditional pizza dough. Additionally, it’s a great way to improve your digestive health thanks to the natural probioticsin sourdough, which support gut health. The natural fermentation process of sourdough also means it’s easier to digest, reducing bloating and supporting better nutrient absorption. Moreover, since the crust is low in carbohydrates, it’s the perfect option for those looking to maintain steady energy levels without spiking blood sugar.

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How Easy It Is to Make Low-Carb Sourdough Discard Pizza?

The best part? Making this low-carb sourdough discard pizza is super easy, even for beginners! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a crispy, chewy crust that’s the perfect base for endless topping combinations. Whether you prefer savory or sweet toppings, the options are virtually limitless. In this article, we’ll not only guide you through a simple sourdough discard pizza recipe, but we’ll also share 20 creative and mouthwatering topping ideas that will keep your taste buds on their toes. These ideas will elevate your pizza to the next level, offering a variety of flavors and textures that satisfy every craving.

Why Choose Sourdough Discard for Pizza?

Sourdough discard is a fantastic ingredient that adds depth and flavor to your pizza dough. If you’re not familiar with sourdough discard, it’s simply the portion of the starter that gets removed during feeding. Rather than throwing it away, you can use it to create tasty low-carb pizza dough. Here’s why it’s perfect for making pizza:

Gut Health Benefits: Sourdough is known for its probiotic properties, which help support a healthy digestive system.
Flavor: The fermentation process gives sourdough a tangy, slightly sour flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the pizza.
Texture: The addition of sourdough discard improves the texture of the dough, giving it a soft yet crispy crust.

What Are the Health Benefits of Low-Carb Sourdough Discard?

Low-carb sourdough discard is the leftover mixture from maintaining a sourdough starter. Instead of tossing it out, you can repurpose it in various healthy, low-carb recipes. This seemingly humble byproduct is, surprisingly, packed with health benefits that you might not have expected. Let’s dive into the reasons why incorporating sourdough discard into your meals is not only sustainable but also nutritionally advantageous.

Supports Gut Health Probiotics for Digestive Health:

First and foremost, one of the greatest benefits of sourdough discard is its probiotic content. The fermentation process creates beneficial bacteria, which promote a healthy gut microbiome. These probiotics, in turn, support digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and help balance your gut flora, ultimately making it easier for your body to digest food and absorb essential nutrients. Reduced Digestive Issues: Additionally, including sourdough discard in your diet can reduce bloating, gas, and other digestive discomforts by enhancing the digestion process. As an added benefit, probiotics can help with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other common digestive issues.

Low-Carb, High-Protein Recipes Perfect for Low-Carb Diets:

Moreover, if you’re following a low-carb or keto lifestyle, sourdough discard is a great way to enjoy flavorful dishes without the carbs. When combined with low-carb ingredients like almond flour or protein isolate, consequently, you can make delicious low-carb pizzas, crackers, and pancakes. Therefore, sourdough discard can help you maintain your low-carb goals while still enjoying the comforting taste of baked goods. High in Protein: Furthermore, the protein content of sourdough discard can be enhanced by adding ingredients like cheese or protein powder. For example, sourdough discard pizza dough can provide around 18.6 grams of protein per slice, thus making it an excellent high-protein meal that also supports muscle building and maintenance.

Lower Glycemic Index for Better Blood Sugar Control Reduces Blood Sugar Spikes:

Meanwhile, one of the reasons sourdough discard is popular in low-carb diets is because it has a naturally low glycemic index (GI). This means, as a result, it doesn’t cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, unlike many other grains or refined carbohydrates. Hence, incorporating sourdough discard into your meals can help stabilize your blood sugar and prevent the fatigue and cravings associated with blood sugar fluctuations. Promotes Insulin Sensitivity: Similarly, regular consumption of sourdough discard made with whole grains can improve insulin sensitivity over time. This is especially beneficial for individuals looking to manage their blood sugar levels or, alternatively, reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Nutrient-Rich, Bioavailable Ingredients Rich in Essential Nutrients:

In addition, the fermentation process used to make sourdough discard enhances the bioavailability of nutrients. Specifically, the process breaks down compounds like phytic acid that can block the absorption of iron, zinc, and other minerals. Consequently, this makes sourdough discard a great source of essential nutrients, which are more easily absorbed by your body. Packed with Fiber: Besides that, if you’re making your own sourdough discard using whole grains, it’s an excellent source of dietary fiber. Fiber is, without doubt, essential for digestive health, helping to keep you regular and lowering the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol. Plus, fiber is a crucial component of low-carb diets, thereby aiding in digestion and controlling appetite.

Reduces Food Waste and Supports Sustainability Sustainable Cooking:

On another note, sourdough discard is often a byproduct of sourdough starter maintenance, but instead of throwing it out, you can use it to make a variety of sustainable, healthy meals. By incorporating sourdough discard into your recipes, consequently, you reduce food waste and make the most of an ingredient that would otherwise go unused. Creative Uses for Leftovers: In other words, don’t just let your sourdough discard go to waste—use it in low-carb pizza dough, crackers, or even pancakes. There are, indeed, so many ways to incorporate it into your meals, and each one can help you reduce your environmental impact while also boosting your diet.

Tangy Flavor Enhancer Unique, Tangy Taste:

Above all, one of the key characteristics of sourdough discard is its distinctive tangy flavor. The natural acidity created during fermentation can, therefore, elevate the taste of various dishes, especially low-carb pizzas or crackers. It adds, in essence, a level of complexity that balances well with rich, savory toppings like cheese, meats, or vegetables. Versatile for Savory and Sweet Dishes: Not only that, but sourdough discard works well in both savory and sweet recipes, making it an adaptable ingredient for various types of dishes. You can, as a result, mix it into everything from savory pizza crusts to low-carb pancakes or even cookies, making it a versatile ingredient in your kitchen.

Easier to Digest Reduced Gluten Content:

Nevertheless, while sourdough discard isn’t gluten-free, the fermentation process helps to break down some of the gluten and phytic acid found in the grains. This can, accordingly, make it easier to digest than regular bread, especially for those who experience mild gluten sensitivities. It’s an excellent choice, therefore, for people who want to enjoy bread-like foods without experiencing the digestive discomfort that comes with traditional wheat-based breads. Digestive Benefits: Likewise, the fermentation process also makes sourdough discard easier to digest compared to other baked goods. The bacteria from fermentation help break down difficult-to-digest compounds, thus making it gentler on the stomach and reducing the likelihood of bloating or other digestive issues.

Adaptable to Different Dietary Needs Customizable for Your Needs:

In the same way, sourdough discard is an adaptable ingredient that can fit into a variety of diets. Whether you’re following a low-carb, keto, or high-protein diet, you can easily adjust the ingredients you pair with sourdough discard to meet your specific nutritional goals. This makes it, as a consequence, a great base for many dietary plans. Control Over Ingredients: In particular, by making your own recipes with sourdough discard, you have complete control over what goes into your food. This means, subsequently, you can avoid unnecessary additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, ensuring that your meals are as healthy and natural as possible.

Suitable for People with Food Sensitivities Fewer Additives:

Finally, one of the benefits of making sourdough discard from scratch is that you can avoid the preservatives and additives commonly found in commercially produced bread. This makes it, undoubtedly, a cleaner option for people trying to avoid processed ingredients or those with sensitivities to food chemicals. Gluten Sensitivities: To summarize, while not gluten-free, sourdough discard is often easier to digest for those who are gluten-sensitive due to the breakdown of gluten in the fermentation process. It’s a great alternative, in conclusion, for those who want to reduce their gluten intake without eliminating bread-like foods entirely.

What Are Some Tips For Working With Low Carb Sourdough Discard?

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

When feeding a traditional sourdough starter, it’s common to remove about half of the starter, which is referred to as “discard.” This helps refresh the starter with new flour and water, ensuring it remains active and healthy for future baking. The amount you remove can vary depending on your needs and preferences, as well as how much starter you want to keep for your baking.

At Sinless Sourdough, however, we don’t discard the starter in the traditional sense. In our method, the “discard” is actually a living starter. We never throw away the starter because it’s used in all of our bread and baked good recipes, which require a cup of living starter. So, technically speaking, there’s no discard. However, in the context of our low carb sourdough discard baking, the “discard” is simply the starter.

For the low carb sourdough discard pizza recipe, you’ll remove about half a cup of starter from your 16-ounce (500 mL) jar. Afterward, feed your starter with the low carb ingredients and spring water to build it back up for future use.

Tips for the Best Results:

Feed Your Starter the Night Before: For optimal health, feed your Sinless Sourdough starter the night before you plan to bake. This gives it enough time to ferment and become bubbly, which is key to a healthy dough. You’ll want your starter to be actively rising and almost bursting out of the jar before you use it.
Mix Before Measuring: Once your starter is bubbly and ready, use a chopstick or starter spatula to gently mix it to evenly distribute the air pockets, and then measure out the required 1/2 cup for your recipe.
Blending the Starter: If you’re using the low carb sourdough discard (or starter) in any recipe other than traditional bread, such as pizza or pancakes, it’s a good idea to blend the discard in a small mixer. This helps achieve a smooth, pancake-like consistency, which works better in these types of recipes.
Consider the Moisture: Since sourdough starter is wet, take that moisture into account when creating any low-carb sourdough discard recipe. If you’re using the starter in a recipe like pizza dough, make sure to adjust the flour or other dry ingredients as necessary to balance the hydration levels.

How To Make Low Carb Sourdough Discard Pizza

Makes 1 14-inch diameter pizza (8 slices)

*Need non stick pan or pizza pan or stone using parchment

Ingredients

½ cup living Sinless Sourdough dehydrated starter
1/2 to 1 cup shredded hard cheese (Parmigiano or Asiago)**
1 cup almond flour
½ cup protein isolate (unsweetened)
1 tsp SAF (or any other preferred yeast)
1 tsp sugar or honey
¼ cup warm spring water
1 cup low-carb pizza sauce
Toppings of your choice
1 cup of partly skimmed mozzarella cheese
**1 cup of cheese gives the crust more crunchiness

Preparation Instructions:

Blend the Sourdough Starter: In a small blender, blend the sourdough starter until it reaches a smooth, pancake-like consistency.
Prepare the Dough: Transfer the batter to a mixing bowl. Add the cheese, almond flour, protein isolate, yeast, and sugar (or honey).
Activate the Yeast: Microwave ¼ cup of water for 30 seconds until warm but not hot. Add the warm water to the bowl and mix everything into a wet dough.
Let it Rise: Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise for 1-2 hours.
Baking Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Once the dough has risen, stir it again with a wooden spatula.
Prepare a 14-inch pizza pan with parchment paper or a non-stick oven-proof sauté pan.
Pour the dough mixture into the pan and use wet fingers to spread it to the edges, forming a thin crust.
Bake on the bottom shelf of the oven for 10-12 minutes until the bottom is golden.
Adding Toppings:
After baking the crust, flip it over so the golden side faces up.
Spread your pizza sauce evenly and add your favorite toppings.
Return the pizza to the oven for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and toppings are cooked.

What Is The Nutritional Value of Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza?

Nutritional Information:

For 1/8th of a 14-inch pizza (using Rao’s pizza sauce, not including toppings):

Calories: 235
Protein: 18.6g
Total Fat: 13.1g
Total Carbs: 5.7g
Fiber: 1.4g
Net Carbs: 4.3g

20 Low-Carb Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza Ideas

1. Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza with Pepperoni and Mozzarella
Toppings: Pepperoni, extra mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, drizzle of olive oil.
Flavor Profile: Classic, savory, with a fresh herb kick.

2. Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza with Grilled Chicken and Spinach
Toppings: Grilled chicken, spinach, mozzarella, garlic, Parmesan.
Flavor Profile: Light, protein-packed, with a garlic infusion.

3. Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza with Italian Sausage and Mushrooms
Toppings: Italian sausage, mushrooms, mozzarella, fresh oregano.
Flavor Profile: Rich, hearty, with a balance of meaty and earthy.

4. Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza with Anchovies and Arugula
Toppings: Anchovies, mozzarella, arugula, garlic, olive oil.
Flavor Profile: Bold, savory, with a peppery bite from the arugula.

5. Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza with Bacon, Zucchini, and Goat Cheese
Toppings: Bacon, zucchini, goat cheese, fresh thyme, mozzarella.
Flavor Profile: Smoky, savory, with creamy goat cheese and fresh herbs.

6. Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza with Salami, Olives, and Bell Peppers
Toppings: Salami, olives, bell peppers, mozzarella, fresh rosemary.
Flavor Profile: Bold and briny with a sweet finish from peppers.

7. Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza with Ground Beef, Onions, and Cheddar
Toppings: Ground beef, onions, cheddar, cilantro, cumin.
Flavor Profile: Taco-inspired with rich beefy goodness and spice.

8. Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza with Turkey Bacon, Mushrooms, and Microgreens
Toppings: Turkey bacon, mushrooms, mozzarella, microgreens, olive oil.
Flavor Profile: Smoky turkey bacon, earthy mushrooms, fresh microgreens.

9. Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza with Shrimp, Anchovies, and Ricotta
Toppings: Shrimp, anchovies, ricotta, spinach, garlic.
Flavor Profile: Seafood dream with creamy ricotta and garlic spinach.

10. Sinless Sourdough Discard Pizza with Ham, Broccoli, and Provolone
Toppings: Ham, broccoli, provolone, mozzarella, parsley.
Flavor Profile: Savory ham paired with crispy broccoli and cheese.

FYI: SOURDOUGH MEDICAL STUDIES AND REVIEWS:

Here they are:

Does Sourdough Bread Provide Clinically Relevant Health Benefits?: Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10399781/
The Sourdough Microbiome : Link: https://asm.org/articles/2020/june/the-sourdough-microbiome
Sourdough Microbiome Comparison and Benefits: Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8306212/
Nutritional Benefits of Sourdough; Systematic Review : Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36811591/
Use of sourdough in low FODMAP baking : Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29932101/

Disclaimer:

All information provided on this website regarding the health benefits of sourdough low carb bread is intended for educational purposes only. The content presented is not meant to be taken as specific medical advice for any individual. It should not be considered a replacement for professional medical guidance or treatment. If you have any health concerns, especially related to diabetes, pre-diabetes, or any other medical condition, please consult with a healthcare professional immediately.

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