Speedy Same Day Sourdough Bread

Oh my gosh, you have to try this Speedy Same Day Sourdough Bread! It’s fresh, crusty, and ready in a flash. Trust me, it’s a total game-changer for bread lovers.

No long wait—just mix, shape, and bake, all in the same day. Plus, it’s got that perfect sourdough flavor and chewy texture. I love how easy it is to whip up homemade bread!

Perfect for sandwiches, soups, or just warm with butter. Once you try it, you’ll want to bake bread at home all the time. Seriously, it’s that good!

Let’s bake it together! Grab your starter, flour, and water—I’ll walk you through it step by step. You’re gonna love how simple and delicious it is!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast and Reliable: Traditional sourdough can take 12 to 48 hours to ferment. Here, the dough rises quickly using a well-fed starter and warm environment, cutting the wait to about 2 hours. This means you can start and finish the bread in a single day, perfect for a last-minute craving or spontaneous baking.
• Hands-Off Process: Instead of kneading for ages, this recipe uses a no-knead method with gentle folds to build structure. This makes it beginner-friendly and reduces the chance of overworking the dough.
• Deep, Authentic Flavor: Because it uses a natural sourdough starter, the bread has that gentle tangy flavor and aroma that only fermentation can bring. It’s not sour or overpowering but just right.
• Beautiful Crust and Crumb: Baking in a preheated Dutch oven traps steam, which helps develop a crisp, crackly crust and soft, open crumb inside. The result looks and tastes like it came from a professional bakery.
• Simple Ingredients: You don’t need fancy flour blends or additives — just all-purpose flour, water, salt, and your sourdough starter.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time:

• Mixing and Folding: About 20 minutes. This includes combining ingredients and doing gentle folds during the first rise.
• Bulk Fermentation (Rise): Approximately 2 hours at room temperature (about 75°F / 24°C). This is when the dough develops flavor and structure.
• Baking: 40 minutes total — 30 minutes covered (to trap steam) and 10 minutes uncovered (to crisp the crust).
• Total Time: Around 3 hours from start to finish.

Serving Size:
This recipe makes one large 9-10 inch round loaf, enough to serve 6 to 8 people depending on slice size.

Skill Level:
Easy to moderate. Ideal for beginners and anyone who wants a quick sourdough fix without complex steps.

Required Kitchen Tools

• Large Mixing Bowl: For combining and fermenting dough. Glass, stainless steel, or plastic all work well.
• Dough Scraper or Spatula: Helps with folding the sticky dough and transferring it.
• Kitchen Towel or Plastic Wrap: To cover the dough during resting and rising, keeping it from drying out.
• Dutch Oven with Lid: This heavy, lidded pot traps steam for a crusty loaf. A cast iron or enameled Dutch oven works best. If you don’t have one, a heavy oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid can work.
• Bread Lame or Sharp Knife: For scoring the dough just before baking. This helps the bread expand properly in the oven and creates beautiful patterns on top.
• Cooling Rack: Allows air to circulate around the bread after baking to prevent sogginess.

Ingredients for Speedy Same Day Sourdough Bread

To make this bread, you’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients — all straightforward and easy to find.

• 410 grams (3 1/4 cups) all-purpose flour
  Provides the structure and body for the bread. Using unbleached flour with a protein content around 11-12% works best for good gluten development.
• 290 grams (1 1/4 cups) lukewarm water
  Hydrates the flour and activates the starter. Lukewarm water (about 75°F or 24°C) helps speed fermentation.
• 160 grams (about 2/3 cup) active sourdough starter
  Your starter should be bubbly and recently fed for best rise and flavor. If your starter is less active, allow for a longer rise.
• 8 grams (1 1/2 teaspoons) kosher salt
  Enhances flavor and strengthens gluten structure.

Variations for Speedy Sourdough Bread

• Use Bread Flour: For a chewier crumb and higher rise, substitute all-purpose flour with bread flour.
• Add Seeds or Grains: Mix in sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, or rolled oats for texture and flavor.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Replace up to 25% of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a nuttier taste and denser crumb.
• Garlic Herb Twist: Fold in minced garlic and fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme during mixing for a savory loaf.
• Olive Oil Drizzle: Brush the crust with olive oil before baking for a softer, flavorful crust.

Tips Before You Start Mixing

• Feed Your Starter: Make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly before using. Feed it 4-6 hours ahead or overnight if needed.
• Measure by Weight: For consistent results, use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients.
• Warm Environment: Keep the dough in a warm spot for faster rising, like inside an oven with the light on or on a countertop away from drafts.

How to Make Speedy Same Day Sourdough Bread — Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and water. Stir until no dry flour remains and you have a shaggy, sticky dough. Cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes. This rest period, called autolyse, helps the flour fully hydrate and starts gluten development without kneading.

2. Add Starter and Salt

After the autolyse, add the active sourdough starter and salt to the dough. Mix everything together using your hands or a dough scraper until the starter and salt are fully incorporated. The dough will feel sticky and elastic.

3. Bulk Fermentation with Stretch and Folds

Cover the bowl again and let the dough rise at room temperature (ideally around 75°F/24°C). Every 30 minutes, perform a gentle stretch and fold: wet your hand, grab one side of the dough, stretch it up, and fold it over the center. Rotate the bowl and repeat 3-4 times. Do this 3 to 4 times over the next 2 hours. This process strengthens the dough without kneading.

4. Shape the Dough

After the final fold, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it gently into a tight round loaf by folding the edges underneath, creating surface tension on top. Use a dough scraper to help if needed.

5. Prepare for Baking

Place the shaped dough seam-side down on a piece of parchment paper. Cover it loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 20-30 minutes to relax before baking.

6. Preheat Your Oven and Dutch Oven

While the dough is resting, place your Dutch oven (with the lid) into the oven and preheat to 475°F (245°C). Preheating the pot ensures even heat and helps form a great crust.

7. Score the Dough

Using a bread lame or sharp knife, carefully score the top of the dough with one or two shallow cuts. This allows the bread to expand properly while baking.

8. Bake the Bread

Carefully lift the dough with the parchment and place it into the hot Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. The lid traps steam, which crisps the crust.

After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 minutes to brown and crisp the crust fully.

9. Cool Before Slicing

Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and place it on a cooling rack. Let it cool completely (at least 1 hour) before slicing. Cooling allows the crumb to set and prevents gummy texture.

How to Serve Speedy Same Day Sourdough Bread

This fresh sourdough loaf is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with many dishes. Enjoy it sliced with butter and jam for breakfast, use it for sandwiches, or serve alongside soups and salads for lunch or dinner. Toasted sourdough also makes an excellent base for avocado toast or bruschetta.

Storing Speedy Same Day Sourdough Bread

• Room Temperature: Store the bread in a paper bag or loosely wrapped in a kitchen towel for up to 2 days to keep the crust crisp while preventing it from drying out.
• Freezing: For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Toast slices directly from the freezer for best results.
• Avoid Plastic Bags: Storing in plastic bags traps moisture and softens the crust, so only use them if freezing.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Use a Well-Fed Starter: The activity level of your starter greatly affects rise and flavor. Feed your starter regularly and use it at its peak.
• Maintain Warm Temperature: A warmer room (around 75°F / 24°C) speeds fermentation, so find a cozy spot for your dough.
• Practice Folding: Stretch and fold the dough gently to build strength without toughening it.
• Score Deep Enough: Cuts about 1/4 inch deep help the bread expand and create beautiful patterns.
• Don’t Skip Cooling: Allow bread to cool completely before slicing to avoid a gummy crumb.
• Experiment with Flour: Different flours affect texture and flavor, so feel free to try blends for your preferred loaf.

Nutrition (per serving, based on 8 slices)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	180 kcal
Carbohydrates	37 g
Protein	6 g
Fat	0.5 g
Fiber	2 g
Sodium	330 mg
Sugar	0 g

Speedy Same Day Sourdough Bread FAQs

Q: Can I use a sourdough starter that hasn’t been fed recently?
A: For best results, use a starter that’s been fed within 4-6 hours and is bubbly. An inactive starter may result in poor rise.

Q: Can I substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour?
A: Yes, bread flour will give a chewier texture and slightly higher rise.

Q: What if my dough doesn’t rise enough?
A: Ensure your starter is active, and keep the dough in a warm spot. Longer rise times may be needed in cooler environments.

Q: Can I bake this without a Dutch oven?
A: You can, but the crust may be less crisp. Place a tray with water in the oven to add steam, or cover the dough loosely with foil during the first 20 minutes.

Conclusion

This Speedy Same Day Sourdough Bread recipe offers a fantastic shortcut to homemade sourdough without sacrificing flavor or texture. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can enjoy fresh, crusty bread in just a few hours. It’s a great way to bake bread at home, impress your family, and satisfy your craving for artisan-style bread any day of the week.