
I came up with these vegan buckwheat pancakes during my big sourdough phase—when the discard kept piling up and I didn’t know what else to do with it. One Saturday, staring hungrily at the jar and not wanting another plain slice of bread, I thought—why not mix sourdough discard with buckwheat flour and see what happens? Turns out, these pancakes are a total staple in our house now. We make them all the time on weekends.
Funny enough, last month even my brother-in-law—he’s not vegan, by the way—asked for these pancakes when he came over. Honestly, if someone who’s skeptical asks for seconds, you know you’re onto something good.
Irresistible Ingredients
- Simple Pantry Staples: Probably already in your kitchen now
- Flaxseed Meal: Helps hold things together and sneaks in fiber
- Applesauce: No eggs here, just applesauce for that perfect texture
- Buckwheat Flour: Brings in a toasty, gluten-free vibe
- Sourdough Discard: Don’t worry if it’s been in the fridge a while, it’s great for this

Making Your Pancakes
- First, the finishing touch:
- Spoon on fresh fruit or pour on some maple syrup—or whatever you’re craving. These pancakes don’t judge.
- Perfect Cooking:
- When your pan’s heated to medium, pour in the batter. Wait for happy bubbles to show up, then flip them.
- Morning Add-ins:
- Mix baking soda, baking powder, and the rest of the wet stuff into the batter. This is what helps them puff up.
- Rest Time Magic:
- The night before, mix your flours, plant milk, and discard—then let them chill until morning. That’s when the flavors pop.

Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve made these for lazy breakfasts or breakfast-for-dinner. They started just to use up extra discard but ended up being everyone’s favorite meal around here.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I make these gluten-free?
- Just swap in a gluten-free sourdough discard and a mix of gluten-free flours to make them fully GF.
- → Why rest the batter all night?
- Letting the batter sit overnight helps the sourdough ferment, so it builds flavor and gets easier on your stomach.
- → Can I keep extra pancakes frozen?
- Absolutely! Lay them flat in a bag for freezing up to a month. Throw them in a low toaster setting to heat back up.
- → What replaces applesauce best?
- Use mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, or yogurt (pick a non-dairy one for vegan).
- → Which plant milks should I go for?
- Soy milk gives the most protein boost, but almond, oat, or coconut all work nicely too.