Crispy, buttery crackers made with sourdough discard, fresh rosemary, and bright orange zest

There’s something a little magical about turning sourdough discard into something this special.

These Sourdough Orange Rosemary Crackers were born from one of those cozy, spur-of-the-moment baking moments — friends over, a cheese board on the counter, a glass of wine in hand, and the desire to make something homemade that feels elevated but effortless.

The result?

Thin, crisp crackers with a buttery snap, fragrant rosemary, and a bright hint of orange that pairs beautifully with cheese, honey, jams, or simply eaten straight off the baking sheet.

And the best part?

No waiting. No rising. No stress.

This is a double batch, perfect for entertaining, gifting, or stocking your pantry.

Why You’ll Love These Crackers

  • A perfect way to use up sourdough discard
  • Crisp, buttery, and lightly salty
  • Bright citrus flavor balanced with savory rosemary
  • Quick to make — no fermentation or rise time
  • Ideal for cheese boards, wine nights, or holiday gatherings

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 2–4 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary (to taste)
  • Zest of 2 large oranges (about 3–4 tsp)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (240 g) sourdough starter or discard
  • 6 Tbsp (84 g) melted butter
  • 2–6 Tbsp water, as needed
  • 2 Tbsp blood orange infused olive oil (optional)


Optional Toppings

  • Flaky sea salt
  • Extra chopped rosemary
  • Orange-zest salt (a pinch of zest mixed into flaky salt)

How to Make Sourdough Orange Rosemary Crackers

1. Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, rosemary, and orange zest.

Use your fingertips to gently rub the orange zest into the flour — this releases the natural oils and really amplifies the citrus flavor throughout the crackers.

2. Add the wet ingredients

Stir in the sourdough starter and melted butter until a shaggy dough forms. Add water slowly, one tablespoon at a time, just until the dough comes together smoothly.

You’re looking for a soft dough that’s easy to roll but not sticky.

3. Chill the dough

Wrap the dough and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes.
This step makes it much easier to roll the dough paper-thin, which is key for crispy crackers.

4. Roll the dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out very thin — about 1/16 inch.
The thinner the dough, the crispier the crackers.

5. Cut and finish

Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into squares or diamonds.

Prick each cracker with a fork to prevent puffing.
Brush lightly with melted butter if desired and sprinkle with flaky salt or a rosemary-orange topping.

6. Bake

Bake for 16–22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the edges are lightly golden.

Let the crackers cool completely — they crisp up beautifully as they cool.

Serving Ideas

These crackers are incredibly versatile. Try them with:

  • Soft cheeses like brie, goat cheese, or ricotta
  • Sharp cheddar or aged gouda
  • Honey, fig jam, or orange marmalade
  • A simple olive oil dip with cracked black pepper

They’re also stunning on a holiday cheese board or wrapped up as a homemade edible gift.

Storage Tips

  • Store in an airtight container or jar for 7–10 days
  • If they soften, re-crisp in a 350°F oven for 3–4 minutes

Flavor Variations

Once you’ve mastered the base, try:

  • Adding 1 Tbsp finely grated parmesan
  • Swapping half the butter for olive oil
  • Adding cracked black pepper
  • Using blood orange or mandarin zest for a seasonal twist

A Little Sourdough Magic

This is one of those recipes that reminds me why I love sourdough so much — taking something simple, like discard, and turning it into something unexpectedly beautiful.

If you make these Sourdough Orange Rosemary Crackers, I’d love to hear how you served them — or if you ate half the batch straight off the tray (no judgment here).

DOWNLOAD the Recipe HERE

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Want More Seasonal Sourdough Magic?

If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out these other fall favorites on the blog:

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Maple Pecan Swirl Sourdough

Savory Sage & Cheddar Sourdough

And don’t forget — I’ve put together everything you need to bake amazing sourdough bread all in one place.

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