Sourdough Discard Focaccia Recipe (Vegan, Egg Free, Dairy Free) (2024)

FAQs

Does focaccia contain eggs? ›

'Venetian focaccia') is typical for Easter; it is based on eggs, sugar, and butter and it is similar to panettone and pandoro.

Sourdough discard: If you don't sourdough discard saved up, feel free to use active sourdough starter. Active-dry yeast: You can use instant yeast for this recipe, you can skip blooming the yeast if you substitute.

Both active sourdough starter and sourdough discard is a mixture of flour and water that has been fermented. Sourdough discard is any portion of the sourdough starter that is not used to make bread or to sustain your mother starter.

Is sourdough bread suitable for vegans? Nearly all sourdough bread is vegan-friendly. Some non-vegan ingredients, including dairy, honey, and eggs, can appear in sourdough, but those are outstanding exceptions to the rule.

Lean breads, like sourdough boules, french baguettes and Italian ciabatta to name a few, are made with flour, water, salt and yeast. They are not dairy products. But some bakeries may add things like whey protein or dry milk powder to improve the texture of their bread, so it's a good idea to ask.

Traditionally, yes, focaccia is vegan-friendly. The dough is almost always made with flour, yeast, salt, water, and olive oil. Some recipes, however, call for eggs in the dough for added richness or use real butter for greasing the pans.

Sourdough discard is rich in probiotics, which can help promote a healthy gut microbiome and improve digestion. It's also a good source of fiber, which can help regulate blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and promote feelings of fullness.

Technically, sourdough discard has the same benefits as sourdough starter, since they are both wild yeast ferments. In terms of beneficial lactic acid bacteria, natural yeasts acetic acid and colonies of microbes, they are both full of them.

Only a small portion of the sourdough starter is reserved and fed during each feeding, the rest is referred to as discard, since typically it is thrown away. In efforts to reduce waste, discard is often collected from multiple feedings and stored in the fridge until enough is allotted to be used for discard recipes.

In summary, sourdough bread is inherently dairy-free because it is primarily made from flour, water, a sourdough starter (which is usually dairy-free), and salt. The fermentation process relies on wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria, which are also dairy-free.

Why is sourdough not vegan? ›

Here's a list of types that are commonly vegan: Sourdough. A type of fermented bread made from flour, water, salt, and sometimes commercial baker's yeast. Though uncommon, some varieties use milk instead of water, making them non-vegan.

Everything from puri and chapati to pita and French bread are all made without egg.

Focaccia is a leavened flat bread. The oven-baked Italian dish can be served as a side or used as sandwich bread. It's traditionally made with flour, yeast, oil, water, and salt. Some recipes, such as this one, are flavored with seasonings and topped with cheese.

Just like pizza dough, focaccia dough is made with flour, oil, water, yeast and salt. However, focaccia is made with more yeast than pizza dough. This allows it to rise more and creates a fluffier and more bread-like result.

Most sourdough bread is completely vegan, not containing any dairy or eggs. However, some variations of the traditional sourdough recipe may contain non-vegan ingredients, like this easy, no-knead sourdough recipe, so it's always good to check the ingredients list.