Looking for a fun and wholesome snack the whole family will love? Try this playful sourdough animal crackers recipe!
These adorable, homemade cookies are a fantastic way to use your sourdough discard or starter, creating a delicious treat that’s free from artificial flavors and packed with wholesome ingredients.
With a combination of all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and oat flour, these crackers boast a flavor and texture that’s reminiscent of store-bought animal crackers, but with an added homemade charm.
The buttery richness, enhanced by hints of vanilla, almond, and lemon, makes each bite irresistibly tasty!
Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a cozy family afternoon, a baby shower, or just because, this recipe is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

Why You Will Love This Sourdough Animal Crackers Recipe
Wholesome Ingredients: Made with a mix of flours, natural extracts, and a touch of sugar, these crackers offer a nutritious snack without compromising on flavor.
Perfect Size for Snacking: These bite-sized animal crackers are great for lunchboxes, snacks, or party favors. They’re easy to pack and enjoy on the go.
Fun and Creative: Shaping the dough with mini animal cookie cutters adds a playful element to baking, making this recipe a fun activity for the whole family.
A Great Way to Use Sourdough Discard: This recipe is a great way to reduce waste by incorporating sourdough discard, turning it into something delicious.
Better than Store-Bought: Homemade sourdough animal crackers have a richer flavor and crunchier texture compared to anything you’ll find at the store.

Tips On How To Make
- Use Whole Wheat Flour: For the best results, use whole wheat flour along with all-purpose flour and oat flour. It adds a nutty flavor and keeps the crackers light.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least an hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out.
- Roll Out the Dough Evenly: Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4 inch thickness. This ensures the crackers bake evenly.
- Cut with Mini Cookie Cutters: Use mini cookie cutters to create fun, small shapes. This is a great way to get kids involved in baking.
FAQ on Sourdough Animal Crackers
Can I use a food processor to make the dough?
Yes, you can use a food processor to combine the ingredients quickly. Pulse the dry ingredients first, then add the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
What’s the difference between these crackers and sourdough discard graham crackers?
Sourdough animal crackers are less sweet and have a crispier texture compared to sourdough graham crackers, which are typically sweeter and more crumbly.
Can I use this recipe to make sourdough cheddar crackers?
You can adapt this recipe by adding grated cheddar cheese to the dough for a savory twist. The method is the same, but the flavor profile will change. Recipe coming soon for cheddar cheese crackers:)!! We will link the recipe here.
How long will these crackers stay fresh?
Store the crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They remain crisp and delicious when properly stored.
What’s the best way to roll out the dough?
Rolling the dough between two sheets of parchment paper prevents sticking and makes it easier to transfer to the baking sheet.
Tools you may need
- Animal Cookie Cutters Set 1: For cutting the dough into fun, animal shapes.
- Animal Cookie Cutters Set 2: For cutting the dough into fun, animal shapes.
- Cookie Baking Sheet: For baking multiple batches of crackers at once.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For measuring your ingredients.
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Ingredients you will need
Sourdough Starter or Discard: A mixture of flour and water that has been fermented to create a natural leavening agent, used in sourdough baking.
Salted Butter: Butter that has been made from cream that has been churned and then salted, commonly used for baking to add richness and flavor.
Sugar: A sweetener from the sugar cane that is used in baking to add sweetness and flavor.
Vanilla Extract: A flavoring made from the beans of the vanilla orchid, commonly used in baking to add a sweet, fragrant flavor.
Almond Extract: A flavoring made from almonds, commonly used in baking to add a nutty, sweet flavor.
Lemon Extract: A flavoring made from lemon zest and oil, commonly used in baking to add a bright, citrusy flavor.
Unbleached All-Purpose Flour: A type of flour that has not been chemically treated to remove its natural color, commonly used in baking to create a variety of baked goods.
Whole Wheat (freshly milled or store-bought flour): A type of wheat flour that is milled from the entire wheat kernel, including the bran and germ, commonly used in baking to add more fiber and nutrients to baked goods.
Oat Flour: A flour made from ground oats, commonly used in baking to add a nutty flavor and a chewy texture to baked goods.
Salt: A mineral commonly used in baking to enhance flavors.
How To Make Sourdough Animal Crackers
Preparing the Dough
Step 1: Cream the butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 2: Add extracts and sourdough starter or discard
Mix in the vanilla, almond, and lemon extracts, then stir in the sourdough starter or discard until everything is well combined.
Step 3: Combine dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, oat flour, and salt.
Step 4: Mix the dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a stiff dough forms. Be careful not to over-mix.
Chilling the Dough
Step 5: Divide and chill
Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Chill the dough for at least an hour, but no more than two hours, for optimal handling.
Rolling and Cutting
Step 6: Preheat the oven
While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 7: Roll out the dough
After chilling, roll out one dough disk on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
Step 8: Cut out shapes
Use mini cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Gather and reroll the dough scraps as needed.

Baking
Step 9: Bake the crackers
Place the shaped crackers on the prepared baking sheet and bake @ 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Step 10: Cool and enjoy
Let the crackers cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Enjoy your homemade Sourdough Animal Crackers!

Storage Ideas for Sourdough Animal Crackers
- Airtight Container: Store the crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This helps keep them crispy and fresh. To help maintain crispness, such as adding a silica gel packet or a piece of bread to absorb moisture.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze the unbaked animal cracker dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling and baking.
- Snack Packs: Divide the crackers into small snack-size portions in airtight containers. Perfect for on-the-go snacking.
- Gift Jars: Place the crackers in decorative jars as gifts for baby showers, birthdays, or holidays.
No matter which storage option you choose, be sure to keep your crackers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.
For even more delicious, homemade treats, explore our favorite cozy recipes below;
- The Best Sourdough Einkorn Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Homemade Sourdough Pop Tarts (discard or starter)
- Easy No Bake Sourdough Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
- The Best Thin and Crispy Butterscotch Cookie Recipe
- Blueberry Cheesecake Cake Recipe with Blueberry Jam Filling
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you could return and give it 5 stars! Share your photos and tag me on Instagram @themoderndaycottage for a chance to be featured!

Sourdough Animal Crackers Recipe (discard or starter)
These Sourdough Animal Crackers are a fun, wholesome treat made from sourdough discard or starter. With a delicious blend of all-purpose, whole wheat, and oat flours, plus hints of vanilla, almond, and lemon, these buttery crackers offer a delightful crunch. Perfect for snacking or a playful baking activity, they’re easy to make and even better to enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (50g) sourdough starter
- 5 1/2 tbsp (80g) butter, softened
- 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (4g) vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp (2g) almond extract
- 1/2 tsp (2g) lemon extract
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (60g) whole wheat (freshly milled*hard white wheat berries or store bought whole wheat flour)
- 1/2 cup (60g) oat flour
- 1/4 tsp (1.5g) salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter or coconut oil, brown sugar, and vanilla extract using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix until light and fluffy.
- Add the sourdough starter discard to the butter mixture. Mix well to combine all the wet ingredients.
- In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, oat flour and kosher salt until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until a stiff dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured work surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. This ensures the crackers bake evenly.
- Use mini cookie cutters to cut out small shapes from the rolled-out dough. Place the shapes on the prepared baking sheet.
- Gather the remaining dough scraps, reroll, and cut out more shapes until all the dough is used.
- Bake the animal crackers for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid over-baking.
- Allow the crackers to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store the cooled crackers in an airtight container to keep them fresh and crispy.
- Enjoy your Sourdough Animal Crackers!
Notes
- Use Whole Wheat Flour: For the best results, use whole wheat flour along with all-purpose flour and oat flour. It adds a nutty flavor and keeps the crackers light.
- Add Olive Oil or Coconut Oil: Both oils work well in this recipe. They add moisture and a subtle richness to the cookie dough.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least an hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out.
- Roll Out the Dough Evenly: Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4 inch thickness. This ensures the crackers bake evenly.
- Cut with Mini Cookie Cutters: Use mini cookie cutters to create fun, small shapes. This is a great way to get kids involved in baking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 42Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g
“The Modern Day Cottage” are not dietitians or nutritionists, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Hi thanks for sharing this recipe. How long would you let it ferment for the dough to have less gluten and for better digestion?
Thanks!
Have you ever made it without sugar?
Thank you for your question. While we haven’t made these sourdough animal crackers without sugar, it’s definitely possible to try. The sugar adds a touch of sweetness and helps with browning, but you could replace it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup for a less processed option. Alternatively, you could skip the sweetener altogether for a more savory cracker—perhaps adding a pinch more salt or a sprinkle of herbs to boost the flavor.
If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out! Let us know if you have any other questions or tweaks you’d like to explore. Happy baking!✨
Hello, could I use maple syrup or honey as an alternative sweetener?
Hi Elizabeth! You can absolutely try using maple syrup or honey as an alternative sweetener. Since these are liquid sweeteners, you may want to add a little extra flour to keep the dough at the right consistency. While we haven’t personally tested this variation yet, we think it would work well and would love to hear how it turns out for you!
If you try it, let us know your adjustments—we’d be happy to note them on our blog for others to enjoy. 😊