Simple Overnight Sourdough Bread: A Busy Parent’s Secret Weapon

Sharing is caring!

For a beginner recipe and to re-hydrate June Click here

I get so many questions about my sourdough bread. I’m so excited to finally share my favorite sourdough recipe with you. You know how most sourdough recipes make you feel like you need a PhD in bread science? Well, this isn’t one of those! This is my “real life” recipe that I’ve been using for years, and it works beautifully even when life gets a bit messy.

Why You’ll Love This Simple Sourdough Recipe

You know what I love most about this recipe? It just works. Every. Single. Time. Whether you’re a perfectionist who’ll do all the steps, or you’re like me and sometimes forget that last stretch and fold because your toddler is trying to pull an all nighter – this bread turns out great! Plus, it fits perfectly into your evening routine, right between loading the dishwasher and getting the kids to bed.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here

Let’s Gather Our Ingredients For Simple Sourdough

For two lovely loaves (for two occasions):

• 950g all-purpose flour (I use organic)
• 200g active sourdough starter (as long as it’s bubbly, we’re good)
• 650g filtered water (I highly suggest the best water you can find)
• 20g salt (about 1.5 tablespoons for my “eyeball it” friends)

What You’ll Need

Just the basics:

• A big mixing bowl
• Kitchen scale (bread likes to be weighed, grab my scales here)
• 2 proofing baskets (or bowls lined with well-floured kitchen towels)
• Dutch oven (I use a bread oven, find mine here)
• Some flour for dusting
• Parchment paper if using a regular dutch, to lift the bread out

The Evening Routine (Or: How to Make Bread While Getting Kids to Bed)

Starting Out

Here’s what I do while wrangling my evening routine:

1. Mix flour, water, and starter in a bowl (I weigh the ingredients in the bowl adding one at a time)
2. Cover it up and let it rest while you’re cleaning up dinner (this lets the flour adsorb the water)

The Famous Stretch and Folds

Okay, here’s a secret – you really only need one good stretch and fold, though I try for three when I can:

• First one: After the kids are in bed
• Second one: Before my shower (if I’m lucky!)
• Third one: Right before I head to bed

But honestly? Some of my best loaves happened when I only managed one! No stress, friends – this bread is super forgiving.

The Long Rest

Let your dough sleep in! Leave it covered on the counter overnight. It’ll do its thing while you do yours (aka sleeping!).

Tip: If your kitchen is cold, the dough may need a little longer to proof.

Morning Shape-Up

After your morning coffee (priorities!):

1. Plop the dough onto a floured surface
2. Cut it in half (doesn’t have to be perfect)
3. Shape into rounds
4. Pop them in your proofing baskets
5. Stick them in the fridge

Here’s the best part – your dough can hang out in the fridge anywhere from 4 hours to 4 days! I’ve definitely gone longer, and it was still delicious, but let’s keep that between us.

Ready to Bake? Here’s How!

Before I start dinner I will bake the bread, so it will cool while im cooking dinner, depending on what I am cooking. But its as easy as just grabbing her from the fridge and shes ready to go.

1. Heat your oven to 500°F with your Dutch oven inside (sometimes I forgot this step and the bread turns out the same)
2. Take your dough out of the fridge
3. Score the top (fancy designs optional!)
4. Carefully put it in the hot pot (If using a dutch line with parchment paper)
5. Bake covered for 20 minutes
6. Lower heat to 450°F
7. Another 17-20 minutes uncovered until it’s golden and gorgeous

I love the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Bread Oven. Here is the link for the same pan. This pan traps in the moisture giving a soft crust and no need for parchment paper. It leaves the Le Creuset stamp in the bottom of the bread which I think it super cute.

Friendly Tips From My Kitchen to Yours

• Don’t stress about perfect timing – this bread is super chill
• One stretch and fold is way better than none
• Your starter just needs to be bubbly – no need for perfection (I’ve used hungry stater and it still worked)
• The overnight rise is super forgiving (oversleep? no problem!)
• Forgot a step? Keep going! This bread is basically foolproof

You know what’s amazing? Even when you think you’ve messed everything up, this bread still turns out.

Remember, bread is a lot like life – it doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful. Some of my favorite loaves have been the “whoops, I forgot about that” ones that still turned out incredible.

So go on, give it a try! And when you pull that gorgeous loaf out of the oven, snap a picture and pat yourself on the back. You just made sourdough bread!

Happy baking, friends! Can’t wait to hear how your bread turns out!