How To Make A Sourdough Starter With Potato Flakes

If you have had issues trying to make your own starter with sourdough, a potato flake sourdough starter may be just up your alley!

A potato flake starter is much easier to make, plus quicker, and adds a ton of flavor to your bread recipe!

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This method is BEGINNER FRIENDLY and only requires a few basic ingredients. Another plus is that a potato flake starter is easier to maintain and is very forgiving.

What is a Potato Flake Starter?

A potato flake starter is made with instant potatoes, sugar, yeast, and water. This mixture ferments to make the wild yeast or natural yeast that will make your dough rise.

This type of starter is different from a traditional sourdough starter in that is doesn’t require a lot of time to “mature” and be ready to use in your bread recipes.

You may have heard of an “Amish Friendship Bread Starters” which is a similar method of making a quick starter for making bread. The original Amish Friendship Bread Starter uses milk instead of instant potatoes.

You can use your potato flake starter in the same ways you would use yeast or a sourdough starter.

Why you’ll love this type of starter?

• Beginner Friendly – Making a potato flake starter is incredibly easy and uses basic and simple ingredients. Part of the reason why people love this type of starter is that it is so easy to start! If you have not had good luck with sourdough, this may just be the best alternative!
• Low Maintenance – The feeding schedule for a potato flake starter is very flexible which makes the maintenance much easier than traditional sourdough starters. The potato starter is perfect for those making a starter for the first time.
• Great for making Bread – Sandwich bread made with a potato flake starter is soft, fluffy, and so delicious. There is a milder flavor than the tangy flavor of a traditional starter so it will appeal to those who prefer a yeastier flavor of bread.
• Can be shared – Like a traditional starter, you can share your potato flake starter with friends and family.
• Quick to Make – Instead of weeks, your potato flake starter will be ready to use in just 2-3 days!

Ingredients you will need to make this starter recipe

• Instant Potato Flakes – Make sure to get unflavored, original potato flakes.
• Warm Water – Warm your water to between 95-105 degrees F.
• Active Dry Yeast – You only need commercial yeast for first feeding.
• Sugar – 1/3 cup of sugar for each feeding.

Equipment you will need for making the starter

• Glass jar with loose lid – I use a wide mouth mason jar.
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spoon/Whisk

How to make a Potato Flake Sourdough Starter

Day 1

Mix the starter

• Warm 1 cup water to 95-105 degrees F.
• In a glass jar, add 4 tablespoons potato flakes, 2 tsp yeast, and 1/3 cup sugar.
• Pour the warm water into the jar and mix well until completely combined.
• Lay the lid on top loosely or cover with a coffee filter and place a rubberband around the rim.
• Allow this mixture to ferment on the counter at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Day 3

Feed the starter

• On day 3, feed the starter 1 cup of warm water, 1/3 cup sugar, and 4 tbsp instant potato flakes.
• Mix until very well combined.
• Place lid on loosely and let the starter ferment on the counter 8-10 hours in a warm place after which you can place the starter in the fridge.

Potato Flake Starter Feeding Schedule

• Use 1 cup of bubbly starter for your bread recipe after it has fermented on the counter for 8 hours and before moving the starter to the fridge.
• After using the starter, you can store the remaining starter in the fridge until the next feeding.
• When ready to use again, remove the starter from the fridge and feed the starter 1 cup warm water, 4 tbsp potato flakes, and 1/3 cup sugar.
• Let the starter ferment for 6-8 hours and remove 1 cup to make your bread recipe.
• Continue this process each time you want to make bread with your potato flake starter.

MAKE SURE TO NOT TIGHTEN THE LID ON YOUR STARTER JAR. GASES NEED TO ESCAPE DURING FERMENTATION

How to Store your Potato Flake Starter

Store your starter in the refrigerator and feed once a week to keep it active.

Note: If you don’t use your starter one week, before feeding it, remove 1/2 of the starter to discard before feeding for your next recipe

How to Tell if you have an active potato flake sourdough starter

• Starter is bubbly
• Has a slightly tangy odor
• Became active after feeding
• Starter doubles after feeding in 6-8 hours

Differences Between Potato Flake Starter and Traditional Sourdough Starter

Troubleshooting your Potato Flake Starter

Recipes you can make with a Potato Flake Starter

Much like a traditional starter, you can make most any bread recipe with your new potato flake starter. Some examples are:

• Sandwich Bread
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Dinner Rolls
• Sweet Bread

Check out more of my Sourdough articles!

• HOW TO MAKE A SOURDOUGH STARTER
• MAINTAINING A STARTER IN THE FRIDGE
• THE EASIEST, BEGINNER SOURDOUGH ARTISAN BREAD
• SOURDOUGH DINNER ROLLS

If you make this starter and love it, please consider giving it 5 stars! Also, tag me on Instagram: @the_rose_homestead