There’s nothing better than homemade pizza, especially when you can transform leftover sourdough discard into something truly delicious. The first time I made Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza, I wanted a crust that was thick, airy, and crispy around the edges without spending all day making dough. The result was even better than I expected.

The fluffy focaccia base, melted mozzarella, savory pepperoni, juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, and fragrant rosemary created a pizza everyone kept reaching for. Now Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza is one of my favorite ways to use sourdough discard while serving a comforting homemade meal that’s perfect for family dinners, game nights, or casual gatherings.

Ingredients for Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza

This Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza starts with a soft, airy focaccia dough that’s topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, juicy cherry tomatoes, herbs, and Parmesan before baking until beautifully golden.

Ingredient Notes

• Sourdough Discard: Unfed sourdough discard adds a mild tangy flavor while helping reduce food waste. Since the dough also contains yeast, you don’t need an active starter.

• Bread Flour: Bread flour creates the chewy, airy texture that gives focaccia its signature open crumb and sturdy pizza base.

• Warm Water: Warm water hydrates the dough and activates the yeast, helping the focaccia rise beautifully.

• Instant Yeast: Provides a dependable rise, ensuring a light, fluffy crust with large air pockets.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil keeps the crumb tender while creating the crisp, golden edges that make focaccia pizza so irresistible.

• Pizza Sauce: A light layer of pizza sauce adds classic flavor without making the crust soggy.

• Fresh Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella melts into creamy pockets that perfectly complement the airy focaccia.

• Pepperoni: Adds savory, slightly spicy flavor and crisps beautifully during baking, just like the pizza in the photo.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes roast until sweet and juicy, adding freshness and vibrant color.

• Parmesan Cheese: A light sprinkle of Parmesan creates a rich, nutty finish and enhances the golden crust.

• Fresh Rosemary: Rosemary adds a fragrant, savory flavor that pairs wonderfully with the olive oil and tomatoes.

• Fresh Basil: Scatter fresh basil over the pizza after baking for a bright, fresh finish.

With these simple ingredients, you’ll create Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza that’s crispy on the outside, soft and airy inside, and loaded with fresh, flavorful toppings perfect for any pizza night.

How to Make Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza

Making Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza is easier than making traditional pizza. The dough comes together with minimal effort, rises until light and airy, then bakes into a thick focaccia crust with crispy edges and gooey melted cheese.

1. Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• Sourdough discard
• Warm water
• Bread flour
• Instant yeast
• Salt
• Olive oil

Mix until no dry flour remains and a soft, sticky dough forms.

Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 20 minutes.

2. Stretch and Fold

• With lightly oiled hands, gently stretch one side of the dough upward and fold it toward the center.

• Rotate the bowl and repeat until you’ve folded all four sides.

• Cover and let the dough rest for 30 minutes, then repeat one more set of stretch-and-folds.

3. Let the Dough Rise

• Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 1½ to 2 hours, or until it has nearly doubled in size.

• The dough should look puffy and full of air bubbles.

4. Shape the Focaccia

• Generously oil a 9×13-inch baking pan.

• Transfer the dough into the pan and gently stretch it toward the edges. If it shrinks back, let it rest for 10 minutes before stretching again.

• Cover and let the dough rise for another 45 to 60 minutes.

5. Add the Toppings

• Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

• Drizzle a little olive oil over the dough and press deep dimples into the surface with your fingertips.

• Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the dough.

Top evenly with:

• Fresh mozzarella
• Pepperoni slices
• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh rosemary
• Grated Parmesan

6. Bake Until Golden

• Bake for 22 to 28 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown, the cheese is bubbly, and the pepperoni is lightly crisp.

• Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately garnish with fresh basil.

• Allow it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Variations of Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza

One of the best things about Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza is how easy it is to customize with your favorite toppings.

• Swap the pepperoni for cooked Italian sausage, grilled chicken, or crispy bacon.

• Add vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, caramelized onions, olives, or spinach for extra flavor and texture.

• You can also make it vegetarian by loading it with roasted vegetables and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan.

• If you enjoy bold flavors, finish the pizza with hot honey, crushed red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of garlic herb oil just before serving.

What to Serve With Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza

This thick, airy pizza pairs perfectly with both fresh salads and comforting side dishes.

• Serve Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza with Tomato Salad with Arugula and Bacon for a fresh, peppery side that balances the rich cheese and pepperoni.

• For a comforting meal, pair it with Crockpot Sweet Potato Soup. The creamy soup complements the crispy focaccia crust and makes a satisfying lunch or dinner.

• For sourdough lovers, Sourdough Discard Focaccia Bread is another excellent way to use extra discard. Together, these recipes create a delicious homemade bread collection for every occasion.

Other delicious serving ideas include:

• Caesar salad
• Italian chopped salad
• Garlic roasted vegetables
• Minestrone soup
• Tomato basil soup
• Marinated olives
• Antipasto platter
• Fresh fruit salad
• Sparkling lemonade
• Iced tea

Whether you’re making it for pizza night, a casual gathering, or a family dinner, Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza is guaranteed to impress. The thick, airy crust, crispy edges, gooey mozzarella, and flavorful toppings make every slice feel like it came from an artisan bakery.

How to Store Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza

This Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza stores surprisingly well, making it perfect for leftovers, meal prep, or quick lunches throughout the week.

• Allow the pizza to cool completely before placing the slices in an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• For the best texture, reheat the pizza in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes or in an air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes. This keeps the focaccia crust crispy while melting the cheese again.

• You can also freeze individual slices. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best flavor and texture.

This Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza combines everything you love about homemade focaccia and classic pizza into one irresistible recipe. The thick, airy crust, crispy olive oil edges, gooey mozzarella, savory pepperoni, sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, and fragrant herbs create a bakery-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make.

Whether you’re looking for a creative way to use leftover sourdough discard, planning a family pizza night, or serving guests, this recipe delivers incredible flavor with simple ingredients. After one bite of this homemade Sourdough Discard Focaccia Pizza, it’s sure to earn a permanent place in your sourdough recipe collection.

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