Learn to Bake Sourdough
Let’s bake some bloody good bread.
Your first loaf or your fiftieth, there’s always something to learn. Find starter instructions, recipes and practical help here. If your starter or kit has just arrived, begin with the matching guide below.
Where would you like to start?
My sourdough starter or kit has arrived
Identify what you received, understand your tools and follow the complete path to your first loaf.
Start the guide →My gluten-free starter or kit has arrived
Activate your starter, check the kit instructions and use the recipe developed for your flour.
Start the gluten-free guide →I’m ready to bake
Check that your starter is at peak rise, then choose a recipe that suits your flour.
Choose your first recipe →I need a hand
Get help with feeding, fermentation and those “is this normal?” moments.
Find baking help →Starter and kit instructions
Traditional grain and gluten-free starters behave differently. Start with the guide that matches what you received.
- Sourdough starter and sourdough kit guide
- Gluten-free starter and sourdough kit guide
- Live sourdough starter instructions
- Dehydrated sourdough starter activation
- Activating and feeding your gluten-free starter
- Ongoing starter care and feeding
Baking calculators
Handy tools to help plan your next bake, from feeding your starter through to mixing your dough.
Starter Peak Calculator
Estimate when your fed starter may reach its peak using feeding ratio, temperature and flour.
Sourdough Loaf Calculator
Plan flour, water, starter and salt quantities for your next loaf.
Dough Temperature Calculator
Work out a practical water temperature to help reach your desired dough temperature.
Ready to bake?
Before mixing your dough, learn how to tell when your sourdough starter is ready to bake with. Use digital scales and note the temperature as you go.
- Beginner sourdough recipe: a practical starting point for a wheat loaf.
- Browse traditional sourdough recipes, including rye.
- Browse gluten-free recipes and choose one developed for your flour.
- Use the sourdough hydration calculator to plan your quantities.
A little help along the way
Every bake is an opportunity to learn. These guides help you understand what is happening and what to try next.
- Is my starter ready? Rise, bubbles, aroma and timing
- Why does my sourdough starter rise and fall?
- Bulk fermentation: watch the dough, not just the clock
- Which gluten-free flour should I use?
- Sourdough FAQs and help
- How to create your own sourdough starter
The Bloody Good Bread Blog
Our tips and guides explain what happens in your jar and dough, with practical advice for bakers of all experience levels.
Explore The Bloody Good Bread Blog: sourdough tips and guides
Still unsure? Get in touch for a hand with your bake.