Sourdough Croissant Bread

Sourdough Croissant Bread – A Match Made in Baking Heaven

Sourdough Croissant Bread combines the flaky, buttery essence of traditional croissants with the tangy, fermented depth of sourdough bread. This delightful hybrid is more than a baking experiment—it’s a nutrient-rich, flavorful loaf. Thanks to fermentation, this bread is easier on digestion and delivers a wholesome profile of protein and healthy fats. Perfect for breakfasts, lunches, or indulgent snacks, Sourdough Croissant Bread fits right into your healthy recipe repertoire.

Why I Started Easy EmpiRecipes

When I started working at my company, eating at the on-site restaurant was just part of my routine. But that changed the day I had to inspect the kitchen. What I found—rats, unwashed produce, and questionable conditions—was appalling. That discovery pushed me to start preparing my lunches. What began as a necessity grew into a passion for easy recipes that are clean, fast, and full of flavor. And that’s why Easy EmpiRecipes was born: to help others enjoy healthy, homemade meals without the fuss.

 If you love this recipe, try another enriched sourdough recipe like my Cornmeal Pancakes or make my Matcha Pancakes Recipe that is based on this recipe!

Why Will You Love Sourdough Croissant Bread?

Sourdough Croissant Bread is everything you want in a loaf: flaky, rich, and packed with tangy sourdough flavor. It’s ideal for toast, sandwiches, or simply enjoying warm from the oven. You’ll love how the layers puff up golden brown while staying soft inside. And the best part? It feels indulgent but fits right into your healthy recipes list—fermented, low-sugar, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients and Quantities for Sourdough Croissant Bread

• 500g bread flour – for structure and chewiness
• 120g levain – active and bubbly sourdough starter blend
• 340g water – helps develop gluten and hydration
• 10g salt – enhances flavor and balances fermentation
• 113g cold unsalted butter – creates buttery, flaky layers

Keep your sourdough starter fresh and active to get that signature tang and airy crumb. Want to get creative? Try folding in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit. Need more inspiration? Explore our Sourdough Discard Bagels for more sourdough-based baking ideas.

Sourdough Croissant Bread

• Author: Julie
• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 3 days (including fermentation)
• Yield: 1 loaf 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Fusion

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Description

Sourdough Croissant Bread combines flaky croissant texture with tangy sourdough depth, offering a nourishing, indulgent loaf perfect for any meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 500g bread flour
• 120g active bubbly levain
• 340g water
• 10g salt
• 113g cold unsalted butter, grated

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Instructions

1. Prepare levain the night before baking.
2. Mix flour, water, levain, and salt until combined.
3. Let dough rest 30 minutes, then perform first stretch and fold.
4. On second and third folds, incorporate grated cold butter evenly.
5. Complete four total stretch-and-fold rounds, 30 minutes apart.
6. Shape dough and place in a banneton or towel-lined bowl.
7. Refrigerate overnight.
8. Preheat oven to 425°F with Dutch oven inside.
9. Transfer cold dough to Dutch oven and bake until golden and crisp, about 35-40 minutes.

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Notes

Keep dough temperature between 70–72°F to prevent butter melting. For variations, fold in chocolate chips, nuts, or ham before shaping.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 15mg

Essential Utensils for Sourdough Croissant Bread Baking

Sourdough Croissant Bread requires just a few essential tools: a large mixing bowl, a Dutch oven, a grater for the butter, and a bench scraper. A kitchen thermometer helps monitor dough temperature, which is key for lamination success. You’ll also need a banneton or a bowl lined with a towel for proofing. These basics ensure your croissant-style loaf bakes up beautifully every time.

How to Prepare Sourdough Croissant Bread

Sourdough Croissant Bread takes time but rewards your patience with bakery-level results. Start by preparing your levain the night before. The next day, mix the dough and allow it to rest. Perform four rounds of stretch-and-folds, adding grated butter during the second and third rounds. Shape the dough and let it rest overnight in the refrigerator. Finally, bake in a preheated Dutch oven at 425°F until golden brown and crispy. Want more fermented bakes? Check out our Sourdough Discard Bagels Recipe for another hands-off prep idea.

Substitutions and Exchanges for Sourdough Croissant Bread

Sourdough Croissant Bread is forgiving. Swap bread flour with all-purpose flour, but reduce water by 20g to adjust hydration. Out of levain? Use an equal amount of bubbly sourdough starter. You can substitute salted butter if that’s what you have on hand, just reduce the added salt slightly. For a dairy-free version, use a high-fat vegan butter that stays solid at room temp. These swaps allow flexibility without sacrificing flavor or texture.

What to Serve with Sourdough Croissant Bread

Sourdough Croissant Bread pairs beautifully with sweet and savory sides. Enjoy it toasted with jam or nut butter for breakfast, or use it for gourmet sandwiches at lunch. Serve slices with a bowl of hearty soup or dip them into olive oil and herbs for a rustic appetizer. For weekend brunches, transform it into French toast—its buttery crumb soaks up the egg mixture perfectly. It’s as versatile as your cravings.

Discovering the Recipe: A Happy Accident with Butter and Dough

Sourdough Croissant Bread began as an experiment. While grating butter for another recipe, the idea struck—what if this rich ingredient was folded into sourdough? The result was better than imagined: a loaf with crisp, golden layers and deep fermented flavor. This wasn’t just a new texture—it was a new tradition. The joy of discovery is why recipes like Chip Sourdough Bagels also found a place in our kitchen routines.

Viral Sensation: Why This Recipe Took the Sourdough World by Storm

Sourdough Croissant Bread quickly became a hit on social media. The stunning layers, the rich crust, the tangy scent—bakers couldn’t get enough. Videos of the pull-apart texture went viral. But it’s not just a visual win. Home bakers loved the balance of soft interior and crisp crust. It’s a step up from regular loaves and doesn’t require lamination like traditional croissants. It’s also a perfect way to repurpose sourdough starter for creative, healthy recipes.

Fermentation Timeline: The 3-Day Sourdough Schedule

Sourdough Croissant Bread follows a simple three-day process. Day one is for mixing the levain and letting it ferment overnight. Day two is dedicated to mixing the dough, stretching and folding, and shaping. The dough then rests in the fridge overnight. On day three, bake straight from cold into a hot Dutch oven. This schedule is flexible for working bakers and aligns well with make-ahead recipes. If you’re already meal prepping, this fits right in.

Butter Layering: How to Keep It Flaky, Not Greasy

Sourdough Croissant Bread depends on keeping the butter cold and layered, not melted into the dough. Grate frozen butter and add it during the second and third stretch-and-fold rounds. Keep the dough at 70–72ºF; warmer than that, and the butter will melt, ruining the texture. Chill the dough if it starts warming up. This layering technique creates those signature croissant-style pockets without traditional lamination, giving you an easier path to bakery-style results at home.

Sweet or Savory: Chocolate Chips, Ham, or Almond Inclusions

Sourdough Croissant Bread is delicious on its own, but add-ins can transform it into a gourmet treat. For a sweet twist, fold in 200g of semi-sweet chocolate chips before the final stretch-and-fold for a pain au chocolat vibe. Savory fans can try thinly sliced ham and shredded cheese or a smear of almond paste. Keep additions evenly distributed by gently folding them in without breaking the dough structure. One recipe, endless variations.

Dietary Tweaks: Making It Gluten-Free or Dairy-Free

Sourdough Croissant Bread can be adapted for dietary needs. For gluten-free, use a trusted 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, though results may differ slightly in structure. Add a binder like psyllium husk to improve texture. For dairy-free versions, choose a plant-based butter that stays firm at cool room temperature. Be sure to monitor dough temperature carefully, as vegan butters may soften quicker. These swaps allow nearly anyone to enjoy this flavorful loaf.

Storing and Freezing Sourdough Croissant Bread

Sourdough Croissant Bread stays fresh for 2–3 days at room temperature in an airtight container. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread in a zip-top bag. Toast slices straight from the freezer for a buttery, crispy finish. If you bake regularly, freezing extra loaves saves time and reduces food waste, just like our approach with Banana Bread Bagel with Cinnamon Crunch. Whether meal prepping or saving leftovers, this bread holds up well in storage.

Best Ways to Serve: Toast, Sandwich, or French Toast?

Sourdough Croissant Bread is versatile. For breakfast, toast it and slather it with almond butter or jam. Use it for upscale sandwiches with turkey, arugula, and mustard. Or turn it into decadent French toast—its rich crumb soaks up custard beautifully. It’s also a great pairing with soups, salads, or charcuterie boards. However you slice it, this bread brings buttery comfort to every plate.

Why Sourdough Croissant Bread Belongs in Your Baking Repertoire

Sourdough Croissant Bread merges flavor, function, and simplicity in one gorgeous loaf. With minimal tools and a few pantry ingredients, you can make bakery-quality bread right at home. Its flaky texture, sourdough tang, and recipe flexibility make it ideal for daily use or special occasions. If you enjoy sourdough projects and crave quick meals with real ingredients, this recipe is for you. Add it to your list of comfort classics today.

FAQ on Sourdough Croissant Bread