Easy Gluten-Free Sourdough Starter

Creating your own gluten-free sourdough starter at home is easier than you think—and it’s the foundation for baking flavorful, naturally fermented gluten-free bread. This beginner-friendly guide walks you step-by-step through how to make, feed, and maintain a healthy gluten-free starter using simple ingredients. Unlike traditional sourdough, gluten-free starters require a slightly different approach, but the result is a bubbly, active starter that adds incredible depth of flavor and texture to your baking. Whether you’re new to sourdough or transitioning to gluten-free, this recipe sets you up for long-term success.

For this recipe, you just need a bag of the King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure flour, water, and a large mason jar. I recommend that you use a rubber spatula for mixing instead of a metal spoon. When covering your mason jar, you need to make sure that the cover is breathable, so opt for a cloth that you wash regularly or loosely cover with the mason jar lid.

What you'll need:

King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour

Water

Large Mason Jar

Cloth or Paper Towel

Rubber band

Rubber Spatula

Day 1: Combine 1 cup of flour and ¾ cup room temperature water in a large clean mason jar. Mix together and cover with a thin dish towel or paper towel. Set aside in a dark warm place.

Day 2-5: On each day, discard half of the starter and add ½ cup of flour and ⅓ cup room temperature water to the jar. Repeat.

Day 6 & 7: Discard half of the starter and feed with ⅓ cup flour and ¼ cup room temperature water. You will do this twice a day on both days.

Day 8: You are ready to bake!* 6-8 hours before you plan to use your starter, discard a portion of the starter and feed with ½ cup flour and ⅓ cup water. Once it has reached its peak in fermentation (you will see lots of bubbles), it will be ready to bake with!

Looking for a one stop shop for all of your sourdough making supplies? I have curated a Sourdough Starter Kit guide on my storefront to help you out** -->> Sourdough Starter Kit

To maintain your starter, feed it a little bit each day, or keep it in the fridge to slow fermentation until you are ready to use again!

*If your starter does not seem ready on Day 8, continue with 2 feeds a day until you get a consistent rise.

Recommended Sourdough Bread Tools

If you’re looking to build (or upgrade!) your sourdough baking kit, I’ve put together my favorite tools and essentials in my Amazon Storefront — including the perfect stuff for getting your starter bubbling and your loaves rising.

Check out my sourdough starter kit here: Gluten Free Sourdough Starter Kit

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