Easy Sourdough Flaky Croissants (Printable)

Flaky, buttery croissants with tangy sourdough flavor and a crisp, golden crust made with an overnight rise.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons bread flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
04 - 1 cup whole milk, cold
05 - 1/2 cup active sourdough starter at 100% hydration
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Butter Block

07 - 18 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold

→ Egg Wash

08 - 1 large egg
09 - 1 tablespoon milk

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine bread flour, sugar, and salt. Add cold milk, sourdough starter, and softened butter. Mix until just combined, then knead until smooth and elastic, approximately 8 minutes.
02 - Shape dough into a rectangle, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
03 - Place cold butter between two sheets of parchment paper. Pound and roll into an 8 by 6 inch rectangle. Chill until firm but pliable.
04 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 16 by 8 inch rectangle. Position butter block on one half, fold dough over, and seal edges firmly.
05 - Turn dough 90 degrees and roll into a 24 by 8 inch rectangle. Fold into thirds using a letter fold technique, wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
06 - Repeat the rolling and folding process two additional times, refrigerating for 1 hour between each turn. After the final fold, wrap and refrigerate overnight for 8 to 12 hours.
07 - Roll chilled dough to a 24 by 12 inch rectangle, approximately 3/16 inch thick. Cut into 12 long triangles using a sharp knife.
08 - Starting from the wide end of each triangle, roll tightly into a crescent shape, tucking the tip underneath. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
09 - Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and proof at room temperature until doubled in volume, approximately 2 to 3 hours.
10 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk together egg and milk, then brush lightly over croissants. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Cool briefly before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Deep, complex flavor from the overnight sourdough fermentation
  • Incredibly flaky, buttery layers that rival any bakery
  • Perfect balance of tangy sourdough and rich butter
  • Makes 12 croissants, ideal for sharing or freezing
  • Impressive yet achievable with clear, step-by-step guidance
02 -
  • Use high-quality European-style butter (82% fat) for the richest flavor and best lamination
  • Keep your sourdough starter active and bubbly for optimal rise and tang
  • Roll the dough evenly to ensure uniform layers throughout
  • Don't rush the proofing—properly proofed croissants will be noticeably puffy and jiggle slightly when moved
  • Bake until deeply golden for the crispiest, most flavorful crust
  • If your kitchen is warm, chill your rolling pin and work surface to keep the butter from melting
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