Ingredients
- 100g Active sourdough starter (fed and bubbly)
- 375g Bread flour
- 75g Whole wheat flour
- 350g Warm water (divided: 330g + 20g)
- 10g Fine sea salt
- 50g Mixed seeds (e.g., flaxseeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds)
Instructions
1. Mix & Autolyse
- In a large bowl, whisk together 100g active starter and 330g warm water until combined.
- Add 375g bread flour and 75g whole wheat flour. Mix with your hands until no dry flour remains.
- Cover the bowl and let it rest for 30–45 minutes (autolyse).
2. Add Salt & Seeds
- Sprinkle 10g salt and the remaining 20g water over the dough. Dimple and press the salt into the dough, then fold it over itself until fully incorporated.
- Add 50g mixed seeds and fold the dough repeatedly until the seeds are evenly distributed.
3. Bulk Fermentation & Stretch/Folds
- Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature.
- Over the next 2 hours, perform 4 sets of stretch-and-folds spaced 30 minutes apart:
- Wet your hands, grab one side of the dough, stretch it upward, and fold it over the top.
- Rotate the bowl 90 degrees and repeat for all 4 sides.
- After the final fold, let the dough rest covered until it increases in size by about 50–70% and shows light air bubbles on top (approx. 3–5 hours depending on room temperature).
4. Shape & Final Proof
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently stretch and roll it into a tight oval shape (batard).
- Transfer the dough seam-side up into a oval banneton basket lined with a floured cloth.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator to cold ferment for 12 to 16 hours (overnight).
5. Score & Bake
- Place a Dutch oven with its lid inside your oven and preheat to 230°C (450°F) for at least 45 minutes.
- Turn the chilled dough out onto a piece of parchment paper.
- Using a razor blade or sharp knife, make 2 or 3 long diagonal slashes across the top.
- Carefully transfer the parchment paper with the dough into the preheated Dutch oven.
- Cover with the lid and bake for 20 minutes (with steam/lid on).
- Remove the lid, reduce heat to 210°C (410°F), and bake uncovered for another 20–25 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely for at least 1–2 hours before slicing.


