My Favorite Sourdough Baking Supplies

If we haven’t met yet, hi, I’m a little bit obsessed with sourdough. There’s just something magical about turning flour, water, and salt into a crackly, golden loaf that makes your whole kitchen smell like a bakery. Over the years, I’ve collected a handful of tools that make my baking days easier, more consistent, and honestly, more fun.

Note: Some of the links below may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I only share tools I truly love and use in my own kitchen.

1. Digital Kitchen Scale

If you buy only one sourdough tool, make it a digital kitchen scale. Sourdough is all about ratios and hydration levels, and measuring by weight instead of cups is the difference between guesswork and reliable results. I use my scale for everything: feeding my starter, mixing dough, and even dividing loaves so they bake evenly. Once you switch to weighing your ingredients, you won’t want to go back.

Find a reliable digital kitchen scale here: Digital Kitchen Scale

2. Banneton Proofing Baskets (Round & Oval)

Those beautiful floury rings you see on artisan loaves? That’s the magic of a banneton. I like to keep both a round and an oval basket on hand so I can switch up the look and shape of my loaves. Banneton baskets support the dough during its final rise, helping it keep its structure and develop a lovely pattern and crust. They’re especially helpful with higher-hydration doughs that like to spread out.

Check out my favorite banneton options: Bannetons

3. Dutch Oven (Lodge or Similar)

A heavy Dutch oven is basically a mini steam oven for your bread, and it’s one of the biggest game-changers for home bakers. Preheating the pot and then baking your loaf inside traps steam, which helps the dough rise high and creates that beautiful, blistered crust. I use a sturdy, no-frills Dutch oven (a Lodge-style one) that lives in my oven most of the time, just waiting for the next bake.

See a solid Dutch oven option here:Affordable Dutch Oven

4. Bread Lame (Scoring Tool)

Scoring your dough isn’t just for looks—it gives the bread a controlled place to expand in the oven. Before I had a bread lame, I tried using a regular knife and always ended up with ragged cuts and weird blowouts. A proper lame has a super sharp blade and is shaped to glide through the dough cleanly, helping you get those dramatic, ear-like edges on your loaves. It also makes me feel just a little bit like a professional baker every time I use it.

Grab a simple, reliable bread lame: Cutest Bread Lame

5. Bench Scraper

My bench scraper might be the hardest-working tool in my sourdough toolkit. I use it to clean sticky dough off the counter, divide dough into portions, and gently shape loaves without over-handling them. It’s also perfect for scraping up bits of dough and flour when you’re done, making cleanup so much faster. Once you start using a bench scraper, you’ll wonder how you ever baked without one.

You can find a great bench scraper here: Bench Scrapers

6. Large Glass Jar or Bowl for Starter

Your sourdough starter is basically a tiny pet, and it deserves a good home. I like using a large glass jar or clear bowl so I can easily see the bubbles, rise, and activity. Glass is easy to clean, doesn’t absorb odors, and makes it simple to mark the starter’s level with a rubber band so you can watch how much it grows after each feeding. A wide mouth is a bonus—it makes stirring and feeding less of a mess.

Here’s a good glass jar option for your starter: Starter Jars

7. Parchment Paper

Parchment paper seems like such a simple thing, but it makes loading your dough into a screaming-hot Dutch oven so much easier (and safer). I shape my loaf, let it finish proofing on a piece of parchment, and then use the paper like a little sling to lower the dough into the pot. It also helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup painless. I always keep a roll dedicated just to bread baking.

Stock up on parchment paper here: Parchment Paper

8. Bread Sling

A bread sling is an innovative baking tool designed to help you easily transport your dough from prep to oven. Made from durable, heat-resistant materials, it features a flexible, wide surface that allows you to lift and transfer your shaped loaf without the mess typically associated with traditional methods. The non-stick surface ensures your dough comes away cleanly, while the sturdy handles provide a secure grip. This handy tool not only streamlines the baking process but also enhances your overall bread-making experience, making it more enjoyable and less stressful.

Browse one of my favorite sourdough books here:Bread Slings

9. Danish Dough Whisk (Bread Whisk)

If you’ve ever tried mixing a stiff sourdough dough with a regular spoon or spatula, you know the struggle. A Danish dough whisk is a total game-changer for the shaggy dough stage—that satisfying moment when you first bring flour and water together before any kneading begins. Its open, looped wire design cuts right through the dough without trapping it, so mixing is fast and effortless. It’s also surprisingly easy to clean compared to a traditional whisk or your bare hands. Best of all, the gentle action helps you incorporate your ingredients thoroughly without overworking the gluten too early. It’s a simple, inexpensive tool that earns its spot in the drawer every single bake.

Shop my favorite Danish dough whisk here: Dough Whisk

What Are Your Favorite Sourdough Tools?

These are the tools I reach for again and again, the ones that have earned a permanent spot in my sourdough routine. But every baker has their own must-haves, and I’d love to hear about yours. Do you have a favorite tool I didn’t mention, or a clever hack that makes your baking days easier?

Share your favorite sourdough supplies, tips, or questions in the comments—I can’t wait to see what you’re baking!