Sourdough Baking for the Neurodivergent

"I would love to try it, but I have ADHD! I could never make sourdough. I would kill my starter!"

I cannot tell you how often I hear this when people find out I bake my own bread. Here's a little secret...I do too! I've wrapped up a few tips and strategies that have helped me be successful with breadbaking, so you can do it too!

Keep your sourdough starter in sight

People with ADHD have the tendency to hide things from ourselves, then forget about them. Choose a special spot in your kitchen for your starter's home, so you see it every day. Get a special little wood platform or cute riser to set your jar on, so it becomes a functional part of your decor.

Set a schedule

Choose what time you'd like to feed your starter and correlate it with a daily action. If you make coffee every morning, make feeding part of your routine: Start the pot, then feed your starter right away. If you would prefer to feed at night, do it right after you brush your teeth. Choose whatever works for you!

Set an alarm

There's no shame in a daily reminder! An alarm on your phone or smarthome device if you have one works wonders.

Move it to the fridge

Hyperfixation followed by boredom are an ADHD hallmark. One of the lovely things about sourdough is the ability to pause anytime. Simply move your starter to the refrigerator and it'll be waiting for you when you're ready to start baking again. Just seal it tightly. I've personally revived fridge starters after 6 months in the fridge, and it only took one day. If you ever get sick or just can't mentally handle another task, there's nothing to worry about.

Start with early wins

I get it. You want to start a new hobby, but get frustrated if you aren't immediately good at it. By beginning with our Yeast Coast Sourdough Superstarter kits, you skip the frustration of trying to create your own sourdough starter from scratch, a task which takes weeks. Each kit includes full instructions designed by me - a person with ADHD - to get you baking sooner. Plus, my tried and true sourdough bread recipe so your first loaf is a success. 

Bake around your schedule

One of the things I love about sourdough over commercially yeasted breads is the flexibility. You can leave your loaf to bulk ferment while you are out of the house, come home and shape it, then cold proof it in the refrigerator for 6-48 hours. This creates tons of room to do that thing you forgot you had to do today. Your dough will be waiting to bake whenever you are.

Use a checklist

When I created my kits, I specifically wanted durable instruction and recipe cards so they would be fridge magnet-friendly, rather than having to go back to a website over and over. If you're using your own recipe, print a copy so you can mark and follow along if you tend to forget steps.

Follow video tutorials

If you prefer visual learning, there are countless instructional videos online you can watch and learn. I frequently post educational videos on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. I even frequently make videos from questions I receive, so reach out if there's anything I can help you with!

Enjoy the sensory experience

Okay, this one may be a mixed bag depending on the individual. For me, hand kneading the dough is incredibly therapeutic. I love the ritual of it, and having to slow down and do just ONE thing - because my hands are covered in dough and I can't touch anything else!

You can do it!!

I started Yeast Coast Sourdough to demystify the sourdough baking process. Baking doesn't have to be hard - everyone can do it. Let me help you make your first loaf!