Lammas, or Lughnasadh, marks the beginning of the grain harvest and invites us to honor abundance & gratitude. While the traditional celebration centers on baking bread, I’ve found that waffles, especially these tangy, herby sourdough waffles, carry the spirit of Lammas beautifully. It matters not whether you enjoy them for breakfast (we do!) or pair them with grilled chicken for a harvest supper (we do that too!), these waffles are a delicious way to celebrate the turning of the wheel.
Kitchen Witch Ritual
Before you begin, take a quiet moment to thank the land, your starter, and your own hands for their part in this magic. As you stir your herbs into the sponge, speak your intention aloud:
“May this bread nourish my home with abundance, gratitude, and joy. Blessed be this harvest.”
Why Waffles for Lammas
Bread is bread. Waffles are simply another form of bread, golden and festive, and perfect for a first harvest celebration.
Fermentation magic. Using a living sourdough starter honors the tradition of working with wild year and the patient transformation of grain.
Herbs for abundance. Adding garden herbs brings the spirit of the season and ties your waffles to the garden and the field.
The magic begins: sourdough sponge alive with garden herbs, ready to rest overnight.
Savory Herb Blend
My favorite blend for Lammas (and what you see in these photos):
1/2 tsp rubbed sage
1 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp powdered rosemary
1/2 tsp thyme
Stir into your overnight sponge and let the magic infuse as it rests.
Lammas Sourdough Waffles
Lammas Herbed Sourdough Waffles are golden, crispy waffles infused with garden herbs and made with sourdough starter—perfect for celebrating the first harvest. Enjoy these tangy, savory waffles on their own, with honey or butter, or as the base for a magical chicken and waffles Lammas feast. Includes ritual tips and kitchen witchery to honor the abundance of the season.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together your sourdough discard, flour, sugar, buttermilk, and savory herb blend (all of it!). Cover and let rest at room temperature at least 10 hours, or overnight.
Waffles
Add your eggs, oil, salt, and baking soda to the overnight sponge and stir well. It will start to bubble.
Make waffles according to the iron manufacturer's instructions.
Serve immediately OR let cool and freezer for a much tastier version of frozen waffles (so much better than store-bought).
Notes
Serving Suggestions:
Classic: With a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or herbed butter
Lammas Feast: Topped with grilled chicken (using my go to chicken marinade), with a little honey or hot honey
Harvest Board: Serve alongside fresh fruit, garden tomatoes, or a summer salad
Sage Element of Air • Wisdom • Protection
Clears negative energy, invites wisdom, and blesses your kitchen with clarity and calm.
Rosemary Element of Fire • Remembrance • Abundance
Strengthens memory, encourages abundance, and protects the home with its bright, piney energy.
Thyme Element of Water • Courage • Luck
Inspires courage and good fortune, helping dreams (and bread!) rise beautifully.
Marjoram Element of Air • Joy • Harmony
Welcomes happiness and harmony to your hearth, bringing gentle, joyful energy to every gathering.
As you mix your batter, pause to stir in gratitude and a wish for abundance with each herb. This is Lammas magic—nourishing body and spirit with every bite.
Harvest supper, kitchen witch style: savory sourdough waffles topped with marinated chicken and a touch of honey.
Gratitude
As you sit down to eat, invite everyone at the table to speak a word of gratitude, or simply take a breath to feel the abundance in front of you. Lammas is about noticing the harvest, no matter how big or small.
Magical Ingredients
Magical Ingredients
Sage
Rosemary
Thyme
Marjoram
