Troubleshooting
Sourdough Too Airy for Sandwiches? How to Get a Tighter Crumb
Big open holes are great for jam but terrible for soup and PB&J. Here's how to bake a soft, even, sandwich-friendly crumb.
To make sourdough with a tight, even crumb for sandwiches, lower the hydration, degas more during shaping, and bake in a loaf pan — the opposite of what you do for open artisan crumb. Big holes let fillings fall through; a uniform crumb holds sandwiches and soaks up soup without leaking.
Open crumb vs. sandwich crumb
| Open artisan crumb | Sandwich crumb |
|---|---|
| High hydration (75%+) | Lower hydration (65–70%) |
| Minimal degassing | Degas firmly |
| Baked free-form | Baked in a pan |
| Lean dough | Often enriched (milk/butter) |
How to tighten the crumb
- Lower hydration to 65–70%. Less water means a more uniform, closed structure.
- Degas during shaping. Press the dough flat and roll it tightly to push out the big bubbles. This is the opposite of gentle open-crumb shaping.
- Use a loaf pan. Pan walls force the dough up into an even, sandwich-shaped crumb.
- Add fat and a little sugar. A tablespoon of butter or oil and a teaspoon of honey make a softer, finer, sandwich-friendly crumb.
- Consider a little milk in place of some water for tenderness.
A simple sandwich loaf formula
- 500g bread flour
- 320g water (or 280g water + 60g milk)
- 100g active starter
- 10g salt
- 25g butter or oil
- 15g honey or sugar
Mix, bulk until ~50% risen, shape tightly, proof in a buttered loaf pan until it crests the rim, bake at 375–400°F to 200°F internal.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my sourdough always have big holes?
High hydration plus gentle shaping. For sandwiches, dial both back and degas firmly.
Will a loaf pan give me a softer crust too?
Yes — pan loaves have softer sides and a more tender crust than Dutch-oven boules, especially with added fat.
Can I make both styles from one dough?
Better to adjust the recipe. Sandwich crumb wants lower hydration and degassing; artisan crumb wants the opposite.
Different goals, different settings. SourdoughAI can give you a sandwich-loaf formula and schedule tuned to a soft, even crumb.