History
Klondike and Nome gold rush prospectors so relied on sourdough starter that old-timers became known as 'Sourdoughs' across Alaska. Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop opened in 2009 and was named a 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Bakery. Their crusty levain breads are the Anchorage benchmark.
Book a food experience
Tours, tastings and classes from the cities on this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
Common allergens: Gluten
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 100g active sourdough starter (100% hydration)
- 375g warm water (around 30C)
- 500g bread flour
- 10g fine sea salt
- Rice flour for dusting the banneton
Method
- Combine starter and water in a large bowl. Add the flour and mix to a shaggy dough. Rest 30 minutes.
- Add salt and a splash more water if needed. Mix until incorporated.
- Bulk-ferment at room temperature for 4-5 hours, doing 4 stretch-and-folds at 30-minute intervals in the first 2 hours.
- Shape into a tight ball, place seam-up in a rice-floured banneton and refrigerate overnight (12-14 hours).
- Preheat a Dutch oven inside a 245C oven for 45 minutes. Score the cold loaf and lower into the Dutch oven.
- Bake covered for 25 minutes, then uncovered for 20 minutes until deeply browned. Cool fully on a wire rack before slicing.
Tip from the editors. The cold overnight retard is the Alaskan trick. A long, slow second rise builds open crumb and develops the sour flavour without requiring summer warmth.
Where to eat alaskan sourdough bread
Alaskan sourdough bread in Anchorage
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop ★ 4.7
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop opened in 2009 in South Addition and is a 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Bakery, with crusty breads and scones.
Worth the queueSourdough loaves and laminated croissants
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop Airport Heights ★ 4.5
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop Airport Heights is one of Anchorage's lower-profile picks. The K Street flagship gets the press; the Airport Heights location.
Why locals goThe K Street flagship gets the press; the Airport Heights location with Little Sister Espresso stays quieter and has the same JBF-finalist bakes.
TipHit the Wednesday-Sunday hours early. Pain au chocolat and a flat white from Little Sister Espresso on site.
Great Harvest Bread Co Anchorage ★ 4.3
Great Harvest Bread's Anchorage outpost mills grain on site and bakes whole-grain loaves, scones and cookies in midtown on Benson Boulevard, with a sandwich.
Worth the queueHoney wholewheat loaf
Middle Way Cafe ★ 4.4
Middle Way Cafe runs the Spenard vegetarian and vegan brunch every day from 07:00, with house-made hot sauce on the tables and gluten-free swaps available.
OrderTofu scramble or a vegan breakfast burrito with house-made hot sauce
More cities are in research. Want alaskan sourdough bread covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.