Sourdough banana bread is a quick and easy way to use up a sourdough discard, and it’ll add just a hint of sourdough tang (and nutrition) to homemade banana bread!

Sourdough bread is such a comforting food, isn’t it? Freshly baked, filling our kitchens with delicious aromas, it’s both a treat and a staple in many homes. But when it comes to making homemade sourdough bread, many folks feel it’s out of their league. 

Thankfully, there’s a simple, yet utterly delightful way to dip your toes into the world of sourdough baking… 

Sourdough Banana Bread!

This special bread combines the wholesome goodness of traditional sourdough with the sweet, irresistibly moist allure of banana bread. It’s a match made in heaven that your whole family will love. 

Plus, it’s an excellent way to use up that sourdough starter that’s been sitting in your fridge (and all those overripe bananas that are starting to attract fruit flies!). 

Ready to get baking? Here’s everything you need to know.

Ingredients for Sourdough Banana Bread

The ingredients for making sourdough banana bread are quite simple.  To make one loaf, or twelve servings, you’ll need the following:

• 8 tbsp (113 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ cup (113 g) unfed sourdough starter (discard)
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ⅔ cup (142 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (240 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 ¾ cups (397 g) mashed banana (should take about 1 ¾ lbs unpeeled bananas)
• ¼ cup (85 g) maple syrup 
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (85 g) chopped nuts, raisins or chocolate chips (optional) 

Technically, this recipe can also be made with honey. However, because honey is hydrophilic, it may make the bread a bit sticky (and will also shorten its shelf life). 

You can also feel free to use fed starter if you’d prefer. It will give the bread a somewhat riper taste, but is delicious nonetheless. 

How to Make Sourdough Banana Bread

First up, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly grease a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan or its even more slender cousin, the 12″ x 4″ tea loaf pan.

Next, you need to combine your ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whip together the vanilla, butter, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg,baking powder, and salt until everything’s nice and smooth.

Now, for the remaining wet ingredients. Drop in the mashed bananas, your choice of honey or maple syrup, eggs, and that sourdough starter, mixing well after each addition.

Gently stir in the flour until just combined. If you’re throwing in nuts or raisins, now’s the time.

Scoop your batter into the prepared pan, smoothing out the top. Give it a little rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

Slide your creation into the oven for 45 minutes. To prevent the top from getting too tan, gently lay a piece of aluminum foil across the surface. If using a thermoregulating ceramic pan, you can feel free to skip the foil and add 20 more minutes to your bake time but increase the temperature to 350°F. This will help the loaf cook more evenly, but again, it’s an optional step if you’re using a ceramic pan. 

After the first check, give the bread another 25 minutes in the oven (20 if using a tea loaf pan). When done, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.

Allow your banana bread ten minutes of relaxation in its pan before moving it to a cooling rack to cool completely.

This bread keeps well at room temperature for several days; just wrap it tightly. For longer storage, don’t hesitate to freeze it.

Serving Sourdough Banana Bread

This delightful bread is perfect on its own, sliced thick, and enjoyed anytime you need a sweet, satisfying snack. But it’s equally at home served alongside your morning coffee or tea, providing a hearty start to your day. 

For a decadent treat, toast a slice and slather it with butter or cream cheese. It’s delicious with some Greek yogurt and berries, too. 

Feeling playful? Try serving it with a drizzle of honey or a scoop of ice cream for an indulgent dessert. The possibilities are endless!

Yield: Makes 1 Loaf

Sourdough Banana Bread

Print

Sourdough banana bread is a quick and easy way to use up a sourdough discard, and it'll add just a hint of sourdough tang (and nutrition) to homemade banana bread!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 tbsp (113 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ cup (113 g) unfed sourdough starter (discard)
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ⅔ cup (142 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (240 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 ¾ cups (397 g) mashed banana (should take about 1 ¾ lbs unpeeled bananas)
• ¼ cup (85 g) maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (85 g) chopped nuts, raisins or chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly grease a 9" x 5" loaf pan or its slender cousin, the 12" x 4" tea loaf pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whip together the butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until everything's nice and smooth.
3. Drop in the mashed bananas, your choice of honey or maple syrup, eggs, and that sourdough starter, mixing well after each addition.
4. Gently stir in the flour until just combined. If you're throwing in nuts or raisins, now's the time.
5. Scoop your batter into the prepared pan, smoothing out the top. Give it a little rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
6. Slide your creation into the oven for 45 minutes. To prevent the top from getting too tan, you can lay a piece of aluminum foil gently across the surface. If using a thermoregulating ceramic pan, skip the foil and add 20 more minutes to your bake time but increase the temperature to 350°F.
7. After the first check, give it another 25 minutes in the oven (20 if using a tea loaf pan). When done, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.
8. Allow your banana bread ten minutes of relaxation in its pan before moving it to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Sourdough Recipes

Looking for more sourdough recipes?

• Sourdough Discard Crackers
• Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Whole Wheat Sourdough Banana Bread (Coming Soon)