Banana bread is a timeless favorite, but have you ever tried making it with sourdough discard? This sourdough banana bread recipe brings a delightful depth of flavor, adding a slight tang that perfectly balances the natural sweetness of ripe bananas. Plus, it’s a great way to use up your sourdough starter discard, reducing waste while creating a moist, flavorful loaf.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your everything sourdough journey, this recipe is simple, adaptable, and absolutely delicious. Let’s dive into how to make the best moist sourdough banana bread with step-by-step instructions, tips, and variations.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Great use of sourdough discard: One of the best sourdough starter discard recipes to make something truly delicious.
- Incredibly moist and flavorful: The combination of bananas and sourdough discard creates a soft, rich texture.
- Easy and beginner-friendly: No complicated techniques required!
- Customizable: Adapt it to be vegan, add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, or even try a pumpkin chocolate chip sourdough bread variation.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup sourdough discard
- 1/2 cup melted butter (or coconut oil for a vegan option)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 eggs (or flax eggs for a vegan version)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat for a healthy twist)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips (optional)
How to Make Sourdough Banana Bread
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas. Add the sourdough discard, melted butter, brown sugar, honey, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Step 4: Mix Everything Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this keeps the bread light and tender. Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if using.
Step 5: Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy warm with butter or a spread of apple butter sourdough!

Tips for the Best Sourdough Banana Bread
- Use very ripe bananas: The riper, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
- Don’t overmix: This ensures a tender texture.
- Store properly: Keep at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze slices for a quick grab-and-go treat.
Variations to Try
Vegan Sourdough Banana Bread
Replace eggs with flax eggs and use coconut oil instead of butter. This keeps the bread completely plant-based without sacrificing flavor.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Sourdough Bread
Swap out half of the mashed bananas for pumpkin puree and add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for a fall-inspired treat.
Gluten-Free Sourdough Banana Bread
Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour. Ensure your discard banana bread is made with a gluten-free sourdough starter.
More Sourdough Discard Recipes
If you love this recipe using sourdough starter, try these other delicious starter discard recipes:
- Sourdough Discard Pancakes – Fluffy and perfect for breakfast.
- Sourdough Discard Muffins – Quick and easy snack option.
- Apple Butter Sourdough Rolls – A sweet and cozy treat.
Using sourdough discard has never been this delicious! Try this sourdough banana bread recipe today and enjoy the unique flavor and moist texture that only sourdough can bring. Happy baking!