Banana Sourdough Muffins

Banana Sourdough Muffins combine classic banana bread flavor with sourdough starter in an easy, moist, and fluffy muffin.

This is a great way to make use of any leftover sourdough starter, or if you’re just looking for a way to incorporate sourdough into your muffins.

I have made dozens and dozens of banana bread recipes and learned all the tips and tricks to creating the right banana bread depending on your taste preferences. To get all the details, check out my detailed Guide To Making Banana Bread, which can be used to guide you as you make banana muffins as well.

Banana Muffins pair really well with sourdough for a subtle tang that adds complexity of flavor, as well as lending the benefits of sourdough to your muffins.

Banana bread is so versatile that it can be made in a dozen different ways. Use a square baker in this Banana Bread Without a Loaf Pan recipe.  Add raisins and cinnamon for a Banana Raisin Bread, add carrots and spices for Banana Carrot Muffins. Top it with Banana Bread Glaze, or make Banana Bread with Streusel Topping.

⏱️ Prepping Your Sourdough Starter

You can either prep active sourdough starter specifically for this recipe (instructions below) or use sourdough discard that you already have on hand.

• Prep Ahead (fed): To prep the starter for sourdough muffins, combine 38 grams sourdough starter, 38 grams water, and 38 grams all-purpose flour the night before you plan to make the muffins (or roughly 12 hours, or until it is light, bubbly and “active”). Leave the starter out on the counter overnight. The active starter can now be used for the muffins.
• Discard (unfed): Use 113g (½ cup) sourdough discard from maintaining your sourdough starter.

🛒 Ingredients

Below are the ingredients needed to make Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins.

• Butter: Softened to a cool room temperature (not melted butter). If you haven't softened your butter ahead of time, microwave it in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl at 20% power for 30 seconds. Turn it over and add 30 seconds as needed until softened.
• Sugar: This recipe calls for ½ cup granulated sugar. Because the bananas are already sweet I find that ½ cup is more than enough added sugar. However, if you like sweeter baked goods feel free to add an additional ¼ cup of sugar. I don't find that using dark brown sugar makes a difference, but it can easily be substituted 1 for 1 with white sugar in this recipe.
• Bananas: Use 4 medium-sized bananas that are between ripe and overripe. They should not be so brown that they are soft and mushy. They should be yellow, with a few brown spots, but not brown all over. See my Banana Bread Guide for more details.
• Eggs: Use large eggs, pasture-raised if possible.
• Vanilla Extract: Feel free to omit this if you do not have it. Vanilla extract can be expensive, but if you bake somewhat regularly, consider buying a large bottle from Costco, which costs less per unit volume.
• Baking Soda: For leavening.
• Salt: To balance and bring out flavor.
• Sourdough Starter: Prep ½ cup sourdough starter ahead, intended for this recipe or use sourdough discard as you are maintaining your starter. Use a kitchen scale to measure out 113 grams. If you have even more extra sourdough discard, you can use it for these sourdough discard recipes: Sourdough Blueberry Scones, Sourdough Strawberry Scones, Crispy Sourdough Discard Waffles.
• Flour: Use all-purpose, unbleached flour.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

📝 How to Make Banana Sourdough Muffins

Below are the step-by-step instructions and photos for how to make Banana Sourdough Muffins.

Prep. Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Step 1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar.

Step 2. Mash the bananas: You can do this by hand, but if you have a hand mixer, there's an easier way to mash bananas.

Add the bananas to a 4-cup measuring pitcher and beat on low speed with a hand mixer to mash the bananas. Take a spoon and scrape down the sides, then check to make sure that the total volume is 1¾ cups. If it is slightly less, that is okay, but it may require a couple of minutes less baking time.

Step 3. Add in the Bananas: Add the mashed banana mixture to the large bowl and combine.

Step 4. Remaining Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs and vanilla extract and combine.

Step 5. Add the Sourdough Starter: Add the sourdough starter discard and combine.

Step 6. Remaining Dry Ingredients. Add the salt and baking soda and combine. Add the flour. Use a large spoon to mix the flour in by hand until just combined.

Step 7. Prep a muffin tin by lining alternating muffin cups with muffin liners or cupcake liners to bake only six muffins at a time. This helps to create taller, fluffy muffins by improving air circulation. However, if you don't have the time to bake two separate rounds, it is totally fine to bake the muffins all at once.

Fill the alternating cups of the muffin pan to the top with the batter. You can use an ice cream scoop to scoop the muffin batter into each cup to make this easier.

Step 8. Bake: Add the muffins to the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 350°F.

Bake for 17-18 minutes or until the tops of the muffins start to turn a golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool fully.

Repeat with the remaining muffins. Don't forget to turn the oven down to 350°F each time you add a new tray of muffins to the oven.

❄️ How to Store and Freeze

• To Store: Place the muffins in an airtight container, gallon or quart-sized bags, or wrap them in plastic. The muffins can be stored on the counter for up to 3 days.
• To Freeze: Place the muffins in a gallon or quart-sized freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Banana Sourdough Muffins are excellent for freezing. To bring to room temperature, let the muffins sit out on the counter or in the fridge overnight until thawed. Or microwave at 20% power for 30 seconds at a time until thawed for a quick breakfast treat.

✏️ Banana Sourdough Muffin FAQs

💖 For More Banana Bread Recipes, You May Love These

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