Sourdough Banana Bread

This Sourdough Banana Bread is a simple, classic loaf of banana bread made with four bananas and a half cup of sourdough starter, which keeps the loaf extra moist.

Bananas and sourdough starter or discard are an excellent combination in baked goods. You can use bananas and sourdough starter/discard to make Sourdough Banana Bread Muffins or Sourdough Banana Pancakes.

The sourdough starter helps to retain moisture in the loaf, making the banana bread super moist, even on day 3.

🍌 Using Sourdough Starter for Banana Bread

Use either active sourdough starter prepped for the banana bread (instructions below) or use sourdough discard that you have on hand.

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

🛒 Sourdough Banana Bread Ingredients

Below are the ingredients needed to make Sourdough Banana Bread.

• Butter: I use salted butter, softened.
• Sugar: This recipe calls for only ½ cup of sugar, which is much less than a typical banana bread recipe. Using four bananas adds plenty of natural sweetness.
• Bananas: You can use ripe or overripe bananas. Very overripe bananas are not actually sweeter than ripe bananas. They just have a stronger banana flavor.
• Eggs: Use large eggs, pasture-raised, if possible.
• Vanilla extract: Use real vanilla extract. Costco sells a large bottle for a low price per unit volume.
• Baking Soda: For leavening.
• Salt: To bring out flavor.
• Sourdough starter: You can use either active starter or sourdough discard.
• Flour: Use all-purpose unbleached flour.

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

📝 How to Make Sourdough Banana Bread

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

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9x5 loaf pan.

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

Step 2. Mash the Bananas: Add the bananas in chunks to a large 4-cup measuring pitcher and use a hand held mixer to mash the bananas in the pitcher. If needed, add or remove mashed banana to ensure that you have 1¾ cups of mashed bananas.

Step 3. Add the Mashed Bananas: Add the mashed bananas to the bowl with the butter and sugar and combine.

Step 4. Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs and vanilla extract and combine.

Step 5. Add the Sourdough Starter: Add the sourdough starter, baking soda, and salt, and combine.

Step 6. Add the Flour: Add the flour and use a spoon to mix by hand, being careful to mix gently and not overmix.

Step 7. Bake: Pour the Sourdough Banana Bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 50-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

🍴Storage and Reheating

• To Store: Cover the banana bread in the dish that it was baked in was aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It will last 3-5 days at room temperature.
• To Freeze: Sourdough Banana Bread is an excellent baked good for freezing. It freezes and reheats very well. It's easiest to slice individual slices of the banana bread and place them in a gallon or quart-sized freezer bag.
• To Reheat: To thaw, place the frozen banana bread in the fridge overnight or thaw on the counter, or gently reheat in the microwave on a low power setting.

💖 For More Banana Bread Recipes You May Love:

If you tried this Sourdough Banana Bread Recipe or any other recipe on my site, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I'd love to hear from you!