Sourdough Banana Bread is the best way to use up excess sourdough discard and overripe bananas. The perfect no waste bake, moist and plush with a rich banana and molasses flavor thanks to the addition of brown sugar, this Banana Bread comes together quickly with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

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Falling in love with Banana Bread

I’ve never been a big fan of bananas and to this day I can’t simply eat one. However, overtime I’ve learned to love the flavor of bananas in smoothies and baked goods, especially in this Sourdough Discard Banana Bread and my Sourdough Discard Banana Snack Cake. 

Since falling in love with Banana Bread I’ve set out to create a recipe that is delicious with lots of banana flavor but is easy, quick and unfussy. Using oil instead of butter gives this bread an incredibly moist and light texture while the addition of a little bit of brown sugar and lots of overripe bananas ensures this bread has tons of flavor. 

Recipe Box Series

This Sourdough Discard Banana Bread recipe is part of my Recipe Box Series with Imperial Sugar. Each month, I’ll be releasing recipes for classic bakes made with a sourdough twist! You can look forward to comforting classics like Sourdough Fudge Brownies,  Apple Pie with Sourdough Crust, Sourdough Pumpkin Bundt Cake and Sourdough Monkey Bread. 

Sugar is such a vital part of every dessert, it imparts flavor, texture, moisture, and without it, it would be impossible to make our favorite bakes. I use a combination of Imperial Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar and Imperial Sugar Light Brown Sugar in this cake. The granulated sugar gives the cake structure and lightness, while brown sugar adds moisture and rich molasses flavor. If you don’t have brown sugar on hand, feel free to use all granulated sugar (but your cake will be missing some flavor and texture). I would not recommend skipping the granulated sugar for this bake or your cake may turn out too dense and gummy. 

I’m so grateful to Imperial Sugar for making the Recipe Box Series possible and so proud to be partnering with a company with such a long tradition of producing such high-quality products. Imperial Sugar products are 100% pure cane sugar, non-GMO and provide consistently delicious results.

Baking with sourdough discard

Sourdough discard adds a great tangy flavor to this Sourdough Banana Bread. You can bake with your discard directly from the fridge. Since you are not using it as the main leavening agent, your sourdough starter does not need to be activated or fed for it to work in this recipe. Your discard will affect the flavor of this cake. If you’re using sourdough that’s been in the fridge for weeks it will add more acidity to your cake, which you won’t get when using a freshly fed starter. Both will work for this recipe but you’ll get different results. 

Other sourdough discard recipes

• Sourdough Discard Biscuits
• Sourdough Discard Scones
• Sourdough Discard Blondies
• Sourdough Discard Banana Snack Cake
• Sourdough Pumpkin Bread

Here’s what you’ll need! 

• All-purpose flour – The low protein content of all-purpose flour imparts a fluffy texture to this loaf, I would not recommend substituting whole wheat 
• Granulated sugar and brown sugar – Granulated sugar imparts sweetness while brown sugar keeps the bread moist and adds a deep molasses flavor. 
• Eggs – Imparts stability and structure
• Baking soda – The main leavening agent, helps the bread rise as it bakes.
• Sourdough discard – Adds tanginess and keeps the banana bread moist and fresh for days longer 
• Vegetable oil – Tenderizes the crumb 
• Salt – Enhances sweetness and flavor of the bread
• Over-ripe bananas – Bananas at the peak of their ripeness are key to the success of this banana bread, make sure bananas are spotted or almost black
• Cinnamon – Brings out the flavor in bananas
• Walnuts – Adds a textural contrast, optional but highly recommended

Special equipment: 

• 9 by 4 inch Loaf Pan
• Mixing bowl
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack

Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. This in no way impacts my recommendations.

Let’s make Sourdough Banana Bread

Mash the bananas

Make the batter

Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and bake

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