Making this rustic sourdough banana bread turns two common kitchen leftovers—sourdough starter discard and overripe bananas—into a unique tangy treat. 


Easy Sourdough Banana Bread Recipe

Sourdough banana bread is a twist on the classic cake-like quickbread that calls for the use of sourdough discard. Though its primary use is to leaven [sourdough bread](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sourdough-bread-recipe-and-tips), adding [sourdough starter](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sourdough-starter-recipe) discard—which contains bacteria and acids—to banana bread results in a pleasantly tangy treat with a hearty texture.

Follow these simple tips to make the best [banana bread](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-banana-bread-easy-recipe-and-variations) possible: 

1. __Mix the batter until just combined__. Overmixing sourdough banana bread batter will result in a dense, dry crumb. To ensure a moist, airy loaf, mix the batter until it is just combined.
2. __Experiment with additions__. Adjust this simple banana bread recipe to incorporate ingredients you have on hand or simply prefer. Swap a portion of the brown sugar for white sugar, maple syrup, or [molasses](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-cooking-with-molasses). Fold chopped nuts (like walnuts and pecans), chocolate chips, or blueberries into the batter for textural variation. Top the bread with a crispy oat streusel, [cream cheese frosting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe), or powdered sugar glaze for extra sweetness. 
3. __Store on the countertop or in the freezer__. Store your leftover banana bread—wrapped tightly in plastic wrap—on the countertop for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, wrap the room-temperature banana bread in a layer of plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Making this rustic sourdough banana bread turns two common kitchen leftovers—sourdough starter discard and overripe bananas—into a unique tangy treat. 


Sourdough banana bread is a twist on the classic cake-like quickbread that calls for the use of sourdough discard. Though its primary use is to leaven <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sourdough-bread-recipe-and-tips' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sourdough-bread-recipe-and-tips","linkCopy":"sourdough bread","category":null}'>sourdough bread</a>, adding <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sourdough-starter-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sourdough-starter-recipe","linkCopy":"sourdough starter","category":null}'>sourdough starter</a> discard—which contains bacteria and acids—to banana bread results in a pleasantly tangy treat with a hearty texture.

What Is Sourdough Banana Bread?

Follow these simple tips to make the best <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-banana-bread-easy-recipe-and-variations' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-banana-bread-easy-recipe-and-variations","linkCopy":"banana bread","category":null}'>banana bread</a> possible: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Mix the batter until just combined. Overmixing sourdough banana bread batter will result in a dense, dry crumb. To ensure a moist, airy loaf, mix the batter until it is just combined. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Experiment with additions. Adjust this simple banana bread recipe to incorporate ingredients you have on hand or simply prefer. Swap a portion of the brown sugar for white sugar, maple syrup, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-cooking-with-molasses' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-cooking-with-molasses","linkCopy":"molasses","category":null}'>molasses</a>. Fold chopped nuts (like walnuts and pecans), chocolate chips, or blueberries into the batter for textural variation. Top the bread with a crispy oat streusel, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe","linkCopy":"cream cheese frosting","category":null}'>cream cheese frosting</a>, or powdered sugar glaze for extra sweetness. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Store on the countertop or in the freezer. Store your leftover banana bread—wrapped tightly in plastic wrap—on the countertop for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, wrap the room-temperature banana bread in a layer of plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Making Sourdough Banana Bread

Making this rustic sourdough banana bread turns two common kitchen leftovers—sourdough starter discard and overripe bananas—into a unique tangy treat.