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Gluten-free sourdough banana bread

Today we’re talking gluten-free sourdough banana bread. Yes, I’m writing another sourdough related recipe. Courtesy of my new obsession with gluten free sourdough, I have a lot of sourdough discard on my hands. I’ve made many snacks with it – namely gluten free sourdough brownies and gluten free sourdough crackers. Before I move back into the serious territory of sourdough breads and foccaccia, however, I wanted to add another treat to the sourdough list. That’s why today we’re chatting gluten-free sourdough banana bread. 

An aerial close up image of a loaf of gluten free dairy free banana bread. The banana bread sits on a dark steel backdrop. The banana loaf is golden brown and topped with slices of banana and finishing sugar

Gluten-free sourdough banana bread

This gluten-free sourdough banana bread is nut free, FODMAP friendly and probably the lightest and fluffiest of all my banana bread recipes. It is just sweet enough and takes complexity from the sourness of the sourdough discard. 

It uses sourdough discard from a gluten free sourdough starter. The banana bread contains no xanthan gum, no yeast and is nut free. It’s quick and easy to make,

If you don’t have any sourdough starter, here are my other banana bread recipes:

An aerial view of a loaf of gluten free banana bread atop a white marble table. The loaf is golden brown and topped with banana coins. A glass of water sits to the top right of the image, casting a light across the marble table.

Recipe notes for your gluten free sourdough banana bread

You’ll need a thick, bubbly and active gluten free sourdough starter for this recipe. At the moment my sourdough starter is about 110% hydration and is made from white rice flour. I find it very effective once you’ve gotten your starter going. As always, I recommend quinoa and sorghum to start.

If your sourdough discard is not thick, bubbly, active and mature, this is probably not the discard recipe for you. You can try it, but you’ll need to use your own judgement in adding liquid as you see fit. Note that if you use a super strong smelling starter that hasn’t been fed in a while, that overpowering flavour will translate into your banana bread. See the section below on starter. 

If you’re using a different sourdough starter, you might have to adjust the recipe a little to suit. Keep an eye on the batter and adjust as necessary. 

I use light brown sugar in this recipe for the complex caramel flavour. I haven’t tried it with any other sugars, ‘refined’ or not. Personally, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work with panela sugar or coconut sugar, but I haven’t tested them myself. There’s a refined sugar free banana bread recipe linked above, if that’s what you’re looking for. 

I don’t see why you couldn’t use frozen bananas for this recipe. That said, see below for my tips.

If you’re using them, I highly recommend cutting your banana coins super finely. Not only does this mean using less banana (for the fructose aware) but it also ensures the sections under the banana aren’t raw at the end of baking.

An aerial image of a loaf of gluten free dairy free banana bread on a white marble table. A sunlit bulbous vase sits to the top left of the image

What kind of starter do I need for this sourdough banana bread?

Firstly, as this is a gluten free recipe, you’ll need a gluten free starter. See my guide to making your own here.

Note that the flours you use in your starter will translate into the flavour of the loaf. At the moment, I use a 100% white rice flour starter. It’s cost effective and seems to be very happy. However, as I mention in the starter post, I find a combination of sorghum and quinoa flours the best for getting a starter going. It seems to be a good combination of wholegrains and protein content. 

You can use a starter that has been fed the night before and thus not on a peak rise. This means the recipe will use up some discard, leaving space for you to feed the starter and refresh it. 

It is also possible to use starter that is on rise and has been fed 3-4 hours prior. This might result in a loftier loaf. 

A few starters that are not a great fit for this recipe? A starter that has been left unfed for a few days, a runny starter, or a very new starter. The ideal consistency of your starter for this purpose is like a bubbly, airy light yoghurt. Anything less might adversely impact the banana bread.

Can I use frozen bananas in this gluten-free sourdough banana bread?

As I mentioned above, I tested this recipe with fresh, super ripe bananas that I cultivated (ie left on the bench) specifically for this recipe. That said, with a few tweaks I’m confident you can use frozen bananas in this recipe.

  1. Peel the frozen bananas if you haven’t already, and weigh them. Slice them into chunks.
  2. As you’re preheating the oven, place the bananas in a small, lined baking dish. I use my reusable baking paper and leave the edges scrunched up so the juices don’t escape.
  3. Once the oven is ready, pick up the bananas and drain off all the liquid. 
  4. Proceed with the recipe, but pay attention to the liquid-ness of the batter. I’ve included a photo of the ideal viscosity – add a little less milk if your batter is a lot thinner. 
An aerial image of two loaves of gluten free sourdough banana bread on white plates atop a white marble table.

Can I make this banana bread dairy free?

Yes! This banana bread can be made dairy free. You can use oil instead of butter, or you can use 40g of plant based butter. This is instead of the 50g in the recipe card, to account for the volume traditional butter loses when it browns.

To use oil, substitute 40ml (2 Australian tablespoons or 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons American) instead of the butter.

Again, to use plant based butter, use 40g.

The milk in this recipe can be plant based, or you can simply use water.

Can I make this banana bread vegan?

Yes! This gluten free sourdough banana bread can be made vegan.

  1. Use 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable or olive oil in place of the butter.
  2. Remove the eggs from the equation.
  3. Use 1/2 cup (125ml) plant based milk instead the listed amount. Proceed from step 3, noting that the batter won’t be as thick as the version with eggs.
  4. I have found the vegan gluten free sourdough banana bread only needs about 40-50 minutes in the oven, as opposed to the listed time. It often looks done but is still a little soft in the middle, so be sure to check.
A side on moody image of a loaf of gluten free banana bread topped with banana coins. The bread sits on a steel sizzling platter on a black linen backdrop

Is gluten free sourdough banana bread low FODMAP?

I’m going to head this one off before it even begins – yes, this loaf contains bananas. It is a banana bread, after all. And yes, bananas can be a problematic food for people who malabsorb oligos-fructans.

Monash states that ripe banana is low FODMAP in 35g serves per person. This loaf contains 250g banana, so when using ripe bananas, the loaf will need to serve 7-8 to be low FODMAP. The loaf makes 8-10 serves, so this should be within acceptable limits.

Monash states that firm bananas (just ripe without brown spots) are FODMAP friendly in 100g per serve. This means that, technically, the loaf need only serve 2.5 people if you use just ripe bananas. If you can eat half a loaf in a sitting, all the power to you.

So yes, this gluten free sourdough banana bread is low FODMAP in the right serves and with the right ingredients. If you still have concerns, maybe try the pumpkin chai loaf instead.

A close up of two loaves of gluten free sourdough banana bread topped with banana coins and finishing sugar

Gluten-free sourdough banana bread additions

I mean, this is always fairly self explanatory. That said, the following are my suggestions:

  • A handful of blueberries or strawberries
  • Some chopped walnuts
  • Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or mixed spice
  • Chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips (vegan if it needs to be) 
  • A tablespoon or two of peanut butter or almond butter 
A side on view of a sliced loaf of banana bread standing upright against a dark blue backdrop. A hand extends out from the top right of the image to drizzle vegan chocolate sauce down the loaf.

More gluten free sourdough recipes

A side on moody image of a loaf of gluten free banana bread topped with banana coins. The bread sits on a steel sizzling platter on a black linen backdrop

Gluten free sourdough banana bread

Gluten free, low lactose, FODMAP friendly, nut free
5 from 5
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine Food Intolerance Friendly
Servings 10 slices

Ingredients
  

For the sourdough banana bread:

  • 250 g banana weighed after peeling
  • 120 g (3/4 cup reasonably well packed) light brown sugar
  • 50 g butter, deep browned (it should weigh close to 40g once browned)
  • 130 g (1/2 cup) sourdough discard
  • 1-3 tablespoons (20-60ml) milk of choice (I used soy) Add depending on the thickness of your starter – 1 for a thinner starter, 3 for very thick
  • 2 extra large eggs
  • 130 g (1 cup) fine brown rice flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Optional but very recommended, to finish:

  • Extra banana coins, very finely sliced (about 1/2 a banana)
  • A sprinkling of finishing sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 200c or 400F. Place a silicon loaf tin on a baking tray (this helps keep it even). I also like to lightly grease mine, even though people say you don’t need to grease silicon. A combination of butter and oil does the trick every time.
  • Mash the banana in a large mixing bowl (see notes if you’re using frozen) and add all the wet ingredients. If the brown butter is hot, allow it to cool a little before adding to minimise the risk of curdling the eggs. Whisk to thoroughly combine.
  • In another mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients. Add the dry to the wet, and continue whisking until the mixture is well combined. It should be a reasonably thick batter that feels ‘fluffy’ against the whisk.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking tin. Arrange the banana coins on top and finish with the sprinkling sugar, if you’re using them.
  • Place the banana bread on the tray in the oven for 40 minutes to an hour. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the tin.
  • You can eat warm or store in an airtight container for a few days.

Notes

To make this banana bread vegan:
  1. Use 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable or olive oil in place of the butter.
  2. Remove the eggs from the equation.
  3. Use 1/2 cup (125ml) plant based milk instead the listed amount. Proceed from step 3, noting that the batter won’t be as thick as the version with eggs.
  4. I have found the vegan gluten free sourdough banana bread only needs about 30-40 minutes in the oven, as opposed to the listed time.
Keyword gluten free banana bread, gluten free sourdough
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this bread for my Sabbath which is tonight. It was wonderful and my sourdough was in full bloom 2 days before its time. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe. I am definitely doing this again. The Lord bless you for this delicious recipe.

  2. 5 stars
    I made this banana bread and it was outrageously good! I added chocolate chips and frozen blueberries.
    I made a small change in that I forgot to add in the brown sugar so instead, after mixing, I added 2 heaping Tbs of coconut sugar and about 1/4 c of agave nectar.
    I made it into banana bread french toast which was also fabulous. My husband loved it.
    I’m off to make the sourdough quinoa bread now!

  3. 5 stars
    This is seriously the most delicious banana bread I have ever made! Thank you!! I’ve been really enjoying getting to know sourdough with your recipes and the ones you’ve recommended from gerogeats. It is so fun and fulfilling. It makes me so happy and full ????

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