Easy Strawberry Banana Bread with Sourdough Discard

Looking for a moist, flavorful quick bread? This Strawberry Banana Bread is the perfect way to use up overripe bananas, sweet seasonal strawberries, and even your leftover sourdough discard. It's soft, slightly tangy, and filled with juicy fruit in every bite.

Whether you serve it for breakfast, as a snack, or alongside your afternoon coffee, this is one of those simple bakes that never disappoints.

A loaf of strawberry banana bread baked in a white rectangular pan, with sliced strawberries visible on top and a golden-brown crust. The pan is resting on a light-colored cloth.

This article contains affiliate links which support us at no extra cost to you.

Originally published August 24, 2011, updated on May 2025

Jump To

This easy quick bread recipe comes together in about 15. A really nice weekend baking project and even something you could make any evening you're craving a delicious quick bread. In a matter of minutes your house will smell delightful while this lovely bread is baking. It all comes together with the help of this fantastic sourdough starter recipe.

This is a favorite vegan banana bread recipe. It is already strawberry season here in Florida and I found the most splendid organic berries just the other day.  I add my sourdough discard to so many things I thought why not add it to this vegan loaf. If you don't have any sourdough starter on hand, no problem. Use your favorite unflavored yogurt (coconut or soy to keep it vegan).

🍌 Why You'll Love This Strawberry Banana Bread

  • Freezer-friendly and easy to slice
  • Uses ripe bananas + fresh strawberries
  • Great way to use up sourdough discard
  • Can be made with yogurt instead if you don't have starter
  • Perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert
A close-up of freshly baked Strawberry Banana Bread in a rectangular dish, topped with slices of strawberries. The loaf is golden brown, with sunlight highlighting its textured surface and vibrant red strawberries.

I decided to try to make them a vegan banana bread. I added milk chocolate chips to the first one. Gabriella reminded me after that that's not vegan. The next one I added strawberries and bananas. That was hit with my family too but they did prefer the chocolate chip one.

A slice of strawberry banana bread with visible strawberry pieces sits on a decorative plate, with the rest of the loaf in a baking dish in the background, all placed on a striped cloth.

My gorgeous love: my sourdough starter! I suppose I should name it.

overhead image of sourdough starter

Can you make this banana bread without sourdough starter?

I know you may not happen to have a sourdough starter hanging out in your fridge and you still want to bake this awesome quick bread! Just sub in your favorite plain yogurt (to keep it vegan, use plain soy or  plain coconut milk yogurt) or you could sub in buttermilk (keep it vegan making your own with almond or oat milk and apple cider vinegar) if you don't have a sourdough starter to use. Either way, the bread will be moist and delicious!

📝 Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or half whole wheat)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder + ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
  • ½ cup diced strawberries + 1 thinly sliced for topping
  • ½ cup sourdough discard (or plain yogurt)
  • ½!-- /wp:list-item -->
  • ½ cup coconut oil
  • ½ cup sugar
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • How to Make Strawberry Banana Bread

    Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a 9 x5 loaf pan with parchment paper.

    overhead image of bananas on marble background

    Mash the bananas in a medium sized mixing bowl and stir in the lemon rind.

    overhead image of ingredeints to make a dessert

    In another medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sea salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Add the apple cider vinegar to the oat milk (or whatever nut milk you prefer). Let sit for a few minutes.

    overhead image of oil in a milk

    Add in the oil, sugar, and stir together until combined to the mashed bananas. Fold in sourdough starter and oat milk (or whatever nut milk you are using.

    overhead image of mashed bananas in a batter

    Fold in the diced strawberries. Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture.

    overhead image of batter and fresh strawberry slices

    Place the strawberry slices on top of the bread.

    overhead image of vegan strawberry banana bread

    Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes and lower temperature to 325 F and bake for about another 25-30 minutes. Cover the bread lightly with foil paper at this point so the strawberries on top won't get brown. Let cool in pan for a bit and then pull the bread carefully out of loaf pan with the parchment paper. Slice and ENJOY!

    Can you make muffins with this strawberry banana bread recipe?

    Definitely! Just prep your muffin pan with baking spray (or line with baking liners if you have them around). Fill each tin ⅔ full.  Put the oven on 375F and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown, or your tester comes out clean. The kids really enjoy them and they also freeze very well.

    🍓 Final Tips

    • For the best texture, use overripe bananas
    • Don't overmix the batter
    • Let the loaf cool before slicing for clean edges
    • Want it sweeter? Add white chocolate chips or drizzle with glaze.

If you try this strawberry banana bread, I'd love to hear what you think! Did you use sourdough discard or yogurt? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out-or if you made any fun twists. I always enjoy hearing from you! 🍓💬

    A slice of strawberry banana bread with visible strawberry pieces sits on a decorative plate, with the rest of the loaf in a baking dish in the background, all placed on a striped cloth.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    5 from 5 vote

    Easy Strawberry Banana Bread Recipe

    This moist strawberry banana bread is loaded with fresh fruit and perfect for using up ripe bananas and sourdough discard. Easy, delicious, and freezer-friendly.
    Prep Time10 minutes
    Cook Time1 hour
    Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: quick bread, sourdough starter, vegan
    Servings: 1 loaf
    Calories: 1178kcal
    Author: Lora

    Equipment

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups of flour sometimes I use ½ whole wheat
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 cup mashed bananas about 3-4 very ripe
    • ½ cup diced strawberries plus one thinly sliced one for decorating the top
    • ½ cup coconut oil
    • ½ cup organic cane sugar vegan
    • lemon rind from one lemon
    • ½ cup sourdough discard not fed
    • ½ cup oat milk
    • 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a 9 x5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
    • Add the apple cider vinegar to the soy milk and let it sit for a minute. Mash the bananas in a medium sized mixing bowl and stir in the lemon rind. In another medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sea salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
    • Add the sugar and coconut oil to the bananas. Stir to combine. Add in the oat milk with vinegar and give it a stir. Fold in the diced strawberries. Add the bananas to the flour mixture. Stir all the ingredients together. Place the bananan bread batter in the prepped loaf pan.
    • Place the strawberry slices on top of the bread. If you have turbinado sugar on hand, sprinkle a little on top.
    • Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes and lower temperature to 325 F and bake for about another 25-30 minutes. Cover the bread lightly with foil paper at this point so the strawberries on top won't get brown.
    • Let cool in pan for a bit and then pull the bread carefully out of loaf pan with the parchment paper. Slice and ENJOY! 

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.

    Notes

    Store the bread, wrapped tightly in plastic at room temperature up to two days.
    If you plan on eating it throughout the week, keep it wrapped in the fridge or even wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for an easy on the go breakfast.
    Wrap and freeze the entire loaf for longer storage.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1178kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 110g | Saturated Fat: 90g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 2194mg | Potassium: 877mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 422mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @savoringitaly or tag #savoringitaly!

39 Comments

  1. I must be out of sorts since I missed this post. Love this incredible how it came out looking so good regardless of the adjustments you had to make. Have fun in NOLA Lora!

  2. I love you more for the fact that you didn't throw your hands up and call it quit on short notice. Vegan baking is not impossible to adjust to, but just needs a bit of extra attention and I know you will master it in no time.

  3. wouldn't really know where to start with vegan baking - but this does look yummy (vegan or not !)

  4. I have family members who are vegan because of food allergies - so I have adapted when necessary. This looks like a winner. Now, I have made some chocolate cake that was vegan - somewhere I have the recipe...

    Interesting about changing dietary habits - and how wonderful that you are willing to accommodate - some won't.

  5. This is a wonderful recipe. It really can get really simple baking vegan and even cooking once you get the hang of it, but I understand what you are talking about.

  6. Wow, I can't imagine the switch that would be; enjoying cheeses and meats together and now having to discover a whole new way of cooking. You're so amazing for embracing this and venturing out into this new cooking realm.

    And, that banana bread looks fantastic. I'd never guess it's totally animal-product free.

  7. Vegan baking is a subject I know nothing about. Hopefully I'll learn a thing or two from your adventures in baking for the neighbors. This bread sounds and looks perfect for a vegan or just anyone for that matter. I would love a slice right now to go with this cup of coffee I just poured.

  8. You are too funny... yeah, it can be hard cooking vegan dishes, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it soon.

    But that banana bread does sound mighty tasty!

  9. I challenged myself to go vegan for a week earlier in the year and was surprised at how hard it was just for a few days, I feel for you trying to feed your neighbors! This bread would have made me happy, though:-)

  10. happy Birthday to your lovely daughter! That is one gorgeous birthday cake! Is there such a thing as unvegan for the day?!

  11. Welcome to the vegan world! 🙂 When I became vegetarian (I cooked a lot of vegan dishes too) I didn't mind baking with eggs and milk. I said to myself: "I don't want to bother with flexseeds etc.". In the last year I changed a lot. I like challenging myself and turn a normal cake's recipe into vegan. I prefer using oatmilk, coconut milk or ricemilk instead of normal one and it's easy to substitute the egg too. Check out my blog for some inspiration, more vegan cakes (an amazing chocolate one!!!) and cookies recipes are coming too!

    If you need help, DM me on Twitter or email me!

    Good luck!

    🙂

  12. What a lovely loaf! I bet it tastes amazing! But, don't get used to baking vegan... I love your tarts and pies and cakes and well you get the point. 🙂

    Happy Birthday to Gabriella!!

    xo

  13. Ohhh my that looks deeelish! I've made vegas banana cake, but I love your recipe with the strawberries. Yum Yum, I want some!! 🙂

  14. Happy birthday, Gabriella!

    And Lora, I hope you wont go vegan on us. lol. We love your baked goods. The bread looks delicious.

  15. This looks gorgeous and yes, awkward indeed having your hubby walk in with beef for the new vegans! Seems like a fun challenge, and just think of all the veggies and spices and everything else they CAN eat! 🙂 #bananalove

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating