A mixing bowl containing dry ingredients for banana pancakes, with a wooden spoon beside it.

First off, let me just say it—breakfast is the best meal of the day. It’s the only time you can genuinely enjoy dessert-like foods and somehow convince yourself that it “powers you through the morning.” Pancakes? Cake for breakfast? No notes.

But these aren’t just your run-of-the-mill pancakes—they’re sourdough discard banana pancakes. What makes these so special? They combine the tangy, undefined magic of sourdough discard with the sweet, caramel-y goodness of ripe bananas. And yes, it’s as fluffy, addictive, and borderline sinful as it sounds.

If you’re a fellow sourdough baker (or starter caretaker, as I like to call it), you know the joy of feeding your bubbly, yeasty friend. But along with that joy comes a pressing question: What on Earth do I do with all this discard? Spoiler: the answer is pancakes. Specifically, banana pancakes with an added depth of flavor that only your sourdough discard can bring.

This waste-free, flavor-packed recipe is your new breakfast (or brunch, or brinner) bestie! Let’s dive right in—because if you’re like me, you’re probably hungry already.

Why Make Sourdough Discard Banana Pancakes?

Okay, so why would you want to mix sourdough discard and bananas for your pancakes? Here’s why these are basically the MVP of all pancakes:

Zero Waste: Discarding sourdough starter during feedings hurts my eco-conscious heart. Repurposing it in recipes like this means no waste, no guilt.
Unique Tangy Flavor: The sourdough discard adds a subtle tang that balances the natural sweetness of the bananas, taking your pancakes from good to we’ve-made-it-to-the-big-leagues good.
Fluffy & Moist Texture: Bananas keep these pancakes soft and moist, while sourdough discard creates tiny bubbles for fluffy perfection.
Quick, Easy, and Forgiving: Pancakes are beginner-friendly. No kneading, proofing, or waiting required—just mix, pour, and flip.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk ingredients. You don’t need anything fancy here—these pancakes are made with pantry staples, plus your ripe bananas and sourdough discard.

For a generous batch (serves 4-6 people), here’s what you’ll need:

Dry Ingredients

1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional but adds warmth and coziness)

Wet Ingredients

3/4 cup (180g) sourdough discard (unfed is fine—just make sure it’s fresh and smells tangy)
2-3 medium ripe bananas (mashed with a fork—about 1 cup/240g total)
2 large eggs
1/4 cup (60ml) milk (any kind works—dairy or non-dairy)
1 tablespoon sugar or honey (sweetness is optional—bananas are naturally sweet enough for some folks)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Butter or neutral oil (for greasing your pan or griddle)

What You’ll Need in Your Kitchen

A bowl of mashed bananas with sourdough discard and other wet ingredients ready to be mixed.

Before we get into the fun part (cooking!), make sure you’ve got these tools on hand:

A large mixing bowl
A whisk or fork
A ladle or measuring cup (for portioning batter)
Spatula (the good kind—nothing flimsy for flipping pancakes, please!)
Nonstick skillet, frying pan, or griddle

Making Sourdough Discard Banana Pancakes

Ready? Let’s pancake. Here’s the feel-good, foolproof recipe:

1. Start with the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Stir until evenly mixed and set aside.

2. Mash and Mix the Wet Crew

In a separate bowl, mash your bananas with a fork until mostly smooth (a few small lumps are fine). Mix in your sourdough discard, eggs, milk, sugar/honey, and vanilla extract. Whisk it all up like your life depends on it.

3. Combine the Two

Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, gently folding until just combined. Be like Elsa from Frozen here and let it go—don’t overmix, or you’ll end up with dense, rubbery pancakes. A few small lumps of flour in the batter are totally normal.

4. Heat Things Up

Preheat your skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Add a pat of butter or a drizzle of oil and let it melt/coat evenly. Test the heat with a droplet of water—it should sizzle gently, not aggressively.

5. Cook the Magic Circles

Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to set, about 2-3 minutes. Flip with confidence (you got this!) and cook 1-2 minutes more on the other side until golden brown.

Repeat until your batter is gone, adding more butter or oil to the pan as needed.

Tips, Tricks & Pancake Perfection

Banana pancakes cooking on a skillet, with bubbles forming on the surface.

Ripe Bananas Only, Please!: Greenish bananas won’t work here—you want them spotty and overripe for maximum natural sweetness.
Test Pancakes: Your first pancake is your “test batch”—adjust heat levels if needed (too dark? Lower the heat).
Keep ‘Em Warm: If you’re cooking for a crowd, keep your pancakes warm by placing them on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven until everyone’s ready to eat.
Add-In Ideas: Get fancy! Toss in chocolate chips, walnuts, or blueberries for an extra burst of flavor.

Nutrition Info (Per Pancake, Approx. 16 Pancakes)

Calories: 75
Carbs: 13g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 2g
Fiber: 1g

Storage & Reheating

Got leftovers? Lucky you! These pancakes store beautifully:

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a single layer, then stack with parchment between each pancake in a zip-top bag. Reheat straight from frozen in a toaster or microwave.

Why These Pancakes Are Worth Your Attention

Let’s be real—sourdough discard banana pancakes are a straight-up game-changer. They’re so much more than a way to “use up leftovers.” They’re a love letter to your discard, bananas teetering on the edge of too-ripe, and breakfast lovers everywhere.

For more inspiration, check out BBC Food’s Banana Pancakes Recipe.

So, whether you’re hosting brunch, feeding picky kids, or simply vibing with a cup of coffee on a lazy Sunday, these pancakes will earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation.

Ready to tackle more discard magic? Check out our Sourdough Discard Crackers Recipe for your next no-waste win!

Tell me your pancake stories below! Did you add chocolate chips? Nuts? Or devour them straight out of the pan? Don’t hold back—I want all the juicy pancake details! 🍌🥞