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Simple sourdough banana waffles that can be made in just minutes. And the best thing is that this easy batter can be used for waffles or pancakes!
Perfect for a sweet sourdough breakfast treat or a fruity dessert topped with berries and cream (I’ve added tonnes of fun serving suggestions further down).
If you are a sourdough waffle lover, you might also like to try these spiced pumpkin waffles, no wait sourdough waffles, sourdough chocolate waffles or these overnight fermented sourdough waffles.
And remember, this sourdough banana waffle batter can be made into pancakes too! Just fry them in a pan with a little butter and oil instead of adding them to a waffle iron. If you’ve got lots of bananas to use up, make sure you check out this sourdough discard banana bread.
If you need to make a sourdough starter, you’ll find my easy sourdough starter instructions here.
Why Use Sourdough Starter In Waffle Batter?
Of course you can make banana waffles without sourdough starter, but there are so many reasons you should add some sourdough starter, or sourdough starter discard, to your favorite breakfast treat!
- creates a more tangy, complex flavor profile
- adds good bacteria and benefits of fermentation
- creates less food waste
Sourdough starter or sourdough discard adds a lovely sourdough tang to your waffles, adding a more complex flavor profile than a regular waffle.
It also adds an element of fermentation to your waffles, even if you’re not actually fermenting the batter. Adding sourdough starter adds flour and water that has been fermented, along with all the good lacto acid bacteria that comes with it.
It’s a great way to use up unfed sourdough starter that would normally get thrown away. Food waste is costing our country millions of dollars – so why not use that waste product for something tasty … and nutritious!
You can read more about the benefits of sourdough discard recipes here.
How To Make Sourdough Banana Waffles
Making sourdough banana waffles could not be easier! If you have ripe bananas and a jar of sourdough starter, you could have a delicious waffle breakfast in just 30 minutes!
Here’s how to make delicious sourdough banana waffles:
- Mash bananas with the back of a fork (it doesn’t matter if it’s not smooth).
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together mashed bananas, sourdough starter, milk and eggs until well combined.
- Pour in the melted butter and stir through the starter mixture.
- In a separate bowl, mix together flour salt, baking powder and sugar.
- Now pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Mix until it forms a pourable batter.
- Heat up your waffle iron and spoon mixture into the iron. Cook to your liking (these waffles are delicious soft or crispy).
Recipe Variations
The thing I love about this recipe is it is really so versatile! You can make lots of ingredient swaps to ensure that it fits in with your dietary needs or simply what you have on hand that day. Here are a few swaps you can make, without ruining the flavor of these banana sourdough waffles:
- Swap the all purpose flour for whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor – or just to increase the nutrient value of these waffles. You may need to add a little milk to thin the mixture out as whole wheat will absorb more moisture than all purpose.
- Swap the white sugar for brown sugar for a yummy caramel twist!
- Add 100g of chocolate chips to the dry ingredients when mixing (white chocolate chips are super yummy).
- Add 100g of chopped walnuts or pecans for a nutty crunch.
- For a dairy free version, use vegan free butter, vegetable oil or coconut oil and a plant based milk.
Best Toppings for Sourdough Banana Waffles
Topping ideas for sourdough banana waffles really are only limited by your imagination! But here are a few of my faves:
- spiced pumpkin cream cheese
- whipped honey cinnamon butter
- whipped cream, slices of banana, maple syrup drizzle, chopped pecans
- good quality vanilla ice cream, berries, chai latte sprinkle (trust me on this)
- salted caramel sauce, slices of banana, chopped walnuts and cacao nibs.
- for something a little different I love slices of banana, crispy bacon and a drizzle of maple syrup (the sweet and salty is so good).
Frequently Asked Questions
No these sourdough banana waffles are not vegan as they contain eggs, butter and milk.
Yes you can make these sourdough banana waffles dairy free by using plant based milk (I recommend oat milk or coconut milk) and vegan butter. They taste delicious when using these substitutes and you will still get fluffy waffles.
You can ferment this batter overnight, but I would not add the banana until just before you go to cook them. If you would like an overnight waffle batter, I highly recommend these long fermented sourdough waffles.
Sourdough Banana Waffles (or pancakes)
Equipment
- Waffle Iron Cast Iron or Electric
Ingredients
- 300 g Banana, equiv. to 3 medium bananas
- 200 g Sourdough Starter, discard or fed and bubbly
- 2 Eggs
- 180 g Whole Milk, can substitute buttermilk if you prefer (see notes)
- 50 g Butter, Melted
- 150 g All Purpose Flour
- 50 g Sugar
- 12 g Baking Powder, 2 teaspoons
- 5 g Salt, 1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
- Mash bananas with the back of a fork (it doesn't matter if it's not smooth).
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together mashed bananas, sourdough starter, milk and eggs until well combined.
- Pour in the melted butter and stir through the starter mixture.
- In a separate bowl, mix together flour salt, baking powder and sugar.
- Now pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Mix until it forms a pourable batter.
- Heat up your waffle iron and spoon mixture into the iron. Cook to your liking (these waffles are delicious soft or crispy).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Rate and comment below!
wondering how far in advance i can make this batter. I can see in the article its possible to ferment overnight. However, I’m wondering if i can make the batter minus the banana, then cold retard overnight, adding the banana in the morning and cooking; without altering the flavour too much. thankyou
I made these and loved the flavor but could not get mine to crisp up at all… I tried cooking spray and also oil in the waffle maker…
Do you think a milk alternative would work just as well?
Yes plant based milks are fine 🙂
Thank you for the recipe.
I made for Sunday breakfast but modified by replacing the flour with einkorn flour and milk with yogurt.
Thanks again. 🙏🏽
Hi what can I substitute for egg
Sadly this one didn’t work out for us- nice flavour but didn’t rise and the waffles didn’t stick together in the middle. We do love your plain waffle recipe though!
I love all of your recipes and can always count on you for a anything sourdough related!! I don’t comment enough, thank you for all that you provide for us home bakers!!
My go to from now on! I added a scoop of protein powder & used freshly milled soft white flour. The flavor is unbelievable! It reminded me of the chewiness of mochi. So tasty!