The Best Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe for Fall Baking Joy

Crisp autumn winds whisper tales of homemade pumpkin banana bread that warms hearts and kitchens alike.

Cozy moments call for slices of pure comfort wrapped in delightful spices.

Soft, moist textures blend sweet bananas with earthy pumpkin notes, creating something magical.

Each ingredient tells a story of seasonal warmth and nostalgic memories.

Fragrant cinnamon and nutmeg dance through the kitchen, promising delectable surprises.

Little hands love helping mix this simple yet extraordinary treat.

Rich aromas will draw everyone close, eager to savor the first delicious bite.

Bake this bread and watch smiles bloom across expectant faces.

Why Pumpkin Banana Bread Is A Favorite

• Seasonal Comfort Maker: Combines the warmth of pumpkin and sweet banana flavors, creating a cozy treat that perfectly captures autumn's essence and wraps you in delicious comfort.
• Quick and Easy Baking: Requires minimal preparation time with simple mixing steps, making it an ideal recipe for both novice and experienced bakers who want a hassle-free baking experience.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Works wonderfully as a breakfast companion, afternoon snack, or dessert, appealing to different tastes and fitting seamlessly into various meal occasions for family and friends.
• Nutritious Indulgence: Packed with natural ingredients like bananas and pumpkin, offering a healthier alternative to traditional sweet breads while still delivering incredible taste and satisfying texture.

Best Pairings For Pumpkin Banana Bread

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: Complement the bread's cozy autumn flavors with a creamy, spiced chai latte that echoes the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger notes.
• Enhance with Maple Pecan Butter: Spread a rich, homemade maple pecan butter on warm slices to amplify the nutty undertones and add luxurious sweetness.
• Enjoy with Cream Cheese Frosting Drizzle: Create a decadent experience by adding a light cream cheese frosting drizzle that balances the bread's warm spices and provides a tangy contrast.
• Match with Caramel Latte: Serve alongside a hot caramel latte to highlight the bread's deep, comforting flavors and bring out its subtle sweetness.

Fun Mix-Ins For Pumpkin Banana Bread

• Nutty Pumpkin Banana Bread: Replace chocolate chips with toasted pecans or walnuts for a rich, crunchy texture. Sprinkle extra chopped nuts on top before baking for added crunch and visual appeal.
• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Banana Bread: Fold in a generous cup of dark chocolate chips into the batter for a decadent, sweet variation. Milk chocolate or semi-sweet chips work equally well.
• Spiced Maple Pumpkin Banana Bread: Swap brown sugar with maple syrup and add an extra teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Drizzle warm maple glaze over the cooled bread for an indulgent finish.
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Banana Bread: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum for better texture and binding.

Pumpkin Banana Bread Questions People Ask

• Why combine pumpkin and banana in this bread?

The combination creates a super moist, rich bread with deeper flavor complexity. Bananas add natural sweetness while pumpkin brings warmth and earthy undertones that make this quick bread extra delicious.

• Can I make this bread gluten-free?

Yes, simply swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.

• How do I know when the bread is perfectly baked?

Check with a toothpick inserted into the center – it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top will be golden brown and slightly cracked when it’s done.

• Is this bread healthy?

While not a diet food, it offers nutritional benefits from pumpkin (vitamin A, fiber) and bananas (potassium, vitamin B6). The recipe uses less sugar compared to traditional quick breads and includes healthy spices like cinnamon and ginger.

Pumpkin Banana Bread Ingredient List

• Bananas, Pumpkin Puree: Provide moisture and natural sweetness to the bread, ripe bananas work best.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure to the bread.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a moist and tender texture.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Add sweetness and help with caramelization.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary structure and base for the bread.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents for rise and lightness.
• Salt: Balances and enhances other flavors.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger: Classic warm spices that complement pumpkin and banana.
• Nuts, Chocolate Chips: Optional add-ins for extra texture and flavor, chopped walnuts or pecans work well.

Step-By-Step Pumpkin Banana Bread Guide

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab your loaf pan and give it a friendly coating of grease or wrap it in parchment paper for easy bread removal.

Step 2: Whip Up Wet Ingredients

• Mashed ripe bananas
• Pumpkin puree
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract

Whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and inviting.

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground cloves
• Ground ginger

Stir these powdery friends until they’re well acquainted.

Step 4: Create Magical Batter

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Gently fold everything together with a light touch. If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in some chopped walnuts or chocolate chips for extra excitement.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Transfer the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Slide the pan into the warm oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. Your bread is ready when a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Let the aroma of warm spices fill your kitchen!

Easy Tips For Pumpkin Banana Bread

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir ingredients gently to keep bread tender and prevent tough, dense texture. Stop mixing as soon as dry ingredients disappear into wet mixture.
• Customize Mix-Ins: Experiment with chocolate chips, walnuts, or pecans for extra crunch and flavor. Toss mix-ins in small amount of flour to prevent sinking during baking.
• Check Moisture Balance: Use ripe, soft bananas for natural sweetness and moisture. Overripe bananas work best for rich, moist bread texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend or almond flour for dietary needs. Add xanthan gum to improve bread's structure and texture.
• Perfect Doneness Test: Insert toothpick in center of bread – it should come out clean with few moist crumbs. Allow bread to cool completely before slicing to maintain structural integrity.

How To Keep Pumpkin Banana Bread Fresh

• Wrap the cooled pumpkin banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture.
• Store at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping it on the kitchen counter away from direct sunlight.
• Refrigerate the bread in an airtight container to extend its freshness for up to 5-7 days.
• Freeze individual slices or the entire loaf by wrapping securely in plastic wrap, then placing in a freezer-safe bag.
• Frozen bread stays delicious for 2-3 months – simply thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
• Pro tip: Slice the bread before freezing for easier individual serving and quick defrosting.

Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm autumn vibes flow through this pumpkin banana bread, blending classic comfort with seasonal charm. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, each slice promises a delightful journey of sweet, moist comfort perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) canned pumpkin puree
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil (or melted butter)

Sweeteners:

• ¾ cup (150 grams) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

Optional Add-ins:

• ½ cup (60 grams) chopped walnuts or chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by warming it to 350F (175C) and preparing a 9×5-inch loaf pan with a light coating of grease or a parchment paper lining.
2. Create a luscious wet mixture by thoroughly whisking ripe mashed bananas, smooth pumpkin puree, neutral cooking oil, fresh eggs, rich brown sugar, granulated sugar, and aromatic vanilla extract until the texture becomes silky and fully integrated.
3. In a separate vessel, harmonize the dry ingredients by gently blending flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, warm ground cinnamon, fragrant nutmeg, earthy cloves, and zesty ginger.
4. Carefully marry the wet and dry ingredient mixtures, using gentle folding techniques to incorporate them without overworking the batter. If desired, introduce chopped nuts or decadent chocolate chips during this delicate blending process.
5. Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure an even distribution and attractive final appearance.
6. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, monitoring until a slender toothpick inserted into the bread’s center emerges completely clean, indicating perfect doneness.

Notes

• Moisture Boost: Overripe bananas are your secret weapon for ultra-moist pumpkin banana bread, delivering deeper sweetness and softer texture.
• Spice Balance: Freshly ground spices dramatically elevate the flavor profile, creating a more vibrant and aromatic baked treat compared to pre-ground alternatives.
• Gluten-Free Modification: Swap wheat flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising the bread’s delightful texture.
• Healthy Swap: Replace half the oil with unsweetened applesauce to reduce calories and add natural sweetness while maintaining the bread’s signature moistness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 215
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg