If you are craving something cozy, sweet, and packed with fall flavors, this Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe is going to become your new favorite treat. It beautifully combines the natural sweetness and moistness of ripe bananas with the warm, comforting spices and vibrant color of pumpkin. This bread strikes the perfect balance between tender crumb and hearty texture, making it ideal for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a delightful dessert. Every slice promises to fill your kitchen with an inviting aroma and your heart with pure joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is truly the first step to baking magic with this Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe. Each ingredient plays an essential role, whether it’s adding moisture, spice, or that perfect lift to your loaf. Plus, they’re all simple pantry staples, making this recipe wonderfully accessible for any home baker.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for structure, providing the bread’s tender crumb.
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice: Adds warm, festive notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that define the flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon: Enhances the spice blend with an extra touch of sweetness and earthiness.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the bread rise beautifully and keeps it light.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Supports a little extra lift, ensuring the bread isn’t dense.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil: Keeps the bread moist and adds richness without a heavy texture.
- 1/2 cup sugar: Sweetens gently to complement the natural banana and pumpkin flavors.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Adds depth with its caramel-like notes and helps with moistness.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to a soft, tender loaf.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Brings a sweet, fragrant warmth that elevates all other flavors.
- 2 medium bananas (mashed): Naturally sweet and creamy, they add texture and moisture.
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree: Not pumpkin pie filling — brings that authentic pumpkin flavor and vibrant color.
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional): Provides a delightful crunch and subtle nuttiness.
How to Make Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, making sure it reaches the ideal temperature for a perfect bake. Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan so your bread will release easily after baking without losing any of that beautiful crust.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Combining the dry ingredients separately ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices, giving your bread consistent flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a larger bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and lump-free. This step is crucial for creating a silky batter that will soak the dry ingredients perfectly.
Step 4: Add Pumpkin and Bananas
Gently stir in the mashed bananas and canned pumpkin puree into the wet mixture. These two ingredients are the stars of the show, providing moisture, natural sweetness, and that signature autumn vibe.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Take your time to combine them without overmixing so the bread bakes up tender and fluffy. If you’re adding walnuts, stir them in now for a bit of textural contrast.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan evenly and place it in the oven. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top of the loaf feels firm when gently pressed. The loaf should not wobble if you nudge the pan; that’s your sign it’s perfectly cooked through.
How to Serve Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar on top for an elegant touch, or spread a dollop of cream cheese frosting for a luscious treat. Toasted walnuts or a drizzle of honey add delightful texture and sweetness, making each slice feel special.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of coffee or chai tea. For a complete breakfast, serve alongside fresh fruit or a simple yogurt parfait. In the afternoon, a scoop of vanilla ice cream transforms it into a comforting dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your loaf into charming gift baskets by slicing and wrapping pieces in parchment paper tied with rustic twine. You can also transform the bread into French toast for a unique breakfast twist, or cube it and enjoy as part of a bread pudding.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, wrap your pumpkin banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay moist and delicious for up to four days—perfect for enjoying throughout the week.
Freezing
To keep your bread fresh longer, slice it and freeze individual pieces in resealable bags. This way, you can defrost only what you need, preserving the loaf’s texture and flavor for up to three months.
Reheating
Revive the magic by reheating slices in a toaster oven or microwave for 20–30 seconds. Adding a little butter, cream cheese, or nut butter melts beautifully into the warm bread, bringing out its cozy flavors.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned puree?
Absolutely! If using fresh pumpkin, roast and puree it yourself. Just be sure to cook out excess moisture to avoid a soggy loaf. The flavor will be just as wonderful and even more natural tasting.
What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?
You can make your own by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This DIY blend works just as well in the Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe and lets you customize the spice level to your liking.
Can I substitute the vegetable oil with something else?
Yes, melted butter or coconut oil can be used instead of vegetable oil. They will add their own unique flavors, with butter providing richness and coconut oil adding a subtle tropical note.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This version uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends designed for baking. Just be aware the texture might change slightly.
How ripe should the bananas be?
The riper, the better! Bananas with lots of brown spots are perfect because they are naturally sweeter and mash easily, which enhances the bread’s moistness and flavor intensity.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe a try and enjoy it as much as I do. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate—easy to make, comforting, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or savoring a quiet moment alone, this bread brings a little bit of autumn magic to any day.
Print
Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Pumpkin Banana Bread recipe combines the warm spices of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon with ripe bananas and pumpkin puree to create a moist, flavorful loaf perfect for fall or any time you want a cozy treat. Enhanced with optional chopped walnuts for added texture, this easy-to-make bread bakes to a tender crumb with a beautifully spiced aroma.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 medium bananas, mashed
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
Optional
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan to ensure the bread doesn’t stick after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps, creating a cohesive batter base.
- Add Fruits: Stir the mashed bananas and pumpkin puree into the wet mixture thoroughly to infuse moisture and flavor into the batter.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Carefully fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until just combined to prevent overmixing, then gently stir in the chopped walnuts if using.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean, and the top of the loaf should feel firm and not wobble upon nudging.
Notes
- *Pumpkin pie spice typically contains cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves—adjust according to taste or use a homemade blend.
- Use ripe bananas with brown spots for best flavor and sweetness.
- Ensure pumpkin puree is not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices.
- For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts or substitute with seeds like pumpkin seeds.
- Store leftovers wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
