A light and moist vegan pumpkin banana bread recipe full of fall flavors and made with plant-based ingredients. It’s a healthy plant-based quick bread you will return to again and again!
Jump to:
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is; I’m always in the mood for everything, pumpkin. I get excited and giddy inside when Trader Joe’s makes their pumpkin splash. So when autumn arrives, I’m ready for ALL the vegan pumpkin recipes!
I love seeing ordinary everyday grocery items turn into something special by adding some pumpkin. Fall has almost become pumpkin season, and I’m down with it!
I have an exceptional treat for you, combining two of my favorite things vegan banana bread and pumpkin! This vegan pumpkin banana bread is rich in pumpkin flavor and spice. Only it stays true to a whole food plant-based diet.
This recipe has no oil, uses high-fiber whole grains, and it’s refined sugar-free! This makes a slice of this moist pumpkin bread a sweet indulgence you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying.
💗 Why This Recipe Works
- Whole food plant-based ingredients
- Whole wheat flour gives this bread added fiber
- Refined sugar-free option
- Vegan (dairy-free and egg-free)
- Moist and fluffy consistency
- Full of rich pumpkin flavor!
- This is an easy vegan snack recipe!
- Perfect for autumn!
🥣 Ingredients and Notes
Unsweetened Almond Milk: Be sure to use unsweetened original almond milk. You can also use soy or another plant-based milk.
Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice if possible. If you don’t have fresh lemon at home, use apple cider vinegar. When combined with almond milk, it creates a quick dairy-free homemade buttermilk.
Pumpkin Puree-I used canned pumpkin puree for ease. However, you can make your pumpkin puree by roasting pie pumpkins.
Mashed Banana: You will need two large bananas or three small bananas. The riper, the better. They are sweetest when they are beginning to brown.
Organic Cane Sugar: Opt for coconut sugar if you want to make a whole food plant-based version. It’s an unrefined sweetener.
Vanilla Extract Brings out the natural flavors of the pumpkin and the pumpkin pie spice.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: This combines cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. You can make your own if you don’t have pumpkin pie spice. Combine two tablespoons of cinnamon, one teaspoon of ginger, ½ teaspoon of nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon of allspice.
White Whole Wheat Flour: You must use white whole wheat flour for this recipe or all-purpose flour. Subbing almond flour will not result in the same light and fluffy texture. If you want to make this gluten-free, see my notes below.
Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Combining baking soda and baking powder helps this loaf rise. No flax egg is needed, as the baking soda and baking powder are enough to help leaven the loaf.
📋 Vegan Pumpkin Banana Bread Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Whisk together the almond milk and lemon juice. Set aside and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
Step 2: In a food processor, add 2-3 bananas. Pulse until the bananas form a liquid. Measure out 1 cup of mashed banana.
Step 3: Combine pumpkin, mashed banana, sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Whisk together until the sugar is dissolved.
Step 3: Combine the white whole wheat flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. Whisk together until combined.
Step 4: Add almond milk, and wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients. Carefully fold the ingredients together until combined. Don’t overmix.
Step 5: Line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread the batter evenly across the top. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds or dairy-free chocolate chips across the top (optional).
Step 6: Place an aluminum foil tent over the top. Bake for 60 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 F. Insert a toothpick through the center if it comes out clean it is completely baked.
❓ Recipe FAQS
In order to make this recipe refined sugar-free simply substitute brown sugar for muscovado sugar or coconut sugar. Muscovado sugar is an unrefined cane sugar with added natural molasses to create a moist sugar similar to brown sugar.
There are many different substitutions for eggs you can use in a quick bread to make a recipe vegan or allergy friendly. Using a flax egg by combining 1 tablespoon of ground flax with 2.5 tablespoons of water and allowing it to sit for 5 minutes to gel is a popular alternative. Fruit purees are also popular to use which include applesauce, banana, or pumpkin puree. Since pumpkin bread uses pumpkin puree, you may discover you don’t need an additional egg substitute.
If your loaf has a dry and crumbly texture it is likely due to not having enough pumpkin puree. Don’t skimp on the amount you use. Not only does this add tons of flavor, but it also helps keep your loaf moist and assists in helping it rise. Make sure to use the amount of puree that is recommended in the recipe. If you are short on pumpkin puree, substitute the remainder with another fruit puree such as applesauce or banana.
Check the expiration date on your baking soda and baking powder if your loaf doesn’t rise. Make sure that it is fresh and up to date! So often, our baking ingredients end up at the back of our pantry and are no longer fresh or active. If your loaf didn’t rise, it is likely due to your leavening ingredients being expired. Another reason your bread may not rise is if you fill your loaf pan to the top. If this happens the batter needs to continue to rise above the pan it will end up collapsing on itself. To ensure this doesn’t happen, be sure to use a 9-inch loaf pan, not an 8-inch loaf pan.
👩🏻🍳 Variations and Substitutions
Gluten-Free: I recommend using a blend of oat flour and buckwheat flour. You could also use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 all-purpose flour blend. I have not made this recipe gluten-free so that the results may vary. However, if you use almond flour, this will not rise. Almond flour absorbs more liquid, turning out dense and somewhat mushy.
Add Nuts: This quick bread would taste amazing with a ½ cup of chopped walnuts or chopped pecans for added crunch, texture, protein, and healthy fats!
Do you have a few pumpkin seeds? Sprinkle these on top before baking for a beautiful crunchy top.
Add Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips: Stir in ½ cup of dairy-free chocolate chips and sprinkle a few on the top to make this a vegan chocolate chip pumpkin bread.
😋 How to Serve Vegan Pumpkin Banana Bread
I enjoy this vegan pumpkin banana bread with a cup of herbal tea or coffee in the morning.
If you’d like to add a spread on top, you could slather it with this vegan pumpkin fluff made with coconut cream, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice!
It’s an extra special treat, and really more of a dessert when served this way!
❄️ How to Store and Keep
Store-Wrap bread in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or both to trap all moisture. Or use an airtight container. Store at room temperature in a cool dry place.
Keep-The bread will keep and remain fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature and up to 7 days in the fridge. However, it tastes best when it is at its peak of freshness between 3-4 days.
Freeze-Wrap the loaf in saran wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag, removing all air. Label the bag with the date, and store it in the freezer for 2-3 months. When ready to serve, remove from the freezer and allow the bread to thaw at room temperature.
💭 Expert Tips
- Add an aluminum foil tent over the top to keep the top from burning and allow the center to cook completely.
- Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Then carefully remove it from the pan by gently pulling the edges of the parchment paper.
- For best results, allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing.
🎥 Video
⚖️ Serving Size
This loaf makes 12 slices of bread.
🎃 More vegan pumpkin recipes!
Recipe
Vegan Pumpkin Banana Bread
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup mashed banana 2-3 bananas
- 1 cup organic cane sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Whisk together the almond milk and lemon juice. Set aside and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
- In a food processor add 2-3 bananas. Pulse until the bananas form a liquid. Measure out 1 cup of mashed banana.
- Combine pumpkin puree, mashed banana, sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Whisk together until the sugar is dissolved.
- Combine the white whole wheat flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together until combined.
- Add the almond milk, and wet ingredients to bowl of dry ingredients. Carefully fold ingredients together until combined. Don't overmix.
- Line a 9 inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Pour batter into the loaf pan. Spread the batter evenly across the top. At this time you can sprinkle pumpkin seeds or dairy free chocolate chips across the top.
- Place an aluminum foil tent over the top. Bake for 60 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 F. Insert a toothpick through the center if it comes out clean it is completely baked.
Video
Notes
- Add an aluminum foil tent over the top to keep the top from burning and allow the center to cook completely.
- Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Then carefully remove it from the pan by gently pulling the edges of the parchment paper. Allow it to cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing.
- The bread will keep for up to 5 days at room temperature when wrapped in saran wrap and aluminum foil. However, it tastes best when first baked, and will dry out a bit as the days pass. You can also freeze this bread for up to 2 months.
Susie
Excellent flavor profile! Used WW Pastry flour as that was in the pantry. Topped with raw pumpkin seeds. Thanks for the recipe.
Jacque Hastert
I love plant-based recipes! They are perfect for every lifestyle and always taste amazing! I like to think of them as a guilt-free snack.
Christie Gagnon
I’m always looking for new vegan recipes and this pumpkin bread sounds scrumptious. Can’t wait to give it a try!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
Pumpkin bread is one of my favourites but I don’t get around to making it too often. Definitely giving this delicious recipe the thumbs up – it is packed full of fall flavour and is super delicious.
Monica
So delicious! I especially love the pumpkin seeds on top – they are so pretty and add the perfect extra touch of texture!
veenaazmanov
This definitely looks like a healthy Bread. Pumpkin sounds very interesting and this bread look soft and moist too. Have to try making some for family.