When you’re staring at those extra ripe bananas sitting on your counter and you want something a little more festive for fall, this Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread is about to become your new best friend.
It’s packed with that cozy pumpkin spice flavor, but still keeps the classic banana bread goodness we all know and love. It’s super moist, perfectly sweet, and makes your whole house smell ridiculously amazing.
I’ve made this recipe so many times and it’s honestly one of those bakes that just feels like a hug. Plus, it’s easy enough to whip up with the kids or just by yourself if you want a little peaceful baking time.
Alright, let’s jump into it.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 large eggs, room temp if you can
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter if you’re feeling fancy)
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips (go wild)
Pro Tips
1. Go for super spotty bananas
The darker, the better. They bring that rich, deep sweetness you want.
2. Let the kids help
Let them mash the bananas or stir the batter. Seriously, they love it and it’s a fun way to get them into baking.
3. Don’t overmix
Once you combine your wet and dry ingredients, mix just until you don’t see flour streaks anymore. Overmixing makes bread tough, and we want soft and fluffy.
4. Play with the mix-ins
If your kids are picky, you can split the batter and add chocolate chips to half and nuts to the other half. Everyone wins.
5. Keep an eye on bake time
Start checking around the 55-minute mark. Every oven is a little different and you don’t want dry bread.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- 9×5 inch loaf pan
- Whisk (or a hand mixer if you want to be quick)
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Toothpick for checking doneness
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Works great.
- Vegan: Use flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water per egg) and swap in a plant-based oil.
- Lower Sugar: Cut the brown sugar down to ½ cup if you want it a little less sweet.
- Add-Ins: Chocolate chips, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds…whatever sounds good!
Make-Ahead Tips
Honestly, this bread tastes even better the next day. You can bake it the night before, wrap it up nice and tight once it’s cooled, and it’ll be ready for breakfast, snacks, or lunchboxes the next day.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease or line a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, pumpkin purée, eggs, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, mix your flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t overthink it. A few lumps are fine.
- Fold in any nuts, chocolate chips, or other add-ins you’re using.
- Pour the batter into your loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for about 55 to 65 minutes. Check it with a toothpick around 55 minutes. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, it’s ready.
- Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then move it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Info (per slice, based on 12 slices)
- Calories: ~260
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 35g
- Protein: 3g
- Sugar: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
Quick Note: These numbers are just estimates depending on what you toss into the batter.
Leftovers and Storage
- Room Temp: Wrap tightly and keep for up to 3 days.
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Slice it up, wrap individual slices, and freeze for up to 3 months. Perfect for quick snacks or breakfast on busy mornings.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yep! Just make sure it’s pureed really well and not too watery.
What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?
No worries. You can mix cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves yourself.
Can I make this recipe into muffins?
Absolutely. Just divide the batter into a muffin tin and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes.
Is this bread sweet enough to be a dessert?
It’s perfectly balanced. But if you want it more dessert-like, add a simple glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar on top.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread is one of those recipes that just feels like a little win every time you make it. It’s cozy, flavorful, family-approved, and honestly, it’s the perfect excuse to pull out your fall candles and pretend it’s sweater weather, even if it’s still hot where you are.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below, let me know how it went, and don’t be afraid to share any fun variations you tried too.
