Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread Recipe

The Perfect Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread Recipe for Fall Treats

Pumpkin chip banana bread blends autumnal warmth with comforting sweetness, creating a delightful twist on classic quick bread.

Seasonal spices dance through each tender crumb, promising rich, nostalgic flavors that transport you to cozy kitchen memories.

Moist and dense, this recipe upgrades ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary treat that feels like a culinary embrace.

Ripe bananas contribute natural sugars and depth, while pumpkin adds velvety texture and earthy undertones.

Chocolate chips scattered throughout provide unexpected bursts of indulgence that complement the bread soft interior.

Baking this bread fills your home with an irresistible aroma that signals pure comfort and deliciousness.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction with this foolproof recipe that welcomes both novice and experienced bakers.

Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread That Combines Two Favorites

  • Savor Seasonal Comfort: Blend the warm, cozy flavors of pumpkin and banana in this delightful bread that captures the essence of autumn's most beloved ingredients.
  • Quick and Easy Baking Triumph: Whip up this recipe in just over an hour with simple mixing techniques that even novice bakers can master, creating a show-stopping treat with minimal effort.
  • Chocolate-Studded Texture Paradise: Enjoy the perfect balance of moist, tender bread punctuated by rich dark chocolate chips that melt and create pockets of decadent sweetness in every slice.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert, this bread serves up comfort in a single loaf that appeals to both kids and adults with its irresistible combination of flavors.

Everything You Need for Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread

Main Ingredients:

Wet Ingredients:
  • Ripe Bananas: Soft, sweet base that provides natural moisture and flavor to the bread.
  • Pumpkin Puree: Adds rich autumn flavor and creates a moist, dense texture.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure to the bread.
  • Butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps create a tender crumb.
  • Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel sweetness and helps keep the bread moist.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Standard flour that creates the bread's foundation and structure.
  • Dark Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful pockets of chocolate throughout the bread.
Spices and Seasonings:
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
  • Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights other flavors.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help bread rise and become fluffy.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: Warm blend of spices that adds classic autumn flavor profile.

Instructions for Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Prep the Baking Vessel

Crank the oven to 350°F (175°C)

Grab a standard loaf pan

Coat the inside with butter or cooking spray

Line with parchment paper, allowing extra hanging on sides

Step 2: Mash and Mix Wet Ingredients

Grab ripe bananas

Crush and mash until super smooth

Crack in egg

Whisk thoroughly

Pour in:
  • Melted butter
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Brown sugar

Blend until silky and combined

Step 3: Create Dry Ingredient Mixture

Grab separate mixing bowl

Measure and add:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Sea salt
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Pumpkin pie spice

Whisk until perfectly blended

Step 4: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently pour dry ingredients into wet mixture

Stir until ingredients just kiss and combine

Fold in most of the dark chocolate chips

Reserve some chips for topping

Step 5: Transfer Batter and Decorate

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan

Spread evenly with spatula

Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide pan into preheated oven

Bake 50-60 minutes

Check doneness with toothpick

If top browns too quickly, tent with foil during last 20 minutes

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Remove from oven

Let bread rest in pan

Cool completely

Slice and serve

Enjoy at room temperature or slightly warmed

Tips for Better Texture in Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread

  • Mash Bananas Thoroughly: Ensure bananas are completely smooth for a consistent, creamy texture throughout the bread.
  • Avoid Overmixing: Stir dry and wet ingredients just until combined to prevent a tough, dense loaf.
  • Check Moisture Levels: If bananas are extra large or very ripe, slightly reduce liquid ingredients to maintain perfect bread consistency.
  • Chocolate Chip Distribution: Reserve some chips to sprinkle on top for a beautiful, appetizing presentation and extra chocolate in every bite.
  • Cooling is Crucial: Let the bread cool completely in the pan to help it set and prevent crumbling when slicing, allowing flavors to meld and develop.

Store and Reheat Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread Properly

  • Refrigerate: Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator to maintain moisture and freshness.
  • Freeze: Slice the bread, wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to preserve for up to 3 months. Thaw individual slices at room temperature or briefly warm in the microwave.
  • Reheat: Warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or toast in a toaster oven at 300°F until heated through, which helps restore the bread's soft texture and enhances the flavors of chocolate and spices.

Pair Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread with These Sips

  • Brew Creamy Chai Latte Companion: Pair this rich pumpkin banana bread with a warm, spicy chai latte. The warm spices in the chai will complement the pumpkin pie spice, creating a harmonious flavor explosion that dances on your taste buds.
  • Serve Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Topping: Top a slice of this bread with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, smooth texture contrasts beautifully with the warm, dense bread, while the vanilla enhances the pumpkin and banana notes.
  • Create Maple Butter Drizzle: Whip up a quick maple butter by mixing softened butter with pure maple syrup. Spread this decadent mixture on a warm slice of bread to elevate the existing sweet and autumnal flavors, adding a luxurious richness.
  • Pour Dark Roast Coffee Pairing: Enjoy a mug of robust dark roast coffee alongside this bread. The deep, slightly bitter coffee flavor balances the sweetness of the chocolate chips and provides a perfect morning or afternoon treat.

Custom Ideas for Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread

  • Nutty Harvest Loaf: Replace dark chocolate chips with chopped walnuts or pecans for a rustic, autumn-inspired bread that adds crunch and rich nutty flavor to the classic recipe.
  • Spiced Maple Variation: Swap brown sugar with maple syrup and increase pumpkin pie spice for a deeper, more intense seasonal profile that brings warmth to every slice.
  • Cream Cheese Swirl Edition: Create a cream cheese mixture with softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla, then swirl through the batter before baking for a tangy, luxurious texture contrast.
  • Gluten-Free Pumpkin Banana Bread: Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add an extra egg to maintain moisture and binding, perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.
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Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread Recipe

Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 33 reviews

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

Description

Pumpkin chip banana bread combines autumn’s warmth with comforting homemade goodness. Spiced with cinnamon and studded with chocolate chips, this quick bread delivers rich flavors that welcome you home with sweet, nostalgic charm.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1½ cups)
  • ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips, divided

Sweeteners and Fats:

  • 5 tablespoons (75 milliliters) butter, melted and cooled
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar

Spices and Leavening Agents:

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350°F and prepare a bread pan with parchment paper sling or grease, ensuring easy loaf removal.
  2. Thoroughly mash ripe bananas in a medium mixing bowl until completely smooth and creamy.
  3. Whisk an egg into the mashed bananas, creating a uniform mixture.
  4. Incorporate melted butter, vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, and brown sugar, stirring until ingredients are fully integrated and glossy.
  5. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, sea salt, baking soda, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice, creating a light and airy dry mixture.
  6. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, using minimal strokes to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender crumb.
  7. Carefully fold three-quarters of the dark chocolate chips into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
  8. Transfer batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula and sprinkling remaining chocolate chips across the top.
  9. Place in preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, watching for golden-brown coloration and checking doneness with a toothpick.
  10. If bread browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil during final baking stage.
  11. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan before slicing to ensure structural integrity.
  12. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Perfectly blends autumn’s warmth with classic banana bread comfort, creating a delightful seasonal twist.
  • Chocolate chips add unexpected richness, transforming traditional pumpkin bread into an indulgent treat.
  • Key to success is not overmixing batter, which keeps bread tender and prevents tough texture.
  • Parchment paper sling ensures effortless bread removal and prevents sticking to pan edges.
  • Toothpick test is crucial for determining doneness, ensuring moist interior without raw centers.
  • Optional foil tenting prevents over-browning, maintaining beautiful golden-brown exterior during longer baking time.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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