Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is an easy vegan bread recipe that is moist and festive. Slice the loaf and have it warm or cold.
Pumpkin and chocolate seem to be made for each other. Meaning you could sure leave the chocolate chips out but why? I mean Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is a THING.
You could even stir in some nuts but this is a nice smooth quick bread with all of the concentration on the pumpkin and chocolate. If you go the nutty route then use pecans for more of the season twist.
Since all of us already love banana bread I think you can imagine the additional ingredients. Good stuff!
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Let's dive right in and check out all of the ingredients.
🧾 Ingredients
- Bananas are used very ripe for banana bread and that makes it sweeter.
- All-purpose flour is the main base and use organic if you can.
- Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) for that festive flavor.
- Maple syrup is always my liquid flavor of choice.
- Coconut sugar is the one I used but you can use date sugar, maple sugar, organic cane sugar or any of your favorite.
- Extra virgin olive oil helps keep the bread moist.
- Vanilla Extract adds so much flavor with just a little bit.
- Pumpkin spice also is perfect for this quick bread. If you don't have any you may have all of the ingredients in your cupboard to make your own. Here is my pumpkin spice recipe.
- Ground cinnamon gives a little more earthy autumn flavor.
- Baking powder helps the bread rise.
- Dark chocolate chips (or semi sweet) are spread throughout the batter and sprinkled on top.
- Salt is an understated seasoning but is needed.
🔪 How to make pumpkin banana bread
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Preparation won't take long so you might as well get the oven going.
- Grease the loaf pan or use parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl mash the bananas with a fork, or hand mixer.
- The pumpkin puree will probably be in the baking aisle. Don't use the pumpkin pie filling because it has already been sweetened and the mix will be wrong.
- Add the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Use a separate bowl to mix the flour and baking soda together with the spices.
- Add the dry mixture into the wet and mix well with a wooden spoon or hand mixer.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and mix them in by hand without overbeating. Oh my gosh! If you don't watch Shitt's Creek you must give it a try. Season 2, Episode 2 there was a scene about not knowing what ' fold in' means. Hillarious!
- Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on the top.
- Pour the batter into an 8 x 4 x 3 loaf pan and bake for 45-60 minutes checking. The timing depends on your pan and oven.
- The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check at 45 minutes if you are a new baker and aren't sure about your oven and pan.
- Let the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then carefully remove it to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.
FAQ's
Yes! One loaf for you and one loaf for a friend. Just have a big enough bowl to mix everything together. Bake both pans at the same time on the middle shelf in the oven.
A loaf bread pan is used. I know they do come in different sizes varying up to an inch but you can use all size loaf pans. They will take different times to cook though so testing with the toothpick method is a good idea.
Yes, I do this often. I cut a longer piece lengthwise so that when it fits in the pan two ends hang over. The flaps work as handles when you are removing them from the pan. It works great!
No, the pumpkin bread really won't turn out right. Pie filling has added ingredients such as sugar so it is best to use puree and stick to this recipe.
💭 How to store or freeze
It gets even better the next day so have no fear about storing pumpkin chocolate chip banana bread.
To store: Let the bread cool and then wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap and keep on the counter for two to three days. Just like in the old days.
If you need to store it for longer than that, keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To freeze: Pumpkin bread freezes really well! Allow the quick bread to cool completely and store it in a freezer-safe container or ziplock freezer bag.
You can freeze it in slices or as a whole loaf. Pumpkin bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
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📖 Pumpkin recipes to love
- These easy Pumpkin Waffles serve up all of the pleasures of a pumpkin pie.
- Pumpkin Muffins are another favorite breakfast treat. They puff up so nice and fat.
- Don't miss out on making this different but wonderful Pumpkin Soup.
📋 Recipe
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3 Bananas - 3 large ripe banans
- ¼ cup Pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup Maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1 cup Organic All-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ½ cup Coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl mash the bananas with a fork or hand mixer into a smooth mixture. It's ok to have some banana chunks still left in the mixture.
- Add the pumpkin, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Using a separate bowl mix the flour and baking soda with the spices.
- Stir the dry mixture into the wet and mix well with utensil or hand mixer.
- Fold in the chocolate chips. Save some to sprinkle on top or use extra for the top.
- Pour the batter into a bread loaf pan and bake for 45-60 minutes checking the firmness with a toothpick that comes out clean.
- Let cool on a cooling rack and serve.
Nutrition
Ginny McMeans
You are very welcome and thank you Joyce!