Don't miss out on the ultimate fall recipe with our pumpkin spice banana bread! This moist, flavorful bread blends ripe bananas and warm pumpkin spice for a deliciously spiced treat.
During hectic weeks, it's common to find forgotten bananas in the fruit bowl. Despite my best intentions, it's really hard to get through a Costco-sized banana pack!
But when I spot those overripe bananas, I feel nothing but excitement. Because now, I know it's the perfect opportunity to whip up a batch of banana bread. We love enjoying this bread in the afternoons, having it as is, with just a gentle smear of coconut oil for me and butter for the kids.
Sometimes, I make it with nut toppings like pumpkin seeds and walnuts. And truth be told, my kids always ask for some chocolate chips folded inside. Sometimes, I oblige.
This pumpkin banana bread is so warm and comforting, especially with the added delicious pumpkin spice flavor. Just a few minutes of prep, have it in the oven for a couple of more, and you have moist pumpkin spice banana bread, perfect for fall, or any other season.
I remember one time I had a few overripe bananas, just enough for one batch of banana bread. I made half with nuts on top and the other half with chocolate chips. My kids called me a genius for doing that, as it was the best of both worlds for sure.
Next time you look at your fruit bowl and it's speckled with brown, don't throw out your overripe bananas. Try this recipe instead—you'll love it and will be glad to find overripe bananas in your kitchen in the future.
Ingredients
- Flour - I use all-purpose flour for this but feel free to use an alternative
- Baking soda - leavening agent for rise
- Salt - balances the sweetness
- Pumpkin pie spice - adds warm, autumnal flavors
- Butter - make sure it's softened, adds richness and moisture
- Brown sugar - adds sweetness and depth
- Eggs - bind ingredients and add structure
- Mashed overripe bananas - main flavor and moisture source. You want to mash bananas that are yellow with brown spots, the riper, the better!
- Pumpkin puree - you may use canned pumpkin puree, this adds additional moisture and seasonal flavor
- Whole banana - an extra one for presentation
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
If you're craving a cozy, autumn-inspired treat, this pumpkin spice banana bread recipe is the perfect choice! Moist and flavorful, it combines the sweetness of ripe bananas with the warm spices of fall. It's a hit with both kids and adults, making it an ideal snack or breakfast option. Follow these foolproof steps to bake a delicious loaf that everyone will love.
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This pumpkin banana bread recipe is perfect for using up ripe bananas and leftover pumpkin puree.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
For the flour mixture, in a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Whisk these ingredients together until well mixed. This spiced pumpkin mix will give your bread a delicious pumpkin spice flavor.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This can be done using a hand mixer or a stand mixer on medium speed. If you prefer, you can use buttermilk instead of butter for a different texture.
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Add the Wet Ingredients
To the creamed butter and sugar, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the mashed overripe bananas and pumpkin puree. Mix until all the wet ingredients are well combined and smooth. Make sure to use ripe bananas for the best banana flavor. This combination of bananas and pumpkin makes for a moist and flavorful bread.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread dense. This step is crucial for making moist pumpkin banana bread.
Prepare for Baking
Cut the extra banana in half lengthwise. Pour the batter into the prepared bread pan, spreading it evenly. Place the banana halves on top of the batter, cut side up, for an attractive presentation. This banana pumpkin bread recipe is filled with pumpkin spice and is perfect for fall.
Bake the Bread
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, you can also use a cake tester for this. When the bread is done, it will have a delicious pumpkin spice aroma that fills your kitchen.
Cool and Serve
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your pumpkin banana bread with your morning coffee or as a delicious snack. This quick bread recipe is one of the best of both worlds, combining the flavors of classic banana bread and pumpkin spice bread.
Storage
To store your pumpkin banana bread, let it cool completely and then wrap it in plastic wrap. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate the bread. This bread is a great addition to your collection of popular recipes and is perfect for sharing.
To refrigerate, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. When you're ready to enjoy a slice, you can eat it cold or let it come to room temperature. For a warm slice, microwave for about 10-15 seconds or heat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes.
Top Tips
Choose the right bananas - Use overripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness. The riper the bananas, the more natural sweetness and moisture they will add to your bread.
Don't overmix the batter - When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough bread. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine and will ensure a tender, moist loaf.
Add extra flavor and texture - Consider adding mix-ins like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to the batter for added flavor and texture. You can also sprinkle a bit of brown sugar or cinnamon on top before baking for the perfect crust.
What to Serve with Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread
My pumpkin spice recipes always make use of my 4-ingredient pumpkin pie spice, the easiest pumpkin spice mix. This is goes well with coffee, tea, or to go with the fall theme, pumpkin spice latte.
For other baked pumpkin spice recipes, you might want to try my pumpkin spice muffins, glazed pumpkin spice bars, and pumpkin spice cookies. They're all simple recipes, perfect for busy moms and dads!
Recipe
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Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 ⅓ cups mashed overripe bananas
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 extra banana for presentation
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, bananas, and pumpkin puree.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Cut banana in half and place over the mixture
- Pour into pan and bake for 60-65 minutes.
