Moist Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread Recipe

Cozy Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread Recipe for Autumn Bliss

Autumn’s golden embrace brings the promise of comfort baking, with this irresistible pumpkin chip banana bread that weaves together rich seasonal flavors.

Ripe bananas mingle with warm spices and sweet chocolate chips, creating a delectable symphony of taste.

The kitchen fills with an aromatic melody of cinnamon and nutmeg as the bread bakes to golden perfection.

Soft, moist, and bursting with decadent chocolate, each slice offers a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.

Perfectly balanced between sweet and spiced, this bread transcends ordinary breakfast treats.

Baking becomes an act of pure culinary joy, turning simple ingredients into a memorable seasonal delight.

Grab a slice and savor the essence of fall’s most comforting flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients List for Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread

For Wet Ingredients:
  • Ripe Bananas: Select overripe, soft bananas with dark brown spots for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor.
  • Egg: Provides structure and helps bind ingredients together, creating a tender bread texture.
  • Melted Butter: Adds rich, creamy moisture and enhances the overall flavor profile of the bread.
  • Vanilla Extract: Deepens the aromatic complexity and complements the sweet banana and pumpkin notes.
  • Pumpkin Puree: Introduces warm, autumnal flavor and contributes to the bread's moist, dense texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel undertones and helps retain moisture in the final baked product.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the foundational structure of the bread, providing necessary gluten for binding.
  • Sea Salt: Balances and enhances the sweetness, creating a more complex flavor experience.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the bread rise and achieve a light, airy texture.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: Blends warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for a cozy, seasonal flavor profile.
For Mix-Ins:
  • Dark Chocolate Chips: Adds bursts of rich, bittersweet chocolate that contrast beautifully with the sweet, spiced bread.

Equipment You’ll Need for Pumpkin Banana Bread

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Medium bowl: Perfect for mashing bananas and mixing wet ingredients.
  • Whisk: Key for blending eggs, sugar, and creating lump-free mixtures.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Bread pan: Necessary for baking and shaping the bread.
  • Parchment paper: Helps with easy bread removal and prevents sticking.
  • Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for folding chocolate chips and mixing batter.
  • Toothpick: Helps check bread doneness by testing center.
  • Cooling rack: Allows bread to cool evenly after baking.

Instructions for Making Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread

  • Kitchen Prep

Grab a bread pan and get your baking tools ready. Line the pan with a cozy parchment paper sling that makes bread removal a breeze.

  • Banana Bliss

Mash those ripe bananas until they’re silky smooth. Crack in an egg and whisk everything together. Drizzle in melted butter, splash of vanilla, dollop of pumpkin puree, and sprinkle of brown sugar for magical flavor.

  • Flour Power

In another bowl, mix your dry ingredients with a gentle hand. Combine flour, a pinch of sea salt, baking soda, baking powder, and a whisper of pumpkin pie spice.

  • Mixing Magic

Pour the dry ingredients into your banana mixture. Stir gently until just combined – no over-mixing allowed! Fold in dark chocolate chips for bursts of sweet surprise.

  • Oven Adventure

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Scatter extra chocolate chips on top like delicious confetti. Slide into a 350°F oven and bake for about an hour. Watch for a golden brown top and use foil if it starts getting too dark.

  • Cooling Comfort

Let your bread rest and cool completely. Slice, serve, and enjoy the cozy autumn flavors that dance in every bite.

Tips and Tricks for Banana Pumpkin Bread

  • Maximize sweetness by using overripe, almost blackened bananas with deep brown spots for more intense, caramelized taste.
  • Swap dark chocolate chips with milk, white, or semi-sweet chocolate chips, or experiment with butterscotch or cinnamon chips for unique flavor profiles.
  • Enhance texture and nutrition by adding chopped walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds directly into the batter or sprinkled on top before baking for extra crunch.
  • Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months by slicing first and separating layers with parchment paper.

How to Serve Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread

  • Cozy Morning Breakfast Companion: Slice a warm piece of pumpkin chip banana bread and pair it with a steaming mug of coffee or chai tea for a delightful morning treat.
  • Dessert Elegance: Serve a slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent after-dinner dessert that feels special and luxurious.
  • Snack Time Delight: Pack individual slices in lunchboxes or wrap them for a quick grab-and-go snack that provides a sweet energy boost during afternoon breaks or school lunches.
  • Gift-Worthy Goodness: Wrap slices in parchment paper, tie with a rustic twine, and present as a homemade gift to neighbors, teachers, or friends who appreciate heartwarming, freshly baked treats.

Storing Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread Easily

  • Fresh Storage Solutions
  • Wrap the banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture. Store at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to a week, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
  • Freezer-Friendly Strategy
  • Slice the bread before freezing for convenient single-serving portions. Place wrapped slices in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, which keeps the bread delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature or quickly warm in a toaster oven.
  • Make-Ahead Magic
  • Prepare the banana bread batter in advance and refrigerate overnight before baking. This technique allows ingredients to meld together, enhancing the depth of flavors and creating a more complex taste profile.
  • Quick Serving Suggestions
  • Serve chilled for a refreshing treat or slightly warmed with a pat of butter. Pair with morning coffee or afternoon tea for a delightful snack that elevates everyday moments with its rich, comforting taste.
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Moist Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread Recipe

Moist Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread Recipe


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4.5 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Homemade pumpkin chip banana bread combines classic fall flavors with comforting sweetness. Moist crumb and rich spices make this quick bread a perfect companion for morning coffee or afternoon snack.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups or 360 ml)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ⅔ cup (160 ml) pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup (240 ml) dark chocolate chips, divided
  • 5 tbsps (75 ml) butter, melted and cooled
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a bread pan with parchment paper or grease thoroughly for easy removal.
  2. Banana Base: Mash ripe bananas in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy, then whisk in egg until well combined.
  3. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Blend melted butter, vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, and brown sugar into the banana mixture, creating a glossy, unified base.
  4. Dry Ingredient Composition: Sift flour, sea salt, baking soda, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice together in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents.
  5. Batter Integration: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using minimal strokes, maintaining a delicate texture and preventing overmixing.
  6. Chocolate Incorporation: Gently fold most of the dark chocolate chips into the batter, reserving some for topping.
  7. Pan Preparation: Transfer batter to prepared pan, smoothing the surface and sprinkling remaining chocolate chips across the top.
  8. Baking Process: Bake for 50-60 minutes, monitoring for golden-brown color and using a toothpick to test doneness. If browning too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
  9. Cooling and Serving: Allow bread to cool completely in the pan before slicing. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Ripeness Matters: Use extremely ripe, almost black bananas for maximum natural sweetness and intense banana flavor.
  • Prevent Sinking Chips: Lightly coat chocolate chips in flour before folding into batter to prevent them from dropping to bottom of bread.
  • Moisture Check: Insert toothpick at 50-minute mark to avoid overbaking; moist crumbs are perfect, but wet batter indicates more baking time needed.
  • Cooling Technique: Allow bread to rest in pan for 15 minutes before transferring to wire rack, preventing potential structural collapse and maintaining perfect texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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