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This incredibly delicious Vegan Pumpkin Bread is tender, moist, and fluffy with just the right amount of pumpkin and warm spices. The recipe comes together with simple ingredients and in ONE big bowl. Just like Starbucks Pumpkin Loaf but way better!
Looking for more vegan bread recipes? You should try out my Vegan Banana Bread, Vegan Carrot Bread, and my Vegan Zucchini Bread!
Say hello to my favorite fall recipe, Vegan Pumpkin Bread! This tested-to-perfection loaf is inspired by Starbucks’ incredible pumpkin bread. It bakes up soft, moist, infused with pumpkin flavor, and so delicious that it’s bound to become a family favorite!
It’s not only an amazing breakfast treat and anytime snack, it can also double as dessert! I love to slice it thick, warm it for about 10 seconds in the microwave, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of peanut butter. However you enjoy it, this vegan pumpkin loaf makes an incredible fall-inspired recipe!
The bread is also pretty similar to the Butternut Squash Bread that I posted a couple of years ago. Both of these vegan breads are SO flavorful, fluffy and perfectly sweet.
Ingredients you’ll need
If you’re looking to recreate the taste of Starbucks pumpkin bread at home, this vegan pumpkin bread recipe is for you! It’s made with simple pantry staples in one bowl and it bakes up super moist with the best pumpkin taste! Here is everything you’ll need to make it:
- All-purpose flour: Use regular all-purpose flour for the best fluffy results. I’ve never tried it but your best bet for making this recipe gluten free is to use a simple 1:1 gluten free all purpose flour.
- Sugars: A mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar are used for the best flavor and texture.
- Baking soda & baking powder: These are the leavening agents that will help the bread rise and make the crumb light and airy.
- Salt: A tiny bit of salt enhances all of the flavors.
- Spices: A combination of warm autumn spices: nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom bring out all that wonderful fall flavor. You could also use pumpkin spice instead.
- Banana: Use a ripe banana with some brown spots for extra sweetness. This acts as a binding agent instead of using egg.
- Maple syrup: For extra sweetness and a hint of maple flavor.
- Water: Adds a little extra moisture to the batter for the perfect consistency. You could swap the water for a dairy-free milk such as soy milk or almond milk.
- Pumpkin puree: Gives the bread great flavor and such a moist, tender crumb.
- Pumpkin seeds: I love to add some crunchy texture on top with pepitas.
- Optional mix-ins: I love mine plain but you could any of these in: walnuts (or other nuts), chocolate chips, pepitas, candied ginger.
How to make vegan pumpkin bread
Making this pumpkin bread recipe is super easy! Simply, whisk together the dry ingredients and then add in the wet ingredients, all in one bowl, and pour into a loaf pan. Here’s the simple method:
- Prep: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8×5-inch loaf pan (you can also line it with parchment paper as desired).
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamon.
- Add wet ingredients: Making a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add in the remaining ingredients (mashed banana, maple syrup, water, and pumpkin) and stir until just combined. Do your best not to over mix.
- Bake: Pour the batter in the loaf pan, top with the pumpkin seeds, and bake for 55-60 minutes.
- Serve: Let cool slightly and enjoy warm!
Helpful tips
- Use pumpkin puree: Be sure to use 100% pure canned pumpkin here. Don’t grab pumpkin pie filling by mistake, which has added spices and sugar.
- Don’t over mix the batter: When you add in the wet ingredients, gently mix together with the dry mixture until just combined. If you overwork the batter, the gluten in the flour will overdevelop and the finished loaf will have a heavy and dense texture.
- Pan size: Even though, this recipe was written for a 8×5-inch loaf pan, it will work in a 9×6-inch loaf pan. The bake time may be a little less, though, so I suggest checking it earlier to make sure it doesn’t over bake.
- Double the recipe: If you have two loaf pans, double the recipe, so you have one loaf to eat right away and one to save for later. This bread freezes really well!
Frequently asked questions
Insert a toothpick or small knife in the center of the bread. If there’s batter sticking to the toothpick, the bread needs more time in the oven. If the toothpick comes out mostly clean or with just a few crumbs attached, the bread is fully baked.
To keep your loaf moist and fresh, wrap any leftovers tightly in plastic wrap and then store them in a storage bag or airtight container. I also recommend only leaving it at room temperature for a couple of days, and then placing it in the fridge for longer storage.
With the addition of pumpkin and mashed banana, this bread should be plenty moist. However, if your bread is a bit on the dry side, then you added too much flour or you baked it too long. Since all ovens vary, try checking at about the 55 minute mark of baking to see if the bread is done.
Storage recommendations
- Storing at room temperature: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Any longer than this, you’ll need to place it in the fridge.
- In the refrigerator: After about 2 days at room temperature, refrigerate to extend freshness. Before enjoying, you can warm slices for about 10 seconds in the microwave.
- To freeze: Once the bread has cooled completely, wrap the loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
See how to make the pumpkin bread here:
Vegan Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- pinch salt
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- 1 banana, thoroughly mashed/pureed
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- optional: 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8×5-inch loaf pan.*
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamon.
- Making a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add in the remaining ingredients (mashed banana, maple syrup, water, and pumpkin) and stir until just combined. Do your best not to over mix.
- Pour the batter in the loaf pan, top with the pumpkin seeds, and bake for 55-60 minutes.
- Let cool slightly and enjoy warm!
Notes
- This recipe will also work in a 9×6-inch loaf pan. The bake time may be a little different so I suggest watching it the last 5 minutes to make sure it doesn’t over bake.
- In my video I accidentally said that the recipe has coconut oil in it. It does NOT have coconut oil in it. What it has in it is just the 3 tablespoons of water that I mistook for oil when I was editing late at night :D
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi! Made this bread, but it came out a bit rubbery. Usually don’t have that problem with any of the breads that I have baked in the past. I baked in the glass loaf pan (reduced temp to 325 degrees) that I always use. Please advise, what I may have possibly done wrong.
Thank you. BTW, love your blog!
oh no! So sorry to hear about that. I had this issue once when trying to cook it in a different sized bread pan so there’s a chance that is the issue. Otherwise, it likely just needed a little more flour. I’m working on getting weights added to all of my baking recipes so that there is less confusion about how much flour should be in a recipe. sorry again
Can I substitute the banana with some other thing, I don’t like bananas at all. Thanks!
Why you use both white sugar and brown sugar?
Gonna try this recipe today btw..
First, I have to say that I’m not a very good baker. And second, I’ve recently looked into more vegan /vegetarian options for baked good and this website caught my eye because it seems easy and very clear. This was the first recipe I tried. Based on previous comments, I was afraid it would be too dry BUT not at all – the cake was so moist ! It tastes a little bit like gingerbread to me and I brought it to a party at school and everyone loved it. Definitely saving the recipe !
Yay!! So glad that you liked it! And I really appreciate you coming back to let me know!
Hi Brita, I’m giving this 5 stars because of the modifications I had to make. I’m sorry, I hate when people change the original however when I followed your recipe to a ‘T’ it was way too dry. There was no way I could produce batter with only 3tbsp of water and 1/4c of syrup. It was too dry and lumpy so I added oil and soy milk and then it was a lovely batter that baked up the most delicious pumpkin loaf ever! Thanks for sharing!
thank you so much for the feedback! It’s so interesting bc I was worried that mine came out too moist. Between the banana and the pumpkin, it’s a lot of moisture. I’ll definitely make it again this week and see if I get any different results for some reason
Very nice and easy to make. I looove it
yay! so glad that you liked it! This is definitely one of my favorites!