This Healthy Pumpkin Bread is naturally sweetened, made with whole grains and is full of warm cozy spices. Easy, moist and fluffy, this pumpkin bread recipe uses an entire can of pumpkin puree!

Want more recipes that capture the essence of autumn? You’ll love this almond flour pumpkin bread, pumpkin banana bread and healthy chocolate chip pumpkin bread.

Healthy pumpkin bread studded with pepitas in a loaf pan.

I started dreaming about my favorite healthy pumpkin bread this August. And you know what is the best part? It has been tested like 50 times by now. So, be sure you are getting the best of the best!

One bowl and 8 simple ingredients – less mess, less kitchen to clean! It is fall baking dream come true full of pumpkin flavor!

You can make it plain or add in some crunch with nuts, chocolate chips or dried fruit. It’s delicious all ways!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Uses a whole can of pumpkin: It makes this pumpkin bread moist, low fat and a healthier option. Not to mention there is no leftover pumpkin to deal with.
  • Made with whole wheat flour: Makes it hearty, and full of fiber and complex carbohydrates. I love quick breads with whole grain flour as it gives them the best texture too!
  • Lower fat and low calorie: Only 2 tablespoons of oil is used compared to 1/2 cup in the classic version. Also coffee shop version runs at 410 calories a slice compared to this one at only 234 calories.
  • Naturally sweetened: Not only maple syrup or honey contain vitamins and nutrients, but each individual slice has 23 grams of sugar compared to high 30s in other recipes.

Ingredients for Healthy Pumpkin Bread

Here is a quick look at key ingredients for this recipe and possible substitutions:

Whole wheat flour, pumpkin puree, pumpkin seeds, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, eggs, oil, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
  • Pure pumpkin puree: When buying in a can, do not confuse with pumpkin pie filling that has added sugar and flavors. Can also use an equal amount of your own homemade pumpkin puree.
  • Whole grain flour: Regular whole wheat flour, spelt flour, whole wheat pastry flour and white whole wheat flour will work. These are the only flours I tested this pumpkin bread with. I have not tested it with all-purpose flour.
  • Liquid sweetener: You can use any liquid sweetener like pure maple syrup, honey, brown rice syrup, date syrup, agave etc. The goal is to keep liquids and dry ingredients ratio the same. So, coconut sugar, cane sugar, brown sugar or any sugar will not work.
  • Eggs: 2 large. Flax eggs or chia eggs may work although it has not been tested. Please let me know if you try.
  • Oil: Any mild tasting oil like avocado oil, melted coconut oil or grapeseed oil works. You can use olive oil as its taste is not prominent in this bread.
  • Spices: Pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt. I use a homemade pumpkin pie spice substitute but store bought is OK.

How to Make Healthy Pumpkin Bread

The best part about this pumpkin bread is that there is no need for a bowl with wet ingredients and another bowl with dry ingredients. One bowl, 10 minutes and it totally works!

Step by step process how to make healthy pumpkin bread.
  • Combine liquids and spices. Grab a large bowl. You need to whisk eggs, pumpkin purรฉe, maple syrup, oil, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and soda, salt at same time. Whisk well, pause and make sure there are no small lumps of leavening agents left.
  • Add flour and mix ins. Stir gently with a spatula until combined. A few flour patches are fine and actually desirable because last thing is you want to overmix your bread.
  • Bake: Transfer pumpkin bread batter into greased loaf pan. I also sprinkled 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds on top. Then bake the bread for 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees F.
  • Let it cool: Cool for about 30-60 minutes to help bread hold nicely. Then slice with a serrated knife.

Tips for Best Results

  • Donโ€™t over mix: If you do, bread will come out dense. Just give the batter a few stirs until most flour is mixed in but a few patches of white are even desirable.
  • Don’t overbake: Your bread is ready when the toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle. Remove it from the oven then, otherwise bread will be dry.
  • Cool properly: Make sure to remove pumpkin bread from the loaf pan onto a wire rack after cooling in it for 10 minutes. Otherwise, hot bread pan keeps baking it and bread might be dry. Cool bread completely.
  • All ovens vary: If you find your bread comes out dry or starts burning outside, next time try to lower the oven temperature by 15 F. And vice versa.
  • To make lower sugar or more sweet: Some readers have reduced the liquid sweetener to 1/2 cup and then added 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or unsweetened applesauce. If you love a sweeter taste, increase the liquid sweetener to 1 cup.
  • If your bread is browning too quickly: Cover it loosely with foil or parchment paper and continue baking.
Pumpkin bread studded with pepitas in a loaf pan on a counter.

Optional Add-Ins

I kept bread simple and basic but you can totally jazz it up with any of these mix-in’s based on your personal preference and what you have on hand.

You can add up to 1/2 cup of:

  • Chopped walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate bar
  • Raisins, dried cranberries, fresh or even chopped dates
  • Fresh blueberries

How to Store

Store day 1-2: Place cooled healthy pumpkin bread back into the loaf pan and keep covered with a towel on the counter. Sliced bread dries out faster.

Store day 3-5: If you have any bread left at this point, for longer storage refrigerate it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in a plastic bag.

Freeze: Freeze baked and cooled bread in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw on a counter for 3-4 hours. Again, itโ€™s better to freeze bread whole and not sliced.

Serving Ideas

My family loves this bread with just a slight spread of real butter or plain cream cheese.

Toast in the toaster and spread almond butter or nut butter and add a drizzle of honey.

Enjoy warm with a cup of tea, coffee or pumpkin spice latte. It definitely satisfies a sweet tooth and can be served for breakfast, snack or dessert.

FAQs

Why is my pumpkin bread dry?

If you have followed this recipe exactly, your pumpkin bread will turn out moist! Dry bread is usually because it is over baked. All ovens vary, make sure to check at 50 minutes and remove bread from a loaf pan for cooling off on a wire rack. It also could be that you have not measure flour correctly. To do so, scoop flour with a spoon into a measuring cup and level off the top with a knife.

Why did it turn out gummy?

To avoid gummy bread, please follow the recipe without liquid substitutions and let it cool completely. Also be sure to measure flour correctly by scooping into a measuring cup rather than dunking into a bag with flour.

Can I turn this recipe into gluten-free pumpkin bread?

You might be able to use all-purpose gluten free flour but a tad less, as it is more absorbing. I like this Bobโ€™s Red Mill 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Coconut flour will not work for this recipe. I also have not made it with oat flour, so can’t vouch for results. If you want to use almond flour, try my almond flour pumpkin bread.

More Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

More Quick Bread Recipes

Also be sure to browse through all of my quick bread recipes and pumpkin recipes. Enjoy!

Four slices of healthy pumpkin bread on a cutting board.
Healthy pumpkin bread studded with pepitas in a loaf pan.

Healthy Pumpkin Bread

This Healthy Pumpkin Bread is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, made with whole wheat flour and is full of warm cozy pumpkin pie spices.
5 from 34 votes
Servings 10 slices
Calories 234
Diet Low Fat
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Inย a large mixing bowl, add eggs, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, oil, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, salt and whisk until combined.
  • Add spelt or whole wheat flour and stir gently just enough to combine. Be careful not to over mix. Add desired mix ins like walnuts, raisins, pumpkin seeds, chocolate chips etc. and give a few more gentle stirs.
  • Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and level gently with spatula. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds on top, if you wish. Bake for 50-60 minutes our until the toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a cooling rack to cool off more. Cut into 10 slices with serrated bread knife and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Store: Store covered in a cool dry place for up to 5 days. Refrigerate covered for up to 7 days. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 357mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 23g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: North American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I just wanted to say I love your recipe for healthy zucchini bread and healthy pumpkin bread! I substituted spelt flour for a mixture of oat flour and chickpea flour, added a little extra baking powder and I added some shredded carrots and dried cranberries! It came out beautiful and delicious!

    1. Baking is a science, so it is recommended to use ingredients as listed. That being said, you might be able to substitute AP flour, but would need to use more as wheat flour is more dense.

  2. 5 stars
    Easy and delicious recipe! Only edits I made were: used can of butternut squash instead of pumpkin; added a teaspoon of each vanilla and tumeric; used 1 cup of almond flour and 1.25 cups of whole wheat flour; and sprinkled raw turbinado sugar on top for a little sparkle and sweetness. It turned out great!

5 from 34 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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