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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

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Soft, tender, moist gluten-free pumpkin bread with a streusel topping is going to give you all the amazing flavors of fall in every single taste. Cinnamon, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and pumpkin puree combine to create this unforgettable quick bread recipe that everyone will love!

A loaf of gluten-free pumpkin bread on a wire cooling rack with a knife.

There is nothing better than all the flavors of fall. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice feel so festive and make my kitchen smell amazing during that time of the year! Pumpkin recipes are my favorite!

When it’s pumpkin season, you can bet that I am hanging out in my kitchen on a crisp fall morning, whipping up this delicious gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe. This quick bread is perfect for brunch, an afternoon snack, or a low sugar dessert and has a crunchy, sweet, streusel topping.

There are so many variations to this homemade pumpkin bread to suit any dietary needs: you can make it lower in added sugars and it will still taste great. Switch up the flours based on your preferences, or omit the pumpkin for a coffee cake that works for any season!

👩‍🍳 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bursting With Pumpkin Flavor: This gf pumpkin bread recipe tastes like pumpkin pie filling or a pumpkin spice latte! You’ll savor every bite of pumpkin flavor while sipping your favorite fall beverage.
  • Vegan Adaptable: Make gluten-free vegan pumpkin bread by switching minimal ingredients for vegan pantry staples. All you’ll need is a flax egg and coconut oil!
  • Lower-Sugar: Many fall desserts have sugary icing or a candy or caramel coating. This easy gluten-free pumpkin bread is healthier than many other seasonal favorites and is lower-sugar than most baked goods.
  • Gluten-Free: Pumpkin is one of my favorite ingredients to use for gluten-free baked goods because it adds flavorful moisture. The pumpkin along with the baking soda and eggs also makes the bread fluffy and tender. It really is the best gluten-free pumpkin bread ever!

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🥘 Ingredients

This classic pumpkin bread can easily be made with simple ingredients found in your pantry or at your local grocery store! For the full list of ingredients and directions, see the recipe card below.

Ingredients for gluten free pumpkin bread recipe on a white background.

Pumpkin Bread Ingredients

  • Gluten-Free Flour: Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour or oat flour are both great options for this gluten-free healthy pumpkin bread.
  • Baking Soda: Adds lift for just the right bread consistency.
  • Salt: Balances the sweet flavors.
  • Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a classic fall flavor and a must for coffee cakes any time of the year.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: This spice adds all the autumnal flavors in one ingredient.
  • Nutmeg: Rounds out the fall spices in this gluten-free bread.
  • Vanilla Extract: For warm notes of vanilla that blend perfectly with the spices.
  • Banana: Over-ripe bananas work best and give the most sweetness as well as a smooth texture.
  • Pure Pumpkin Puree: Canned pumpkin puree is simple to use and allows you to make this recipe any time of the year.
  • Butter: Unsalted butter works best in this pumpkin cinnamon bread, melted and cooled. 
  • Brown Sugar: For coffee cake taste, brown sugar gives a deep and comforting sweetness. 
  • Granulated White Sugar: Traditional white sugar works best.
  • Eggs: Eggs give this bread the perfect texture and help bind together the ingredients.

Streusel Topping Ingredients

  • You’ll need flour (oat flour or a gluten-free baking blend), cinnamon, brown sugar, and cold, diced, unsalted butter for this delicious topping.

🍲 Ingredient Substitutions

  • Flour: Any all purpose gluten free flours will work in this recipe. You can make your own gluten-free flour blend with a combination of coconut flour, almond flour, arrowroot flour, and tapioca flour. When making your own blend, look for a recipe that includes tapioca starch or xanthan gum. Or you can grind up gluten-free old-fashioned oats in a food processor to make your own oat flour pumpkin bread!
  • Fresh Pumpkin: Use homemade pumpkin puree in place of the canned pumpkin in this gluten free recipe for pumpkin bread. One benefit of making your own puree is you’ll also have pumpkin seeds to roast and use as a salad topper or snack on while your bread bakes.
  • Coconut Sugar: Substitute coconut sugar for the brown sugar or both the brown and white sugars.
  • Maple Syrup: You can also use pure maple syrup instead of brown sugar if you prefer.

🔪 How To Make Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

Here’s how to make this healthy gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe perfectly every time!

Preheat Oven, Whisk Wet Ingredients: Set the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Mash bananas in a large mixing bowl, add butter, brown and white sugar, eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin. Whisk until evenly mixed.

The wet ingredients for gluten-free pumpkin bread in a bowl.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In another mixing bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.

The dry ingredients for gluten-free pumpkin bread in a metal mixing bowl.

Combine: Add flour mixture to wet ingredients mixture and mix lightly with a rubber spatula. Do not overmix.

Gluten-free pumpkin bread batter mixed in a bowl.

Make Streusel and Layer in Dish: Pour batter into the bread baking dish and smooth out the top. For the streusel topping, mix flour, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a bowl. Add cut cold butter and blend with mixer until it crumbles. Top the banana pumpkin batter with streusel crumbles.

The gluten-free pumpkin bread in a pan before baking.

Bake in the center of the rack for 50-65 minutes. To check if done, use a toothpick to poke the center of the gluten-free pumpkin loaf. If the batter is on the toothpick when you remove it, continue to bake until the toothpick comes out clean.

A close-up of gluten-free pumpkin bread in a baking pan.

Cool: Once baked, let cool and remove your gluten free pumpkin spice bread from the baking dish to rest on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

An overhead view of a loaf of gluten-free pumpkin bread with a slice cut off of it.

💭 Expert Tips

  • Use Pure Pumpkin, Not Pie Filling: Make sure to buy pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling mix; the cans may look very similar! Pie filling has additional ingredients and will not work for this gf pumpkin recipe.
  • Chill Butter For Topping: Cold butter will make the best streusel topping that’s crumbly. Cube the butter and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to mix it with the other streusel ingredients.
  • Prevent Burning: You may want to top your gluten-free pumpkin bread with an aluminum foil tent for the last 15 minutes to make sure the streusel doesn’t burn! Monitor the bread closely near the end of baking because overbaked bread will not be as moist and tender.
  • Freeze Extra Pumpkin: Pure pumpkin freezes well in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Measure and freeze pumpkin in ½ cup portions to easily thaw and use your favorite pumpkin recipes.

📖 Variations

  • Lower-Sugar Or Sugar-Free: You don’t have to use as much sugar as the recipe calls for if you’re looking for a low sugar or sugar free pumpkin spice bread. Cut the amount of brown sugar in half in both the cake and topping. Or to make sugar-free bread, use monk fruit instead of the brown sugar and omit the white sugar.
  • Butternut Squash Bread: Swap pumpkin puree for butternut squash puree for a mellow and savory fall taste.
  • Nuts: Add ¼-½ cups of walnuts, almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts to this easy gf pumpkin bread batter for added crunch and delicious nutty flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread: Chocoholics can add in ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips. They are terrific with the combination of the other flavors. Stick with 70% or higher dark chocolate to get the healthy benefits from the chocolate.
  • Coffee Cake: Omit the pumpkin for a gluten-free coffee cake that is great for any time of the year!

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Serve bread for breakfast with coffee or tea or as a snack or dessert. (Learn More: How To Make Tea). Freeze the bread in individual slices for a lunch treat or quick breakfast on the go any time. With so many ways to customize this bread with mix-ins, you’ll be returning to this versatile recipe anytime you want a moist and tender coffee cake.

Pair this recipe for gluten-free pumpkin bread with breakfast fruit salad or this low-carb breakfast casserole made with protein-rich eggs and loaded with vegetables. Or enjoy this bread as a sweet finish to a savory soup and salad meal of butternut squash bisque and spinach and arugula salad!

🙌 Dietary Adaptations

  • Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, use coconut oil in place of the butter and a flax egg or any one of these vegan egg substitutes. Using a flax egg also makes this a gluten-free egg-free pumpkin bread recipe!
  • Dairy-Free: For gluten-free dairy-free pumpkin bread, use coconut oil or dairy-free butter in place of the butter in the bread batter and either omit the streusel or make it with dairy-free or vegan butter.

🫙 Storage Directions

  • Storing: Leftovers keep in an airtight container at room temperature in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. For best results, allow the bread to cool to room temperature before storing. 
  • Freezing: Wrap cooled bread with plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag or airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm in the microwave or toaster oven before serving.

❓Recipe FAQs

Is pumpkin puree gluten-free?

Pumpkin puree is gluten-free, making it a delicious ingredient for your seasonal baking or any time you’re craving fall flavors. When baking gluten-free, be sure to double-check the ingredient label to make sure the only ingredient listed is pumpkin.

Why is my gluten-free bread not fluffy?

Overcooked bread tends to come out dense and dry. Pull the bread out of the oven as soon as a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean! Overmixed bread may also end up more dense than fluffy so mix until ingredients are just combined.

An overhead shot of a loaf of gluten-free pumpkin bread on a wire cooling rack with a slice cut off of it.

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📋 Recipe Card

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https://youtu.be/Z_9NIEQZOoQ
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5 from 12 votes

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

Soft, tender gluten-free pumpkin bread with a streusel topping is going to give you all the amazing flavors of fall in every single taste. Cinnamon, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and pumpkin puree combine to create this unforgettable quick bread recipe that everyone will love!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Baking, Bread, Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 16 slices
Calories: 229.3kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

For The Pumpkin Bread

  • cups Oat Flour or Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • ½ tsp Nutmeg
  • ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Overripe Bananas
  • 1 cup Pumpkin Puree not pumpkin pie mix
  • 8 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled
  • ½ cup Brown Sugar, unpacked
  • ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Large Eggs

For the Streusel Topping (Optional)

  • ½ cup Oat Flour or Gluten Free Flour
  • ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • ½ cup Brown Sugar, unpacked
  • 6 tbsp Cold Unsalted Butter, diced

Instructions

  • Set the oven to 350°. Line bread baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
  • Mash bananas in a mixing bowl, add butter, brown and white sugar, eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin. Whisk until evenly mixed.
  • In another mixing bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice.
  • Add flour mixture to wet ingredients mixture (banana + pumpkin batter) and mix. Do not over mix, use a rubber spatula to lightly mix.
  • Pour mixture into bread baking dish and smooth out the top.
  • For the streusel topping, mix flour, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a bowl. Add cut cold butter and blend with mixer until it is in crumbles.
  • Top the banana pumpkin batter with streusel crumbles.
  • Bake in the center of the rack for 50-65 minutes. To check if done, use a toothpick to poke the center of the loaf. If batter is on the toothpick when you remove it, continue to bake until toothpick comes out clean.
  • Once baked, let cool and remove this gluten free coffee cake from the baking dish to rest on a baking rack.

Notes

Storing: Leftovers keep in an airtight container at room temperature in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.  For best results, allow the bread to cool to room temperature before storing. 
Freezing: Wrap cooled bread with plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag or airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm in the microwave or toaster oven before serving.
Recipe Card Notes 
  • Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, use coconut oil in place of the butter and a flax egg.
  • Dairy-Free: For gluten-free dairy-free pumpkin bread, use coconut oil or dairy-free butter in place of the butter in the bread batter and either omit the streusel or make it with dairy-free or vegan butter.
  • For a healthier lower-sugar option, reduce the sugar by half.  You can also omit the streusel topping if you prefer.
  • Make sure to buy pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling mix; the cans may look very similar!  
  • Cold butter will make the best streusel topping that’s crumbly.  Cube the butter and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to mix it with the other streusel ingredients.
  • You may want to top your gluten-free pumpkin bread with an aluminum foil tent for the last 15 minutes to make sure the streusel doesn’t burn! Monitor the bread closely near the end of baking because overbaked bread will not be as moist and tender.
Note: Nutritional info includes Bob’s Red Mill flour, strussel topping and full amounts of butter + sugar. 
For A Healthier Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread Option:
  • Use oat flour
  • Replace 4 tbsp butter with unsweetened applesauce in the pumpkin coffee cake recipe
  • Cut the brown sugar down to 1/4 + 1/4 cup (instead of 1/2 + 1/2 cup)
  • Use flax eggs
With these changes, the nutritional info for 1 slice of gluten-free coffee cake is: 168.9 Calories; 7.9g Fat (4.6g Saturated); 19.4mg Cholestrol, 76.4mg Sodium, 81.7mg Potassium, 25.9g Carbs, 3.2g Fiber, 10.5g Sugar, 2.7 Protein

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 229.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 35.3g | Protein: 2.3g | Fat: 10.8g | Saturated Fat: 6.5g | Cholesterol: 50.5mg | Sodium: 92.4mg | Potassium: 104.1mg | Fiber: 1.6g | Sugar: 14.5g

20 responses to “Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread”

  1. I recently tried this recipe and it was absolutely delicious! The flavor was perfect and I loved that it was gluten-free. It’s a must-try for pumpkin lovers who follow a gluten-free diet.5 stars

  2. I am so looking forward to fall!! I couldn’t wait though. I made your recipe this weekend and it was SO delicious! Thanks for the kickstart into fall recipes.5 stars

  3. This pumpkin bread was perfect! The streusel topping was so amazing — I mixed in some pecans and I loved it!5 stars

  4. What a great recipe! I love the homespun flavors of pumpkin spice, and the fact that this delectable pumpkin bread is gluten-free is a huge bonus. Thanks for another winner!5 stars

  5. I love pumpkin bread and your recipe sounds delicious. My husband is gluten free too so will definitely be making it so he can enjoy some as well!5 stars

  6. I’ve never tried pumpkin bread but I’m now very tempted. I bet it’s good toasted too.5 stars

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