This comforting pumpkin spice banana bread is hard to beat when you want the perfect start to a crisp fall day. The spiced bread is light but firm, not very sweet at all and full of warm fall flavors.
Jump to:
What's in spiced banana bread?
This recipe is made with all the traditional banana bread ingredients, plus pumpkin spice.
Ingredient notes:
- Nuts add a light crunch that contrasts well with the otherwise soft texture of this banana bread. Walnuts and/or pecans work best.
- If you don't have any brown sugar on hand, you can make your own from granulated sugar and molasses. Add ½ cup granulated sugar to a bowl, then add 1 teaspoon molasses to it. Grab a fork and mash the molasses into the sugar. This will take a little while and you will see the sugar gradually transform into brown sugar.
- You’ll need very ripe bananas for this recipe for their moisture, sweetness and intense banana flavor. The riper, the better. If you don't have ripe bananas on hand, check out how to ripen bananas in the oven in the section below.
How to ripen bananas in the oven:
If your bananas are not ripe enough when you want to make the bread, you can ripen them in the oven in a matter of a few minutes. Lay them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven at 350 degrees F. until the peels turn dark brown like in the photo below (about 15 minutes). Take them out and let them cool a bit, then use them. The flesh will be perfectly soft.
How to make pumpkin spice banana bread:
See full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below!
Step 1. Start by greasing a 9–inch by 5–inch by 3–inch loaf pan with vegetable shortening.
Step 2. Next, heat the oven to 350 degrees F., then whisk together the dry ingredients.
Step 3. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas into a puree using a fork.
Step 4. In a mixing bowl, whip the butter and the brown sugar with an electric mixer until creamy.
Step 5. Whip the eggs into the butter/sugar mix.
Step 6. Whip in the dry ingredients and then the mashed bananas.
Step 7. Stir the chopped nuts into the batter.
Step 8. Fill the batter into the loaf pan.
Step 9. Bake the bread for 45 to 55 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
Frequently asked questions:
Have a toasted and buttered slice of this banana bread for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. You can also spread cream cheese on it.
Yes, banana bread freezes very well. Transfer the bread into a freezer bag, seal and put in the freezer. It will keep for at least 2 months that way.
If you eat banana bread within a day or two, you can leave it out on the kitchen counter, covered with plastic wrap. If you want to keep the bread longer than that, I recommend that you keep it refrigerated in a freezer bag or other airtight container. Toast the individual slices before serving.
More delicious pumpkin spice recipes:
- 10-Minute Pumpkin Spice S'mores Trifles10 Minutes
- Hazelnut Pumpkin Spice Roll-Out Cookies with Maple Glaze57 Minutes
- Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Ganache13 Minutes
- Spiced Irish Coffee10 Minutes
See all recipes with pumpkin spice →
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating or comment! Thank you!
Full Printable Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread
Equipment:
- 9–inch by 5–inch by 3–inch loaf pan
- measuring cups and spoons
- knife and cutting board
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- fork
- standing mixer or handheld mixer
- wooden spoon
- rubber spatula
- toothpick
Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin spice
- pinch of salt
- 2 ripe or very ripe bananas
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar*
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work best)
Instructions:
- Grease a 9–inch by 5–inch by 3–inch loaf pan. Set aside.
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice and salt together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Using a fork, mash the bananas into a puree. Set aside.
- Whip butter and sugar in a bowl until creamy.
- Whip in the eggs.
- Whip in the dry ingredients, then the mashed bananas.
- Stir in the nuts.
- Fill the batter into the pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let the bread cool completely in the pan, then unmold.
Notes:
Nutrition Information (Estimated):
Nutrition values provided on this website are generated from a nutrition database and are estimates only. The accuracy of the nutrition information for any recipe on this website is not guaranteed. Nutrition values can vary quite a lot depending on which brands are used.
Diane
How many loafs does this recipe yield? Thank you
Nicole B.
Hi Diane, this recipe will make one loaf baked in a 9" x 5" x 3" pan.
Steffani K.
SO good. We've made banana bread from an old Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook for years, but this one is SO much better! The pumpkin spice adds just the right amount of complexity without interfering the traditional feels of our old recipe. Looks like we have new overripe banana solution!
Nicole B.
Wonderful to hear that, Steffani! So glad you like this recipe!
Priscilla
I tried this recipe today, and it was great! I loved that it has half the sugar as many other recipes. Also, I substituted 3/4c of the white flour for "white" whole wheat, and it worked out great. I would definitely make this again. Thanks for the recipe!
Nicole B.
That's so wonderful to hear, Priscilla! I'm so glad you liked the banana bread! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving such a nice comment and also for letting me know about the whole wheat substitution, it's great to know that that worked well. All the best to you,
nicole
Karin Siemens
What no comments since 2015? I've tried this recipe because fo friend of mine loves ANYTHING with pumpkin spice in it and she absolutely loved it, and so did I. Sure didn't last long and I'm a single gal!! :)
Nicole B.
That is so awesome to hear, Karin! Thank you so much for leaving me such sweet feedback, I really appreciate it! :)
Louise | Cygnet Kitchen
I always love the beautiful simplicity of your shots Nicole, the food is always the star. I often have a few leftover bananas at the end of the week, this is the perfect way to make use of them!
Rosalie Celeste
Love love love this recipe!
Rosalie Celeste
Delish!
Nicole B.
Thank you, I'm so glad to hear that, Rosalie!! :)