The main thing you need to know about this Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread is that my 5 year old took one bite then immediately requested it be served as his birthday cake later this month. Do we love this kid or WHAT?! That said, my quick and easy Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread is tender and moist, full of warming, fall-inspired spices, and is just the thing us G-Free-peeps need to celebrate the glorious fall season.
Gluten Free + Dairy Free Pumpkin Bread
I’m not sure what it is about this particular October, but I’ve been clinging to every single moment of every single day. We’ve been watching fall movies together as a family (long live Curious George’s Halloween Boo Fest) going to local apple orchards, enjoying gloriously cool mornings and evenings — plus I’ve managed to keep the mum on my front porch alive for two whole weeks and counting! Like I said, it’s been a good month so far and we’re just getting started. Another highlight has been devouring this soft and sweet, pumpkin-spiced gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe which not only tastes like HEAVEN, but will fill your home with the most delicious, cozy scent. Ben’s exact words were “It smells good as hell in here!” while our last loaf baked in the oven. There you have it, folks! Not only is this pumpkin quick bread gluten free, but it’s also naturally dairy-free. Plus I use an easy, healthy ingredient swap to lower the fat and calories in the recipe without sacrificing taste, texture, or moistness. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Ingredients Needed
This easy fall baking recipe requires just a handful of everyday, gluten free baking ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Gluten free baking flour: I tested this recipe with Bob’s Red Mill GF 1 to 1 Baking Flour Blend. Whatever gluten-free flour blend you choose, be sure it includes a binder like xanthan gum. Baking powder and baking soda: These ingredients give the gluten free pumpkin bread a nice, high rise. Pumpkin pie spice: The combination of ground cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, ground allspice, and ground cloves lends that craveable pumpkin-pie-inspired taste and scent. Cinnamon: Extra cinnamon provides a boost of cozy flavor. Salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness of the loaf. Sugar: Regular granulated sugar gives this bread the perfect amount of sweetness. Eggs: Eggs provide structure to the gluten free pumpkin bread. I have not tested a vegan egg replacer such as a flax egg in this recipe. Vegetable oil or canola oil: An extremely modest amount of oil gives each slice a soft, moist texture. You may also use melted then cooled coconut oil. Unsweetened applesauce: Applesauce add a subtle, natural sweetness, plus it allows us to cut back on the amount of oil in the recipe. Vanilla extract: Lends even more cozy flavor to the pumpkin bread. Pumpkin puree: Be sure you’re using 100% pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, which comes already sweetened and spiced. I like Libby’s brand pumpkin puree.
My #1 Tip for Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread
Now, I do have to include one caveat/tip with this recipe:
Wait a full day after baking to eat it.
Homemade gluten free baked goods are SO MUCH BETTER on day 2 after baking, including this gluten-free pumpkin loaf. The top softens, the texture relaxes into a moist crumb, and the flavor intensifies. SO, what I want you to do is bake the loaf, let it cool completely to room temperature on a cooling rack, then place it inside a gallon Ziplock bag or airtight container and let it rest for at least 12 hours before slicing and devouring. Your patience will be rewarded with the very best gluten-free pumpkin bread imaginable (just ask my 5 year old!)
Use Leftover Pumpkin in this Recipe!
How to Make Easy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients. Start by adding a gluten free 1-to-1 baking flour blend, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a small mixing bowl then whisk to combine and set aside.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients. To a large mixing bowl add sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, unsweetened applesauce, and pumpkin puree then whisk until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
Step 3: Mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Add the dry ingredients into the large bowl with the wet ingredients then whisk until well combined.
Step 4: Bake. Scoop the batter into a nonstick sprayed 9×5″ loaf pan then smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. No not under-bake. Tip: Check on the pumpkin bread around the 20 minute mark. If the top is already browning, place a piece of foil on top of the pan (no need to crimp) then continue baking until the skewer comes out clean. Since this bread has a longer bake time, you want to make sure the top doesn’t burn before the center of the bread has had a chance to bake through.
Step 5: Cool the Pumpkin Bread. Let the pumpkin bread cool in the baking pan for 15 minutes then turn it out and cool completely on a wire rack. As I mentioned earlier, store the cooled loaf in an airtight container for at least 12 hours before slicing and serving! Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days on the counter. It just gets better as it sits.
How to Freeze Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread
To freeze this pumpkin bread, let it cool completely then wrap in plastic wrap, and then in foil. Place inside a Ziplock freezer bag then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator then slice and enjoy!
More Gluten Free Pumpkin Treats
Gluten Free Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Soft Batch Pumpkin Gingersnap Chocolate Chip Cookies Mini Crustless Pumpkin Pies Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Covered Pretzels Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin Like this recipe? Share it with friends!
