Pumpkin, banana and chocolate, oh my! This simple fall Pumpkin Banana Bread packed with chocolate chips is a cozy treat that is perfect for any autumn occasion. Gotta love pumpkin season!
This recipe was originally published September 2018 and updated to add new photos September 2020.
That's Right Pumpkin Banana Bread--with all the chocolate chips!
This banana bread recipe SCREAMS fall, but more importantly, it is a crowd pleaser that is seriously only about 10 minutes of prep.
I make this one when I know I have to bring my A game to the baking table.
For a long time, I lived my life of banana bread in the straight and narrow. I made the basic version, ya know, bananas, some cinnamon and maybe some nuts, but never really went outside of the box much.
That all changed when I made this White Chocolate Almond Banana Bread. It was perfection--so different but so simple and delicious.
As with most recipes, if I make one version I love, I will then make about 10 other varieties since I can't get enough. Don't believe me? Check out all my Overnight Oats recipes!
Since fall is here--and the weather is finally feeling like it's catching up to the season as well, even more pumpkin recipes are required. Why not start with a pumpkin banana bread then?!
What you need to make this recipe:
- Chocolate chunks or chips are fine in this pumpkin banana bread. I love dark chocolate, but milk chocolate or even white chocolate would be amazing.
How to make this recipe:
- Mash the bananas well in a medium mixing bowl. Chunks are ok here and there, the bananas don't have to be perfectly smooth. Add the egg and whisk well to incorporate fully into the bananas. (step 1)
- Add in the vanilla, melted butter, pumpkin and brown sugar and whisk to combine. (steps 2 and 3)
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sea salt, baking powder and baking soda to combine. Add this mixture into the wet ingredients and stir to combine. Don't over stir here, just mix until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated. (step 4)
- Gently fold in 1 cup of the chocolate chips (step 5)
- Pour the batter into a well greased (with butter) bread pan and add the rest of the chocolate chips on top. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean and allow to cool. (step 6)
Notes:
- I used chocolate chunks but chips will work just fine. My grocery has these amazing dark chocolate chunks and I love them, but so not necessary if you can't find any.
- More chocolate chips are always ok. Always.
- This is a great way to use up leftover pumpkin you may have after making a recipe that didn't use the entire can!
- Please make sure you have fresh baking powder and baking soda. If these aren't fresh or past expiration, that can impact the success of your pumpkin bread.
Check out these other fall recipes:
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- No Bake Pumpkin Crumble Bars
- Sweet Potato Pie Crumble
- Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Ricotta Bake
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
- Pumpkin Quinoa Chili
DID YOU MAKE ONE OF MY RECIPES? LEAVE A COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW! I ALSO LOVE TO SEE YOUR LEMONS + ZEST RECIPES ON SOCIAL MEDIA–TAG ME @LEMONSANDZEST ON INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK!
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 large egg room temp is best
- 2/3 c pumpkin
- 1 1/2 c flour
- 5 T butter melted and then cooled
- 1/3 c brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 â…“ c chocolate chips (I used dark chocolate)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, mash bananas well. Add in egg and whisk together. Mix in butter, vanilla, pumpkin and brown sugar until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and stir.
- Fold in 1 c chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into a well greased bread pan and top with remaining chocolate chips.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving.
Notes
- I used chocolate chunks but chips will work just fine. My grocery has these amazing dark chocolate chunks and I love them, but so not necessary if you can't find any.
- Please make sure you have fresh baking powder and baking soda. If these aren't fresh or past expiration, that can impact the success of your pumpkin bread.
- More chocolate chips are ALWAYS ok.Â
Chocolate and pumpkin go so well together!! And love the banana bread twist - I bet this one is super moist and just PERFECT with a cuppa coffee 🙂
Always coffee! Always!
Well the pumpkin fanatic in me loves this recipe. I always have bananas in the freezer. I know my grandkids would love to have a slice of this after-school. Maybe gramma needs to bake them a treat.
Gramma for the WIN!!!
I made a pumpkin loaf for the first time a couple of months ago, but I love the idea of making a banana bread pumpkin loaf - not to mention with added choc chips! Will definitely be trying this out soonish 🙂
Hope you love it!!!
I really enjoyed reading this post! Your discussion of how we so often miss out on the here-and-now is absolutely on-point (I'm looking at you, Halloween candy on sale in August), and your story of those childhood cookies is adorable! But that does leave a dilemma here, doesn't it ... will there be a second piece of this amazing bread, after the first (and should I follow your suggestion to share a warm piece with a loved one, or hoard it ALLLLL for myself?!?)? Decisions, decisions. At any rate - a terrific read, wonderful recipe and gorgeous pics (as always)! Love it!
Oh Shelley I totally understand the dilemma. Thanks for making me smile today!!!
Pumpkin and chocolate go SO well together!! I love that this is beyond your regular banana bread and has that fall touch to it!!
I was surprised by how much I loved the combo!
This pumpkin chocolate chip banana bread looks SO good! Like, I didn't even make it past your first photo before I found myself pinning it for later. I'm definitely going to have to give it a try in the not-too-distant future.
Ha, thanks so much Claire!!!
Those giant melty chocolate chunks are making me drool! I am going to have to make a batch of this ASAP !
Yay!!! Enjoy!
I've been making banana bread for the parents - but good as it is, it's starting to be a little boring... This looks like a perfect way to shake it up (and add some vegetable... heh, heh...) And I know they'll love the chocolate chips!
Aren’t you the sweetest daughter!!
Those chocolate chunks looks sooooo much better than chocolate chips -- so big and melty!! This looks amazing.
Thanks Julie!
I love this recipe. Pumpkin Chip Banana Bread sounds absolutely delicious. The combination of flavours is awesome and perfect for Halloween!!
I couldn't agree more!
Is that 2/3 c of pumpkin puree? Just double checking.
Hi!! Yes, exactly.
Made this today (with the optional cinnamon)! So freaking delicious. Perfect blend of sweet and moist. Will definitely make this again! Thanks for the great recipe.
I love people who do pumpkin year round! So glad to hear it was a hit—it’s one of my faves!!!