Moist Pumpkin Loaf with Olive Oil (gluten-free)

This Pumpkin Loaf recipe is perfect for a breakfast on-the-go or a mid-afternoon snack - both with a coffee of course☕ This Pumpkin Bread is a delicious, dense loaf - with less sugar than most.

You guys: hit that button up there for "Jump to Recipe" and go and make this recipe recipe for pumpkin bread right. NOW.

Seriously.

This pumpkin loaf recipe is made with simple and wholesome ingredients and it's ready in about an hour.

There are a ton of pumpkin bread recipes out there but I wanted to (as usual) figure out a way to get you a pumpkin loaf that had LESS sugar than most WITH keeping that pumpkin-ness taste😋

Finally figured it out and here it is😄

No overly fluffy loafs here, the moistness really comes through in this recipe.

Say "good-bye to dry" (pumpkin loaf, that is) thanks to the combo of the olive oil, a smidge of milk and of course, a generous amount of canned pumpkin.

If you love gluten-free muffins and bread recipes, then you'll definitely want to check out these recipes:

Jump to:

• 📝Ingredients for this pumpkin loaf recipe
• 🥣Instructions for pumpkin bread
• 🥡Storage and Freezing
• 🔄Substitutions
• 🔪Equipment
• ❓How do you moisten dry pumpkin bread?
• 🚫Why is my pumpkin bread gummy?
• 😢Why does my pumpkin bread not cook in the middle?
• ✅How do you know when pumpkin bread is done?
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

📝Ingredients for this pumpkin loaf recipe

• Gluten-free all-purpose baking flour - Bob's Red Mill is my go-to
• Baking soda and baking powder
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Dark Brown Sugar - regular brown sugar will work just fine too
• Olive oil - using olive oil keeps this loaf of pumpkin bread suuuuper moist
• Milk
• Pure canned pumpkin - do NOT substitute with pumpkin pie filling
• 1 lemon (for the zest)
• Raw pumpkin seeds - also know as "pepitas"

See recipe card below for quantities and instructions.

🥣Instructions for pumpkin bread

Nice and easy, for this loaf of pumpkin bread, here's what you'll do:

• Pre-heat your oven and get a large mixing bowl to combine all the dry ingredients.
• Then, in a medium bowl, you'll beat the eggs with the brown sugar, olive oil and milk. You'll stir in the pumpkin and lemon zest. Add the pumpkin
• To get the batter into hte loaf pan, use a spatula (it's a thick batter - don't worry, it's supposed to be.)
• Then sprinkle the top with the pumpkin seeds and bake for about 50 minutes

See below for more tips and the recipe card for full instructions.

🥡Storage and Freezing

On the counter in an air-tight container, this pumpkin loaf will keep for about 3 days on the counter.

To freeze this pumpkin bread, follow the instructions below for baking and then let the loaf cool.

Slice the loaf and wrap it up to freeze for up to 1 month.

🔄Substitutions

Alright, I don't want you makin' a bunch of swaps and then the recipe ends up not turning out (eek) so take these as possible but untested variations:

• Egg-free - instead of the eggs you could try a flax egg substitute
• Dairy-free - an almond or oat milk would work just as well instead of regular milk

🔪Equipment

Ok that's a strong word for such an easy recipe.

Get out a few mixing bowls, some measuring cups and spoons, a spoon and/or spatula and a standard loaf pan and you're set to go.

❓How do you moisten dry pumpkin bread?

If you find this or any pumpkin bread dries out, you can warm it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds on high and it tends to release some moisture.

To prevent dryness, keep the loaf sliced, wrapped in parchment paper in the freezer in an air-tight container.

Take out a slice and defrost as you need.

🚫Why is my pumpkin bread gummy?

Gummy or undercooked pumpkin bread is usually caused by 1 of 2 things:

1. Undercooking - not enough time in the oven, or
2. Too much pumpkin, applesauce or other "wet" ingredients. To get a yummy (not gummy) loaf texture, you need the right balance between the wet (pumpkin, applesauce, oil, egg, etc) and dry ingredients (like flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, etc.)

Make sure you follow this, or any recipe for pumpkin bread, as per the instructions before you make adjustments to increase the chances you'll have a delicious result.

😢Why does my pumpkin bread not cook in the middle?

This is usually due to not enough time in the oven. Put the pumpkin bread back in the oven for about 10 minutes and it should finish up.

If it's still not fully cooked in the middle, your ratio of wet to dry ingredients may be off.

Check the recipe and make sure you don't add more of anything, especially from the "wet" ingredient category (anything like pumpkin, applesauce, mashed bananas, eggs, oil, etc.)

✅How do you know when pumpkin bread is done?

Use the 3s's to know when it's done: Sight, Smell and Springiness! Set your oven timer for 50 minutes and when it's getting close - take a look in the oven:

• How does it look? Is it browning slightly around the edges? Are there some cracks in the top? That's good!
• Can you smell the pumpkin goodness?
• And when you take it out of the oven, does the loaf spring back when slightly depressed with a finger? If you're checking the box to all these 3 and the time is up, you're good to go

You can also insert a toothpick - if it comes out and it's not covered in goopy loaf mixture, it's done.

Filled with healthy-carbs, potassium and a kick of fibre, this pumpkin bread has been my quick and healthy breakfast these days when I pair it with a couple hard boiled eggs and Nespresso, of course☕

If you try this out, please rate and comment. I do love hearing from you.

~April

If you like the sound of this gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe, check out these yummy and healthy recipes too:

• Puffed Quinoa Bars with Almond Butter
• Healthy Fall Vegetarian Curry
• Starbucks Chicken and Vegetables Protein Box Copycat
• Healthy Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins

📖 Recipe