Pumpkin Banana Bread with Walnuts & Chocolate Chips

Moist pumpkin banana bread with walnuts & chocolate chips—an easy fall recipe full of cozy flavors everyone will love!

As the crisp air rolls in and leaves start to change, there’s nothing quite like baking to bring warmth and comfort into your home. During the fall season, our kitchens fill with the cozy aroma of pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and freshly baked bread. If you’re someone who loves banana bread but also craves all things pumpkin, this pumpkin banana bread recipe is exactly what you need. It’s the perfect fusion of classic banana bread and moist pumpkin bread, loaded with melty chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts.

This banana pumpkin chocolate chip bread is one of those fall flavors that instantly feels like home. Using simple ingredients like ripe bananas, pumpkin purée, and semi-sweet chocolate chips, this quick bread recipe comes together easily in a large bowl with minimal mess. It’s a crowd pleaser for family members, neighbors, or anyone you want to share a slice of comfort with. Whether you’re enjoying it for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy afternoon snack, this easy pumpkin banana bread delivers the best texture and pumpkin flavor in every bite.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are plenty of bread recipes out there, but this one stands out because it combines the natural sweetness of ripened bananas with the earthy richness of pumpkin. Unlike a classic banana bread, the addition of pumpkin purée makes this loaf extra moist, tender, and flavorful. And when you fold in crunchy walnuts and chocolate chunks, you get a delicious recipe with a little something for everyone.

The best part? This is a quick bread recipe—meaning there’s no yeast, no rising, and no fuss. Just mix your wet ingredients and dry ingredients, combine with a rubber spatula, and bake. It’s simple enough for beginners but tasty enough to impress seasoned bakers. Plus, the versatility of this recipe makes it perfect for mini loaves, gifting during pumpkin season, or freezing leftover banana bread slices for later.

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A Breakdown of the Ingredients

This pumpkin banana bread recipe is made with pantry staples and fall favorites. Let’s take a closer look at what goes into it:

• Ripe bananas – The foundation of any easy banana bread recipe. A well-mashed banana adds natural sweetness and moisture.
• Pumpkin purée – Brings that seasonal pumpkin flavor and the moist texture we love in homemade pumpkin bread.
• Unsalted butter (melted) – Creates richness and tenderness in the loaf. Make sure it’s at room temperature before mixing with other ingredients.
• Large eggs – Bind everything together and give structure to the bread.
• Vanilla extract – A must for warmth and depth.
• Sugar – You can use white sugar or swap for coconut sugar for a slightly different flavor profile. Adjust the sweetness to taste.
• All-purpose flour – The backbone of this loaf. (Some call it “purpose flour.”) It holds everything together when combined with the flour mixture of leavening agents.
• Baking soda – Gives the bread its rise and soft crumb.
• Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Ground cinnamon (optional) – Adds warmth and works beautifully with pumpkin pie spice for extra fall flavors.
• Walnuts – Provide a nutty crunch that balances the softness of the loaf.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Create pockets of melty chocolate chips in the center of the loaf and on the top of the bread.

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How to Make the Recipe

1. Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, mash banana until smooth. Stir in pumpkin purée, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and sugar until well blended. These are your liquid ingredients.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour mixture—flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
3. Combine: Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this is the best way to achieve a tender loaf.
4. Add mix-ins: Stir in walnuts and semi-sweet chocolate chips. If you like, save a few chocolate chunks to sprinkle on the top of the bread before baking.
5. Bake: Line your loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly. Pour in the batter and bake in your air fryer (or oven) at 375°F for 45–50 minutes. The baking time may vary depending on the size of your pan. Test by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf—it should come out mostly clean with just a few crumbs.
6. Cool: Let the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature for the best texture.

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How to Store the Recipe

To keep your banana pumpkin bread recipe fresh, let it cool completely before storing. Place the loaf or leftover banana bread slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in parchment paper and aluminum foil, then refrigerate for up to a week.

If you want to freeze it, slice the bread into individual portions, wrap each in foil, and store in a freezer-safe bag. That way, you can pull out just what you need. Reheat slices in the microwave or toaster oven for a warm, melty chocolate chip experience.

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Tips for Making the Recipe

• Use ripened bananas: The more brown spots, the better. They add natural sweetness and moisture.
• Don’t overmix: Stir the batter just until the flour mixture disappears—overmixing can make the bread dense.
• Add pumpkin pie spice: For extra cozy fall flavors, replace or enhance the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice.
• Try cream cheese spread: A slice of moist pumpkin banana bread tastes amazing with a smear of cream cheese for a tangy balance.
• Experiment with mix-ins: Swap walnuts for pecans, add coconut sugar instead of white sugar, or use mini loaves for gifting.
• Check baking time: Since air fryer sizes vary, always check the center of the loaf early to avoid overbaking.
• Line with parchment paper: Makes it easier to lift the bread out of the pan without sticking.

This easy pumpkin banana bread is a delicious recipe that celebrates the best parts of fall season baking. With its simple ingredients, moist crumb, and comforting pumpkin flavor, it’s one of those bread recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again. Whether you’re enjoying it fresh from the oven or pulling leftover banana bread slices from the freezer, this banana pumpkin bread recipe is a true crowd pleaser at any time of year.

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