Amazing Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread (with Maple Syrup)

Pumpkin season doesn't get better than this! Your kids will love this moist and flavorful pumpkin bread, whether you serve it for breakfast or as an after school snack. You only need one bowl and a few basic ingredients - it's so easy!

There's nothing like scrambling to figure out what to feed kids for breakfast or snacks - it can be stressful! Keeping healthy whole wheat quick breads on hand can help lessen the craziness of trying to figure out what to feed kids in a pinch.

And, what kid will turn down chocolate chip anything? You can easily leave them out, but my kids would advise you to keep them in!

For more Fall inspired recipes, try my homemade pumpkin waffles, roasted butternut squash soup, and rosemary pork tenderloin, and roasted root vegetable recipes! They are all kid-approved!

about this recipe

Get ready for your home to fill with all of the favorite and familiar scents of Fall as this delicious pumpkin bread bakes in your oven. I just knew I had the right proportions when my son stated, "This is perfect. Don't change anything!". I hope your kids love this as much as mine do!

• High in fiber so your kids feel full longer.
• Naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup instead of sugar.
• You only need one bowl, so there is less mess and fewer dirty dishes. You're welcome!
• It takes about an hour in the oven, so make this when you know you will be home for a little while.
• If you use dairy-free chocolate chips or leave them out, this becomes a dairy-free pumpkin bread.

ingredient notes

• Pumpkin High in fiber and rich in vitamin A. Either canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree can be used. Do not use pumpkin pie filling.
• White whole wheat flour White whole wheat flour is unbleached. It has the same nutritional value as whole wheat flour (excellent source of fiber and other nutrients like B vitamins, iron, folate, and selenium). Because of the variety of wheat used to make it, white whole wheat flour has a milder flavor, a lighter color, and a softer texture. I use King Arthur flour.
• Eggs Helps bind the bread together and give it a consistent texture. Eggs are a good source of protein.
• Olive oil Use extra virgin olive oil. This recipe doesn't call for much. It adds moisture to this quick bread.
• Water Adds moisture.
• Maple syrup Use pure maple syrup for natural sweetness.
• Baking soda For leavening. Do not use baking powder instead.
• Salt Helps activate the baking soda. If you leave the salt out, this bread may not rise well.
• Vanilla and spices What's pumpkin bread without vanilla and spices?!
• Chocolate chips Use what you have. I've been trying to get my kids used to dark chocolate, so I've been using half semi-sweet and half dark chocolate chips. I buy my chocolate chips at Trader Joe's.

step-by-step instructions

Here's a quick overview of the steps to make this moist and flavorful healthy pumpkin bread. For the full list of ingredients and specific instructions, scroll down to the recipe.

1. Add wet ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk well.
2. Add all dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until all of the dry ingredients are incorporated. The batter will be lumpy.
3. Optional: add chocolate chips and fold in to the batter.
4. Sprinkle cinnamon on top, then make zig-zag lines on the top to blend the cinnamon just a bit.
5. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan and bake in the oven for one hour and five minutes.
6. Let cool before serving. So easy!

Expert tips and FAQs

• Use the 'scoop and sweep' method for measuring flour. To do this, use a spoon to fill the measuring cups and then use the flat side of a knife to even it out on top.
• If you don't want to add chocolate chips, they can easily be left out.
• Chopped walnuts or raisins can be used in place of chocolate chips.
• Some loaf pans do not require you to grease them first. For example: Pampered Chef stoneware loaf pan and the metal Loaf Pan by Le Creuset.

This recipe is an adapted version of COOKIE+kate's Healthy Pumpkin Bread recipe.