Vegan Pumpkin Bread

Get all the flavors of fall with this vegan, dairy-free, egg-free pumpkin bread. This recipe makes two loaves so keep one for yourself and give one to a friend. Top it with pepitas to make it extra special, pop it in your oven, and let the scent of cinnamon fill the air.

By
Sara Bir
Sara Bir
Sara Bir
Sara is a chef, culinary educator, and author of three cookbooks, The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook, Tasting Ohio and The Fruit Forager's Companion. The latter won a 2019 IACP Cookbook Award.
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Updated February 16, 2021
Sara Bir
A loaf of the Best Vegan Pumpkin Bread cut into thick slices and set on a cutting board.
Sara Bir

Of all pumpkin treats, pumpkin bread is my favorite. Specifically, my heart belongs to this vegan pumpkin loaf. After baking a batch I have to give the loaves away so I don’t go crazy sneaking off with slices throughout the day. It’s one of those recipes you make to confirm to yourself that fall has arrived.

This recipe started out as Piper Davis’ pumpkin bread from her excellent cookbook, The Grand Central Baking Book. Eventually, I veganized it by replacing the eggs with ground flaxseed, plus a few other tweaks. It’s been my go-to recipe for years. It’s a bit sweeter and cakier than other pumpkin breads, and it reminds me of the slices they sell at Starbucks—except moister. I love it with a cup of coffee.

The Best Pumpkin to Use in Pumpkin Bread

I use canned pumpkin purée. Yes, you can use homemade pumpkin purée, but to be frank, canned pumpkin is unfailingly better and it’s way less work. This recipe uses one whole small can of pumpkin so you don’t have to fret over how to use up a lingering few tablespoons.

Do not use canned pumpkin pie mix, which has spices and sugar already added to it.

A loaf of Moist Pumpkin Bread cooling on a rack with a second loaf in the pan behind it.
Sara Bir

How to Replace Eggs in Vegan Baking

Eggs play an important role in giving quick breads structure. To make this vegan quick bread, you have two simple plant-based options that help bind the batter and lend the same cakiness that eggs would.

Flaxseed: Ground flaxseed makes a gel when you mix them with water. This gel acts as an egg replacer to add structure to cookies, cakes, and quick breads. They’re a trusty ingredient in vegan baking. You can find flaxseed in the natural food aisle of most grocery stores. They have a short shelf life, so it’s best to keep them in the freezer.

Aquafaba: You likely have a can of beans in your pantry, which means you have an existing alternative to a flax egg! Aquafaba is a fancy name for the liquid in a can of chickpeas. Yes, the stuff we usually tell you to drain and rinse off—turns out that goopy bean juice is a fantastic egg replacer.

  • To use aquafaba as an egg replacer in this recipe, just add 1/2 cup of the liquid from a can of beans and omit both the water and the ground flaxseed. Liquid from chickpeas works best, but I’ve also used the liquid from canned kidney beans and white beans and had success. Aquafaba stores for up to a week in the fridge, but you can also freeze it in ice cube trays for easy portioning. Pop the frozen cubes out of the tray and store in a zip-top bag.

Spice Swaps and Mix-Ins for Vegan Pumpkin Bread

Out of an ingredient, or want to get creative? You can play with spices and mix-ins for different flavor directions.

  • Add up to 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
  • Add up to 1 cup vegan chocolate chips. (Many popular semisweet chocolate chips have milk and butterfat.)
  • Add up to 1 cup raisins or dried cranberries.
  • Add up to 1/2 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger.
  • Replace the spices in the recipe with 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder. (I’m currently really taken with this version.)
  • Use 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice instead of the spices in the recipe.
Two slices of the Best Vegan Pumpkin Bread on a white plate with butter melting on top.
Sara Bir

Pumpkin Bread Sugar Swaps

The amounts of white and brown sugar here are not set in stone. You can tailor it to your liking.

  • Use all white sugar. The flavor of the pumpkin and spices will come through more.
  • Use all brown sugar. Your pumpkin bread will have more of a gingerbread flavor.
  • Replace 1/2 cup of the sugar with maple syrup. Using only maple syrup will overwhelm the other flavors.
  • Reduce the sugar by 1/2 cup. The bread won’t be as moist and tender, but if you prefer less sweet desserts, it’s worth a go.

Flour Swaps for Pumpkin Bread

Feel free to swap the all-purpose flour with any of the following. I’ve made this bread all the following ways, and the texture and flavor remain essentially the same.

  • White whole wheat flour for all the all-purpose flour.
  • Whole wheat pastry flour for all the all-purpose flour.
  • Spelt flour for all the all-purpose flour.
  • Half all-purpose flour and half regular whole wheat flour.

Can I Make Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread?

I wouldn’t recommend making this pumpkin bread gluten-free. This particular recipe makes a dense batter, and for it to work as a gluten-free loaf, it would need eggs for added structure. If you use only gluten-free flour in this bread, it will be very dense and gluey.

Two stacked slices of Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread on a white plate with butter melting on top.
Sara Bir

Can I Make Muffins, Mini Loaves, or a Single Loaf?

Sure! This recipe will yield at least two dozen muffins, or six 5 1/2 x 3-inch mini loaf pans. (I particularly like the way this batter rises in mini loaves, plus they are convenient for giving to friends.) You can also bake this in a standard-size Bundt pan or halve the recipe and make a single loaf.

The Best Way to Freeze Vegan Pumpkin Bread

I actually prefer this bread after it’s been frozen and thawed. After freezing and thawing, the texture and flavor of this bread improves; it becomes moister and cakier, and it slices more neatly.

To freeze: Wrap cooled loaves in plastic wrap, then in foil. Freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or on the counter for three to four hours (no need to unwrap).

More Sweet Vegan Treats

Vegan Pumpkin Bread

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 60 mins
Total Time 80 mins
Yield 2 loaves

Since this makes two loaves, you can freeze one and eat one. Perfect! Flavor-wise, it’s best cut into the day after it’s baked, so the spices can mingle.

If using aquafaba instead of flax, omit the flax and water and add 1/2 cup aquafaba to the pumpkin mixture in Step 3.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin purée
  • 1 1/3 cups (304 grams) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup canola oil or melted coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup (32 grams) finely ground flaxseed meal
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 1/4 cups (446 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 2/3 cups (324 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Method

  1. Heat the oven and prepare the pans:

    Preheat the oven to 350° F and position a rack in the center. Grease and flour two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans.

    Two loaf pans lined with parchment paper and lightly floured to show how to make Vegan Pumpkin Bread.
    Sara Bir
  2. Toast the pumpkin seeds:

    Place the pumpkin seeds in a small, dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, shaking the pan often, until the seeds brown lightly and make little popping sounds, about 3 minutes. Immediately pour them into a small bowl. Set aside.

    Pumpkin seeds toasted in a non-stick skillet for Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread.
    Sara Bir
  3. Mix the liquid ingredients:

    In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, brown sugar, oil, and ground flaxseed until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved. Whisk in the milk, water, and vinegar. Set aside.

  4. Combine the dry ingredients:

    In another large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg.

  5. Mix the batter:

    Add the flour mixture to the bowl with the pumpkin mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until you have a cohesive batter with no dry streaks. The batter may have some small lumps, but that’s okay.

    Flour mixture in a white bowl with pumpkin mixture in a second bowl to the left to show how to make Vegan Pumpkin Bread.
    Sara Bir
    Batter for Healthy Pumpkin Bread in a white bowl.
    Sara Bir
  6. Bake the loaves:

    Divide the batter between the prepared pans and sprinkle the toasted pumpkin seeds on top. Bake the loaves until a toothpick or skewer inserted in the center comes out free of crumbs and the loaves spring back when you lightly press their center with your fingertip, about 55 to 65 minutes.

    Overhead view of two Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread batters in a loaf pans coated with parchment.
    Sara Bir
  7. Cool the bread:

    Cool the pans on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool on the racks completely before slicing.

    A loaf of moist Pumpkin Bread cooling on a rack with a second loaf in a pan behind it.
    Sara Bir

    Leftovers! Bread will keep, tightly wrapped, for about 4 days at room temperature, and up to 3 months in the freezer.