I absolutely love this Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe because it combines the cozy flavors of pumpkin spice with the rich, melty goodness of vegan chocolate chips. It’s that kind of bread you’ll want to make during the fall season, but honestly, I’ve baked it all year round because it’s just that comforting and versatile. What makes it even better is that it’s 100% plant-based, easy to whip up, and perfect for breakfast, snack time, or even a simple dessert.
When I first tried this recipe, I was surprised by how moist and flavorful it turned out without any eggs or dairy. If you’re new to vegan baking, you’ll find that this bread is forgiving and really satisfying. Plus, the pumpkin puree adds natural sweetness and keeps things tender, while those chocolate chips provide little bursts of indulgence in every bite. Trust me, once you try this Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe, you’ll keep coming back for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Moist: The pumpkin puree keeps the bread super tender without needing eggs or dairy.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have most things in your pantry already, making it an easy bake anytime.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The pumpkin spice and chocolate chips create a warm, comforting combo everyone loves.
- Vegan and Allergy-Friendly: No eggs or dairy, so it’s inclusive for many diets without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe has a role in building flavor and texture, creating that perfect loaf you’ll want to slice up right away. I always recommend using good-quality pumpkin puree and vegan chocolate chips for the best results.
- Plain flour: This is the base of your bread. I prefer all-purpose flour for a nice crumb.
- Brown sugar: Adds rich molasses notes and moisture.
- Caster sugar: Helps with sweetness and tender texture.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the bread moist. I use neutral oils like sunflower or canola.
- Soy milk: The plant milk gives the batter the right consistency and reacts with the vinegar.
- Pumpkin puree: Use plain canned or homemade puree for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Vegan chocolate chips: Stir them in last so they don’t melt into the batter.
- Apple cider vinegar: Reacts with baking soda to help the bread rise and stay fluffy.
- Maple syrup: Optional but adds a subtle depth of sweetness.
- Pumpkin spice: Gives the warm aroma with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Baking soda and baking powder: Both needed to get a light, airy texture.
- Salt: Balances all the sweetness and spices.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe, and I encourage you to make it your own! Whether you want it sweeter, nuttier, or bursting with extra spices, there’s room to tweak.
- Add nuts: My family goes crazy when I toss in chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.
- Swap the pumpkin spice: Feel free to add more cinnamon or even cardamom to suit your taste.
- Make it gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend but watch the baking time since it varies.
- Sweetener adjustments: Using coconut sugar or agave syrup works well if you want a different sweetness profile.
How to Make Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients Smoothly
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Then, take a large bowl or jar and whisk together the soy milk, apple cider vinegar, vegetable oil, maple syrup (if using), and pumpkin puree. This ensures your wet mix is silky smooth, which helps the batter come together easily and keeps your bread tender.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients Carefully
In another big bowl, whisk the plain flour, brown sugar, caster sugar, pumpkin spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until everything is evenly mixed. This step is key to evenly distribute the leavening and spices throughout your bread.
Step 3: Gently Fold Wet and Dry Ingredients Together
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir gently using a wooden spoon or spatula. Don’t overmix here—you want to combine everything just enough to avoid tough bread from gluten development. The batter will be thick and slightly lumpy, and that’s perfectly fine.
Step 4: Add Vegan Chocolate Chips Last
Fold in the vegan chocolate chips carefully so they don’t melt right away. Save a handful to sprinkle on top of your loaf for a beautiful finish and extra chocolatey bites when it comes out of the oven.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Transfer the batter into a loaf tin, smoothing the top gently and sprinkling extra chocolate chips over it. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, checking with a toothpick—when it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, you know it’s ready. Let it cool completely in the tin before slicing to keep the slices intact.
Pro Tips for Making Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: I discovered that mixing just enough but not too much keeps the bread tender, so stop once the flour disappears.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This makes the wet mix blend more smoothly and helps the bread rise evenly.
- Add Chocolate Chips Last: Folding in at the very end prevents them from melting and turning the batter brown.
- Check Baking Time Early: Oven temperatures can vary, so start checking at 50 minutes to avoid overbaking and dryness.
How to Serve Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Garnishes
I love to garnish slices with a light spread of vegan butter or almond butter—it melts into the warmth and adds richness. For a little festive touch, a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup brings out the sweetness without overpowering the warm spices.
Side Dishes
This pumpkin bread pairs beautifully with a hot cup of chai tea or coffee for breakfast. If you’re serving it as a snack, I recommend fresh fruit like crisp apple slices or a dollop of coconut yogurt to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve this bread as mini loaves or muffins, topped with extra chocolate chips and a sprinkle of nuts. Wrapping individual slices in parchment paper with a twine bow turns it into a lovely homemade gift that friends and family always appreciate!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftover pumpkin bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate it in a sealed container, which helps retain moisture and flavor.
Freezing
Freezing works great! I slice the bread first, then freeze slices in a ziplock bag with parchment paper in between to prevent sticking. When you want a slice, just pop it in the toaster or oven directly from the freezer.
Reheating
To keep that fresh-baked feel, I reheat leftover slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 160°C (320°F) for about 5-7 minutes. It restores the warmth and soft texture, almost like it just came out of the oven.
FAQs
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Can I use canned pumpkin puree for this recipe?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly and is actually super convenient. Just make sure it’s plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, to avoid added sugars or spices interfering with the recipe.
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What’s the best way to ensure my vegan pumpkin bread is moist?
Using vegetable oil and pumpkin puree together keeps the bread moist. Also, gently folding the batter without overmixing preserves the tender crumb. Don’t overbake—it’s better to check a little early than too late!
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Can I substitute other plant milks for soy milk?
Yes, you can use oat, almond, or any other plant-based milk you prefer. Just keep in mind that soy milk works well with the apple cider vinegar to create a buttermilk effect, so some variations might affect texture slightly.
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How long does this vegan pumpkin bread stay fresh?
Stored at room temperature in an airtight container, it stays fresh for about 3 days. Refrigerating can extend that to a week, and freezing works well for up to 3 months.
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Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?
This recipe isn’t gluten-free as is, but you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. Just note that baking times might vary slightly and the bread’s texture could be a bit different but still delicious!
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, not just for its rich flavor but because it’s so easy and forgiving. I love sharing it with friends who say vegan baking is hard, and watching their surprise when they bite into a slice loaded with pumpkin spice goodness and melty chocolate chips. You really can’t go wrong here, whether it’s a chilly morning or a cozy night in. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy every bite as much as I do!
PrintVegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread is a moist, flavorful loaf perfect for fall and year-round treats. Made with pumpkin puree, warm pumpkin spice, and dairy-free chocolate chips, it offers a delicious vegan alternative to traditional pumpkin bread. The blend of brown and caster sugars with apple cider vinegar and soy milk creates a tender crumb without eggs or dairy. Easy to prepare and bake, this bread is ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (80ml) vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup (60ml) soy milk
- 3/4 cup (170g) pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (230g) plain flour
- 1/2 cup (70g) brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Add-ins
- 1/2 ~ 1 cup (80~160g) vegan chocolate chips (plus more for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven temperature to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it’s fully heated and ready for baking the pumpkin bread.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large jar or bowl, combine soy milk, apple cider vinegar, vegetable oil, maple syrup (if using), and pumpkin puree. Whisk everything thoroughly until the mixture is very smooth and well incorporated. Set aside.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together plain flour, brown sugar, caster sugar, pumpkin spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Mix wet and dry: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Gently stir with a large wooden spoon just until combined, being careful not to overmix to avoid developing gluten which can toughen the bread.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Add the vegan chocolate chips to the batter. Fold them in gently to distribute without melting or breaking the chips.
- Prepare to bake: Transfer the batter evenly into a loaf tin. Sprinkle additional vegan chocolate chips on the top for a decorative, melty finish during baking.
- Bake the bread: Place the loaf tin in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the loaf tin at room temperature. Once cooled, remove from the tin, slice, and serve as is or toasted for extra warmth and crunch.
Notes
- Mix the batter gently to prevent developing too much gluten, which can make the bread dense.
- Add the vegan chocolate chips at the last step to keep them intact and prevent melting into the batter.
- Use digital kitchen scales for the most accurate measurements, ensuring consistent baking results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 422mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0g