Pumpkin Banana Chia Bread

Before diving into the baking process, it's crucial to prepare your kitchen for success. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating ensures that your bread bakes evenly and rises beautifully. While the oven heats, prepare your loaf pan. Grease it with butter or line it with parchment paper to prevent the bread from sticking. A well-prepared pan is essential for a clean release and a perfect loaf shape.

Experience the cozy flavors of fall with this delightful Pumpkin Banana Chia Bread recipe! This easy-to-follow guide combines ripe bananas and pumpkin puree for natural sweetness, enhanced by crunchy chia seeds packed with nutrition. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a sweet treat, this bread is not only delicious but also a celebration of wholesome ingredients. Discover step-by-step instructions, tips, and serving suggestions to impress your family and friends while enjoying the warmth of home baking.

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Ingredients

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (approximately 2 medium bananas)

1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or freshly made)

1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

1/4 cup coconut oil (melted) or unsalted butter

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative)

1/2 cup chia seeds

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) - optional

1/2 cup chocolate chips - optional

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x5-inch loaf pan by greasing and flouring it, or you can line it with parchment paper for effortless removal after baking.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, honey (or maple syrup), melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix together until everything is well integrated and smooth.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, chia seeds, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.

Incorporate Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this might lead to a denser texture in the bread.

Fold in Extras: If you prefer, fold in the chopped nuts and chocolate chips to add delightful bursts of flavor and texture to your bread.

Pour the Batter: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top for a beautiful finish.

Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil halfway through the baking time.

Cool: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. After that, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve: Slice the bread and relish the deliciousness of your pumpkin banana chia bread, whether enjoyed plain or with your favorite spread! This delightful bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 min | 1 hr 15 min | 8 slices

- Presentation Tips: Serve slices of the bread on a wooden cutting board, and consider drizzling a little honey or maple syrup on top for added sweetness, garnished with a sprinkle of chia seeds for an attractive touch.