Pumpkin Banana Bread Muffins

Ingredients & Substitutions

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

• Flour: I like using whole wheat flour because it adds a hearty texture. You could sub with all-purpose if that’s what you prefer.
• Pumpkin Puree: Use plain pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling (which has added ingredients, like sugar and spices)
• Bananas: I prefer to use ripe bananas for more natural sweetness.
• Spices: Cinnamon and ginger bring those warm autumn vibes.
• Date Glaze: I make a date glaze by combining Medjool dates + almond butter + maple syrup for a creamy, caramel flavor.

How to Make Pumpkin Banana Bread Muffins

*Note:  A printable recipe card including ingredient quantities can be found at the bottom of this post.

1. Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating up, grab your muffin pan and prepare it for the batter. You can use a vegetable spray to lightly coat each muffin cup, or if you prefer, line the cups with paper liners. This will prevent the muffins from sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients – whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Use a whisk or fork to stir the ingredients until everything is well-mixed. This helps ensure the baking powder and baking soda are evenly distributed, so your muffins rise evenly.
   
3. Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, pour in the plant-based milk and the apple cider vinegar. Give it a quick stir and let this mixture sit for a minute. The vinegar and milk will react to create a slightly tangy “buttermilk” effect, which adds moisture and lightness to the muffins. Next, add the mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil (or applesauce for a lower-fat option) to the milk mixture. Stir everything together until smooth, making sure the bananas are thoroughly mashed for the best texture.
4. Make the Muffin Batter: Now it’s time to combine the wet and dry ingredients. Pour the banana and pumpkin mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the ingredients together. Be careful not to overmix – stop stirring as soon as you don’t see any more streaks of flour. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins, and we want these to stay soft and fluffy!
   
5. Fill the Muffin Pan: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, fill each muffin cup about ⅔ of the way full. This allows room for the muffins to rise without spilling over the edges. If you’re using streusel or any toppings, now’s the time to sprinkle it over each muffin.
   
6. Bake the Muffins: Place the muffin pan in your preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes. The muffins should become golden brown around the edges. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of a muffin – it should come out clean, without any wet batter. When they’re ready, remove the pan from the oven and let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

For the Date Glaze

1. Soften the Dates: Take the pitted Medjool dates and place them in a small bowl. Pour the hot water over them and let the dates soak for a few minutes. This softens them, making it easier to blend and achieve a smooth glaze.
2. Blend the Ingredients: Once the dates have softened, add them to a food processor along with the soaking water. Add the almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Pulse the ingredients in short bursts until they start to combine, then blend on a longer setting. Stop to scrape down the sides as needed to make sure all ingredients are thoroughly blended. Continue blending until the glaze is smooth and creamy.
3. Adjust Texture as Needed: If you’d like a thinner glaze, add a little extra hot water, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.