You won't miss the gluten in this rich, cozy recipe for homemade gluten-free pumpkin bread.
When the weather starts to cool, my favorite kind of baked good is the snack-y sort. Something not-too-sweet but definitely cozy—more suited for breakfast or an afternoon coffee than a decadent after-dinner dessert. And it’s gotta be gluten-free!
Many quick breads fit the bill, but my favorite is pumpkin bread. The winter squash is the ideal cake filling: It’s super moist, full of flavor and naturally sweet. This gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe, which reminds me of the Starbucks pumpkin bread, is perfectly tender and delicious.
Specialty gluten-free flour (optional): Unlike classic yeast breads, quick breads are flexible! If you have a wide selection of gluten-free flours in your pantry, go ahead and experiment. Consider swapping a half-cup of the all-purpose mix with a flavorful whole grain flour like buckwheat or teff.
Xantham gum: This ingredient acts as a binder to give structure to gluten-free breads. If your flour mix already includes a binding agent (like xantham gum or guar gum), you may omit it.
Canned pumpkin: Though it seems like a shortcut, it’s best to use canned pumpkin. The consistency of flavor, texture and moisture simply can’t be beat.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread Recipe
This tender, perfectly spiced bread was created by Community Cook Cathy Orban from Chandler, Arizona. The loaf yields 16 servings.
Ingredients
1-3/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1-1/4 teaspoons xanthan gum
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup water
Directions
Step 1: Sift dry ingredients
TMB Studio
Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, xanthan gum, baking soda and salt.
Step 2: Mix wet ingredients
TMB Studio
In a separate bowl, stir together the eggs, pumpkin, sugars, oil and water.
Editor’s Tip: Forgot to let your eggs come to room temperature before baking? Set them (uncracked) in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes before using.
Step 3: Combine wet and dry ingredients
TMB Studio
Pour the pumpkin mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix until the batter is a uniform color and no pockets of flour mix remain. Don’t worry about overmixing: Gluten-containing quick breads can get tough if overmixed, but gluten-free quick breads like this pumpkin bread will not.
Step 4: Bake
TMB Studio
Transfer the batter into a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake 60-75 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean. To prevent overbrowning, cover with foil halfway through.
Let the pumpkin bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Store Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread
TMB Studio
Store leftover pumpkin bread, tightly wrapped, at room temperature for two or three days. Gluten-free baked goods tend to get stale more quickly than their gluten-containing counterparts, so if you know you can’t eat your bread soon, consider freezing leftovers. Freeze the entire bread or individual slices, tightly wrapped, for up to two months.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread Tips
TMB Studio
Can you use pumpkin pie filling to make gluten-free pumpkin bread?
Pumpkin pie filling is cooked, mashed pumpkin with sweeteners and spices added. Technically, you could use it in the pumpkin bread, but the result will be very sweet unless you reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe, which would impact the final texture of the bake. We recommend saving the filling for a pumpkin pie and sticking with plain canned pumpkin in this recipe.
How do you measure gluten-free flour?
Gluten-free flour should be measured like traditional flour: Lightly fill a measuring scoop, then level off the top with a knife. Don’t overpack the measuring cup.
What are the best mix-ins for gluten-free pumpkin bread?
It’s easy to add extra flavors or texture to a quick bread recipe like this gluten-free pumpkin bread. Chocolate chips, coconut flakes, chopped pecans or other nuts, raisins or chopped dried fruits would all work well.
Why should the ingredients be at room temperature?
Room-temperature baking ingredients mix together well, resulting in a well-blended batter that holds the proper amount of air. Cold ingredients tend to clump, curdle or lump, resulting in an unevenly mixed batter that won’t have as pleasing a texture when baked.
How do I make dairy-free, gluten-free pumpkin bread?
This pumpkin bread recipe is aready dairy-free! To make a vegan version, consider replacing the eggs with a flax egg, or try our vegan pumpkin bread recipe.
More Gluten-Free Baking Recipes We Love
1 / 30
Gluten-Free Banana Bread
A foolproof recipe for beginning gluten-free bakers, GF banana bread is quick to mix and has all the cozy, comforting flavor of traditional banana bread. Since quick breads don't need the robust structure gluten provides, most translate extremely well to gluten-free baking—and might even be more tender.
Go to Recipe
Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cake
Who says a gluten-free dessert can't be a showstopper? This GF red velvet cake is chocolate-y, slightly tangy and almost fizzy thanks to a secret ingredient. Naturally, our recipe includes a lick-the-bowl homemade cream cheese frosting, too.
Go to Recipe
Gluten-Free Sandwich BreadOur gluten-free bread recipes have chewy crusts, airy crumbs and rich flavor, no gluten required! This gluten-free sandwich bread is a good one to learn, as it's perfect for a tasty sandwich, sturdy enough to make grilled cheese and delightful toasted with butter. Don't skip the xanthan gum or gelatin in the recipe, as they contribute crucial structure to the bread.
Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies
Packed with whole grains and lightly sweet, these gluten-free oatmeal cookies make a passably healthy snack as well as a tasty dessert. Thanks to the addition of oats as well as flour, they're just as chewy as traditional oatmeal cookies. Make sure to use gluten-free oats for this recipe, as they're grown, harvested and processed differently from gluten-containing grains to ensure that they're safe.
Go to Recipe
Best Gluten-Free Chocolate CakeWant a towering, bold cake with a light crumb and full-on chocolate flavor? Make this gluten-free chocolate cake. Both cocoa powder and espresso make for a decadent flavor, while chia and flax seeds add enough moisture that no one will notice the cake is a vegan dessert, too. Chocolate lovers can even stir in chocolate chips.
Gluten-Free Vanilla CupcakesPerfect for birthday parties or any special occasion, gluten-free vanilla cupcakes are festive and fun to make. Add a dash of food coloring to the frosting for extra decoration, or top with sprinkles. This recipe works well with a homemade gluten-free flour mix or a store-bought one.
Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins
You can't beat a fresh-from-the-oven blueberry muffin, and no one will be able to tell these are gluten-free. If you have leftovers, you'll be happy to know these muffins freeze well. Just pop in the microwave to reheat. Your future self will thank you!
Go to Recipe
TMB STUDIO
Gluten-Free Cornbread
A simple pan of cornbread makes the best accompaniment to a cozy stew or soup. Although cornmeal is naturally gluten-free, many recipes do contain a bit of wheat flour for a softer, more cake-like texture. Our gluten-free recipe is just as good, sans gluten.
Go to Recipe
TMB STUDIO
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
With a creamy, spiced custard filling and tender crust, this gluten-free pumpkin pie will stand proudly on any Thanksgiving dessert table. The crust includes a scoop of almond flour, which is both tasty and rich in oils, contributing to a tender crumb.
Go to Recipe
TMB STUDIO
Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies
Think shortbread cookies are too fussy to make gluten-free? This recipe will prove you wrong. It's easy to make and full of rich, buttery flavor, proving that the simplest things are sometimes best.
Go to Recipe
TMB STUDIO
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
A cookie jar staple, gluten-free gingerbread cookies are a fun recipe to bake with kids. Our recipe makes a spiced, rich cookie dough that's easy to roll out and cut into your favorite shapes. We include several decorating ideas, too.
Go to Recipe
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter BlondiesThese chewy blondie bar cookies nod to peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, only they're easy to slice and perfect to pack in a lunch or picnic. This recipe is also dairy-free and diabetic-friendly, making it ideal for people with multiple food sensitivities.
Gluten-Free SnowballsA favorite holiday cookie, snowballs are a tender butter cookie dotted with nuts and dunked in fluffy powdered sugar. Thanks to the use of two starches and light confectioners' sugar, they almost melt in your mouth. These cookies are a nice one to try if you don't want to buy special flours, as they only call for pantry staples.
Gluten-Free BiscuitsGluten-free comfort food is definitely possible! These biscuits are made with buttermilk, just like most wheat-based recipes, so their flavor is comfortingly familiar. Serve them with your favorite stew or soup.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread
A rich and cozy fall baking recipe, gluten-free pumpkin bread is quick to mix. The extra-moist bread also keeps well at room temperature for a few days, so you can enjoy it for breakfast all week.
Go to Recipe
SoccaA traditional Mediterranean flatbread, socca is actually made with chickpea flour (aka besan), making it naturally gluten-free. Like cornbread, it's a great dinner side dish but also tasty enjoyed on its own, warm from the oven.
Cauliflower Pizza CrustAs gluten-free eating becomes more common, your local pizzeria might offer a crust made with an unusual ingredient: cauliflower! The healthy vegetable makes a sturdy crust with a warm, savory flavor. It's easy to make homemade, too.
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Kiss CookiesNostalgic for this classic holiday cookie? It's easy to make gluten-free. You might be surprised to see applesauce in the ingredients, but it adds both sweetness and moisture to ensure the cookies stay fresh in their tin for days.
Flourless Chocolate TorteUltra-indulgent, creamy flourless chocolate cake sometimes tells a fib: Some recipes include a small amount of wheat flour for texture. (If you're dining out, always ask!) Our recipe is entirely flour- and grain-free.
Gluten Free Peanut & Chocolate Chip Cheesecake BarsWhat's more decadent than cheesecake? Our gluten-free recipe starts with a no-bake cookie crumb crust. The cream cheese filling is dotted with chocolate chips and topped with a chocolate-peanut butter drizzle.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookies
One of our favorite pumpkin recipes, these gluten-free pumpkin cookies are super tender and flavorful. They're sturdy enough to pack for a potluck or school lunch. We use canned pumpkin for the most reliable flavor and texture.
Go to Recipe
Mocha-Walnut MacaronsDid you know that macarons are naturally gluten-free? Whipped egg whites and ground nuts make a light, melt-y batter. The French recipe has a reputation for fussiness, but really, these are simple enough for a practiced home baker to make.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle CookiesThese cookies take inspiration from dense, rich European winter cookies. The heartiness of the recipe makes them easy to make gluten-free, and they keep well, too. The powdered sugar-coated exterior cracks in a pleasant, crisp way when baking.
Gluten-Free Sweet Potato MuffinsPerfect for breakfast or snacking, these muffins are flavored with real sweet potato, making them extra moist. A cinnamon-sugar topping raises the bar.
Gluten-Free Almond CrispiesFlavored with cinnamon and maple and flecked with almonds, these cookies are delicious when the weather turns cool. Thanks to whole grain brown rice flour and almond flour, they're a healthier gluten-free cookie, too. Serve them with tea or dunk into milk.
Flourless Peanut Butter ThumbprintsSometimes, you don't even need flour to bake! These thumbprint cookies couldn't be simpler. They're reminiscent of a classic peanut butter blossom, but they include a secret ingredient: Nutella!
Cheesy Cauliflower BreadsticksA delightful grain-free recipe, this super savory bake is made with a cauliflower crust. It's also a healthy alternative to pizza that might get your kids eating veggies.
A former in-house editor at Taste of Home, Kelsey now writes, cooks and travels from her home base of Chicago. After going gluten-free over a decade ago, Kelsey turned to home cooking and baking as a way to recreate her favorite foods. Her specialties include gluten-free sourdough bread, pizza and pastry. When not wrangling her toddler, she enjoys reading, watching old movies and writing. Her debut novel, Girl in the Rearview Mirror, was published by William Morrow in 2019, and her second is forthcoming.
We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices.
Updated: Sep. 18, 2023
