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Gluten Free Cinnamon Pumpkin Bread


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Delicious gluten free pumpkin bread recipe that is also small batch!  This cinnamon spice pumpkin bread is made with an oat flour blend and makes a mini loaf that is moist, tender, full of fall flavors, and finished with a cinnamon sugar crunch top.  A perfectly easy recipe to add to your pumpkin dessert plans!

Beautiful inside image of super moist gluten free pumpkin bread on a wood serving tray.

Gluten Free Cinnamon Pumpkin Bread

I already have a wildly popular gluten-version of cinnamon sugar small batch pumpkin bread on the blog.  So, I thought I would supplement it with a flourless version with this recipe for gluten free cinnamon pumpkin bread!  I’m hoping this recipe is in the same club as the original, and I’m sure it will be!  

This cinnamon pumpkin bread is just as successfully delicious as my gluten free small batch pumpkin whoopie pies, and the gluten free small batch pumpkin cupcakes.  And I like to attribute it to the gluten free flour blend I use:

  • Oat Flour – The oat flour makes the bread light and airy.
  • Sweet Rice Flour – Sweet rice flour has properties that mimic gluten, which give the bread structure.
  • Almond Flour – Almond flour provides protein, which aids in structure.  Plus it offers moisture and flavor to the flour blend.
  • Tapioca Flour – Tapioca Flour is another gluten mimicking flour and gives the bread texture and chew.

Everything To Love About This Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

  • Moist – The key ingredients that contribute to the soft and moist texture of this bread are the flour blend and of course, the pumpkin.  
  • Tender – The crumb of this pumpkin bread is perfectly soft, yet sturdy enough to be dunked in a little coffee, or a fancy gingerbread latte!
  • Perfectly Sweet – Even though we are baking gluten free, there is still sugar in this bread!  Though I do opt for organic cane sugar because it is not as refined as granulated white sugar.
  • Abundance of Fall Flavors – When you think of fall small batch baking, do you immediately go to pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice?  Well, even if you don’t, there is no shortage of those flavors in this bread.  The earthy pumpkin flavor comes through and is topped with all of the cozy spices reminiscent of fall!
  • Easy to Make – And I mean easy.  10 minute prep easy.
  • Great for Two – I ramble on a lot about this bread being gluten free, but it is equally important to highlight it is a small batch!  Great for two (or just yourself – no judgment!).  And it makes the most charming mini loaf!
Beautiful stack of gluten free pumpkin bread slices with delicious cinnamon sugar crunch topping.

dry Ingredients

  • Oat Flour – Oat flour makes the bread lighter and softer.  You can purchase oat flour, or make your own by grinding up gluten free rolled oats into flour. 
  • Sweet Rice Flour – Sweet rice flour provides structure in that its properties mimic gluten.  I also use sweet rice flour in my chocolate chip gluten free mini loaf and lemon mini gluten free loaf for this reason.
  • Almond Flour – The almond flour adds flavor, moisture, and texture.  I recommend blanched superfine almond flour.   
  • Tapioca Flour – Also referred to as tapioca starch.  The tapioca flour adds texture and chew.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice – I like to keep it easy and use pre-made pumpkin pie spice in my fall baking!
  • Baking Powder – The baking powder gives the little loaf a lift, plus works on the texture.
  • Salt – Salt is a wonderful flavor enhancer!

Wet Ingredients

  • Coconut Oil – I only use refined, cold-pressed coconut oil – it is solid, much like shortening.  You may come across coconut oil that is already liquid, but that is not the kind I use, and I can’t say for certain how the bread would turn out if it was used.
  • Cane Sugar – The organic cane sugar will add the perfect amount of sweetness, without being as refined as regular granulated sugar.
  • Canned Pumpkin – Make sure it is pure canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling.  And you will have leftovers, regardless of the size of can you use.  But the leftovers are great to make an easy batch of pumpkin spice latter overnight oats, or pumpkin pie chia pudding
  • Egg – Only 1 large egg is needed for this recipe.
  • Vanilla Extract – Flavor!
  • Cinnamon Sugar – You can always make your own, and the ratio of cinnamon to sugar is totally up to you.  I usually end up with a ratio like 1 teaspoon of cinnamon for every 1 tablespoon of sugar.  
Mini gf pumpkin bread loaf sliced into slices set on a wooden tray.

success tips 

  • Use pure pumpkin – The canned pumpkin should be pure pumpkin, and not pumpkin pie filling.  The latter contains sugar and spices that we don’t want for this recipe.
  • Whisk the dry ingredients together first – I’m guilty of just wanting to dump all the ingredients into the mixing bowl and stir.  And while this may work, I do think it is wise to mix the dry ingredients together first.  This way you get good incorporation and a chance to break up any lumps.  
  • Let the batter rest before baking – As with all my recipes that use sweet rice flour, I find the flour needs time to hydrate so it will bake soft and tender. 
  • Don’t over-swirl the cinnamon sugar top – We want the cinnamon sugar to caramelize on top of the bread so it gives it a sweet crunch.  Over-swirl, and it will all just end up getting baked into the bread!
  • Gluten free takes a little longer to bake – Even if the toothpick comes out clean, you want to make sure that the edges of the bread look baked. So, if they still seem a little pale, bake 3 to 5 minutes longer.
  • Cool completely – This is my personal opinion, but I find that gluten free baked goods taste much better when they have had a chance to cool.
Pretty view of a freshly baked fall bread on a wire cooling rack.

Recipe FAQ

Can I substitute the oat flour blend for a 1:1 gluten free blend?

Probably not. The texture and ratios would likely need to be adjusted, as I find 1:1 gluten free flour to be much drier than the flour blend I use.

Will melted butter work instead of the coconut oil?

I think this would be fine.

Do you have any more recipes that can use up the leftover pumpkin?

I sure do! How about these non-gluten free recipes for Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies, Pumpkin Roll Cake, or the Apple Pumpkin Muffins.

What is the best way to store leftover pumpkin bread?

The pumpkin bread can be stored covered at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. Beyond that, it may start to dry out.

Sweet slices of gluten free mini pumpkin bread on a wood cutting board.

Gluten Free Cinnamon Pumpkin Bread

GF
5 from 4 reviews
Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread recipe that is also small batch!  This cinnamon spice pumpkin bread is made with an oat flour blend and makes a mini loaf that is moist, tender, full of fall flavors, and finished with a cinnamon sugar crunch top.  A perfectly easy recipe to add to your pumpkin dessert plans!
Servings6 Servings
Prep10 minutes
Cook36 minutes
Total46 minutes

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 350F degrees and adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Lightly grease the pan, then line with a piece of parchment paper long enough so it hangs over the sides of the pan.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, sweet rice flour, almond flour, tapioca flour, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
    6 tablespoons gluten free oat flour, 3 tablespoons sweet rice flour, 2 tablespoons blanched almond flour, 1 tablespoon tapioca flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add the melted coconut oil and sugars. Whisk to combine. Then add the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.
    2 tablespoons cold pressed refined coconut oil, melted, 1/4 cup organic cane sugar, ⅓ cup pure canned pumpkin, 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the wet ingredients and whisk until no dry streaks remain. Let the loaf rest for 5 minutes before baking. This allows the gluten free flours time to hydrate so the bread bakes tender and moist.
    2 to 3 teaspoons Cinnamon Sugar
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the top of the batter and swirl around – just on top of the batter, not into the batter – with a knife, offset spatula, or toothpick.
  • Bake the pumpkin bread for 34 to 36 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, and the edges of the bread are brown and pulling away from the sides of the pan.
  • Cool the bread in the pan set on a wire cooling rack for at least 10 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper overhang, carefully lift the bread out of the pans and allow to cool on the wire rack completely. Note – I find gluten free baked goods taste better when they have had a chance to cool completely.
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RECIPE NOTES

  • Pumpkin – Depending on the brand, canned pumpkin can have different names, but is the same thing:  Pumpkin Puree, Pure Pumpkin, 100% Pumpkin, Organic Pure Pumpkin.  Just be sure it is not Pumpkin Pie Filling.
  • Leftover Pumpkin – You will have leftover pumpkin, regardless of the size can you use.  Check out my other pumpkin recipes to make another batch of pumpkin treats!
  • Serving Size – I have only tested this recipe as a small batch.  For doubling the recipe, I can’t say for certain how it would turn out, but if you try it, let me know!
  • Substitutions – The recipe has only been tested with the ingredients listed.  You could try to swap a Paleo flour blend 1:1.  However, I don’t recommend an all purpose gluten free 1:1 blend as I find it to be much drier.  The cane sugar can be swapped for white granulated sugar.
  • Brown Sugar – I recommend light brown sugar because dark may add too much moisture to the bread and make it too dense.
  • Cinnamon Sugar – To make your own with the cane sugar, I use the ratio of 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to every 1 tablespoon of sugar.
  • Storing and Freezing – Store the bread covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.  It can also be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a ziploc bag, and frozen for up to 3 months.  Thaw at room temperature.
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Author: Erin Cernich

NUTRITION ESTIMATES

Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 2164IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is calculated by a third-party and should only be considered an estimate and not a guarantee.

Headshot photo of Erin Cernich

about the author ...

I'm Erin and I'm all about desserts - and a little bit of butter!

I've tested, written, and photographed hundreds of recipes on my website. Here you'll find the tastiest small batch desserts - all homemade, all simple, and all for you! Click here to learn more about me!

5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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