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Healthy pumpkin bread made with a sprouted spelt flour and maple syrup. It’s lightly sweet, perfectly moist and full of warm spices. Dairy-free, refined sugar-free, easily gluten-free and vegan.

healthy pumpkin bread made with spelt flour and maple syrup on plate with dollop of yogurt

If you’re like me, once September hits you’re ready for cooler weather, cozy sweaters, and everything pumpkin spice. Of all the pumpkin recipes, pumpkin bread has always been my favorite. So every year this healthy pumpkin bread the first on my list of pumpkin recipes that will make an appearance in my kitchen over the next few months. Cozy up with a slice of this bread, a warmly spiced candle and a cup of tea. I can’t think of anything better. It’s the perfect way to welcome in the shift of seasons and those chilly fall days.

Healthy Pumpkin Bread with Spelt Flour

Considered this healthy pumpkin bread an updated classic. It’s made healthier by upgrading to more wholesome ingredients and making it less cake-like. Most pumpkin bread is loaded with sugar, falling into the category of dessert, rather than a nourishing option for a breakfast or snack. This healthy pumpkin bread is perfectly moist with a good amount of spice and only lightly sweet, leaning more towards a breakfast bread. It’s perfect for enjoying in the morning or for an afternoon snack. It pairs perfectly with a warm cup of coffee or tea and topped with almond milk yogurt and pumpkin seeds for a little more staying power.

This healthy pumpkin bread is also made with sprouted spelt flour. Spelt (along with oat flour!) is my go-to baking flour. I use One Degree Organics Sprouted Spelt Flour. If you can’t get your hands on sprouted spelt flour, you should be able to sub whole wheat pastry flour or your favorite gluten-free blend. However, I have not tested this recipe with the other flours.

healthy pumpkin bread loaf made with spelt flour and maple syrup
healthy pumpkin bread made with spelt flour and maple syrup on plate with dollop of yogurt
healthy pumpkin bread made with spelt flour and maple syrup on plate with dollop of yogurt

Nourished by Nutrition Facts:

Sprouted spelt flour – sprouted spelt flour is my go-to baking flour. It’s lighter and sweeter than whole wheat flour, which makes for delicious baked goods. Spelt is an ancient strain of wheat that hasn’t been hybridized like modern wheat. Spelt isn’t gluten-free but it doesn’t have as much gluten as regular wheat flour, making it more easily digestible for some individuals.

Sprouted flours (whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds) are also more easily digestible and also more nutritious than regular flours. The sprouting process breaks down phytic acid allowing for better absorption of some nutrients like iron, calcium and zinc, and also makes the grains easier to digest. Sprouted grains are also more nutritious since the process increases the bioavailability of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Sprouted grains as also have a lower glycemic index meaning they are better at keeping your blood sugar stable instead of creating a post-meal blood-sugar spike. When choosing grains and bread, I always opt for (and recommend!) sprouted grains. I love One Degree Organics and have been using their product of years.

Maple syrup – maybe syrup is a wonderful unrefined sweetener. While it’s still sugar and should be used sparingly, it’s my go-to in baking along with coconut sugar, coconut nectar and honey. The flavor of pure maple syrup is unlike anything else. Plus, since it is unrefined, there is a trace amount of nutrients still intact. Maple syrup is high in zinc and manganese and has around 24 antioxidants. It’s a great option to replace regular sugar but just remember when compared to real food like fruit, maple syrup is a very poor source of nutrients, so it still is best used sparingly.

Pumpkin – this winter squash is so versatile and packed with nutrients. Pumpkin often gets associated with a sweet pumpkin spice flavor but it’s actually quite neutral, leaning itself wonderfully to savory dishes like chili, curry, sauces and soups. It’s a good source of nutrients and antioxidants that may boost your immune system, protect your eyesight, lower your risk of certain diseases and support beautiful skin.

fork with a bite of healthy pumpkin bread made with spelt flour and maple syrup on plate with dollop of yogurt
slices of healthy pumpkin bread made with spelt flour and maple syrup

IF YOU LOVE this healthy pumpkin bread, YOU’LL ALSO ENJOY THESE RECIPES:

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Pumpkin Bread with Spelt Flour and Maple Syrup

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4.8 from 4 reviews

Healthy pumpkin bread made with a sprouted spelt flour and maple syrup. It’s lightly sweet, perfectly moist and full of warm spices. Dairy-free, refined sugar-free, easily gluten-free and vegan.

  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 45 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 1 8x4 loaf 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • 2 cups spelt flour (see notes for gluten-free)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon cloves
  • 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1 egg (or flax egg)
  • 3 tablespoons avocado or melted coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an 8×4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper or grease lighting with oil.

In a large mixing bowl, add the pelt flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Mix to combine. In a separate bowl, add the pumpkin, maple syrup, almond milk, oil, egg and vanilla. Whisk together until completely smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix together until just combined. Careful not to over mix.

Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Place in the oven for 45-50 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. Allow to fully cool before slicing.

Store on the counter for 3 days or in the fridge for 5 days.

Notes

Extras: I recommend 1/3 cup of extras like pumpkin seeds, chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, etc. in the batter or add 2-3 tablespoons on top the loaf before baking.

Spelt Flour – This recipe is made with sprouted spelt flour which is my go-to baking flour. I use One Degree Organics Sprouted Spelt Flour. If you can’t get your hands on sprouted spelt flour, light spelt flour, whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour will work.

Gluten-free option – sub a 1:1 baking blend flour and add one egg. I’ve tested this recipe gluten-free using King Arthur Flour 1:1 gluten-free blend.

Vegan-option: If you’d like a vegan loaf you can replace the egg with 1 tablespoon of ground flax + 3 tablespoons of water to create a “flax egg”. Just be aware your loaf won’t rise as much and will be a little more delicate.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #nourishedbynutriton.