Pumpkin Bread Pudding (Instant Pot Recipe + Air Fryer Option)

Who says pumpkin spice is just for fall? This cozy Instant Pot Pumpkin Bread Pudding brings all those warm, comforting flavors you crave any time of year! Think of it as the perfect cross between pumpkin pie and French toast – creamy, spiced, and absolutely delicious.

The best part? Your Instant Pot does all the work while keeping your kitchen nice and cool. No need to heat up the whole house for dessert! In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a rich, custardy bread pudding that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy evening treat.

Whether you’re serving this to family on a lazy weekend morning or impressing guests at your next gathering, this foolproof recipe delivers bakery-quality results every single time. Plus, I’ll show you how to make it in an air fryer too – because options are always good!

Ready to turn simple ingredients into something magical? Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Bread Pudding

Keeps your kitchen cool. No need to heat up the whole house – your Instant Pot does all the work without warming your kitchen.

Super easy. Just mix, pour, and walk away. No fussy techniques or complicated steps.

Ultimate comfort food. All the cozy flavors of pumpkin pie in creamy bread pudding form – what’s not to love?

Perfect any time. Great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. This crowd-pleaser works for any occasion!

Ingredients For Your Pumpkin Bread Pudding

• Canned Pumpkin. This is not the same as pumpkin pie filling.
• Heavy Cream. Sometimes this is called heavy whipping cream.
• Eggs. Large Grade A eggs are best.
• Sugar. White sugar, which is usually called granulated sugar, is perfect. Extra fine sugar is nice in puddings to give it an even smoother texture but is not required.
• Butter. Real salted butter is preferred. You can use a dairy substitute if that is all you have, but it will impact the flavor.
• Vanilla Extract. Use pure vanilla extract or substitute with vanilla bean paste.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice. A blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, all-spice, ginger, and cardamom.
• Cinnamon. Extra cinnamon to balance the spice flavors.
• Salt. A little bit of salt is necessary for the chemistry of the dish and to intensify the flavors.
• French Bread. Purchase a loaf or two the day before and cut it into cubes. This is also a great way to use up unused French bread when you buy extra or forget to use it in a timely manner.

Please note, that the printable recipe card has the full list of ingredients, quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.

How To Make Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Prepare the Pan

Spray your springform pan with non-stick spray. Place ~1/2 cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot and set it to saute so that it preheats the water. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for the minimum amount of water you can use.

Blend the Ingredients

Blend together the pumpkin, cream, eggs, sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and seasonings. Fold in the bread and mix it all up.

Spread the Mixture

Pour everything into the springform pan and spread it evenly.

Line the Pan with Foil

Use aluminum foil on the top and bottom of the spring form pan to keep out water.

Place in Instant Pot – Cook on High Pressure

Cover the electric pressure cooker and set the valve to seal. Program for manual or “pressure cook” for 22 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to sit until it naturally releases all of the pressure.

Carefully remove the bread pudding and serve. It’s delicious cold or hot.

Air Fryer Alternative

Don’t have an Instant Pot? No problem! You can make this pumpkin bread pudding in your air fryer too.

Air Fryer Instructions:

1. Use a 6-7 inch round baking dish that fits in your air fryer
2. Prepare the recipe exactly the same way as above
3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil
4. Air fry at 330°F for 15-20 minutes until the center is set
5. Check with a knife – it should come out clean when done
6. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving

Note: If using a deeper baking dish, you might need to cook for about 25-30 minutes. Every air fryer is a bit different, so check for doneness!

Make-Ahead Tips

This bread pudding is perfect for busy schedules! Here’s how to prep it ahead:

Night Before: Assemble everything in your springform pan, cover tightly with foil, and keep in the fridge overnight. Cook straight from cold – just add 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Freezer Friendly: You can freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Perfect for grab-and-go desserts or when surprise guests drop by!

Popular Variations to Try

Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious twists on this basic recipe:

Cinnamon Roll Pumpkin Bread Pudding: Use day-old cinnamon rolls instead of French bread for an extra decadent treat.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip: Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips to the bread mixture before cooking.

Maple Pumpkin: Replace the vanilla extract with maple extract and drizzle with real maple syrup when serving.

Apple Pumpkin: Add 1/2 cup diced apples for a fall flavor combo that’s absolutely amazing.

Boozy Version: Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon or rum to the custard mixture for grown-up dessert time.

What to Pair with Your Instant Pot Bread Pudding

The serving possibilities are endless! Here are my favorite ways to enjoy this treat:

• Maple syrup drizzled on top
• Caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• Fresh whipped cream
• Vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence
• A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar
• Toasted pecans for crunch

Do you eat bread pudding warm or cold? Cold, warm, or room temperature are all perfectly delicious! I personally love it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

How To Reheat & Store Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Best Way To Store Instant Pot Bread Pudding Leftovers

Place your leftovers in airtight containers and keep it in the refrigerator for four to six days.

Can I Freeze Pumpkin Bread Pudding?

Absolutely! Freeze individual servings in airtight plastic containers or freezer-quality baggies for grab-n-go desserts or a fast way to serve surprise guests. It keeps for up to 3 months in the freezer.

How To Reheat Pumpkin Bread Pudding

If you don’t want to eat your bread pudding cold, you can reheat it in the microwave. Start with thirty-second increments until it reaches your desired temperature. Don’t forget that microwaves can heat unevenly.

You can also reheat it in the air fryer at 300°F for 3-5 minutes, or in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes.

Nutritional Benefits

While this is definitely a treat, pumpkin does bring some good nutrition to the table! Pumpkin is packed with vitamin A, which is great for your eyes and immune system. It also has fiber and potassium. The eggs provide protein, and if you use whole-grain bread, you’ll get even more fiber and nutrients.

Of course, this is still dessert, so enjoy it as part of a balanced diet!

Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Can I make pumpkin bread pudding without an Instant Pot? Yes! You can make it in the oven (350°F for 45-50 minutes), air fryer (330°F for 15-20 minutes), or even a slow cooker on low for 3-4 hours.

How long does pumpkin bread pudding last? In the fridge, it keeps for 4-6 days in an airtight container. In the freezer, it’s good for up to 3 months.

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned? Absolutely! You’ll need about 1 cup of pumpkin puree. Roast your pumpkin, scoop out the flesh, and puree it until smooth.

What if my Instant Pot is releasing steam? Some steam in the beginning is normal. If your IP is releasing steam through the vent hole, make sure the knob is turned to pressure instead of release. If it’s releasing steam around the rim, the seal probably isn’t seated properly – remove the lid, reseat the seal, and try again.

Can I use a different size pan? Yes, you can! If you use a larger size, make sure it fits in your Instant Pot before you fill the pan. Your dessert won’t be as tall, but the cooking time should stay about the same.

Do I need a springform pan? No, you can use a round cake pan. However, it will be more difficult to serve since you can’t remove the sides.

Can I substitute the heavy cream? You can use half-and-half or whole milk, but it won’t be quite as rich and creamy. For the best results, stick with heavy cream.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this pumpkin bread pudding, you might also love these cozy comfort food recipes:

• Easy Instant Pot Rice Pudding – Creamy dessert in 10 minutes!
• French Toast Casserole – Another great recipe for leftover bread.
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins – Pumpkin make these muffins soft and moist.
• Apple Dutch Baby Pancake – A perfect Fall Breakfast
• Cinnamon Rolls – Baking perfection that everyone loves.

Have you tried this recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and rate this recipe 5 stars if you loved it. Your feedback helps other bakers know what to expect and helps us create even better recipes for you!

I absolutely love hearing from readers! Drop a comment below and let me know how your bread pudding turned out. Did you try any of the variations? What toppings did you use? Your feedback helps other home cooks, and it always makes my day!

Welcome to the fourth annual #FallFlavors! We have 21 bloggers sharing over SIXTY recipes using fall ingredients like squash, apples, maple, pecans, and many more. Follow #FallFlavors to see all the delicious recipes on social media.

Wednesday #FallFlavor Recipes

Beverages

• Cranberry Orange Bourbon Cocktail from Family Around The Table
• Orchards be Dram-ed Cocktail from The Spiffy Cookie

Breakfasts and Breads

• Apple Pie Pancakes from Magical Ingredients
• Instant Pot Pumpkin Applesauce from An Affair from the Heart
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal from Jolene’s Recipe Journal

Mains and Sides

• Chicken Parm Stuffed Spaghetti Squash from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Chicken Sausage with Apples from Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Roasted Whole Butternut Squash from Jen Around the World
• Sauerkraut with Tomato Sauce from Palatable Pastime

Desserts

• Air Fryer Candied Walnuts from Devour Dinner
• Caramel Apple Pie from Sweet Beginnings
• Easy Apple Pie Cake from A Little Fish in the Kitchen
• Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake from Blogghetti
• Pumpkin Bread Pudding from Hostess At Heart
• Old Fashioned Ritz Pie from Art of Natural Living
• Pecan Pie Bars from Best Cookie Recipes

Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!

This pumpkin bread pudding recipe was first shared on September 7, 2022. It’s been updated to enhance our readers’ experience. No changes were made to the actual recipe.