These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (2024)

These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (1)

As far as we're concerned, every season is pumpkin season. Perhaps it's because there's no end to what you can make with the sweet and savory squash. Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin pie — if it has pumpkin in it, you can be sure the dish will be good. And the best part is, these recipes range from keto and paleo to gluten-free and low calorie! From breakfast to dessert — and everything in between! — these healthy recipes will have you running to the kitchen. Read ahead for the best pumpkin recipes you can make, and get ready to dig in!

Additional reporting by Lauren Harano

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These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (2)

Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes

Wake up right when you bite into these sweet pancakes for breakfast. They're fluffy, rich, and made without refined sugar, flour, or oil. Just add syrup and a dollop of whipped cream to complete the dish.

Get the recipe: healthy pumpkin pancakes

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Whole30 Pumpkin Muffins

With wholesome ingredients, these tasty pumpkin muffins offer the perfect balance between spicy (thanks to the pumpkin-pie spice) and sweet. They're moist, tender, and easy to nosh on!

Get the recipe: Whole30 pumpkin muffins

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Vegetarian Pumpkin and Three-Bean Chili

Looking for a healthy (and equally delicious!) chili? This recipe was made for you. Toss together beans, veggies, and spices to make this hearty dish in no time.

Get the recipe: vegetarian pumpkin and three-bean chili

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Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake

Looking for a low-carb sugar-free dessert? We've got just the thing for you! This pumpkin cheesecake is rich, creamy, and oh-so good.

Get the recipe: keto pumpkin cheesecake

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Vegan Sourdough Pumpkin Bread

Made with pumpkin puree, light olive oil, and spices, this vegan bread is seriously good. Enjoy it for breakfast with a cup of coffee, for lunch with a spread of butter, or after dinner with a warm cup of cider.

Get the recipe: vegan sourdough pumpkin bread

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Chickpea Pumpkin Blondies

Made with only eight ingredients, these chewy blondies are a treat for your taste buds. Pair them with semisweet chocolate chips and enjoy!

Get the recipe: chickpea pumpkin blondies

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Instant Pot Pumpkin Walnut Chili

This vegan chili is a quintessential fall dinner. It's made with red lentils, fire-roasted tomatoes, walnuts, black beans, pumpkin, chipotles, and all the best toppings. Yum!

Get the recipe: instant pot pumpkin walnut chili

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Vegan Chia Pumpkin and Oat Snacking Loaf

This delightful loaf is made with vegan ingredients and is naturally sweetened by applesauce and banana. You'll love how moist and flavorful it is, too!

Get the recipe: vegan chia pumpkin and oat snacking loaf

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Thai Pumpkin Soup

If you're hungry, whip up this easy Thai soup. It takes less than 30 minutes to make, and is vegan and gluten-free. Top it off with your favorite seeds and a dash of cilantro.

Get the recipe: Thai pumpkin soup

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Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

These easy-to-make muffins are comprised of honey, oatmeal, yogurt, and tasty fall spices. Enjoy them with a cup of warm apple cider for best results.

Get the recipe: healthy pumpkin muffins

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Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

Wake up to the seasonal flavors of pumpkin pie with this exceptionally creamy and perfectly spiced overnight oats recipe. The best part is that you'll enjoy this breakfast for a week because this recipe makes five jars at once, saving you time and ensuring you have a healthy breakfast waiting for you every morning.

Get the recipe: pumpkin spice overnight oats

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Keto Pumpkin Bread

Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean you have to stray from your eating plan. Now you can have your pumpkin bread and eat it, too.

Get the recipe: keto pumpkin bread

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Vegan Chocolate-Marbled Pumpkin Protein Bread

Made with whole-wheat flour, plant-based protein powder, and pumpkin puree, this treat offers almost five grams of filling fiber and almost nine grams of protein. Each slice also has just 5.6 grams of sugar, but tastes super sweet.

Get the recipe: vegan chocolate-marbled pumpkin protein bread

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Vegan Pumpkin Pie

This no-bake pumpkin pie is free of gluten and refined sugars, meaning you can dig in without worrying about artificial ingredients. Top it off with warm nuts and a pinch of sugar.

Get the recipe: vegan pumpkin pie

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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

There's nothing better than noshing on crispy, crunchy, and flavorful pumpkin seeds. These satisfying seeds are high in both protein and fiber, and they contain healthy nutrients such as manganese, iron, and zinc. Bake them until they're golden brown, and enjoy them all season long.

Get the recipe: roasted pumpkin seeds

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No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies

Not super into baking but craving cookies? These no-bake pumpkin goodies will cure all your cravings and more. Not only are they easy to make, but they're naturally sweetened with maple syrup meaning you won't feel weighed down from too much sugar.

Get the recipe: no-bake pumpkin cookies

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Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

Dig in to a decadent dessert with this vegan pumpkin cheesecake! It's creamy, moist, and oh so good.

Get the recipe: vegan pumpkin cheesecake

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Pumpkin Coconut Bisque

This pumpkin coconut bisque tastes so creamy and rich, it's hard to believe that it doesn't contain an ounce of dairy. This is a recipe both vegans and those following the Paleo diet can enjoy!

Get the recipe: pumpkin coconut bisque

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Pumpkin Banana Smoothie

Start your day off with a burst of pumpkin flavor and whip up this pumpkin banana smoothie that will help keep you satisfied all morning long.

Get the recipe: pumpkin banana smoothie

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Paleo Pumpkin Pie Muffins

These paleo pumpkin pie muffins are not only gluten- and dairy-free, but they're also light, fluffy, and delicious.

Get the recipe: paleo pumpkin pie muffins

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Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

This pumpkin pie is raw, vegan, and gluten-free — a win for everyone at the table! With oven space at a premium, you'll love that you don't need to turn yours on for this one.

Get the recipe: pumpkin pie is raw, vegan, and gluten-free

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Vegan, Grain-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft, chewy, and only 86 calories per serving, these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are vegan and grain-free. Bonus: since they contain no eggs, you can lick the bowl clean!

Get the recipe: vegan, grain-free pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

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Vegan Pumpkin Quinoa Muffins

If all those pumpkin muffins are too hard to resist during the holidays, bake up a batch of these vegan pumpkin quinoa muffins immediately!

Get the recipe: vegan pumpkin quinoa muffins

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Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins

As a breakfast on the go, these oatmeal dark chocolate chip muffins do not disappoint — they'll leave you satisfied and full of fiber!

Get the recipe: oatmeal dark chocolate chip muffins

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Pumpkin-Carrot Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

These pumpkin-carrot bars are a low-cal alternative to pumpkin pie. Besides, who doesn't love a little cream cheese frosting?

Get the recipe: pumpkin-carrot bars

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Pumpkin Pancakes

Pancakes don't have to be a breakfast-only meal, especially when it's a stack of these pumpkin pancakes. The maple yogurt topping helps give the dish a sweetness that makes it feel like dessert.

Get the recipe: pumpkin pancakes

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Oatmeal Pumpkin Spice Bread

Stock up on your favorite pumpkin puree, and then make a batch of this oatmeal pumpkin spice bread. The oats increase fiber and also add a chewy texture to the bread, resulting in a much denser loaf.

Get the recipe: oatmeal pumpkin spice bread

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Protein Bars

If you are craving a sweet treat at the end of the night, these protein-packed chocolate chip pumpkin protein bars will satisfy any craving.

Get the recipe: chocolate chip pumpkin protein bars

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Pumpkin Oatmeal Coconut Bars

If supersweet desserts aren't your thing, look no further than these pumpkin oatmeal coconut bars. Made with whole wheat flour and sweetened with applesauce, they'll satisfy your craving for something cakey minus the sugar bomb.

Get the recipe: pumpkin oatmeal coconut bars

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Baked Pumpkin Ravioli

Enjoy pumpkin for dinner by whipping up a batch of these baked pumpkin ravioli — one serving brings in a whopping 10 grams of protein. Before the idea of homemade pasta scares you off, rest assured this recipe can easily be made with ready-made wonton wraps.

Get the recipe: baked pumpkin ravioli

These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat pumpkin? ›

Pureed, baked or roasted pumpkin is a nutrient-dense food that is low in calories and fat while being high in fiber, helping you feel full for longer.

What is the most popular dessert made from pumpkins? ›

I'd be remiss not to mention the star of all pumpkin desserts: pumpkin pie. It's an icon when it comes to Thanksgiving pies, but I don't reserve it for just one day of the year. My recipe is simple to make and packed with pumpkin flavor. I use a touch of black pepper to accentuate the pumpkin spices…

What can you do with Cinderella pumpkins? ›

Cinderella pumpkins are a type of winter squash with a mild, sweet flavor and moist texture that makes them great for soups, sauces, purees, and curries. They can be roasted, baked and steamed, and used for ornamental purposes.

How do you use sugar pumpkins? ›

Sugar pumpkins have firm, sweet flesh, with delicious flavor. You can roast sugar pumpkin flesh and use it in soups, salads, and baked goods. The roasted pumpkin can be eaten in chunks or pureed. One sugar pumpkin roasted makes about 2 cups of puree which is a bit more than you would get in an average can.

What does pumpkin do to your gut? ›

Pumpkin is rich in fiber and contains prebiotics, which can help improve digestive system health and bowel movement. It may help relieve constipation and diarrhea in some people.

What organ is pumpkin good for? ›

Pumpkin is recommended as part of a heart-healthy diet that may help lower your risk of heart disease. It offers a long list of nutrients that protect and support the heart, such as vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, copper, fiber, folate, and manganese.

Which pumpkin is best for dessert? ›

For cooking, you'll want to use sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins), which are small and round. Long Island Cheese pumpkins, which are more oblong and can look like a wheel of cheese, are also good to eat. Field pumpkin types are larger, have watery, stringy flesh, and are best for decorating.

What is the most eaten dessert in the world? ›

  • Mar 31, 2023, 08:13 PM IST. 10 Most Popular Desserts in the World. ...
  • Apple Pie. This traditional American dessert is popular due to its flaky crust and sweet apple filling. ...
  • Tiramisu. ...
  • Baklava. ...
  • Crème Brûlée. ...
  • Panna Cotta. ...
  • Cheesecake. ...
  • Mochi.
Mar 31, 2023

Is pumpkin puree the same as canned pumpkin? ›

Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing. These terms are often used interchangeably in recipes, though you may also see the term solid-pack pumpkin. All these terms mean 100% steamed and pureed pumpkin—no extras, no add-ins—not even in the canned variety.

What is a fairy pumpkin? ›

Fairytale pumpkins are a type of winter squash with a sweet, buttery flavor that makes them great for pumpkin pies. They can be roasted, baked, sautéed, and simmered, as well as eaten raw.

What is a goblin pumpkin? ›

Warty Goblin Pumpkin is an annual vegetable plant that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces large orange round fruit with green spots and orange flesh which are typically harvested when mature. The fruits have a sweet taste.

What is a Princess pumpkin? ›

Cinderella pumpkins are medium to large in size, averaging 30-38 centimeters in diameter and weighing 15-35 pounds, and are round in shape with a flattened blossom and stem end. The deeply-ribbed or lobed rind matures from yellow to a bright red-orange and is smooth with a rough, light brown stem.

Why do you put Vaseline on pumpkins? ›

The petroleum jelly acts as a barrier to seal in the pumpkins internal moisture to help slow down the dehydration process of the pumpkin. Now your pumpkin should be fine through the weekend—if it can survive a smashing from the neighborhood teenagers, that is.

What do you rub on pumpkins to make them last? ›

If you decide to carve your pumpkins, extend their life by rubbing petroleum jelly ($3, Target) around the carved areas of the pumpkin. If you don't have petroleum jelly, use olive or coconut oil.

What is the sweetest pumpkin? ›

Kabocha. A popular Japanese variety, the Kabocha has a rough but edible peel, and a round plump shape. It can be dark green or bright orange-red, and has firm, orange flesh. One of the sweetest varieties of pumpkin, its flavour has been compared to sweet potato, while its firm flesh holds together well in the oven.

Is pumpkin healthier raw or cooked? ›

Yes, you can eat pumpkin raw. Furthermore, eating raw pumpkin and raw pumpkin seeds provides significantly more nutritional and health benefits than eating it cooked. Cooking minimizes water-soluble nutrients like vitamins B and C, and also reduces the vitamin A, potassium and copper content.

Is pumpkin more nutritious raw or cooked? ›

The bottom line

While raw pumpkin and its seeds may have slightly more vitamins and minerals, their taste and texture are often considered less appetizing. They may also contain more antinutrients and fewer antioxidants than their cooked counterparts.

Is canned pumpkin as healthy as fresh? ›

Answer Section. Not necessarily. Fresh foods generally have a higher nutrient content than do cooked or canned foods. But in this case, both fresh pumpkin and canned pumpkin are packed with nutrients, such as potassium, vitamin A and iron.

Is canned pumpkin healthier than fresh pumpkin? ›

Even so, nutritionally, you might be better off with canned pumpkin than with fresh cooked: One cup of canned has more carotenoids and fiber (7 grams), plus about a fifth of your daily iron needs.

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