Pumpkin frenzy seemed to arrive earlier this year than ever. If you’ve already reached your annual quota of pumpkin spice lattes, I have some homemade suggestions for you today! I’m rounding up fifteen of my pumpkin recipes, from muffins and scones to soup and pasta. These recipes are made with whole grains when applicable, and naturally sweetened when possible. By labeling them “healthy,” I mean healthier than something you might find at Starbucks. All but two of these recipes (the soup and pasta) make use of canned pumpkin. I’ve tried making my own pumpkin purée and you’re welcome to do so, but canned pumpkin generally offers more reliable texture and flavor. I only go to the trouble of roasting my own for savory recipes, like the soup shown above. For more October recipe inspiration, check out my October produce guide. And thank you so much for your kind notes on that post about the arrival of our baby girl—we’re just so happy she’s here.
1) Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
Easily gluten free or vegan These pumpkin muffins have been a mega hit with readers. Feel free to add chopped pecans or chocolate chips or anything else that strikes your fancy.
2) Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles
Gluten free These crispy spiced pumpkin waffles are made with oat flour, so they’re gluten free. If you haven’t worked with oat flour before, it’s very easy to make. Just blend up old-fashioned oats in your blender until they’re a fine flour.
3) Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups
Easily gluten free These no-bake treats taste like pumpkin pie and cheesecake had a baby. They work because we serve them in individual cups, so they don’t have to retain a sliceable shape.
4) Homemade Pumpkin Chai Latte
Gluten free and vegan Here’s a creamy chai latte made with real pumpkin purée, spices and almond milk. It’s a Starbucks-style treat that you can feel good about.
5) Creamy Pumpkin Soup
Gluten free and vegan This ultra creamy pumpkin soup is made with real roasted pumpkin. It turns out well with canned pumpkin in a pinch (see recipe note).
6) Pumpkin Oat Pancakes
Gluten free More pumpkin and oat goodness—these pancakes are hearty and fluffy at the same time.
7) Pumpkin Pecan Scones with Maple Glaze
Vegan Oh boy, these are my favorite. Using coconut oil in place of butter is a vegan option that turns out great.
8) Pumpkin Pecan Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cookies)
Vegan These bite-sized pumpkin polvorones are the perfect treat to satisfy your pumpkin craving.
9) Perfect Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Gluten free and vegan Roasting pumpkin seeds is really fun and easy when you know how to do it. When you don’t, you can make a big mess and end up with seeds that are either burnt, or never golden. This recipe yields perfectly golden pumpkin seeds, every time!
10) Pumpkin Fettuccine Alfredo
Vegetarian This lightened-up alfredo is made with creamy puréed pumpkin. I roasted my own pumpkin for this one, but you can use canned pumpkin instead, if you’d prefer.
11) Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Easily gluten free and easily vegan Pumpkin bread made with honey or maple syrup, whole wheat flour and coconut oil. I can’t get enough.
12) Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes
Easily gluten free or vegan More pumpkin pancakes! These are super fluffy, to the point that they’re almost almost muffin-y. Delicious.
13) Creamy Pumpkin Marinara
Easily gluten free and vegan This easy pumpkin pasta sauce was inspired by Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Pasta Sauce.
14) Pumpkin Pineapple Cocktail
Vegan, if you use maple syrup Sounds strange, doesn’t it? I based this one off a pumpkin pineapple cocktail I ordered at a restaurant and it is delicious, I promise!
15) Pumpkin Spice Blend
Gluten free and vegan My go-to pumpkin spice blend is made with ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice or cloves. Mix some up and start baking! More resources you might appreciate: 23 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!
