35+ Best Pumpkin Recipes for Fall: Sweet, Savory, and Keto Ideas

35+ Best Pumpkin Recipes for Fall: Sweet, Savoury, Keto & More

Pumpkin earns its place in autumn cooking because it works in far more than pie. It fits cakes, cookies, muffins, soups, smoothies and even lasagna, and it plays nicely with both canned puree and fresh roasted squash from the market.

This collection gathers pumpkin recipes made in the Canadian Budget Binder kitchen over the years and adds ideas from other food bloggers, so there is something here whether you bake for a crowd, cook for one, or follow a low carb way of eating.

Past CBB recipes include pumpkin brownies, biscotti, scones, keto pumpkin bread and keto pumpkin cheesecake bars. If a recipe calls for pumpkin pie spice, a homemade blend from pantry spices takes only minutes to stir together.

Why We Try Not To Waste Pumpkin

Halloween carving often leaves a lot of good food on the counter. The family behind the original collection saved the pumpkin flesh and the seeds before the jack o lantern went outside: the seeds were rinsed and roasted, and the pumpkin was cooked and pureed for other meals.

That habit shapes how this whole roundup is put together, and it is a reminder that one cooking pumpkin can supply enough puree for several recipes.

Baking pumpkins are the ones to watch for. When they show up reduced at the end of the season, they are worth buying, roasting and turning into puree.

Portion the puree and freeze it so you can pull out only what a recipe needs, and keep an eye on canned pumpkin sales for the weeks when fresh pumpkin is not available.

Our Favourite Canadian Budget Binder Pumpkin Recipes

The collection starts with the pumpkin recipes that were developed and baked in the CBB kitchen over the years, from a proper autumn layer cake to a soup that feeds a crowd.

Pumpkin Spice Pound Cake

Pumpkin Spice Pound Cake with Brown Butter Buttercream brings pumpkin together with warm spices, then finishes the loaf with a brown butter frosting that tastes nutty and rich.

It is a good choice for Thanksgiving when someone at the table would rather have cake than pie, and it also suits a quiet weekend with coffee.

Cut it in thick slices, keep it covered at room temperature, and wrap any leftover slices well so they stay soft.

Fudgy Pumpkin Brownies

These thick chocolate brownies are built with pumpkin puree and finished with a frosting made from chocolate and condensed milk. The aim is a dense, fudgy bar rather than a thin, cakey one, and the pumpkin keeps the crumb soft without taking over the chocolate.

They are the sort of bake to bring to a potluck or to send in lunch boxes, and they store best in a single layer so the frosting stays neat.

Italian Pumpkin Biscotti

Italian pumpkin biscotti are baked twice, which is what gives them their dry, crunchy snap, and then finished with a pumpkin spice icing.

They are made for dunking in coffee or tea, and because they keep well they make a tidy homemade gift wrapped in a small bag with a ribbon. Slice the logs on a slight diagonal if you like the classic shape.

Pumpkin Scones With Pumpkin Spice Icing

These scones are soft and moist rather than dry and crumbly, and the pumpkin spice icing on top adds sweetness and a little warmth.

They were developed as an easy at home version of the pumpkin scones people buy with a coffee, so warm one slightly and serve it with a mug of something hot. A basket of them also works well on a brunch table.

Red Lentil And Pumpkin Soup

Red lentils and pumpkin are two inexpensive ingredients that make a large pot of soup. Lentils are a frugal pantry staple, and they thicken the broth while the pumpkin adds color and a gentle sweetness.

This is a good supper for a cold evening, with bread on the side, and it reheats well for lunches the next day. Add a squeeze of lemon or a spoon of yogurt at the table if you like.

Turkey Pumpkin Lasagna

Turkey pumpkin lasagna was created to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey and a bit of pumpkin puree in a completely different meal.

It saves you from eating the same plate three days running, and it shows how well pumpkin works in savoury cooking rather than only in sweets. Assemble it in a big dish, then portion the leftovers for lunches through the week.

Keto Pumpkin Recipes

The CBB archive includes a number of pumpkin recipes built for low carb and keto eating, reflecting several years of recipe experimentation with almond flour and coconut flour bakes. Pumpkin is used in modest amounts in these recipes, so a small can or a frozen portion goes a long way.

Keto Pumpkin Bread

Keto pumpkin bread uses almond flour, coconut flour, pumpkin puree and pumpkin spices for a loaf that slices like a quick bread but stays low in carbs.

Slice the whole loaf before freezing it so you can take out single servings without thawing the entire thing. A slice toasted with butter is a good breakfast when you are rushing out of the door.

Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

These keto pumpkin cheesecake bars are described as a favorite. An almond flour crust holds a cheesecake layer and a pumpkin layer, which gives you both flavors in one bite. The same recipe can be made as a pumpkin cheesecake pie if you would rather serve it in a round dish on a holiday table.

One Bowl Keto Pumpkin Muffins

One bowl keto pumpkin muffins keep the washing up to a minimum, which matters on a busy weekday.

They are easy to customize: walnuts add crunch, and sugar free chocolate chips make them feel more like a treat. Bake a batch on Sunday and keep them in the refrigerator for grab and go breakfasts during the week.

Keto Pumpkin Spice Porridge

For colder mornings, keto pumpkin spice porridge is a warm, comforting low carb breakfast with pumpkin and warming spices.

It cooks quickly and feels like a bowl of oats without the carbs, which helps when you want something hot rather than another egg. A spoon of cream or a scattering of chopped nuts on top works well.

Pumpkin Spice Chia Seed Pudding

Pumpkin spice chia seed pudding is a make ahead breakfast that does the work while you sleep. Stir it together the night before, let it chill, and finish it with your own toppings in the morning, such as berries, nuts or a little cream.

It is also a neat way to use a small amount of leftover pumpkin puree before it spoils.

Pumpkin Pie And Classic Pumpkin Desserts

No pumpkin collection is complete without pie, and the classics around it are worth keeping in the rotation too.

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Spaceships and Laser Beams shares a crustless pumpkin pie that keeps the familiar spiced filling and skips the pastry.

That means no rolling, no chilling dough and no trimming, which is handy when the oven and the counter are already crowded on Thanksgiving. Serve slices with whipped cream and nobody will miss the crust.

Pumpkin Delight

Pumpkin Delight from A Pretty Life in the Suburbs is a layered dessert for anyone who wants pumpkin pie flavors in something other than a pie.

Layers make it easy to portion for a crowd, and it travels well to a family gathering because it sits in a single dish. Scoop it into bowls and keep it chilled until you are ready to serve.

Pumpkin Crisp

Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt makes a Pumpkin Crisp with a pumpkin filling under a crisp topping made from cinnamon and brown sugar.

It is the sort of warm, homey dessert that suits a cool evening, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is a good call. It is also simpler than a double crust pie when you are short on time.

Copycat Pumpkin Cheesecake

Baking Beauty’s copycat Pumpkin Cheesecake is a Cheesecake Factory style option for Thanksgiving guests who would rather have cheesecake than pie. Pumpkin and cheesecake are a natural pairing, since the tang of the cheese balances the sweet spice. Chill it well before slicing so the slices come out clean.

Pumpkin Bread And Cake Recipes

Pumpkin puree gives loaves and cakes a soft crumb and a deep golden color, and most of these bakes hold up well in the freezer.

Moist Pumpkin Bread

Little Sweet Baker’s Moist Pumpkin Bread is the traditional pumpkin loaf, seasoned with autumn spices and soft enough to eat plain. It freezes well, so slice it first and store the slices in a bag for lunches and quick snacks.

A thin spread of butter or cream cheese is all it needs, and it is a good bake for a bake sale or a neighbor’s kitchen.

Cheesecake Swirl Pumpkin Bread

Alpine Ella’s Cheesecake Swirl Pumpkin Bread brings two favorites together in one loaf, with a cheesecake swirl running through the pumpkin batter.

The swirl makes it look impressive enough for company while still being a simple quick bread to mix. Serve slices at room temperature, or warm them briefly so the swirl softens.

Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake

Bunny’s Warm Oven uses a cake mix as a shortcut for its Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake, which keeps the ingredient list short and the mixing quick.

A straightforward dessert is useful when company is coming and you do not want to spend the afternoon in the kitchen. It pairs well with coffee after dinner or as an afternoon treat.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Pumpkin coffee cake is an autumn breakfast bake with a cinnamon streusel topping that turns a plain slice into something worth sitting down for.

Cut it into squares and put them on a plate for a weekend brunch, or take the whole pan along to a morning gathering. It is also a good bake to make on a Sunday and eat through the week.

Pumpkin Spice Cake

My Cake School’s pumpkin spice cake is a traditional fall cake made with pumpkin and warm spices, including cinnamon. The source ties pumpkin, cinnamon and spice to September and October, and this cake is exactly that flavor.

Frost it, layer it, or keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar, and it stays moist for a few days under a cover.

Pumpkin Muffins, Scones And Breakfast Recipes

Pumpkin works well in portable breakfasts, the kind you can bake ahead and eat on the way out of the door.

Flourless Pumpkin Muffins

Chocolate Covered Katie’s flourless pumpkin muffins give you a way to bake with pumpkin without using traditional flour, which helps if you are avoiding wheat or simply ran out of all purpose flour.

They suit breakfast or a snack on the go, and they are quick enough for a weeknight batch.

Pumpkin Apple Muffins

Pumpkin and apples are the two flavors people reach for in autumn, and Beyond the Chicken Coop brings them together in these muffins. The apple adds little pockets of sweetness to the spiced pumpkin batter.

Bake a batch on the weekend and keep them for school lunches or a mid afternoon snack. If you have apples going soft in the fruit bowl, this is a good place for them.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Plated Cravings offers pumpkin pancakes as an autumn weekend alternative to plain pancakes.

Serve them with butter, maple syrup, toasted nuts or whatever your family likes on top, and they turn a slow Sunday morning into something a bit special. Extra pancakes freeze well, so make a bigger batch than you need.

High Protein Pumpkin Recipes

High protein cooking has become popular, and pumpkin fits into it better than you might expect, especially in breakfasts and snacks.

Pumpkin Whipped Cottage Cheese

Babaganosh’s pumpkin whipped cottage cheese turns a plain tub of cottage cheese into a quick snack or dessert with pumpkin flavor. Whipping the cottage cheese gives it a smooth, creamy texture, which is what makes it feel more like a treat than a diet food.

Eat it with a spoon, or use it as a dip for apple slices and graham crackers.

Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats

Slimming Violet’s cottage cheese overnight oats include a pumpkin version that you can put together the night before.

That leaves breakfast waiting in the refrigerator on a busy morning, which is often the difference between eating properly and skipping the meal. Add a spoon of pumpkin puree and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice to the jar.

Pumpkin Protein Muffins

Stay Snatched’s pumpkin protein muffins use protein powder to make a higher protein option that suits breakfast, a packed lunch or a snack after a workout.

They travel well, so they are a sensible thing to bake on a Sunday and eat through the week. Walnuts or chocolate chips can be folded in if you want more texture.

High Protein Pumpkin Bread

Matt’s Fit Chef makes a higher protein take on a traditional fall loaf by combining pumpkin with oats, Greek yogurt and protein powder.

It keeps the spiced pumpkin flavor you expect from a quick bread while adding more staying power to each slice. Toast a slice for breakfast or pack one for an afternoon snack.

Pumpkin Cookies And Bars

Cookies and bars are the easiest pumpkin bakes to share, freeze or carry to a gathering. If you want another bar idea for the tin, these Pumpkin Bars With Chocolate Chips are worth a look.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Build Your Bite’s pumpkin chocolate chip cookies combine pumpkin spice with chocolate chips, which is a pairing that wins over people who claim not to like pumpkin desserts.

The cookies stay soft, and the chocolate keeps them from tasting too much like a spice cake. Serve them warm with a glass of milk.

Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Vegetarian Mamma offers a vegan version of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, so nobody at the table has to skip dessert.

It is a useful recipe to have on hand when you are baking for a mixed group, and it keeps the same soft, spiced character as the classic. Make a double batch and share.

No Bake Pumpkin Cookies

Moore or Less Cooking’s no bake pumpkin cookies are a fall treat that does not need the oven, which is welcome on a day when the kitchen is already busy.

They are also a good project to make with children, since there is nothing hot to handle at the end. Keep them chilled so they hold their shape.

Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

The Cookin’ Chicks’ pumpkin bars pair a soft pumpkin cake base with cream cheese frosting, which makes them a natural fit for an autumn potluck or a church supper.

Cut them into squares and stack them on a platter, and they will disappear quickly. The frosting is tangy enough to balance the sweetness of the cake.

Easy Pumpkin Drinks And Smoothies

Pumpkin is not only for baking. It works in drinks too, from a cold smoothie to a hot coffee.

Pumpkin Smoothie

The Wooden Skillet’s pumpkin smoothie delivers pumpkin pie flavor in a cold glass and is a helpful way to use up a small amount of leftover canned pumpkin puree.

Blend it for breakfast or an afternoon pick me up, and add a spoon of yogurt or nut butter if you want it thicker. It is a good option when the weather is warm but you still want the taste of fall.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee

Making pumpkin spice coffee at home costs far less than buying it at a coffee shop, even if the experience is not quite the same. The source points to a collection of copycat Starbucks drinks if you want to try more than one.

A spoon of homemade pumpkin spice syrup stirred into hot coffee is the simplest version to start with.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Pumpkin spice syrup is made by adding warm pumpkin spices to a sugar free keto maple syrup you have already prepared, which turns it into an autumn flavored syrup for pancakes or waffles.

Homemade flavored syrup tends to get used up, unlike a bottle that sits at the back of the cupboard for a year. It also makes a quick addition to coffee.

More Pumpkin Dessert Ideas

There are always a few more ways to finish a meal with pumpkin. If you want a wider range of ideas, this pumpkin dessert recipes fall baking collection is a good place to browse.

Healthy Pumpkin Mousse

Pumpkin mousse is a lighter option than baking another cake or pie, and it comes together without turning on the oven. A collection from Slimming Violet features a mousse idea along with other ways to use leftover pumpkin puree, which is handy when you have half a can to finish. Serve it in small glasses with a little whipped cream.

Pumpkin Protein Breakfast Ideas

Protein muffins, overnight oats, smoothies and pumpkin bread can all use up leftover pumpkin, so it pays to plan two recipes around one can. That way the remainder gets used before it sits at the back of the refrigerator.

A protein breakfast cake can be cut into squares for a portable breakfast or lunch. If you have extra pumpkin puree, stir it into oatmeal or soup, then freeze whatever you will not use this week.

Savoury Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin belongs on the dinner table as much as on the dessert table. Here is another savoury idea for the colder months: Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup.

Easy Pumpkin Soup

When the weather turns cool, pumpkin soup is a welcome bowl of warmth.

Savory Nothings’ easy pumpkin soup is a simple starting point, and soup in general is a good way to turn vegetables and pantry staples into food for several meals. Serve it with crusty bread and a swirl of cream.

Turkey Pumpkin Lasagna

Turkey pumpkin lasagna combines leftover turkey with pumpkin, and after Thanksgiving that is a smart way to use what is left in the refrigerator.

Making a completely different meal from the leftovers beats eating the same plate for three days, and it is a good use of a cup of pumpkin puree that would otherwise be forgotten. Bake it in a large dish and portion the rest for lunches.

What To Do With Leftover Pumpkin Puree

Half a can of pumpkin puree is easy to forget, so plan its next job before you put it away. Muffins, bread, pancakes, smoothies, overnight oats, soup, brownies, chia pudding, cheesecake and cookies are all good places for the remainder.

If you will not use it within the next few days, freeze it in small portions instead of leaving it in the refrigerator. Label the container with what is inside and the date, so you are not staring at a mystery tub in February.

How To Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Making puree from pie pumpkins or baking pumpkins can stretch your grocery spending, especially when the squash is marked down after Halloween. The process is simple: cook the pumpkin until the flesh is soft, then mash or blend it until smooth.

Portion the puree in the amounts you usually use for baking, because smaller portions thaw faster than one big frozen block. A recipe that calls for one cup gets a one cup bag, and nothing gets wasted.

Don’t Throw Away The Pumpkin Seeds

Keep the seeds when you cut into a pumpkin. Rinse them to remove the stringy bits, dry them well, toss them with oil and seasoning, then roast them until they are crisp.

Beyond salt, possible seasonings include garlic, dill pickle seasoning, paprika or a spice mix your family likes. A bowl of warm roasted seeds is a snack that would otherwise have gone in the bin, and they are good sprinkled over soup too.

Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling

Check the label when a recipe asks for pumpkin puree. Plain pumpkin and pumpkin pie filling are not the same thing, because pie filling is already sweetened and spiced.

Using the wrong one changes the sweetness, the seasoning and the texture of whatever you are baking, and it can throw off a recipe you have made successfully before. When you are unsure, use the exact ingredient the recipe names.

Frugal Ways To Save On Pumpkin Recipes

Stretching pumpkin is less about cooking everything at once and more about a few small habits.

• Buy baking pumpkins at end of season markdowns, and stock up on canned pumpkin when it is on sale.
• Mix your own pumpkin pie spice from pantry spices instead of buying a small jar.
• Freeze homemade puree in portions that match the recipes you actually make.
• Plan two or three dishes around one opened can so nothing spoils.
• Roast the seeds instead of throwing them out.
• Use leftover puree in savoury dishes as well as sweet ones.
• Freeze muffins, breads and bars before they go stale, and thaw only what you need.

None of these steps takes much time, but together they can turn a couple of pumpkins into weeks of baking and cooking.

Enjoy Pumpkin Season Without Wasting Food

Make the most of pumpkin’s short season with more than pie. Bake a loaf for the freezer, roast the seeds, add pumpkin to a pot of soup, make muffins for school lunches, or turn Thanksgiving leftovers into a different dinner.

Recipes that are enjoyable, affordable and use what you already bought beat anything fancy. If you want more inspiration, this best fall pumpkin recipes collection has plenty of ideas, and the original collection this article draws on comes from Canadian Budget Binder.