Estimated reading time: 21 minutes
If you’re looking for the best pumpkin recipes for fall, you’ve come to the right place.
Pumpkin can do far more than become a traditional Thanksgiving pie. You can use pumpkin puree in breads, muffins, cakes, cookies, soups, smoothies, breakfast recipes, and even savoury dinners.
Over the years, we’ve made quite a few pumpkin recipes in the CBB kitchen, including pumpkin brownies, pumpkin biscotti, pumpkin scones, keto pumpkin bread and one of our favourites, keto pumpkin cheesecake bars.
I’ve also collected some interesting pumpkin recipes from other food bloggers that are worth checking out when you need some new autumn baking inspiration.
Whether you have fresh pumpkin to use after visiting the pumpkin patch or a can of pumpkin puree sitting in your pantry, there should be something here for you.
Why We Try Not To Waste Pumpkin
Pumpkin has always been a big part of autumn for Mrs. CBB.
Growing up, Halloween was one of the biggest occasions of the year for her family after Christmas.
Her dad also hated wasting food.
When the family prepared pumpkins for Halloween, he would save the usable pumpkin flesh and seeds before the pumpkin was put outside.
The seeds were roasted, and the pumpkin could be cooked or turned into puree for other meals.
That stuck with us.
A pumpkin isn’t just a decoration. If you’re buying a pie or baking pumpkin specifically for cooking, you can potentially turn one inexpensive seasonal ingredient into several recipes.
We often buy baking pumpkins when they are reduced in price, make pumpkin puree, and portion it for the freezer.
That’s one of my favourite parts of frugal cooking: buying food when it is inexpensive and finding several ways to use it without wasting it.
Let’s get into the pumpkin recipes.
Our Favourite Canadian Budget Binder Pumpkin Recipes
I want to start with our own CBB pumpkin recipes, since these are the ones we’ve made in our kitchen over the years.
1. Pumpkin Spice Pound Cake
One of my older pumpkin recipes is my Pumpkin Spice Pound Cake with Brown Butter Buttercream.
It’s a proper autumn cake with pumpkin, warm spices, and a rich brown butter buttercream.
If you want pumpkin flavour but don’t particularly fancy making pie, this is a great Thanksgiving or weekend dessert.
2. Fudgy Pumpkin Brownies
Chocolate and pumpkin might not be the first combination that comes to mind, but it works.
My Fudgy Pumpkin Brownies are thick chocolate brownies made with pumpkin puree and topped with chocolate condensed milk frosting.
I’m a brownie fan, so if I’m making bars, I want them thick.
3. Italian Pumpkin Biscotti
Our Italian Pumpkin Biscotti are twice-baked until crunchy and finished with pumpkin spice icing.
They’re excellent with coffee or tea and are also a nice homemade treat to give away during the autumn season.
4. Pumpkin Scones With Pumpkin Spice Icing
These Pumpkin Scones are soft, moist and topped with pumpkin spice icing.
I created them after becoming a fan of pumpkin-flavoured baked goods and wanting something I could easily make at home.
Warm it slightly and serve it with coffee, and I’m happy.
5. Red Lentil And Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin doesn’t have to be sweet.
Our Red Lentil and Pumpkin Soup combines two inexpensive ingredients that can stretch into a large pot of soup.
Lentils are a frugal pantry staple in our house, and this is an excellent recipe for a chilly autumn day.
6. Turkey Pumpkin Lasagna
If you have leftover Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin puree, turn them into something completely different.
Our Turkey Pumpkin Lasagna was created to use holiday leftovers rather than let good food end up in the garbage.
It’s one of those recipes that sounds unusual until you realize pumpkin works very well in savoury dishes.
Keto Pumpkin Recipes
We spent several years experimenting with low-carb and keto recipes, so there are plenty of pumpkin options in the CBB archives.
7. Keto Pumpkin Bread
My Keto Pumpkin Bread is one of those recipes that makes the house smell like autumn.
It’s made with almond and coconut flour, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spices.
I like slicing the loaf before freezing it so we can take out one piece whenever we want one instead of defrosting the entire loaf.
8. Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
These Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars have been one of our favourite pumpkin desserts.
They combine an almond flour crust with cheesecake and pumpkin layers.
You can also make the recipe as a pumpkin cheesecake pie rather than cutting it into bars.
9. One-Bowl Keto Pumpkin Muffins
I published my One-Bowl Keto Pumpkin Muffins shortly after the original version of this pumpkin recipe roundup was written.
They’re made in one bowl and can be customized with walnuts, sugar-free chocolate chips, or other toppings.
10. Keto Pumpkin Spice Porridge
When the mornings get colder, a warm breakfast starts to sound much better.
Our Keto Pumpkin Spice Porridge brings pumpkin and warm spices into a comforting low-carb breakfast.
11. Pumpkin Spice Chia Seed Pudding
Another easy breakfast option is Pumpkin Spice Chia Seed Pudding.
Chia pudding is handy because you can prepare it ahead of time, refrigerate it, and customize the toppings.
Pumpkin Pie And Classic Pumpkin Desserts
You can’t talk about pumpkin recipes without eventually getting to pumpkin pie.
12. Crustless Pumpkin Pie
If pastry isn’t your thing, this Crustless Pumpkin Pie from Spaceships and Laser Beams skips the traditional crust.
You still get the pumpkin pie filling and autumn spices without having to roll pastry.
13. Pumpkin Delight
Pumpkin Delight from A Pretty Life in the Suburbs is another option when you’re craving pumpkin pie flavours but want something different from traditional pie.
Layered pumpkin desserts are also easy to portion for Thanksgiving or a family gathering.
14. Pumpkin Crisp
If you like apple crisp, a Pumpkin Crisp is worth trying.
This version from Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt combines a pumpkin filling with a cinnamon-brown-sugar crisp topping.
I’d happily serve it warm with ice cream.
15. Copycat Pumpkin Cheesecake
Cheesecake and pumpkin were made for each other.
This Cheesecake Factory Copycat Pumpkin Cheesecake from Baking Beauty is for anyone who would rather have cheesecake than pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.
Pumpkin Bread And Cake Recipes
Pumpkin puree adds plenty of possibilities when you’re baking loaves and cakes.
16. Moist Pumpkin Bread
This Moist Pumpkin Bread from Little Sweet Baker is a traditional pumpkin loaf packed with fall spices.
Pumpkin bread also freezes well when sliced, making it useful for packed lunches and quick snacks.
17. Cheesecake Swirl Pumpkin Bread
Why choose between pumpkin bread and cheesecake?
This Cheesecake Swirl Pumpkin Bread from Alpine Ella combines the two.
This would be a dangerous loaf in our house because I know I’d keep going back for another slice.
18. Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake
This Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake from Bunny’s Warm Oven uses cake mix as a shortcut.
Recipes don’t always have to be complicated to be good, especially if you’re trying to get dessert on the table for company.
19. Pumpkin Coffee Cake
A slice of Pumpkin Coffee Cake with coffee sounds like my kind of autumn breakfast treat.
The cinnamon streusel topping is what caught my attention.
20. Pumpkin Spice Cake
This Pumpkin Spice Cake from My Cake School is another traditional autumn cake filled with pumpkin and warm spices.
Pumpkin, cinnamon and spice are hard to beat once September and October roll around.
Pumpkin Muffins, Scones And Breakfast Recipes
Pumpkin works especially well for portable breakfasts that you can make ahead.
21. Flourless Pumpkin Muffins
These Flourless Pumpkin Muffins from Chocolate Covered Katie offer another way to bake with pumpkin without traditional flour.
They’re an easy grab-and-go autumn breakfast or snack.
22. Pumpkin Apple Muffins
Pumpkin and apples are two ingredients I associate immediately with autumn.
These Pumpkin Apple Muffins from Beyond the Chicken Coop combine both in one muffin.
23. Pumpkin Pancakes
Instead of regular pancakes on an autumn weekend, try Pumpkin Pancakes from Plated Cravings.
Serve them with butter, maple syrup, toasted nuts or whatever toppings your family enjoys.
High-Protein Pumpkin Recipes
High-protein recipes have become much more popular, and pumpkin is easy to incorporate into several of them.
24. Pumpkin Whipped Cottage Cheese
This Pumpkin Whipped Cottage Cheese from Babaganosh turns cottage cheese and pumpkin into a quick pumpkin-flavoured snack or dessert.
Whipping cottage cheese completely changes its texture, making it smooth and creamy.
25. Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats
For another make-ahead breakfast, try these Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats from Slimming Violet, which include a pumpkin variation.
Overnight oats are convenient on busy mornings because breakfast is already in the refrigerator.
26. Pumpkin Protein Muffins
These Pumpkin Protein Muffins from Stay Snatched use pumpkin and protein powder to create a higher-protein muffin.
They’re another option for breakfast, packed lunches or a post-workout snack.
27. High-Protein Pumpkin Bread
This Protein Pumpkin Bread from Matt’s Fit Chef combines pumpkin with oats, Greek yogurt, and protein powder.
It’s a good example of how traditional fall flavours can be adapted into a higher-protein recipe.
Pumpkin Cookies And Bars
Cookies and bars are easy to share, freeze, and bring to autumn gatherings.
28. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies from Build Your Bite bring together pumpkin spice and chocolate.
I’m a chocolate fan, so putting chocolate chips in pumpkin cookies sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
29. Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vegetarian Mamma has a recipe for Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.
It’s useful to have a few different options when you’re baking for people with different dietary preferences.
30. No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies
Don’t feel like turning on the oven?
These No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies from Moore or Less Cooking are an easy fall treat and could be fun to make with the kids.
31. Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting from The Cookin’ Chicks are the type of dessert I’d bring to an autumn potluck.
Soft pumpkin cake and cream cheese frosting are a classic combination.
Easy Pumpkin Drinks And Smoothies
Pumpkin doesn’t have to be baked.
32. Pumpkin Smoothie
This Pumpkin Smoothie from The Wooden Skillet brings pumpkin pie flavours into a cold drink.
It’s especially handy if you’ve opened a can of pumpkin puree and only have a small amount left.
33. Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee
You can also skip the coffee-shop price and make pumpkin-flavoured coffee at home.
I’ve collected several Copycat Starbucks Drinks, including pumpkin-inspired coffee ideas.
Making coffee at home won’t feel quite the same as walking into Starbucks, but your wallet won’t complain.
34. Pumpkin Spice Syrup
If you have already made my Sugar-Free Keto Maple Syrup, you can experiment with warm pumpkin spices to create an autumn version for pancakes or waffles.
A flavoured homemade syrup can be considerably more versatile than buying a bottle that gets used once and forgotten in the cupboard.
More Pumpkin Dessert Ideas
There are still more ways to use pumpkin when dessert is calling.
35. Healthy Pumpkin Mousse
A pumpkin mousse is a lighter alternative when you want pumpkin flavour without making another cake or pie.
This collection of Canned Pumpkin Recipes from Slimming Violet includes a pumpkin mousse idea along with several other ways to use leftover puree.
36. Pumpkin Protein Breakfast Ideas
Protein muffins, overnight oats, smoothies, and pumpkin bread are all useful when you have part of a can of pumpkin left.
Instead of letting the remainder sit forgotten in the refrigerator, plan two recipes around the same can.
That’s something we try to do whenever possible with ingredients that won’t last long once opened.
A simple protein breakfast cake is perfect to cut into squares and grab to go or pack in a lunch.
Savoury Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin is naturally associated with desserts, but don’t overlook savoury pumpkin recipes.
37. Easy Pumpkin Soup
An Easy Pumpkin Soup like this one from Savory Nothings is exactly what I want once the weather cools.
Soup is also one of the easiest ways to stretch vegetables and other ingredients into multiple meals.
38. Turkey Pumpkin Lasagna
Our Turkey Pumpkin Lasagna deserves another mention in the savoury category because it uses both leftover turkey and pumpkin.
If Thanksgiving leaves you with a refrigerator full of leftovers, think about creating a completely new meal rather than serving the same plate for three days.
What To Do With Leftover Pumpkin Puree
One of the easiest ways to waste money is to open an ingredient for one recipe and forget about the rest.
If a pumpkin recipe only uses part of your can of puree, plan another pumpkin recipe within the next few days or freeze the remaining puree in portions.
Ideas include:
- Pumpkin muffins
- Pumpkin bread
- Pancakes
- Smoothies
- Overnight oats
- Soup
- Brownies
- Chia pudding
- Pumpkin cheesecake
- Pumpkin cookies
Label the container with what it is and the date so you don’t end up finding an unidentified orange block at the bottom of the freezer six months later.
We’ve all been there.
How To Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree
If you buy pie or baking pumpkins, making your own pumpkin puree is another way to stretch your grocery dollars.
I’ve shared our method for making pumpkin puree using fresh pumpkin.
Once prepared, portion the puree according to the amounts you normally use for baking.
That’s something I learned the hard way after freezing far too much pumpkin puree in one bag.
Smaller portions are much easier to defrost.
Don’t Throw Away The Pumpkin Seeds
Save the seeds when preparing a pumpkin for cooking.
We rinse them, remove the pumpkin fibres, dry them, season them and roast them until crunchy.
You can season roasted pumpkin seeds with more than salt. Try garlic, dill pickle seasoning, paprika, or whatever spice mixture your family enjoys.
It’s another snack from something that often ends up in the garbage.
Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling
When a recipe calls for pumpkin puree, check the can before buying it.
Pure pumpkin and prepared pumpkin pie filling are not necessarily interchangeable, as the pie filling may already contain sweeteners and spices.
Using the wrong product can change the sweetness, seasoning and texture of a recipe.
When in doubt, follow the ingredient specified by the recipe you’re making.
Frugal Ways To Save On Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin baking doesn’t have to become another expensive seasonal trend.
A few things we do include:
- Buy baking pumpkins when they’re reduced near the end of the season.
- Freeze homemade pumpkin puree in recipe-sized portions.
- Stock up on canned pumpkin when it goes on sale.
- Make pumpkin spice blends from spices already in the pantry.
- Roast pumpkin seeds instead of throwing them away.
- Plan several recipes around one opened can of pumpkin.
- Freeze muffins, breads, and bars before they go stale.
- Use leftover pumpkin puree in savoury meals instead of only desserts.
The goal isn’t to make forty pumpkin recipes in one weekend.
It’s to get as much value as possible from the ingredients you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Recipes
What can I make with pumpkin besides pumpkin pie?
Pumpkin can be used in bread, muffins, cookies, brownies, cakes, cheesecake, soup, lasagna, pancakes, smoothies, oatmeal, chia pudding and many other recipes.
Can pumpkin puree be used in savoury recipes?
Absolutely. Pumpkin works well in soups, pasta sauces, lasagna and other savoury autumn meals.
Our turkey-pumpkin lasagna and red-lentil pumpkin soup are two examples.
What can I do with a small amount of leftover pumpkin puree?
Add it to oatmeal, overnight oats, pancakes, smoothies, muffins, soup, or chia pudding.
If you don’t plan to use it soon, portion and freeze it for another recipe.
Can I freeze pumpkin baked goods?
Many pumpkin breads, muffins, brownies, scones, and bars freeze well.
I prefer freezing some baked goods in individual portions so we can take out only what we need.
Is canned pumpkin the same as pumpkin pie filling?
No. Check the label carefully.
Recipes calling for pure pumpkin generally expect plain pumpkin puree, while pumpkin pie filling may contain additional sweeteners and spices.
Enjoy Pumpkin Season Without Wasting Food
Pumpkin season is short, which is probably one reason we enjoy it so much.
You can bake the traditional pumpkin pie, but don’t stop there.
Make pumpkin bread for the freezer, roast the seeds, add pumpkin to soup, make muffins for school lunches, or turn Thanksgiving leftovers into a completely new dinner.
For us, the best pumpkin recipes aren’t necessarily the fanciest ones.
They’re the recipes we enjoy eating, can afford to make, and that help us use what we’ve already bought.
Discussion: What’s your favourite pumpkin recipe, and do you prefer pumpkin in sweet recipes or savoury meals?
Thanks for stopping by Canadian Budget Binder.
Mr. CBB