It's not fall without the jack-o-lanterns on porches and the pumpkin spice lattes on Instagram. However, pumpkins are far more versatile than we give them credit for, and can be used in desserts, breakfast foods, and tasty dinner dishes. Here's our roundup of the 13 best healthy pumpkin recipes to take advantage of this delicious gourd!
Videos by Wide Open Country
1. Pumpkin Smoothie Bowl
Smoothie bowls are ideal for a healthy, filling breakfast or an afternoon snack. This pumpkin pie smoothie bowl is made with pumpkin puree, dates, almond butter, and fall spices, providing all the pumpkiny flavor without the sugar and carbs. This smoothie bowl is vegan, dairy-free and gluten free. Enjoy pumpkin pie in its healthy smoothie form!
Get the recipe here.
2. Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls
I've always loved peanut butter-oatmeal-chia seed energy balls, with their blend of flavor and ability to keep me full. These pumpkin spice energy balls are the autumnal, pumpkin version of these, and are equally delicious! Made with pumpkin puree, dates, warm fall spices, coconut, and walnut, they're a healthy snack full of protein and flavor. Add in chocolate chips or chia seeds if you like.
Get the recipe here.
3. Pumpkin Waffles
Nothing starts the morning right like a pumpkin-flavored breakfast. These pumpkin waffles are ideal for brunch, and are as healthy as they are yummy. You need the basic baking ingredients of flour, baking powder, and baking soda, along with warm fall spices and pumpkin puree. Enjoy with maple syrup for the perfect breakfast treat.
Get the recipe here.
4. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Another healthy breakfast option, these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins are easy and tasty. These pumpkin spiced muffins are full of chocolate chips, which go deliciously with the flavor of pumpkin spice. These healthy pumpkin muffins have a total time of only 30 minutes, so you'll have breakfast ready in no time.
Get the recipe here.
5. Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin bread is a classic fall food, cousin of banana bread and zucchini bread. This healthy pumpkin bread recipe packs under 200 calories per slice, so no need to skimp on seconds. This recipe is made with greek yogurt, whole grains, coconut oil, whole wheat flour, and yummy fall spices. It calls for pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling, and contains no sugar.
Get the recipe here.
6. Pumpkin Oatmeal
Pumpkin oatmeal is great for when you have extra pumpkin puree, or when you're looking to make enough batches for a few breakfasts. This recipe is convenient because you can enjoy it as oatmeal or make cold pumpkin overnight oats. Made with almond milk, maple syrup, rolled oats, pumpkin puree, and spices, this oatmeal is the perfect fall-time breakfast.
Get the recipe here.
7. Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin doesn't have to just be for breakfast! Creamy pumpkin soup is as delicious as it sounds, allowing you to enjoy the savory fall flavors of pumpkin rather than making it into a sweet. This soup recipe contains pumpkin puree, coconut milk, olive oil, and veggies like cauliflower and onion. This is great for vegans and vegetarians, and even tastier when garnished with green onions, chives, or sour cream.
Get the recipe here.
8. Pumpkin Cheesecake
Cheesecake is the ultimate sweet treat, but it usually packs a punch with the calories and fat content. This pumpkin cheesecake is made without all the sugar and fat, and contains Greek yogurt to aid your gut health. Make sure to use low-fat cream cheese in this pumpkin dessert. Enjoy a sweet treat with no worries about calories!
Get the recipe here.
9. Pumpkin Chili
Pumpkin chili is another way to enjoy pumpkin in a savory meal, making it into a filling and easy dish to enjoy on a weeknight. This pumpkin chili has a sweet, earthy flavor, with warm spices blending deliciously with the pumpkin flavor. The spicy Italian sausage adds a kick and the perfect amount of protein. Enjoy this with bread for the perfect fall meal.
Get the recipe here.
10. Healthy Pumpkin Oat Cookies
These dairy-free pumpkin cookies are nutritious and snackable, full of healthy ingredients like rolled oats and pure pumpkin puree. The pumpkin pie spice tastes delicious with the chocolate chips and oats, and you need less than 20 minutes to have these pumpkin oat cookies ready for the taking. Switch it up from your basic chocolate chip cookies and make pumpkin ones to embrace the fall.
Get the recipe here.
11. Roasted Garlic & Rosemary Pumpkin Hummus
Homemade hummus is surprisingly easy, and totally worth it for the fresh flavors and simple ingredients. This garlic and rosemary pumpkin hummus is delectable and takes 5 minutes. Made with garlic, olive oil, chickpeas, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and fresh rosemary, this vegan pumpkin side dish is great with bread, crackers or veggies.
Get the recipe here.
12. Baked Spaghetti Squash with Pumpkin Alfredo
Spaghetti squash is always a great option when craving a savory, delicious meal without too many calories or carbs. This dish combines spaghetti squash with a creamy pumpkin and green onion Alfredo, along with featuring garlic, shallots and green onions, and parmesan for extra flavor. Although this easy dish takes only 10 minutes of prep time, the cook time is over an hour, so plan ahead with this one.
Get the recipe here.
13. Pumpkin Scones
Pumpkin scones are another tasty way to use pumpkin puree, either from a can or from a pumpkin. These scones are as healthy as they are yummy, containing whole wheat flour, warm fall spices, cranberries, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and coconut oil. The frosting of this healthy pumpkin recipe is made with three simple ingredients and adds a sweet touch to the scones, making them ideal for breakfast, snacking or dessert.
Get the recipe here.
