Pumpkin recipes are my favorite things to make during the fall season. Whether they’re sweet or savory, a dessert or a cocktail, these easy pumpkin recipes are so fun, so easy, and so delicious!
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Easy Pumpkin Recipes
October and November are the time for pumpkin recipes! Everyone seems to get pumpkin crazy this time of year, including myself. Whether you’re sipping on a pumpkin spice latte, spending weekends at the pumpkin patch, or preparing the perfect pumpkin pie recipe for Thanksgiving, I know you’ve got pumpkin on the brain too.
I’ve shared so many easy pumpkin recipes here on the blog over the years because I just can’t get enough of it. I love pumpkin dessert recipes for a sweet treat, savory pumpkin recipes for a warm and delicious dinner, and pumpkin flavored drinks for all of the fall parties. With all of the recipes I’m sharing with you here, you could make a new pumpkin recipe almost every day for the next month! (If you take up that challenge, I salute you!)
So get into the fall spirit already, start planning for Halloween and Thanksgiving, and start making all of these easy pumpkin recipes ASAP!
Get inspired for the fall season with these easy pumpkin recipes!
Essential Kitchen Tools
These pumpkin recipes include fancy desserts, baked goods, savory dishes, cocktails, and everything in between. So stock up on some basic kitchen tools (if you don’t have them already), to make sure you have what you need.
You’re going to need pumpkin puree for a lot of these easy pumpkin recipes. You can always buy a can of pumpkin puree from the store, but you can start with fresh pumpkins too. It’s so fun to pick up an actual pumpkin from the farmer’s market and then USE it to cook. So turn that pumpkin into fresh pumpkin puree for any of these recipes.
Most people are used to baking pumpkin recipes by using a pre-made pumpkin puree. So how do you cook with an actual pumpkin? The good news is that you can take a fresh pumpkin and make your own puree to use in all of your recipes. Just choose smaller, “sugar” pumpkin varieties that are intended for eating, rather than the large pumpkins you get at the pumpkin patch. While you can eat those big ole’ pumpkins, they’re usually not as sweet and flavorful.
Check the recipe card above to make your own puree. Or you can cut your pumpkin in half and bake it the same way you would bake other winter squash varieties (like butternut squash).
Is pumpkin healthy?
Yes! Eating pumpkin has a lot of health benefits. It might get lost in some of the sugar-filled desserts, but pumpkin is actually really good for you, with nutritional benefits similar to other types of squash. It’s high in Vitamin A and beta-carotene. Pumpkin is also nutrient-rich while being low in calories, so fresh roasted pumpkin would be a great thing to eat to aid in weight loss.
Now I know we’re all eating pumpkin desserts around here, so the healthy benefits are a little different than eating straight up pumpkin. But let’s just focus on the healthy part, okay?
What goes with pumpkin?
Pumpkin recipes tend to fall on two very different sides of the flavor coin: they’re either sweet desserts and drinks, or they’re savory dishes. On the sweet side, pumpkin pairs well with chocolate, caramel, cream, cranberries, cinnamon, pecans, maple syrup, and all kinds of stuff. On the more savory side, pumpkin recipes are the perfect place to add in things like sage, cilantro, rosemary, bacon, butternut squash, cheese. You can really do a lot more than you think with pumpkin!
What’s the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling?
Pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling are not interchangeable. Canned pumpkin, which is typically just pumpkin puree, is exactly that. Pumpkin is mashed up and pureed without seasoning or spices added to it, so it’s just straight pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling already has spices in it, so it’s ready to use to make pumpkin pie and other desserts. It’s sweetened and has things like cinnamon, allspice, and more in it.
How do I roast pumpkin seeds?
If you’re digging out your pumpkins to make those jack o’lanterns, don’t throw out the seeds. You can roast pumpkin seeds for a tasty and healthy snack! They’re easy to make, and you can change up the flavor too. Keep it simple by baking them in olive oil and sea salt, or make a sweeter version by baking them in sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
I hope you love all of these delicious pumpkin recipes as much as I do. I’ll be remaking my favorites, and of course coming up with new recipes too. I’d love for you to share your favorites with me as well!
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Becky woke up on her 30th birthday and realized she didn't know how to cook, ANYTHING! She started The Cookie Rookie as a way to document her journey to learn how to cook, one recipe at a time! The Cookie Rookie is a place to find easy recipes that anyone can make, and everyone will love!
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Thanks so much for including my Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bites and Pumpkin Brûlées! This has to be one of my favorite round-up themes of all time. I can’t get enough of pumpkin season, and for me, it actually extends all the way throughout the entire year! ;)
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking
Thanks so much for including my Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bites and Pumpkin Brûlées! This has to be one of my favorite round-up themes of all time. I can’t get enough of pumpkin season, and for me, it actually extends all the way throughout the entire year! ;)
Becky Hardin
Of course! I love your recipe ideas and photos! Gorgeous.
Rachel Cooks
What a fantastic list! That bread pudding…oh my!
Becky Hardin
Oh I know..it looks SOO amazing!
Ami@naivecookcooks
Such a wonderful collection of recipes!!
Becky Hardin
Thanks so much Ami!
five nights at freddy’s
This looks amazing! I will definately give it a try!
I hope I will manage as I am not a great cook!
2pots2cook
Truly impressed with your collection ! Thank you !
jennifer
love these recipes
Becky Hardin
Thank you, Jennifer!!