Pumpkin Recipes: Bread, Soup, Muffins & More

When autumn arrives and visits to the pumpkin patch become a seasonal tradition, kitchens everywhere turn to this versatile vegetable. Pumpkin is naturally sweet, creamy when cooked, and packed with nutrients, making it ideal for both savory and sweet recipes. Whether you’re planning cozy family dinners or festive desserts, there’s a pumpkin dish for every occasion.

Sweet Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Bread

Moist, fragrant with spices, and easy to slice, pumpkin bread is a comforting bake that fills the kitchen with the aroma of fall. It makes a perfect breakfast, snack, or even a gift during the holiday season.

Pumpkin Banana Bread⏱ 1 hourcanned pumpkin purée, overripe banana mashed (about 3 small-medium bananas), granulated white sugar about ½ cup, light brown sugar about ½ cup, packed, whole milk

Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin muffins are light, fluffy, and full of cozy spice, making them a perfect fall treat. They can also be made as vegan pumpkin muffins, which are just as moist and flavorful without dairy or eggs. Both versions pair beautifully with a warm drink on a crisp morning.

Vegan pumpkin muffins⏱ 40 minutes · 📸 1pumpkin purée, vegan butter, water/vegan mylk, sugar, molasses

Pumpkin Roll

A pumpkin roll combines spiced sponge cake with a creamy filling rolled into an elegant swirl. It’s festive, impressive, and a classic autumn dessert.

Pumpkin Roll⏱ 5-8 minuteslarge eggs, sugar, Libby’s Pumpkin, flour, baking soda

Pumpkin Cookies

Chewy, soft, and lightly spiced, pumpkin cookies are perfect for kids and adults alike. They can be made with chocolate chips, nuts, or a dusting of sugar for extra sweetness.

Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies⏱ 10 mins · 📸 9pure pumpkin puree, milk, eggs, vegetable oil, baking soda

Pumpkin for Breakfast

Pumpkin Overnight Oats

A healthy and convenient option, pumpkin overnight oats bring together oats, pumpkin purée, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Prepped the night before, they’re ready to enjoy in the morning with minimal effort.

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oatsold fashioned rolled oats, milk of choice, yogurt of choice, pumpkin puree, maple syrup

Savory Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Soup

Silky smooth and full of flavor, pumpkin soup is a warming dish for cool autumn days. Garnish with herbs, a swirl of cream, or roasted seeds for added crunch.

Pumpkin Soup 🥣⏱ 1 hour · 📸 1pumpkin 🎃, Leftover vegetables, olive oil 🫒, milk 🥛, water (boiled)

Pumpkin Gnocchi

Soft and pillowy, pumpkin gnocchi makes a comforting dinner. Serve with a sage butter sauce or light cream for a restaurant-style meal at home.

Gnocchi di zucca fatti in casa⏱ 45 minzucca cotta, patate di media grandezza, uovo, farina, burro

Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin ravioli is a balance of sweet and savory, often paired with brown butter and crispy sage. It’s a great way to turn pumpkin into an elegant pasta dish.

Ravioli and pumpkin in tomato sauce⏱ 45 minslarge pack of ravioli. I use a pack of 4 servings of beef ravioli, butternut pumpkin, cut into 1-2cm cubes, brown onion, diced, passata, dried sage

Don’t Waste the Seeds

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (How to Cook Pumpkin Seeds)

After carving or cooking with pumpkin, the seeds can be roasted into a nutritious snack. Toss them with oil and spices, then bake until golden and crunchy. They’re delicious on their own or as a topping for salads and soups.

Crispy Toasted Pumpkin Seeds📸 1Raw pumpkin seeds, Water, Salt, Melted butter, Garlic salt

Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Pumpkin is not only delicious but also highly nutritious. It is rich in vitamin A, which supports healthy vision, as well as vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants that strengthen immunity. Its natural sweetness makes it a healthier ingredient in both sweet and savory recipes.

Pumpkin Muffins⏱ 15 mins · 📸 8flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, sugar, Pumpkin, canned

Choosing the Perfect Pumpkin

Whether at the supermarket or at a local pumpkin patch, look for firm pumpkins with smooth skin and no soft spots. Smaller sugar pumpkins (also called pie pumpkins) are sweeter and better suited for cooking, while large carving pumpkins are great for decoration and seeds.

Grandma Betty's Pumpkin Pie⏱ 1 hour · 📸 2all purpose flour, *cold* unsalted butter (1 stick and 3 tablespoons), ice water, slightly beaten eggs, fresh, pureed pumpkin (or canned pumpkin)

Storing Pumpkin and Purée

Fresh pumpkin can be stored in a cool, dark place for several weeks. Once cut, it should be refrigerated and used within a few days. Pumpkin purée can be frozen in portions, making it easy to add to recipes like muffins, gnocchi, or overnight oats any time of year.

Three Layers No-Bake Pumpkin 🎃 Cheesecakegraham crackers crumbs, melted butter, sugar (optional, I don’t add sugar since the crumb is already sweet), cream cheese room temperature (8 oz, each), gelatin powder (2 envelopes unflavored gelatin powder)