These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (2024)

These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (1)

As far as we're concerned, every season is pumpkin season. Perhaps it's because there's no end to what you can make with the sweet and savory squash. Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin pie — if it has pumpkin in it, you can be sure the dish will be good. And the best part is, these recipes range from keto and paleo to gluten-free and low calorie! From breakfast to dessert — and everything in between! — these healthy recipes will have you running to the kitchen. Read ahead for the best pumpkin recipes you can make, and get ready to dig in!

Additional reporting by Lauren Harano

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These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (2)

Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes

Wake up right when you bite into these sweet pancakes for breakfast. They're fluffy, rich, and made without refined sugar, flour, or oil. Just add syrup and a dollop of whipped cream to complete the dish.

Get the recipe: healthy pumpkin pancakes

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These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (3)

Whole30 Pumpkin Muffins

With wholesome ingredients, these tasty pumpkin muffins offer the perfect balance between spicy (thanks to the pumpkin-pie spice) and sweet. They're moist, tender, and easy to nosh on!

Get the recipe: Whole30 pumpkin muffins

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Vegetarian Pumpkin and Three-Bean Chili

Looking for a healthy (and equally delicious!) chili? This recipe was made for you. Toss together beans, veggies, and spices to make this hearty dish in no time.

Get the recipe: vegetarian pumpkin and three-bean chili

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Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake

Looking for a low-carb sugar-free dessert? We've got just the thing for you! This pumpkin cheesecake is rich, creamy, and oh-so good.

Get the recipe: keto pumpkin cheesecake

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Vegan Sourdough Pumpkin Bread

Made with pumpkin puree, light olive oil, and spices, this vegan bread is seriously good. Enjoy it for breakfast with a cup of coffee, for lunch with a spread of butter, or after dinner with a warm cup of cider.

Get the recipe: vegan sourdough pumpkin bread

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Chickpea Pumpkin Blondies

Made with only eight ingredients, these chewy blondies are a treat for your taste buds. Pair them with semisweet chocolate chips and enjoy!

Get the recipe: chickpea pumpkin blondies

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Instant Pot Pumpkin Walnut Chili

This vegan chili is a quintessential fall dinner. It's made with red lentils, fire-roasted tomatoes, walnuts, black beans, pumpkin, chipotles, and all the best toppings. Yum!

Get the recipe: instant pot pumpkin walnut chili

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Vegan Chia Pumpkin and Oat Snacking Loaf

This delightful loaf is made with vegan ingredients and is naturally sweetened by applesauce and banana. You'll love how moist and flavorful it is, too!

Get the recipe: vegan chia pumpkin and oat snacking loaf

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These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (10)

Thai Pumpkin Soup

If you're hungry, whip up this easy Thai soup. It takes less than 30 minutes to make, and is vegan and gluten-free. Top it off with your favorite seeds and a dash of cilantro.

Get the recipe: Thai pumpkin soup

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Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

These easy-to-make muffins are comprised of honey, oatmeal, yogurt, and tasty fall spices. Enjoy them with a cup of warm apple cider for best results.

Get the recipe: healthy pumpkin muffins

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Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

Wake up to the seasonal flavors of pumpkin pie with this exceptionally creamy and perfectly spiced overnight oats recipe. The best part is that you'll enjoy this breakfast for a week because this recipe makes five jars at once, saving you time and ensuring you have a healthy breakfast waiting for you every morning.

Get the recipe: pumpkin spice overnight oats

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These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (13)

Keto Pumpkin Bread

Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean you have to stray from your eating plan. Now you can have your pumpkin bread and eat it, too.

Get the recipe: keto pumpkin bread

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Vegan Chocolate-Marbled Pumpkin Protein Bread

Made with whole-wheat flour, plant-based protein powder, and pumpkin puree, this treat offers almost five grams of filling fiber and almost nine grams of protein. Each slice also has just 5.6 grams of sugar, but tastes super sweet.

Get the recipe: vegan chocolate-marbled pumpkin protein bread

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Vegan Pumpkin Pie

This no-bake pumpkin pie is free of gluten and refined sugars, meaning you can dig in without worrying about artificial ingredients. Top it off with warm nuts and a pinch of sugar.

Get the recipe: vegan pumpkin pie

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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

There's nothing better than noshing on crispy, crunchy, and flavorful pumpkin seeds. These satisfying seeds are high in both protein and fiber, and they contain healthy nutrients such as manganese, iron, and zinc. Bake them until they're golden brown, and enjoy them all season long.

Get the recipe: roasted pumpkin seeds

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No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies

Not super into baking but craving cookies? These no-bake pumpkin goodies will cure all your cravings and more. Not only are they easy to make, but they're naturally sweetened with maple syrup meaning you won't feel weighed down from too much sugar.

Get the recipe: no-bake pumpkin cookies

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Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

Dig in to a decadent dessert with this vegan pumpkin cheesecake! It's creamy, moist, and oh so good.

Get the recipe: vegan pumpkin cheesecake

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Pumpkin Coconut Bisque

This pumpkin coconut bisque tastes so creamy and rich, it's hard to believe that it doesn't contain an ounce of dairy. This is a recipe both vegans and those following the Paleo diet can enjoy!

Get the recipe: pumpkin coconut bisque

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Pumpkin Banana Smoothie

Start your day off with a burst of pumpkin flavor and whip up this pumpkin banana smoothie that will help keep you satisfied all morning long.

Get the recipe: pumpkin banana smoothie

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Paleo Pumpkin Pie Muffins

These paleo pumpkin pie muffins are not only gluten- and dairy-free, but they're also light, fluffy, and delicious.

Get the recipe: paleo pumpkin pie muffins

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Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

This pumpkin pie is raw, vegan, and gluten-free — a win for everyone at the table! With oven space at a premium, you'll love that you don't need to turn yours on for this one.

Get the recipe: pumpkin pie is raw, vegan, and gluten-free

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Vegan, Grain-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft, chewy, and only 86 calories per serving, these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are vegan and grain-free. Bonus: since they contain no eggs, you can lick the bowl clean!

Get the recipe: vegan, grain-free pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

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Vegan Pumpkin Quinoa Muffins

If all those pumpkin muffins are too hard to resist during the holidays, bake up a batch of these vegan pumpkin quinoa muffins immediately!

Get the recipe: vegan pumpkin quinoa muffins

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Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins

As a breakfast on the go, these oatmeal dark chocolate chip muffins do not disappoint — they'll leave you satisfied and full of fiber!

Get the recipe: oatmeal dark chocolate chip muffins

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Pumpkin-Carrot Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

These pumpkin-carrot bars are a low-cal alternative to pumpkin pie. Besides, who doesn't love a little cream cheese frosting?

Get the recipe: pumpkin-carrot bars

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Pumpkin Pancakes

Pancakes don't have to be a breakfast-only meal, especially when it's a stack of these pumpkin pancakes. The maple yogurt topping helps give the dish a sweetness that makes it feel like dessert.

Get the recipe: pumpkin pancakes

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These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (28)

Oatmeal Pumpkin Spice Bread

Stock up on your favorite pumpkin puree, and then make a batch of this oatmeal pumpkin spice bread. The oats increase fiber and also add a chewy texture to the bread, resulting in a much denser loaf.

Get the recipe: oatmeal pumpkin spice bread

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Protein Bars

If you are craving a sweet treat at the end of the night, these protein-packed chocolate chip pumpkin protein bars will satisfy any craving.

Get the recipe: chocolate chip pumpkin protein bars

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Pumpkin Oatmeal Coconut Bars

If supersweet desserts aren't your thing, look no further than these pumpkin oatmeal coconut bars. Made with whole wheat flour and sweetened with applesauce, they'll satisfy your craving for something cakey minus the sugar bomb.

Get the recipe: pumpkin oatmeal coconut bars

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Baked Pumpkin Ravioli

Enjoy pumpkin for dinner by whipping up a batch of these baked pumpkin ravioli — one serving brings in a whopping 10 grams of protein. Before the idea of homemade pasta scares you off, rest assured this recipe can easily be made with ready-made wonton wraps.

Get the recipe: baked pumpkin ravioli

These Healthy Pumpkin Recipes Make the Most of the Sweet and Savory Squash (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat pumpkin? ›

There are many ways to enjoy pumpkin. For the healthiest versions, try using it in savory dishes like soup or as a roasted vegetable.

What are the health benefits of pumpkin? ›

Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, pumpkin is incredibly healthy. What's more, its low calorie content makes it a weight-loss-friendly food. Its nutrients and antioxidants may boost your immune system, protect your eyesight, lower your risk of certain cancers and promote heart and skin health.

Is pumpkin pie healthy or unhealthy? ›

According to the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans, we should all be eating 2 cups of orange veggies each week. Pumpkin pie can help meet these recommendations plus that brilliant orange color provides the antioxidants vitamin A and lutein.

Is canned pumpkin really pumpkin or squash? ›

As it turns out, even though pumpkin purée makers write pumpkin on the can, it's actually a strain of Dickinson squash. And the closest produce relative to it isn't even pumpkin. It's butternut squash.

What does pumpkin do to your gut? ›

And pumpkins are also great for our gut: They are full of fibre, which helps to form stools, keep us regular and feed our gut bacteria. Potassium supports normal cell function throughout the body and low levels may lead to constipation and fatigue.

Does pumpkin cleanse the liver? ›

You can also support liver function by including pumpkin and other antioxidant-rich foods in your diet. These antioxidants help your liver break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates — and filter harmful substances out of your bloodstream.

What organ is pumpkin good for? ›

Supports heart health

Pumpkin is recommended as part of a heart-healthy diet that may help lower your risk of heart disease. It offers a long list of nutrients that protect and support the heart, such as vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, copper, fiber, folate, and manganese.

Can you eat pumpkin every day? ›

It is safe and healthy to eat pumpkin every day, but Campbell suggests sticking to only one serving per day—about half a cup of canned pumpkin and one cup of raw pumpkin – for a couple reasons. “Although pumpkins are great for you, they do contain a good amount of fiber,” says Menshulam.

Which pie is healthier, sweet potato or pumpkin? ›

Pumpkin Pies

Using the right ingredients, you can make a mouthwatering pumpkin pie. Additionally, they contain less sugar and calories than sweet potato pie. This makes them an ideal choice for those who are looking for a low-calorie option.

Is canned pumpkin as healthy as fresh? ›

Fresh foods generally have a higher nutrient content than do cooked or canned foods. But in this case, both fresh pumpkin and canned pumpkin are packed with nutrients, such as potassium, vitamin A and iron. If you want to use fresh pumpkin, look for pumpkins without blemishes that are firm and heavy for their size.

Is pumpkin or apple pie healthier? ›

"Pumpkin is rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin A, which is essential for eye health and immune function. It's also lower in calories and fat compared to apple pie. Pumpkin pie contains more dietary fiber than apple pie, thanks to the pumpkin puree.

Is Libby's real pumpkin? ›

Libby's, the quintessential canned pumpkin brand, uses a proprietary strain of the Dickinson pumpkin variety in their product, which is also often called a Dickinson squash. On Libby's website, it states that their product is 100 percent pumpkin.

Is Dickinson pumpkin actually pumpkin? ›

Dickinson pumpkins, also known as Dickinson squash, are the pumpkins used to make the majority of canned pumpkin we eat today. But Dickinson pumpkins are tan pumpkins with uniform, smooth skin that are much larger than the average field pumpkin. They're also sometimes called squash, not pumpkins.

Which squash is the healthiest? ›

1. Butternut Squash. One of the most popular varieties of squash, it can be use in so many ways. It's one of the most rich in Vitamin A, boasting about 100% of the recommended daily value per cup, in the antioxidant form of beta-carotene.

Is pumpkin healthier raw or cooked? ›

Yes, you can eat pumpkin raw. Furthermore, eating raw pumpkin and raw pumpkin seeds provides significantly more nutritional and health benefits than eating it cooked. Cooking minimizes water-soluble nutrients like vitamins B and C, and also reduces the vitamin A, potassium and copper content.

Is canned pumpkin really healthy? ›

One cup of canned pumpkin, for example, contains 137 calories but provides more than 200 percent of the daily value for vitamin A, 36 percent of vitamin K, 25 percent of fiber and 22 percent of vitamin E. It's also a good source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, riboflavin, iron and potassium.

Is pumpkin better for you than potato? ›

For every 100 grams, there are 86 calories in potatoes and 76 in sweet potato. On the other hand, pumpkin is part of the squash family, and while it has more calories than, say, a green vegetable, there are only 20 calories in 100 grams of pumpkin.

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