15 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on October 8, 2026
Pumpkin frenzy is in full force. If you’ve already reached your annual quota of pumpkin spice lattes, I have some homemade suggestions for you today! I’m rounding up my fifteen top pumpkin recipes, both sweet and savory. You’ll find muffins and scones, soup and pasta, and more.
By labeling the recipes “healthy,” I mean healthier than something you might find at Starbucks. These recipes use whole grains when applicable and are naturally sweetened when possible. They’re listed in no particular order, so be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom!
Pumpkin Flavor Tips
Canned pumpkin for the win: Aside from the pumpkin soup, which uses freshly roasted pumpkin, these recipes call for canned pumpkin. Canned pumpkin offers a more reliable texture and flavor than homemade puree, which is especially important for baked goods. My favorite brands are Whole Foods 365 and Libby’s.
Make your own pumpkin spice blend: Pumpkin can taste like generic squash without some spice. Make as much as you need for the fall with my pumpkin spice recipe, which includes cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice or cloves.
Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
Easy, one bowl, healthier pumpkin muffins made with whole wheat grains and naturally sweetened! These pumpkin muffins are as light, fluffy and delicious as their coffee shop counterparts. Recipe yields 12 muffins.
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Creamy pumpkin mac and cheese will warm you up on cool fall evenings. This easy autumnal pasta recipe comes together in one pot and tastes incredible. Recipe yields 8 servings (quite a lot!) and leftovers are great.
Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups
This easy no-bake pumpkin dessert recipe will be a hit at your Thanksgiving table! It’s made with real pumpkin, Greek yogurt, cream cheese (1 block total), and maple syrup. Recipe yields 8 small desserts, and you will need 8 small glasses to contain them.
Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup
This pumpkin soup recipe is creamy and healthy! It calls for roasted pumpkin for maximum flavor. This roasted pumpkin soup recipe would look lovely on your holiday dinner table, and leftovers would go great with sandwiches or salads the next day. Recipe yields 4 bowls or 6 cups of soup.
Homemade Pumpkin Chai Latte
This pumpkin spice chai latte is made with natural ingredients: pumpkin puree, almond milk, maple syrup and spices. I believe you could make a big batch of this, store it in the refrigerator and rewarm individual drinks on the stove (whisk well to recombine). Amounts listed yield one latte, so multiply as necessary.
Pumpkin Oat Pancakes
These healthy pumpkin oatmeal pancakes are made with hearty oats and warming spices. Since they’re made with oat flour, they’re gluten free! Note that these pancakes should be cooked low and slow—use a lower temperature than you would with other pancakes so that the insides of the thick batter get nice and fluffy, but the outsides don’t get overdone. Recipe yields 8 to 10 medium-sized pancakes.
Pumpkin Pecan Scones with Maple Glaze
Vegan (or not), whole wheat pumpkin pecan scones topped with a delightful maple glaze. This healthy pumpkin scone recipe will be a hit with your family and friends!
Pumpkin Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cookies)
Polvorones are also known as Mexican wedding cookies. This pumpkin-flavored twist on the classic recipe is the perfect treat for fall. These tender, nutty, whole wheat pumpkin cookies are so simple to make, and might even taste better on day two. Recipe yields 18 to 24 cookies.
Whole Grain Pumpkin Spice Waffles
These delicious, gluten-free pumpkin waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This pumpkin waffle recipe’s secret ingredient is oat flour! You can easily make your own oat flour at home (check the recipe notes for details). This recipe yields 4 round, 7-inch Belgian waffles. Note: when I say “scant,” I mean just a couple teaspoons shy of the measurement listed.
Baked Pumpkin Dip with Goat Cheese
This pumpkin dip recipe straddles the line between sweet and savory! Pumpkin purée blended with goat cheese and pumpkin spice makes an irresistible dip. Recipe yields about 2 cups, enough for 4 to 6 appetizer servings.
Perfect Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
This fun recipe yields perfect roasted pumpkin seeds, every time. You’ll also find tips on how to clean the seeds, plus flavor variations! Recipe yields about one medium pumpkin’s worth of seeds (1 1/2 cups).*
Healthy Pumpkin Bread!
This amazing pumpkin bread is naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup, and made with whole wheat flour. It’s so moist and fluffy, no one will ever guess! You can easily make this pumpkin bread vegan and/or gluten free—check the recipe notes for details. Recipe yields 1 loaf.
Pumpkin Pancakes
These pumpkin pancakes are so fluffy and delicious. Gently spiced with cinnamon and topped as you wish, you’ll want to make a batch every fall. For healthier pancakes, make them with whole wheat flour—they’re naturally sweetened with maple syrup, too! Recipe yields 6 to 8 medium pancakes, enough to serve two to three people. Double the recipe for a larger crowd, or if you would like leftovers.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins
These gluten-free pumpkin muffins are made with almond flour! This simple recipe uses just one wholesome flour and other basic ingredients, including maple syrup as the sweetener. Recipe yields 1 dozen muffins.
Creamy Pumpkin Marinara
This pumpkin marinara recipe tastes like fall. It’s comforting like mac and cheese, but lighter and full of vegetables! Just add pasta. Recipe yields about 4 cups sauce (enough to generously coat 12 ounces/4 modest servings of pasta).
For more seasonal recipe inspiration, check out my October produce guide. You might also enjoy 27 Healthy Vegetarian Soup Recipes and 29 Healthy Comfort Food Recipes.
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