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Healthy and yummy AND packed with delicious pumpkin flavor? Sign us up. These easy pumpkin recipes check all the boxes and are perfect to share with the kids. From smoothies and pancakes to purees and quesadillas, there are so many options to try.
Pumpkin Recipes
Like many of you, I get so into the flavors of pumpkin each fall. And since the veggie is full of vitamin A and fiber, and pairs so well with warm spices like cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, it’s a fun ingredient to share with the kids.
I love using pumpkin in all sorts of recipes with it’s creamy consistency and subtle flavor. It works well in baked goods, oatmeal, smoothies, and pasta, and many times, you can punch up or tone down the flavor depending on how many spices and other flavors you add.
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Healthy Pumpkin Bread
With an easy one-bowl method and the most tender texture, this easy pumpkin recipe is one of our all-time favorites.
Healthy Pumpkin Bread (Lower Sugar)
This bread has the classic flavor and moist crumb of a traditional Pumpkin Bread, but with half the sugar. It stores well too! (Heads up: There's a full can of pumpkin puree in this, so it takes a little longer to bake.)
Combine the best of two quick bread worlds in this recipe. It’s easy to mix up the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients, there is a lot of natural sweetness from the banana, and it’s such an easy pumpkin recipe to share.
Pumpkin Banana Bread (Lower Sugar)
This Pumpkin Banana Bread has the classic flavor combo of pumpkin bread and banana bread, which makes it extra yummy. It stores well, too!
We love these pumpkin cake donuts as a healthy Halloween treat or any time in the fall. They’re actually loaded with protein and a great recipe for a donut pan.
Pumpkin Chocolate Baked Donuts
Share a batch of flourless chocolate baked donuts for breakfast, snack time, or dessert. They're easy enough that the kids can help make the batter!
Put any kind of oats you have on hand to good use in this healthy oatmeal recipe that works for babies and toddlers on up.
Easy Pumpkin Oatmeal
You can make this in about 15 minutes on any morning, or make the whole recipe ahead and simply warm right before serving. See the Notes for variations to make it with other types of oats.
A little pumpkin puree, a little chocolate, and plenty of filling fats and protein to keep everyone going, this is such a yummy combo of flavors.
Favorite Pumpkin Smoothie
This creamy Pumpkin Smoothie has delicious pumpkin-pie-like flavor and is a delicious meal component or snack. This makes two toddler-size servings, or a smoothie to share for a parent and toddler. You can freeze any leftovers into a freezer pop!
With plenty of protein and an easy method, these are a go-to fall recipe to share with the kids. Use homemade pumpkin puree, pumpkin baby food, or even pumpkin pie filling for a slightly sweeter muffin.
Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
With just a handful of nutritious ingredients and an easy method, these Healthy Pumpkin Muffins are a perfect treat to share. We love to make and enjoy these each fall for breakfast, snack time, or as a simple side dish for dinner. (This recipe has very little flour—that is not a mistake.)
With or without chocolate chips, these are a nutritious take on a classic pumpkin muffin with oats for fiber and complex carbs. And there’s an easy blender method, too! (Be sure to use fresh baking soda to ensure they bake through properly.)
Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins
These store well in the fridge so you can make them a day or two ahead if you prefer—or bake and serve warm from the oven. These taste like a cross between baked oatmeal and a traditional pumpkin muffin (they don’t have any flour, so they’re a little denser than a traditional muffin, but still super moist!).
With oats, simple ingredients, and an easy method, these mini muffins are a delicious breakfast or snack.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
These whole grain Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins have delicious pumpkin flavor and just enough chocolate chips. They're moist and a great breakfast or snack to share with the kids.
This is such an easy method that quickly bakes up in an 8×8-inch pan. Add fruit or chocolate according to your preferences. Perfect as a pumpkin dessert or option to use up canned pumpkin puree.
Healthy Pumpkin Bars Recipe
You can quickly stir together this Healthy Pumpkin Bars recipe (with oatmeal and low added sugar) for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert. The method is so quick and easy and the result is moist and full of pumpkin goodness. Win, win!
My favorite homemade granola bars can be made with a variety of purees, including pumpkin. Such a good option!
Easy Homemade Granola Bars
We like to have these granola bars as a snack or toddler breakfast with milk or a smoothie—and they're an excellent lunch box component too. You can make them plain or choose a flavor to add!
Cookies that have all the best fall flavors, are easy to make, and taste so light and airy? I’m in!
Healthy Pumpkin Cookies (with Chocolate Chips)
Light, tender, and bursting with cozy flavor, these Healthy Pumpkin Cookies are a yummy snack or dessert. (These fluffy cookies are not super sweet, so you can add 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar to the batter if desired. We like them just fine as is with the chocolate chips for sweetness!)
There is nothing as good as a bite-size cupcake with cream cheese frosting, and these little beauties prove it. Oh, and they’re easy, too!
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
With a simple stir-together method, these easy Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are a perfect fall dessert to share with the kids! They have less sugar than similar cupcakes yet deliver big time on both texture and flavor.
Try this easy method to share fresh pumpkin with the littles.
Best Pumpkin Baby Food
This fresh pumpkin puree is mellow and flavorful and can be combined with other purees to make delicious baby food combinations (see the Notes for flavor options). The amount of puree you wind up with will vary according to the size of the pumpkin you start with.
If you come across a fresh pie pumpkin in the fall, here’s how to easily turn it into puree for baking.
How to Roast Pumpkin (to Make Puree)
Look for a pumpkin labeled “pie” or “sugar” for the best flavor. I used a Winter Density Squash, which is an heirloom variety. The amount of puree you’ll wind up with will depend on the size of your pumpkin.
A thin layer of pumpkin makes quesadillas flavorful and nutritious!
Sheet Pan Black Bean Quesadillas
These easy quesadillas can be made with pumpkin puree, sweet potato puree, or butternut squash puree. You can also skip it and just go with beans and cheese! I make these as half moon shapes since it helps contain the mess a little when feeding these to kids.
Serve up a most fun lunch or dinner with this super easy pumpkin quesadilla.
5-Minute Halloween Dinner: Pumpkin Quesadilla
Have fun with Halloween dinner in just a few minutes—and get the kids fed before the festivities—with this easy pumpkin quesadilla. (It also works for lunch too!)
Fluffy and flavorful, these pancakes are such a great fall breakfast.
Favorite Pumpkin Pancakes
These Pumpkin Pancakes stir together in one bowl, are fluffy and flavorful, and are a perfect breakfast to share with the kids. They're made with whole wheat flour and just enough spice.
Thanks for the pumpkin recipes, I’ve a pumpkin we didn’t carved & I’m going to purée but didn’t know what to cook for my baby. Love your blog ❤️