The Best Pumpkin Recipes for the Holiday Season (2024)

Enjoy the flavors of Fall with a healthy spin!

The Best Pumpkin Recipes for the Holiday Season (1)

At certain times of the year, there are particular foods and flavors that we simply must indulge in. These foods become a way to celebrate the season, and oftentimes, become attached to memories that we hold dear. When the cold, Autumn air blows in and the leaves start to fall, one of the most popular ingredients to include in our meals and treats is pumpkin! For this reason, we’ve assembled a list of some of our best pumpkin recipes to help you celebrate the season and upcoming holidays!

We have pumpkin-rich recipes for every meal of the day, and plenty of desserts too! Our delicious dishes and delectable treats are made with healthy ingredients that will allow you to enjoy your favorite flavors in a more nutritious way!

The recipes below will add a warm and comforting touch to your day or night, whether you’re celebrating the season at home, or joining your friends and family for a holiday get-together.

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

You know it’s officially Fall when coffee shops across the country begin to offer the beloved pumpkin spice latte! Unfortunately, this tasty coffee shop beverage is typically laden with sugar and calories. Our skinny pumpkin spice latte on the other hand, slashes calories but offers the same warm and nutty flavors you love. Plus, making it at home is budget-friendly!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Custard Oatmeal

Oatmeal is an excellent and nutritious breakfast any time of the year, but it’s particularly good when it’s cold outside. This sweet and creamy oatmeal is not only filled with nutrients, but each serving is just over 150 calories! A warm and comforting breakfast that’s healthy too? Yes, please!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter

This yummy, naturally-sweetened pumpkin butter makes a fantastic addition to any breakfast! It’s incredibly simple to make and tastes wonderful on biscuits, pancakes, French toast, and more! Pumpkin butter allows you to indulge in the seasonal goodness, in a low calorie way.

Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Enchiladas

Creamy pumpkin, gooey cheese, tender chicken, and a wonderful blend of spices make for one incredible dish. These enchiladas are unlike any other. The slightly-spicy, slightly-smoky flavor mixed with the mild sweetness of pumpkin and sweet potatoes create a flavor combination that is out of this world. And, at only 308 calories and 24 grams of protein per serving, they’re healthier than most enchilada recipes too!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

Everyone needs a chili recipe for colder weather, and this is one that you absolutely must try. Pumpkin chili may sound a bit odd at first, but it’s actually incredibly delicious! The chili powder gives that classic kick, while the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice add subtle notes of nutty coziness.

Clean Eating Pumpkin Streusel Bars

Our pumpkin streusel bars will pair perfectly with your morning coffee. If you’re not a fan of early-morning sweets, they will taste just as good as an after dinner dessert! The bar itself is rich with moist, pumpkin flavor while the streusel crumble on top contributes a wonderfully crunchy texture!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake

Your favorite Fall beverage can now be enjoyed in cake form! The gorgeous dessert is almost too pretty to eat. You’re definitely going to want to dive right into this one! The notes of nutmeg and cinnamon in the pumpkin pie spice complement the light sweetness of the pumpkin and vanilla. Trust us, it’s way too tasty to pass up.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Moist, decadent pumpkin bread is delicious on it’s own. Throw in some rich, chocolate chips, and you’ve got yourself one scrumptious dessert. This recipe is great for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or even a special snack! It makes a great homemade hostess gift, too!

Best Ever Pumpkin Cheesecake

If there are two desserts we adore more than anything it’s sweet pumpkin pie and rich, creamy cheesecake. So, to say that we love this recipe is still an understatement. It’s so full of flavor and incredible texture that we decided to refer to it as the Best Ever Pumpkin Cheesecake – because it is!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Shooters

Speaking of pumpkin cheesecake, these adorable little pre-portioned shooters are the perfect way to end an evening full of delicious food. There’s so much creamy sweetness in one bite, that it doesn’t take much to satisfy your sweet tooth. Fudge and Pumpkin Cheesecake Shooters are the gifts my neighbors most often request for the holidays.

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding

This fun little twist on classic pumpkin pie made our list for several excellent reasons. One, the flavors are magnificent. The blend of spices, creamy coconut milk, and pumpkin puree are a flavor trio made in heaven. Two, the way the chia seeds soak up the flavor creates a mouthwateringly smooth pudding. And finally, the nutritious ingredients and individual serving sizes make it a healthy dessert option as well!

What did you think of these pumpkin recipes? Have you tried any of them before? Which one are you looking forward to trying most? We want to hear about it! Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!

You can also follow us on Facebook and Pinterest, or even subscribe to our eNewsletter. That way, you can be sure to stay up to date on all of our tastiest recipes.

The Best Pumpkin Recipes for the Holiday Season (2024)

FAQs

How can pumpkins be prepared for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

A common way to prepare pumpkins is to cut them in half, scoop out the seeds and strings, and bake them cut side down on a baking sheet, just like you would an acorn squash. Pumpkin soup is a savory delight, with a rich earthy flavor miles away from what we normally associate with pumpkin.

What is the best tasting pumpkin? ›

The Sugar Pie Pumpkin is often considered the crème de la crème of cooking pumpkins. Its deep orange flesh is sweet, smooth, and creamy, making it perfect for pies, soups, and purees. This culinary gem pairs beautifully with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating irresistible autumnal flavors.

Is canned pumpkin the same as pumpkin puree? ›

Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing, and you'll often see the terms used interchangeably in recipes and cookbooks. Unlike pumpkin pie mix, canned pumpkin does not have any spices, sugars, or other additives. In many cases, the only ingredient is pumpkin.

What is the best pumpkin to use for pumpkin pie? ›

Choose The Right Kind

For cooking, you'll want to use sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins), which are small and round. Long Island Cheese pumpkins, which are more oblong and can look like a wheel of cheese, are also good to eat.

How do you make a thankful pumpkin? ›

  1. Cut strips from the orange paper. Also, cut out your pumpkin's leaves and vines.
  2. On each strip, write down something that you are grateful for. ...
  3. Now you are ready to create the body of your pumpkin. ...
  4. Then, bring the strips around and gather the other ends at one point. ...
  5. We suggest curling your vines with scissors. ...
  6. Done!

How did Native Americans prepare pumpkins? ›

Both the seeds and flesh of the pumpkin are edible. American Indian tribes of the southwest scooped out the seeds, dried or roasted them, spiced them with chili powder and ate them with a mixture of nuts and dried fruit. The flesh was often cut into pieces and baked in ovens or directly over coals.

Is Libby's pumpkin puree 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.

Does homemade pumpkin puree taste better than canned? ›

Pumpkin Puree Taste Comparison:

Fresh: Squashy/pumpkiny, subtle almost herbaceous flavor. Regular Canned: Deep, slightly intense unique flavor. Organic Canned: More similar to the fresh stuff than the regular canned, but with more flavor than homemade.

How to make pumpkin puree taste better? ›

Cooking down pumpkin purée is similar to browning butter: Water evaporates and the milk solids become flavorful and toasty. For even more flavor, you can add spices (like the celebrated pumpkin pie spice!) to the purée during the cooking step.

What kind of pumpkin does Costco use in their pies? ›

According to David and Susan, Costco uses one kind of pumpkin exclusively: Dickinson pumpkins. Dickinson pumpkins are not the orange jack-o'-lantern canvas you're picturing; rather, they're beige with smooth sides.

What is the sweetest pumpkin? ›

Kabocha. A popular Japanese variety, the Kabocha has a rough but edible peel, and a round plump shape. It can be dark green or bright orange-red, and has firm, orange flesh. One of the sweetest varieties of pumpkin, its flavour has been compared to sweet potato, while its firm flesh holds together well in the oven.

What kind of pan is best for pumpkin pie? ›

5 Other Pans to Bake a Pumpkin Pie In
  1. Cake Pan. An eight- or nine-inch cake pan is an easy pie pan substitute, as it has the same shape and volume as a pie pan. ...
  2. Tart Pan. A tart pan is my favorite substitute for a pie pan, especially if it has a removable bottom. ...
  3. Springform Pan. ...
  4. 13×9 Pan. ...
  5. Muffin Pan.
Nov 4, 2016

Can you carve pumpkins for Thanksgiving? ›

Just because October is over that doesn't mean you can't carve pumpkins! Check out these elegant pumpkin carving ideas for Halloween through Thanksgiving!

Are pumpkins appropriate for Thanksgiving? ›

Pumpkins and gourds are a must come Thanksgiving.

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