Tried and True Pumpkin Recipes That Will Not Disappoint

It’s no secret that pumpkin is one of the most popular fall flavors. It seems like you can make almost anything with pumpkin. While that’s amazing, it can also be overwhelming. There are so many recipes out there for so many different types of food…how do you know which ones are actually good and worth your time? We asked around to find some tried-and-true recipes that people have had success with and real life so we can share the ultimate list of pumpkin recipes.

pumpkin muffins for pumpkin breakfast recipes as an example of tried and true pumpkin recipes
These pumpkin muffins are great for a fall breakfast or snack. Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Pumpkin Breakfast Recipes

Pumpkin Waffles There’s something special about waffles, am I right? This recipe has layers of flavor with brown sugar, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice.

Pumpkin French Toast Bake. This recipe incorporates pumpkin butter and pumpkin pie spice. You can also substitute pumpkin puree for the pumpkin butter if needed.

Quick and Easy Pumpkin Muffins. These basic muffins are great for breakfast or snacks. This recipe uses Bisquick as an ingredient shortcut so you can whip them up very quickly.

Pumpkin Pancakes. These pancakes are light, fluffy, and delicious. There’s even a recipe for homemade syrup that you can try!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. This tasty blend will help you start off the morning right. It’s super easy to customize to add in extra protein powder, seeds, or other ingredients to help keep you full.

pumpkin seeds as an example of tried and true pumpkin recipes
Roasting pumpkin seeds is a fun and delicious family tradition. Photo courtesy of Cassie Duffle Photography.

Savory Pumpkin Recipes

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. This classic, crunchy snack can easily be made at home. Be sure to check out the link at the bottom to make your own pumpkin puree, too!

Pumpkin Pasta with Sausage. Pumpkin isn’t just for sweet dishes. You can incorporate pumpkin into many different dinner recipes.

Pumpkin Alfredo. This dish would be great as a side dish, or you can add rotisserie chicken and make it a meal! I tested this pumpkin recipe myself and loved it.

pumpkin alfredo as an example of tried and true pumpkin recipes

Turkey Chili With Pumpkin. Chili is perfect for Fall! This recipe from Trader Joe’s has a lot of great tips on their website of ways to incorporate their products. Find more Trader Joe’s pumpkin recipes here.

Copycat Panera Squash Soup This soup is the perfect combination of savory and sweet.

Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. These are always a crowd-pleaser, and the steps are simple enough to have the kids join in on the baking fun.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. These fluffy cookies will be the perfect treat for those who have special dietary needs. The author includes several suggestions for different substitutions you can make.

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles. If you love snickerdoodles, you’ll love this recipe that gives them a pumpkin twist.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Snickerdoodles. This version of pumpkin snickerdoodles has a creamy filling that takes this cookie to a whole new level.

Other Must-Try Pumpkin Desserts

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread. This is one of my all-time favorite recipes. My kids look forward to the fall every year because they know I will make this pumpkin bread multiple times because everyone loves it so much.

chocolate chip pumpkin bread as an example of tried and true pumpkin recipes

Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. If you love chocolate chip pumpkin bread but are in a hurry, you can speed it up by making muffins with this recipe that uses spice cake mix as a substitute for other dry ingredients.

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake. If you love pumpkin pie but don’t want to deal with the crust, this recipe shows you how to use spice cake mix to make a “crust” that you can fill with pumpkin pie filling.

No Churn Pumpkin Snap Ice Cream. You don’t need an ice cream maker to try this pumpkin ice cream! Once you mix it up, your ice cream will be frozen in about six hours.

Paula’s Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle. This combination of flavors is the epitome of fall! It needs eight hours to set but is worth the wait.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding. This is to die for. Check out the instructions for making a caramel sauce and cinnamon whipped cream to go with the pudding below the recipe.

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Gingersnap Crust. This recipe is a little more labor-intensive than most, but you’ll feel like you’ve just gotten a decadent slice from The Cheesecake Factory once you’re done with this pumpkin dessert.

Pumpkin Brownies

pumpkin brownies on a plate as an example of tried and true pumpkin recipes and pumpkin desserts

This special family recipe from Amy Roth serves up pumpkin goodness and chocolate chips in a different format. These pumpkin brownies are similar to pumpkin bread, but with a slightly different texture. In my opinion, these brownies are a little easier to cut and serve to kids than the bread.

Print Recipe
Pumpkin Brownies
by Amy Roth
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings
brownies
Ingredients
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings
brownies
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Combine butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla and beat in mixer until smooth.
  2. Add pumpkin puree, flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt and mix.
  3. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  4. Pour into a 9X13 greased pan
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Which pumpkin recipe should you try first?

It doesn’t matter! Just pick any of these tried-and-true pumpkin recipes and have fun experimenting. If you are as excited about all these recipes as I am, you’ll want to pick up a case of pureed pumpkin at Costco or any other store that sells them. I promise you’ll go through it quicker than you think! And remember…fall comes and goes, but pumpkin is forever!

Please let us know in the comments which recipes worked for you and share any other pumpkin recipes that you love.

 

Kristen Gardiner
Kristen Gardiner moved to the Dallas area (Allen) in 2018 with her husband and three boys (born in 2010, 2012, and 2015). She has a marketing degree from Texas A&M (class of '06) and an M.B.A. from Texas A&M --Corpus Christi. Kristen met her husband while working at Whataburger in College Station, and they have been inseparable ever since. She has spent the past few years as a freelance writer and marketing consultant. Kristen is passionate about storytelling and sharing about struggles with mental health in motherhood on her blog Driving Mom Crazy.