Canned Pumpkin Recipes
Updated Sep 30, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
From cozy breakfasts to hearty dinners to classic desserts, canned pumpkin adds flavor, moisture, and a little extra nutrition to both sweet and savory dishes. If you've got a can (or two) sitting in your pantry, these easy recipes will show you just how versatile pumpkin puree can be.
Why Canned Pumpkin?
Pumpkin puree is a fall superfood! Loaded with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, pumpkin is not only good for you, but it is endlessly versatile as well. With slightly sweet, earthy notes, and tons of natural moisture, pumpkin puree is delicious in both sweet and savory preparation.
And while it is easy to make homemade pumpkin puree, it is a bit time-consuming, and pie pumpkins are only available for a short-period of time. Thankfully, canned pumpkin is readily available, inexpensive, and just as tasty (and nutritious) as fresh. Turning this fall superfood into a year-round staple in my pantry--and hopefully yours too!
Delicious Recipes Using Pumpkin Puree
While you may think of pumpkin puree only for pie, these recipes prove it is good for so much more. Put that can to use with these easy canned pumpkin recipes!
Pumpkin Spice Latte
We can not talk about pumpkin without a recipe for the ultimate fall beverage! But unlike most chain coffee shops, this pumpkin spice latte is made with real pumpkin! It is the perfect way to use up a small amount of leftover canned pumpkin.
Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal
Canned pumpkin puree takes an already healthy breakfast recipe and really bumps up the nutrition. The pumpkin not only adds irresistible fall flavors, but also adds fiber, vitamin A, folate, and manganese.
Pumpkin Pancakes
Swap out the sweet potato puree in my recipe for sweet potato pancakes with equal amounts of canned pumpkin and you are well on your way to enjoying light, fluffy, pumpkin pancakes.
Pumpkin Waffles
Craving waffles? Using my recipe for sweet potato waffles as a base, replace the sweet potato puree with equal amounts of canned pumpkin and these waffles come together FAST!
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins
Baked goods made with whole wheat flour have a reputation for being dense and/or dried out. Not this recipe! The canned pumpkin keeps these muffins incredibly moist, soft, and tender.
Pumpkin Banana Muffins
Made without oil or butter, the canned pumpkin helps to keep these muffins fluffy and moist.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
This recipe takes pumpkin bread to a new level with an irresistible cream cheese swirl, while canned pumpkin keeps this whole grain quick bread super tender and moist.
Healthier Cheese Quesadilla
Adding canned pumpkin puree to a quesadilla may sound crazy, but hear me out. The flavor of pumpkin pairs beautifully with sharp cheddar cheese. A sneaky (or not so sneaky) way to add veggies to lunch.
Refried Bean Burritos
Adding pure pumpkin puree to refried bean burritos works surprisingly well. The canned pumpkin blends perfectly with refried beans to create a savory base for delicious (and healthy) bean burritos.
Pumpkin Pasta
With nutty brown butter and canned pumpkin puree, this unique pasta comes together in under 20 minutes. And while unexpected, this savory pumpkin recipe delivers incredible flavor.
Pumpkin Vinaigrette
Using pumpkin to make a homemade dressing is genius. It adds a slightly sweet, earthy, rich flavor to a simple dressing. While featured on my butternut squash quinoa salad, it would be fabulous on a kale apple salad as well.
Pumpkin Biscuits
Swap out the sweet potato for canned pumpkin puree to make fall biscuits that are sweet, earthy, adn much lower in fat than classic all-butter biscuits.
Pumpkin Smoothie
Start with my recipe for sweet potato smoothie recipe and swap the sweet potato for canned pumpkin puree to create a healthy smoothie that tastes like pumpkin pie.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is the ultimate pumpkin dessert and one of the most classic ways to enjoy canned pumpkin puree.
Pumpkin Cake
Thanks to canned pumpkin, this from-scratch cake comes together with very little effort. It is moist, tender, and perfectly spiced.
Pumpkin Roll
Impressive, yet easy to make, a pumpkin roll is *probably* my all-time favorite recipe using canned pumpkin puree.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adding canned pumpkin and pumpkin spice to a classic chocolate chip cookie, turns this classic into a cookie made for fall.
Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
This impressive cheesecake comes together easily thanks to using canned pumpkin and the Instant Pot! It is rich and creamy and makes the perfect holiday dessert.
More Ideas for Using Pumpkin Puree
- Get Sneaky with It! I have already shared that I often add pumpkin to refried bean burritos and cheese quesadillas, but don't stop there! Try folding a few tablespoons of canned pumpkin into Instant Pot Mac and Cheese or add a smear to a grilled cheese sandwich.
- Make Pumpkin Dog Treats. Swap out the banana for leftover canned pumpkin to make these homemade dog cookies. They're super easy to make and pumpkin is super good for dogs.
- Use Canned Pumpkin to Sweeten Sauces or Soups. Much like carrots, pumpkin can naturally sweeten soups or sauces and it blends well with tomato-based recipes. Add up to ½ cup of canned pumpkin to Instant Pot spaghetti sauce, Instant Pot tomato soup, Crockpot chili, or bolognese sauce before cooking. The pumpkin will melt into the dish, leaving it kissed with earthy flavor and slightly sweetened.
- Make Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats. Using my overnight oats recipe as a base, combine ½ cup of milk with ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, ½ cup of rolled oats, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, with 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree.
Starting with Homemade Pumpkin Puree?
How to Replace Canned Pumpkin with Homemade Pumpkin Puree
Homemade pumpkin puree is thinner than canned, but you can still use it in these recipes. Simply drain off excess liquid by placing the puree in a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl, refrigerate for a few hours, then measure and use as directed.
Now which canned pumpkin recipes are you wanting to try first?
I live all recipes gosh I wish they all were so easy & informative as yours!! Thx will follow u always 🤍🥰🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🎉
Thank you, Beverly! I try really hard to make my recipes easy to follow 🙂