Canned Pumpkin Recipes

Canned pumpkin needs to be a pantry staple! It is inexpensive, loaded with nutrients, and delicious in everything from oatmeal to quesadillas to pie! Put it to use with these easy canned pumpkin recipes!

Can of pumpkin puree on counter with title text overlay that reads over 20 creative ways to use canned pumpkin.

I am a huge fan of homemade pumpkin puree. But using canned pumpkin puree is one of the best cooking shortcuts. Canned pumpkin is affordable, easy to find, and just as nutritious as homemade pumpkin puree. And it makes whipping up delicious pumpkin recipes an absolute breeze!

Whether you are looking for a new recipe to make your canned pumpkin shine or a way to use leftover pumpkin puree, I have a ton of delicious recipes that will help you put that canned pumpkin to use.

∗ important to remember ∗

These recipes are designed using canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which is sweetened and spiced.

17 Delicious Recipes Using Canned Pumpkin

Pumpkin spice latte in clear glass much with maple syrup and cinnamon sticks in background.

1. Pumpkin Spice Latte

We can not talk about pumpkin, without a recipe for the ultimate fall beverage! But unlike most chain coffee shops, this homemade pumpkin spice latte is made with real pumpkin! It is the perfect way to use up a small amount of leftover canned pumpkin.

Slice of baked pumpkin oatmeal on plate topped with maple syrup and chopped nuts.

2. 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.

Stack of pancakes on plate topped with maple syrup and chopped nuts.

3. 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.

Sweet Potato waffles topped with whipped cream and crushed nuts on cream plate with maple syrup in background.

4. 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!

Baked Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins on wooden cutting board

5. 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 pumpkin keeps these muffins incredibly moist, soft, and tender.

Pumpkin Banana Muffins with streusel on cutting board.

6. Pumpkin Banana Muffins

This recipe is proof that canned pumpkin keeps baked goods, like muffins, fluffy and moist without the need for much, if any oil. This recipe is oil-free, yet the muffins are super light and tender.

Two slices of pumpkin cream cheese bread on a white plate.

7. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread

Everyone needs a good pumpkin bread recipe in their cooking arsenal and this recipe takes pumpkin bread to a new level with an irresistible cream cheese swirl. And canned pumpkin keeps the bread super tender and moist.

Squash and Cheese Quesadilla cut into wedges on silver plate

8. Healthier Cheese Quesadilla

Adding canned pumpkin to a quesadilla may sound crazy, but hear me out. The flavor of pumpkin pairs beautifully with sharp cheddar cheese, not to mention it is easily disguised when topped with gooey, melted orange cheddar.

Bean Burrito Cut open to show rice, cheese and refried bean filling.

9. Refried Bean Burritos

Adding pure pumpkin puree to refried bean burritos works surprisingly well. The vegetable puree not only adds some vitamin A and fiber but also adds natural sweetness to the burritos. Trust me on this, it is a great way to sneak in some veggies!

10. Pumpkin Vinaigrette

Using pumpkin to make a homemade dressing is genius. It adds a slightly sweet, earthy, rich flavor to a simple dressing. Whisk together ¼ cup of pumpkin puree, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, with a ½ teaspoon of salt, pepper, and thyme. It is delicious on a kale salad or in a fall quinoa salad.

Sweet Potato Biscuit on wax paper with buttered biscuit in background

11. Pumpkin Biscuits

Using canned pumpkin in this recipe for biscuits keeps these biscuits moist and tender and cuts down on the amount of butter needed. The pumpkin also helps to add a hint of sweetness and earthiness to the biscuits, making them super delicious.

Glass of sweet potato smoothie topped with cinnamon and crushed walnuts

12. Pumpkin Smoothie

If you are looking for a healthy smoothie that tastes like dessert, you will love using canned pumpkin in this smoothie recipe! It tastes like pumpkin pie and comes together in minutes.

Slice of pumpkin pie on plate toped with whipped cream.

13. Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie is the ultimate pumpkin dessert and when you rely on a premade pie crust and canned pumpkin, this homemade pie comes together quickly and delivers the flavors you know and love.

Slice of pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosing on white plate.

14. Pumpkin Cake

Thanks to canned pumpkin, this from-scratch cake comes together with very little effort. And thanks to the moistness of the pumpkin, you don't have to worry about a dried-out cake here!

Slice of homemade pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling on blue plate.

15. Pumpkin Roll

This is my all-time favorite pumpkin dessert and you can guarantee I always have a can of pumpkin on hand to whip up this impressive, yet simple dessert when the craving strikes or company calls.

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies on cooling rack with glass of milk in background.

16. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

17. 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 Creative Uses for Canned Pumpkin

Get Sneaky with It! I have already shared that I often add pumpkin to 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 dog treats. 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.

How to Use Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Homemade Pumpkin Puree is much thinner than canned pumpkin. But you can still use it in place of canned pumpkin in any of these recipes, it is just crucial to drain off some of the liquid to match the consistency of canned pumpkin puree. To do this, place the pumpkin puree in a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl. Refrigerate for a couple of hours and then measure out the strained pumpkin puree and use it in any of these recipes.