Pumpkin-Spice Up Your Life: 18 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes to Make Now

In case you haven’t heard the terrible news, there may be a pumpkin shortage headed our way this fall. The majority of pumpkins grown in the U.S. come from Illinois (who knew?) and, after a ton of rain in June, much of the crop was washed out. As one crop scientist told TIME, when it comes to canned pumpkin, “I would not wait until November 20th … I’d buy it whenever it comes to the store.” Yikes.

The thought of fighting for a can of pumpkin puree in a Whole Foods aisle is a bummer in more than one way. For one, pumpkin is an easy way to sneak all sorts of good stuff into your diet: fiber, which keeps you nice and full, vitamins A and C, betacarotene, and potassium. So we say start squeezing all your seasonal pumpkin fixes in now. Below, 18 recipes — from vegan pumpkin cinnamon rolls to Paleo pumpkin curry — to make, stat. Now, here’s to hoping none of us has to go head-to-head with a stranger for a can of pumpkin come Thanksgiving. 

SWEET PUMPKIN RECIPES

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Via Be Well Philly

Best. Breakfast. Ever. ‘Nough said.

No-Bake Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites
Via Joyful Healthy Eats

This recipe had us at “no-bake.” Loaded with good stuff like oats, ground flax seeds and chia seeds, these oh-so-easy pumpkin spice balls are the ultimate on-the-go snack.

Whole Grain Pumpkin Spice Waffles
Via Cookie + Kate

If you have any plans for eating waffles in the near future, make it these.

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
Via Minimalist Baker

This ice cream is made with cashews, almond milk, and lots of pumpkin puree. In other words, it totally beats the store-bought stuff and you can totally go for seconds without feeling terrible about it.

Pumpkin, Zucchini and Chocolate Chip Bread
Via Ambitious Kitchen 

At 153 calories a slice, you can have a slice of this chocolatey bread for breakfast without feeling even a tiny bit guilty. Yes, please!

Protein-Packed Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oatmeal
Via Dashing Dish

The best thing about overnight oats is that, come morning, all you have to do is pull them out of the fridge and chow down. Easy as pumpkin pie.

Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Via Minimalist Baker 

If cinnamon rolls are your greatest weakness, you can find joy in knowing that one of these easy vegan rolls only rings in at 270 calories when you ditch the glaze. Take that, Cinnabon!

Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies
Via Leelalicious

Yep, breakfast cookies. These bad boys are loaded with oats, pumpkin puree, ground flax, and more, making for a sweet (in both meanings of the word) breakfast fix.

Healthy Harvest Buckeyes
Via Half-Baked Harvest

You guys, the recipe for these healthier Buckeyes is straight-up brilliant: It works in beans for texture (and protein!), pumpkin puree, and unsweetened applesauce — along with chocolate and peanut butter, of course — for a Buckeye you can feel better about eating.

SAVORY PUMPKIN RECIPES

Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Pumpkin Hummus
Via Pinch of Yum

This is one of those recipes that dinner party guests will think you worked really hard on, but actually requires barely any effort. Win-win.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Ricotta Gnocchi
Via Bojon Gourmet

This recipe requires some elbow grease, but we say gluten-free pumpkin gnocchi in your mouth is totally worth a little sweat.

Spicy Pumpkin and Butternut Ramen
Via Cooking for Keeps

This isn’t your grandma’s ramen noodle soup: This recipe calls for a broth made with pureed pumpkin and coconut milk. If you are salivating right now, you’re not alone.

Pumpkin Quesadillas with Lime-Jalapeno Yogurt
Via The Kitchn

One way to up the fiber content of your quesadilla? Throw some pumpkin puree in the mix.

One-Pot Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
Via Kitchen Treaty

This pumpkin-y sauce functions as a healthier Alfredo, and requires less than 20 minutes to pull together from start to finish. Bonus: If you steer clear of animal products, you only need to make one simple swap to turn this into a vegan masterpiece.

Paleo Pumpkin Curry
Via Fed and Fit

This recipe, which comes together in under 30 minutes, makes four to six servings. I see some pumpkin-y packed lunches in your future.

Spicy Pumpkin and Black Bean Enchiladas
Via Foodess

The definition of comfort food? These pumpkin enchiladas. You can cut the cheese in half to lighten them up a bit and you’ll end up with a protein-packed, super-satisfying meal.

Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup
Via The Skinny Fork

Warm, liquified heaven, here you come.

Vegan Pumpkin Ravioli
Via It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken

If you’re intimidated by the whole homemade ravioli thing, don’t be: This recipe, which uses store-bought wonton wrappers, is insanely simple.

Like what you’re reading? Stay in touch with Be Well Philly — here’s how:

• Like Be Well Philly on Facebook
• Follow Be Well Philly on Twitter
• Follow Be Well Philly on Pinterest
• Get the Be Well Philly Newsletter