These recipes with pumpkin go beyond the usual pumpkin spice. From classic pumpkin bread to savoury soup and more.
Here in Australia, autumn is officially upon us, and what better time to cook up some pumpkin recipes?
While pumpkin is typically associated with North American autumns (or fall, as they say), there’s no denying the influence our overseas counterparts play in shaping food trends down under.
In recent years, pumpkin’s popularity has skyrocketed in Australia — and for good reason. This versatile veg is equally delicious in a sweet bread as it is in a comforting soup.
Read on for recipe inspiration, breakfast ideas and even a few tips for using up your leftover pumpkin puree.
Jump to a Recipe
Jump to:
- Classic Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Pumpkin Bread - Once Upon a Chef
- How to Make Pumpkin Puree
- Creative uses for leftover pumpkin puree
- The Best Pumpkin Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin White Bean Dip
- Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
- Dreamy Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie
- Savoury Pumpkin Recipes
- Delicious Roasted Pumpkin Pasta - Daen's Kitchen
- Vegetarian Pumpkin Chili - Sally's Baking Addiction
- Pumpkin risotto - Caroline's Cooking
- Easy Creamy Pumpkin Soup
- Pumpkin Desserts (That Aren’t Pie)
- Pumpkin Biscotti - Barley & Sage
- No-Churn Pumpkin Ice Cream - Wholefully
- Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe (No Eggs) - This Italian Kitchen
- Pumpkin Shortcakes with Cinnamon Apples and Maple Whipped Cream Cheese - Pinch of Yum
- Pumpkin Cheesecake - Preppy Kitchen
- Start Your Day With a Pumpkin Breakfast
- Best Pumpkin Scones (With Maple Glaze) - Pretty. Simple. Sweet.
- Pumpkin Pancakes - Cookie and Kate
- Pumpkin Maple Pecan Granola - Minimalist Baker
- Spiced Pumpkin Cream Cheese Recipe - Pantry Mama
- Tips for Baking With Pumpkin
Classic Pumpkin Bread Recipe
It would be remiss of us not to start with what may be the best pumpkin recipe of all: classic pumpkin bread!
This recipe from Once Upon a Chef is beloved in our test kitchen, and over 2,700 reviewers agree . . . it’s phenomenal.
While it can be challenging to find canned pumpkin in Australia, we’ve found that these loaves bake up equally well when made with homemade pumpkin puree (recipe below). Note that we also said loaves. Another winning factor from this recipe is that you bake once, and end up with — not one — TWO delicious loaves of bread.
Enjoy them both or give one to a friend to sweeten their day.
Pumpkin Bread - Once Upon a Chef
To say we are obsessed with this pumpkin bread would be an understatement. Once Upon a Chef has passed this recipe down for three generations, and it shows. Moist, tasty and perfectly spiced, it's a must-try.
How to Make Pumpkin Puree
Our foolproof method for DIY-ing pumpkin puree is super simple. Best of all, this puree works just like the canned stuff, meaning you can expect the same great results in baked goods and savoury meals.
With frozen pumpkin
- Place pumpkin chunks in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave in 1-minute intervals until the pumpkin has thawed.
- Using a food processor or immersion blender, blend pumpkin until smooth.
With fresh pumpkin
- Cut pumpkin in half and remove seeds.
- Cut away any skin or stem on your pumpkin.
- Cut pumpkin into 1-2 cm cubes.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Drop pumpkin cubes into boiling water.
- Boil the pumpkin, until it’s soft enough for a fork to pierce easily.
- Strain the soft pumpkin chunks into a colander.
- Transfer the softened pumpkin cubes to a food processor and blend until smooth.
Pro-tip: For a thicker puree — similar to the canned stuff — drain your homemade version with a cheesecloth. See ‘Tips for Baking With Pumpkin’ below for more info.
Creative uses for leftover pumpkin puree
Made heaps of puree and don’t know what to do with the leftovers? Instead of wasting it, you can use it in one of these delicious recipes.
The Best Pumpkin Overnight Oats
Start your morning on a high note with these pumpkin overnight oats. Creamy, rich and perfectly-balanced, they'll keep you full until lunchtime.
Pumpkin White Bean Dip
Turn leftover pumpkin puree into a hummus-like dip with this easy recipe. White beans, pumpkin, garlic and spices come together to create the perfect addition to your next cheese board.
Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
Inspired by the classic pumpkin spice latte, this chai tea latte is warming, rich and perfectly autumnal.
Dreamy Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie
This decadent pumpkin pie protein smoothie could almost pass for a thick shake. Rich and flavourful, it incorporates the flavours of pumpkin pie, but in the form of a healthy smoothie.
Savoury Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin’s not just for dessert! While pumpkin is technically a fruit, it’s often cooked and served as a vegetable — plus, its high fibre content is reason enough to incorporate more pumpkin into your meals.
Check out some of our favourite main courses starring pumpkin:
Delicious Roasted Pumpkin Pasta - Daen's Kitchen
This creamy pumpkin pasta from Daen's Kitchen is a winner. Rich roasted veggies become the base of a simple one-pot pasta, making for a healthy, quick and delicious dinner. What more could you want?
Vegetarian Pumpkin Chili - Sally's Baking Addiction
Sally's Baking Addiction has mastered the art of nutritious comfort food with this pumpkin chili. This vegetarian stew is packed with flavour, while pumpkin adds a delicious underlying richness.
Pumpkin risotto - Caroline's Cooking
If you've never tried pumpkin risotto, you need to make this recipe from Caroline's Cooking ASAP. Creamy and rich without being too heavy, it's risotto done right.
Easy Creamy Pumpkin Soup
We love soup! As the weather cools down, there's no better dinner than a big bowl of soup served alongside some crusty bread. Full of warming spices, this soup proves that pumpkin soup doesn't have to be bland.
Pumpkin Desserts (That Aren’t Pie)
Look, pumpkin pie is great. But there are so many other delicious pumpkin desserts that deserve equal recognition. Because we trust you can find your own pumpkin pie recipe — after all, it’s the most common pumpkin dessert — we’re recommending pumpkin-filled dessert recipes that can expand your horizon beyond the crust.
Pumpkin Biscotti - Barley & Sage
Imagine dunking a pumpkin biscotti into a steaming hot cup of coffee. Talk about the perfect treat. Finished off with white chocolate, this recipe is sure to become a new favourite.
No-Churn Pumpkin Ice Cream - Wholefully
Did you know that you can make ice cream at home without an ice cream maker? This no-churn pumpkin ice cream requires only six ingredients and no special equipment, proving that sometimes simple really is better.
Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe (No Eggs) - This Italian Kitchen
How could tiramisu possibly get any better? Well, with the addition of pumpkin, of course. If you enjoy pumpkin spice lattes, then trust us when we say you're about to be obsessed with this incredible dessert.
Pumpkin Shortcakes with Cinnamon Apples and Maple Whipped Cream Cheese - Pinch of Yum
Pinch of Yum can do no wrong, and these shortcakes prove it. Give the summer dessert an autumnal twist by swapping strawberries for brown sugar apples, sandwiched between a perfect pumpkin biscuit.
Pumpkin Cheesecake - Preppy Kitchen
Hear us out . . . this pumpkin cheesecake just might convince you to ditch the concept of pumpkin pie altogether. If you can't find graham crackers in Australia to make the crust, we recommend using Arnott's Marie biscuits instead.
Start Your Day With a Pumpkin Breakfast
Wake up and smell the pumpkin! These delicious pumpkin breakfasts will give you that warm, cosy feeling as soon as you wake up. Perfect for lazy Sunday mornings.
Best Pumpkin Scones (With Maple Glaze) - Pretty. Simple. Sweet.
Bakery-style scones at home? Yes, please! These pumpkin scones are just as tasty as they look. Served with a flat white on the side, they'd make the perfect Sunday breakfast.
Pumpkin Pancakes - Cookie and Kate
Not only do these pumpkin pancakes taste amazing, but they're also good for you. Made with whole wheat flour, they're perfectly fluffy and won't result in the dreaded sugar crash.
Pumpkin Maple Pecan Granola - Minimalist Baker
If you've never made your own granola before, consider this a sign. This pumpkin maple pecan granola is perfectly crunchy, slightly sweet and delicious served with milk or atop your favourite yoghurt.
Spiced Pumpkin Cream Cheese Recipe - Pantry Mama
Level up your toast or bagels with this delightful pumpkin cream cheese spread. Not only does it make a great breakfast, but we think this cream cheese would also be great served on some crispbreads or crackers as a snack.
Tips for Baking With Pumpkin
Baking with any fruit ingredient can change the texture, taste and baking time, and pumpkin is no different.
To ensure your pumpkin treats turn out, keep these tips in mind:
- Butternut is best: Generally, it's best to use butternut pumpkin for baking. If you can find it, sugar pumpkin is also a great option, but it’s much less common in Australia.
- Make up for moisture: Homemade pumpkin puree will be much moister than its canned counterpart. To reach a similar texture, drain your puree in cheesecloth for at least two hours or overnight. If you use a wetter puree, make sure to reduce the amount of wet ingredients elsewhere in the recipe. Because pumpkin adds moistness to a recipe, keep in mind that your baked goods may take a little bit longer to bake when pumpkin puree is added. If your pumpkin treats don’t seem done after the expected baking time, continue baking, checking for doneness in 5-minute intervals using the toothpick test to determine when they’re fully baked.
- Avoid overmixing: While you may be tempted to whisk your pumpkin puree into your baked goods, it’s generally best to use a gentle fold to incorporate it into your mixture. This will prevent tough cakes, muffins and breads.
We'd love to hear what you think of these recipes! Let us know in the comments below.
Cover Image: Pretty. Simple. Sweet.
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