14 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes: Fall Favorites Made Lighter

By Candace Braun Zafirellis
Published 10/16/2025
14 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes: Fall Favorites Made Lighter
Photo Credit: iStock

As the leaves start to change color and you find yourself snuggling under the blankets at night, you know pumpkin season has arrived. From morning coffee to Thanksgiving dessert, pumpkin brings warmth, nostalgia and a taste of the fall season to every meal. These healthy pumpkin recipes from Health eCooks® let you enjoy everything you love about fall flavors, with the added bonus of using lighter cooking methods that fit a heart healthy lifestyle.

Pumpkin isn’t just delicious; it’s also naturally low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamin A and antioxidants—nutrients your body can use during cold and flu season. From sweet pumpkin spice recipes like pies and puddings, to savory pumpkin recipes such as soup and pasta, there’s a cozy pumpkin dish to make for every occasion.

Whether you’re looking for an easy pumpkin recipe for a fall bake sale, or a dessert for a festive holiday gathering, these nutritious pumpkin recipes make it easy to enjoy fall flavors. They keep the classics comforting while adding smart, healthy upgrades.

Breakfast Ideas: Pumpkin Spice Recipes to Start Your Day

Busy morning? These healthy pumpkin recipes come together fast and keep you full, with simple make-ahead options full of cozy fall flavor.

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    5 mins

    This make-ahead breakfast layers rolled oats, almond milk, pumpkin purée, a touch of maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice. This creamy, no-cook parfait is an easy and healthy overnight oats recipe for busy mornings.

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
    Photo Credit: Shutterstock
    60 mins

    Moist and tender, these muffins combine pumpkin purée with whole grain flour and a hint of cinnamon for an easy grab-and-go bite. They’re a simple win when you want nutritious pumpkin recipes that still feel like a treat.

  • Heart Healthy Easy Pumpkin Bread
    Photo Credit: Shutterstock
    60 mins

    This quick bread recipe mixes pumpkin purée, a little canola oil, applesauce and baking spices for classic flavor with a lighter nutrition profile. It’s our favorite healthy pumpkin bread recipe for weekend baking because it’s simple, moist and easy to make ahead.

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin Toast
    Photo Credit: Adam Fisher, Baldwin Publishing
    15 mins

    Hearty multigrain toast is smothered in a creamy pumpkin, yogurt and nut butter spread. Add a crunchy topping of pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, coconut flakes and dark chocolate chips for a real breakfast treat.

Pumpkin Drinks and Dips: Easy, Creamy, Crowd Pleasers

Sip or scoop your way into fall. These sips and spreads turn pantry staples into café-style drinks and party-ready snacks in minutes.

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte
    Photo Credit: Shutterstock
    15 mins

    Bring the café home with a lighter sip made from real pumpkin purée, steamed oat milk, and a pumpkin pie spice blend. This cozy pumpkin latte recipe is much healthier than its coffee shop counterpart, and you can make it anytime you’re craving fall flavors.

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin Dip
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    10 mins

    Quick to whip up, this creamy pumpkin dip recipe blends Greek yogurt, pumpkin purée and a light whipped topping for a festive snack or appetizer. It’s a flavorful and fun way to get more healthy nutrients into your day that pairs well with fruit or whole grain crackers. 

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin Smoothie
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    15 mins

    Just six simple ingredients are needed to make this fall-inspired smoothie, blending pumpkin purée, cinnamon and yogurt into a creamy drink. It works as a post-workout snack or a speedy breakfast when you’re on the go.

Light Pumpkin Desserts: Pies, Puddings & Parfaits

Craving dessert but not the heavy feeling that often goes with it? These lighter treats deliver classic pumpkin taste with smart swaps and easy prep.

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin Cheesecake Pudding
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    90 mins

    A light crumb base and silky pumpkin cheesecake filling make this an easy pumpkin pie cheesecake recipe. It’s a delicious way to enjoy rich texture and fall flavor with lighter ingredients.

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin Custards
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    75 mins

    Baked in ramekins, these smooth, gently spiced custards combine pumpkin purée, eggs and light coconut milk for a cozy treat. These pumpkin custards have built-in portion control to make this crustless pumpkin pie recipe simple, satisfying and seasonal.

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin Pie in a Glass
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    This layered dessert reimagines pumpkin pie in parfait form using spiced pumpkin, pudding and whipped topping. This pumpkin pudding recipe is easy to assemble and captures all the fall flavor without having to turn on the oven.

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin Pie
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    75 mins

    This lighter twist on a classic Thanksgiving dessert uses reduced-fat dairy and egg whites for a smooth, spiced filling. It’s a top pick for anyone seeking a healthy recipe for pumpkin pie that still delivers that traditional holiday flavor.

  • Heart Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Pie
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    120 mins

    This vegan pumpkin pie features a dairy-free filling and is ideal for those who are following a vegan or gluten free diet. It’s creamy and warmly spiced, bringing the flavor without the fuss.

Savory Pumpkin Recipes Using Canned Pumpkin

Pumpkin isn’t just for sweet treats. These savory pumpkin recipes use canned pumpkin for creamy texture and weeknight-simple meals.

  • Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    45 mins

    This satisfying soup uses canned pumpkin, warm spices, and a touch of nonfat yogurt instead of cream, creating a hearty bowl perfect for cool evenings. It’s one of the most comforting savory pumpkin recipes, showing its versatility beyond just sweet desserts. 

  • Heart Healthy Pumpkin and Arugula Pasta
    Photo Credit: iStock
    45 mins

    This creamy pumpkin pasta dish uses a pumpkin purée sauce (with sage and nutmeg) to coat multigrain penne and is brightened by peppery arugula and fresh shallots. It’s a satisfying savory pumpkin recipe that replaces heavy cream with pumpkin as the base, offering fall flavor in a balanced meal.

Healthy Pumpkin Recipe FAQs

New to cooking with pumpkin? These FAQs answer the most common questions on how to make a pumpkin latte recipe, choosing the best savory pumpkin recipes, and how to bake lighter pies with pumpkin.

What recipe can I make with canned pumpkin that’s savory?

Try savory pumpkin recipes like creamy pumpkin soup or a pumpkin pasta dish. Pumpkin adds body to sauces and soups without the use of heavy cream.

How do I make a simple pumpkin latte at home?

Whisk pumpkin purée, milk and pumpkin pie spice with hot coffee, then sweeten to taste for an easy pumpkin latte recipe you can customize.

Is pumpkin pie healthy?

Lighter crusts, reduced fat dairy and controlled portions can make it a better fit. A crustless pumpkin pie recipe baked in ramekins helps with portion control.

What’s a dairy free dessert using pumpkin?

Look for a gluten free pumpkin pie recipe that uses a dairy-free filling and almond-flour crust. Pumpkin custards made with light coconut milk are another option.

What’s a good make-ahead breakfast using pumpkin?

A pumpkin overnight oats recipe is great for meal prep—mix oats, milk and pumpkin the night before and it’s ready to eat in the morning.

Why We Love Pumpkin Recipes for the Fall Season and Holidays

There’s something about pumpkin that instantly makes a kitchen feel warm and inviting. These healthy pumpkin recipes bring that cozy mood to breakfast, dinner and dessert—without weighing you down. From a no crust pumpkin pie recipe for Thanksgiving to a homemade pumpkin latte recipe to sip on a crisp fall morning, these nutritious pumpkin recipes make it easy to enjoy the season’s most beloved flavor in a healthy way.

Here are more healthy fall recipes to make:

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