Easy Canned Pumpkin Recipes

Find the most delicious canned pumpkin recipes to make use of a can of pumpkin you already have, as a delicious way to use up leftover pumpkin puree, or just as inspiration for seasonal cooking. Find recipes for pumpkin cookies, muffins, cupcakes, smoothies, oatmeal, and more.

Canned Pumpkin Recipes

We often find ourselves with half of a can of pumpkin left over from a recipe, and it lingers (and lingers) in the fridge. I love to help families use up those leftovers to ensure we’re wasting less food and getting the most out of our food budget.

So, below you’ll find options that use small amounts of canned pumpkin and a few that use an entire can.

These are great in the fall when you’re craving pumpkin recipes, or whenever you have pumpkin to use up. Or even if you’re looking to get a head start on Thanksgiving recipes. Scroll down to find the ones that are most appealing to you and your family!

Healthy Pumpkin Bars

You can quickly stir together this Healthy Pumpkin Bars recipe (with oatmeal and low added sugar) for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert. The method is so quick and easy and the result is moist and full of pumpkin goodness. Win, win!

Healthy Pumpkin Bars Recipe

These bars are tender when warm out of the oven, so do be sure to let them cool completely before slicing.

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Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

With a simple stir-together method and just sweet enough flavor, these mini Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Muffins are a yummy fall treat to share with the kids. Plus, they store so well!

Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (Healthy and Easy!)

These whole grain muffins have delicious pumpkin flavor and just enough chocolate chips. They're moist and a great breakfast or snack to share with the kids. (Adapted from

Eating Well.)

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Healthy Pumpkin Mini Muffins

With just a handful of nutritious ingredients, these Healthy Pumpkin Muffins are a treat that we love to make and enjoy each fall for breakfast, snack time, or as a simple side dish for dinner. And it’s easy to adjust for allergies as needed!

Healthy Pumpkin Mini Muffins

Use a gluten-free flour blend or whole wheat depending on what works best for your family. This recipe has very little flour—that is not a mistake. They bake up wonderfully, so have faith! Adapted from Against All Grain. 

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Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins

Make these healthy (and so easy) Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins to share with the kids for breakfast or snack—with or without chocolate chips!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins

These store well in the fridge so you can make them a day or two ahead if you prefer—or bake and serve warm from the oven. These taste like a cross between baked oatmeal and a traditional pumpkin muffin (they don’t have any flour, so they’re a little denser than a traditional muffin, but still super moist!).

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Healthy Pumpkin Bread

This recipe uses a whole can of pumpkin puree, so you won’t be left with a small amount at the end to use up. And it bakes up moist and delicious. It stores well, is good cold or toasted, and is an easy breakfast or snack to share with the kids.

Healthy Pumpkin Bread (Lower Sugar, SO Good!)

This bread has the classic flavor and moist crumb of a traditional Pumpkin Bread, but with half the sugar. It stores well too! (Heads up: There's a full can of pumpkin puree In this, so it takes a little longer to bake.)

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Easy Pumpkin Oatmeal

Start the day on a nutritious and totally delish note with this super easy Pumpkin Oatmeal. It has all the spice you expect from a pumpkin recipe but requires just 5 ingredients and about 10 minutes (or less!) of cooking. Win!

Easy Pumpkin Oatmeal

You can make this in about 15 minutes on any morning, or make the whole recipe ahead and simply warm right before serving. See the Notes for variations to make it with other types of oats.

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Quick Pumpkin Smoothie

If you find yourself wanting to serve up a delicious pumpkin treat that packs serious nutrition, try this Pumpkin Smoothie. It’s creamy, indulgent, and is a nice way to serve up a veggie for breakfast! And it’s perfect for finishing up leftover pumpkin puree you may have from baking.

Favorite Pumpkin Smoothie

This creamy Pumpkin Smoothie has delicious pumpkin-pie-like flavor and is a delicious meal component or snack. This makes two toddler-size servings, or a smoothie to share for a parent and toddler. You can freeze any leftovers into a freezer pop!

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Best Pumpkin Baby Food

Transform fresh pumpkin into a perfectly smooth pumpkin baby food. Serve it as is, combine with other flavors and nutrients, and learn tips for freezing it, too!

Best Pumpkin Baby Food

This fresh pumpkin puree is mellow and flavorful, and can be combined with other purees to make delicious baby food combinations. (See the Notes for flavor options.) The amount of puree you wind up with will vary according to the size of the pumpkin you start with.

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5-Minute Halloween Dinner: Pumpkin Quesadilla

These are a fun Halloween dinner (or lunch!), they take just a few minutes to make, and they’re super versatile. You can cut out the jack-o-lantern however you like and have this easy kids meal ready before the festivities begin!

5-Minute Halloween Dinner: Pumpkin Quesadilla

Have fun with Halloween dinner in just a few minutes—and get the kids fed before the festivities—with this easy pumpkin quesadilla. (It also works for lunch too!)

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Sheet Pan Black Bean Quesadillas

Learn how to make a big batch of quesadillas for the family all at the same time with these easy oven-baked Sheet Pan Black Bean Quesadillas. They’re flavorful, straightforward, and so delish!

Sheet Pan Black Bean Quesadillas

These easy quesadillas can be made with pumpkin puree, sweet potato puree, or butternut squash puree. You can also skip it and just go with beans and cheese! I make these as half moon shapes since it helps contain the mess a little when feeding these to kids.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Baked Donuts

If you’re looking for a fun and easy breakfast for the littles come fall, these Baked Chocolate Pumpkin Donuts are a yummy option. Plus: They’re flourless, nut-free, packed with protein, and so easy to make!

Pumpkin Chocolate Baked Donuts

Share a batch of flourless chocolate baked donuts for breakfast, snack time, or dessert. They're easy enough that the kids can help make the batter!

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Fluffy Pumpkin Cookies

These soft-baked cookies taste like mouthfuls of the most delicious pumpkin bread, in cookie form. They are made with just a few ingredients and are so perfect to share with the kids. I love this as a component on a cookie platter, a Thanksgiving dessert, or just something to bake (a few times!) during the fall.

Fluffy Pumpkin Cookies

These Fluffy Pumpkin Cookies are soft and delicious, and they almost melt in your mouth. They take only 20 minutes to make and are perfect for Thanksgiving or winter holidays—or any time you have a craving. They're particularly pretty with a sprinkles on top!

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Healthy Pumpkin Cookies with Chocolate Chips

These Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies are so impressively soft and light—and have a surprisingly small amount of added sweetener for how good they taste. Plus, the batter simply stirs together, so this is a recipe that even your little kids can help you cook!

Healthy Pumpkin Cookies with Chocolate Chips

These fluffy cookies are not super sweet, so you can add 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar to the batter if desired. (We like them just fine as is with the chocolate chips for sweetness!)

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Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

With a simple stir-together method, these easy Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are a perfect fall dessert to share with the kids! They have less sugar than similar cupcakes yet deliver big time on both texture and flavor.

Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

I like to frost these soon before serving. You can make the frosting ahead, transfer it to a zip top bag, and store in the fridge until ready to add to the cupcakes.

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How to Store Leftover Pumpkin

If you wind up with some pumpkin left over, you can store it in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. Or, you can add to an ice cube tray and freeze. Then you can add cubes to a smoothie or oatmeal, or you can thaw them and use in baking.

You can also stash the puree in a freezer bag and freeze flat.

Best Tips for Success

• Store leftover pumpkin in the fridge or freezer to be sure you can use it before it goes bad.
• Use canned pumpkin or you can make homemade pumpkin puree.
• Share the recipes with your kids and be sure to enjoy them yourself, too.

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I’d love to hear your feedback on this post or know your favorite canned pumpkin recipe, so please comment below.