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There’s no more satisfying fall tradition than whipping up a few sweet pumpkin treats full of warm autumn spices. Here are some mouthwatering gluten-free pumpkin recipes to incorporate this classic favorite fall flavor into your breakfast, dinner or dessert plans – and a few quick snacks to hold you over in between!
The Best Pumpkin Recipes: Breakfasts, Desserts and More!
I absolutely love using pumpkin in the kitchen. It sits right on the line between sweet and savory, which makes it so versatile! You can use it just as easily in both desserts and dinners. The key is knowing what spices and seasonings to add so that you can bring out one side or the other.
Using pumpkin is also a great way to get in some important vitamins and minerals. Recipes with fresh puree made from scratch are especially healthy, since you’re getting all those good nutrients right from the source with no added preservatives. The great news is that every recipe on this list can be made with either canned or homemade puree.
Is All Canned Pumpkin Gluten-Free?
Canned puree typically contains 100% pumpkin or related squashes, which makes it completely gluten-free. Going with an organic brand is your best bet to avoid unwanted ingredients, but make sure you check the ingredients label either way. Once you find a brand you like, stick with it.
Make sure to watch out for canned pumpkin pie filling. These kinds of products might contain gluten, as well as sweeteners and other unwanted additions. Never substitute pie filling for pure pumpkin, which could mess with the flavor and consistency of whatever dish you’re trying to make.
What About Pumpkin Spice?
Pumpkin spice normally uses some combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and clove. All of these spices are naturally gluten-free, and most brands don’t add anything to them. This makes blending your own spices the safest bet. Plus, mixing the spices yourself means you can control how much of each ingredient goes into your recipe.
Some premade spice blends have additional ingredients to give them better flow and keep them mixed evenly, and sometimes these additives are not gluten-free. Pumpkin pie spice is usually safe, but you should always check the ingredients label before buying a container.
Is Pumpkin Pie Filling the Same as Pumpkin Puree?
Believe it or not, premade pumpkin pie filling is actually made with winter squash and not pie pumpkins. Crazy, I know! That’s why I love whipping up meals, desserts and snacks with real pumpkin puree in them. While some people like to make their own puree, in most recipes, using canned is just fine.
How to Make Pumpkin Puree From Scratch
Making your own puree is cheaper and healthier than buying it in a can. The very first step is choosing your fruit. Luckily there are special pumpkins specifically used for baking! These are smaller and rounder than the kind you see carved on doorsteps around Halloween.
Once you have a good pumpkin selected, grab a large, sturdy knife and follow these simple steps.
- Cut the Fruit: Use your knife to remove the stem from your pumpkin, then turn it upside down. Cut it in half, using a mallet to help you if the skin is particularly thick. Tap it gently on the knife to get the blade through the rind.
- Take Out the Seeds: Next, you want to clear all the seeds and pulp from the inside of your pumpkin. Make sure to scrape out all the strands until only the firm meat remains. You can rinse, dry and set the seeds aside if you want to toast them later.
- Roast the Pumpkin: Add some salt to the inside of both halves of the pumpkin. Lay them cut side down on a baking sheet lined with lightly greased foil. Put the tray in the oven at 400°F for around 30 minutes, or until the flesh becomes fork-tender and the skin peels easily away.
- Remove the Skin: At this point, the skin of the pumpkin should be pretty easy to peel off. If it’s not peeling cleanly away, scoop out the meat with a large metal spoon.
- Puree: Dump the soft flesh of the pumpkin into your blender or food processor. Set your appliance to puree and turn it on at high speed for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the contents turn creamy and smooth.
- Strain and Use: Fresh pumpkin puree has a lot more liquid than the canned kind, so make sure you strain it before using or storing it. Once that’s done, you can use it right away, or wrap it tightly and pop it in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also freeze it in a double-lock plastic bag for up to 3 months before defrosting it.
40 Fabulous Gluten-Free Pumpkin Recipes
Every one of these scrumptious pumpkin recipes is bursting with fresh fall flavor – and the best part? They're all gluten-free! Whether you're looking for a quick snack, an energizing breakfast, a decadent dessert or even a quick dinner, this list has got you covered.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
Packed with warm autumn spices and real pumpkin flavor, these sweet treats are here to fill all your fall cravings.
The classic! Now you can make everyone's favorite pumpkin dessert on a buttery, flaky gluten free pie crust.
Perfectly spiced with a sweet maple glaze for a tasty treat with a hot mug of tea or coffee.
This easy but impressive dessert offers up the surprising yet irresistible combination of pumpkin and chocolate.
These mini pumpkin pies bring a burst of fresh fall flavor, and you don't have to feel guilty about gobbling the whole thing up by yourself!
A smooth swirl of rich Nutella brings this pumpkin-based ice cream to the next level.
Buttery little cookie cups are topped with rich buttercream flavored with real pumpkin and the perfect amount of pumpkin spice.
A rich and indulgent pumpkin cheesecake mousse makes every bite of this fall treat a smooth and creamy delight.
The easiest way to make gluten free pumpkin pie is to skip the crust entirely, so you can enjoy every bit of pumpkinny goodness.
This wonderfully moist bundt cake is loaded with fresh pumpkin flavor and plenty of chocolate chips.
These thick and chewy cookies are full of fall flavor and make a great healthy snack, especially when they dunk them in a glass of milk.
A smooth seasonal treat made with real pumpkin and topped with fresh whipped cream.
This super easy and flavorful no-bake dessert is the perfect way to use up any leftover pumpkin pie.
An unbelievably light and healthy Greek yogurt cheesecake filling in a flaky maple walnut crust makes this dessert irresistible.
The buttery crumble topping on these bars is just crisp enough to balance out the smooth pumpkin filling.
This rich, moist cake is packed with bold pumpkin flavor and elevated by a smooth and creamy chocolate coconut frosting.
The soft pumpkin cookies in these whoopie pies are bursting with warm autumn flavor, and the spiced maple filling adds even more.
This smooth and creamy fudge brings together the rich flavor of chocolate with warm pumpkin spice and toasted nuts for an amazing holiday combo.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Breakfast Recipes
The rich pumpkin flavor and toasty autumn spices packed into these decadent breakfasts make them the perfect way to warm up on a crisp fall morning.
So fluffy and ade with pumpkin puree, warm spices, and oats for a comforting fall breakfast or brunch.
The only thing better than real pumpkin is real pumpkin AND real coffee, all in one bold, flavor-rich breakfast.
The earthy flavor of toasted nuts perfectly complements the rich pumpkin flavor in this moist and fluffy coffee cake recipe.
These bars come packed with protein and whole grains for a perfectly portable breakfast that will keep you energized all day.
Wonderfully moist from the pumpkin puree and rich with the distinctive taste of hazelnut, these muffins are loaded with chocolatey goodness.
Take your pumpkin spice breakfast on the go with this quick and healthy chocolate-infused smoothie.
This oatmeal sure does pack in a ton of nutrients for something that tastes so much like chocolate pudding.
Pumpkin puree makes for super soft and fluffy waffles, while the warm spices pair so well with maple syrup.
The only thing better than a warm, gooey cinnamon roll is a warm, gooey cinnamon roll that's packed with pumpkin flavor.
This hot and hearty pumpkin-packed breakfast is the perfect way to get in whole grains without missing out on flavor.
These wonderfully flaky maple pumpkin biscuits sit right on the border between sweet and savory, making them just as good smothered in gravy as they are loaded with jam.
Gluten-Free Snacks Made with Real Pumpkin
Perfect for lunchboxes, road trips, or any time the hunger pangs strike.
These bite-sized balls of pumpkin spiced goodness make a perfectly portable and packable source of nutrients to give you energy on the go.
This healthy snack cake features a tangy Greek yogurt cream cheese frosting that perfectly balances the warm autumn spices.
This sweet dip might taste like pumpkin cookie dough, but it's full of nutrients to keep you energized as you go about your day.
A perfect example of pumpkin's savory potential, this fall fruit brings an earthy flavor and a little spice to classic black bean dip.
Bursting with pumpkin spice, maple syrup, dried cranberries and toasty nuts, these granola bars are the perfect thing to pack for a hike or bike ride.
These soft and chewy pumpkin cookies are studded with rich and melty chocolate chips, making them a great option to keep your energy up on a busy day.
These homemade fruit roll-ups are sure to be a hit with kids, but their fresh fruit flavor and pumpkin spice blend give grown-ups something to be excited about too!
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Dinner Recipes
The savory side of the pumpkin's flavor profile makes it a great way to add extra nutrients to your dinners.
Classic creamy alfredo sauce is elevated by the rich fall flavor of pumpkin – and it adds more nutrients, too!
This hearty pasta dish is packed with real pumpkin, adding vitamins and minerals on top of the protein from the sausage.
The rich curry spices in this dish blend just as well with the flavor of pumpkin as the sweeter autumn spices we're used to.
This fall classic is hot, creamy and packed with warm spices, making it the perfect meal to keep Jack Frost away on a crisp autumn night.
Wonderfully thick and hearty pumpkin chili replaces tomato paste with pumpkin puree too add an earthy flavor and rustic charm.
