30 Unexpected But Awesome Ways to Use Canned Pumpkin

Pumpkin has a smooth, warming quality that typically lends itself to creamier dishes, but it also works well in this sweet, citrusy cocktail terrific for any season.

Get jacked-o’-lantern with this muscle-building smoothie—the perfect end to a brisk outdoor workout.

Tired of your same old strawberry-banana smoothie? Give it a fall inspired twist with this super easy recipe. Other than the canned pumpkin, we bet you already have all the ingredients in your kitchen.

An awesome twist on the holiday staple, this is how to start a December morning. Or if it’s later in the day, feel free to add rum, brandy, or bourbon.

What could be better to sip on in front of a crackling fireplace? This no-frills recipe simply adds pumpkin to chai tea, but it bestows a depth and smoothness that’s perfectly warming.

Savory muffins just don’t get enough play, but this is a super simple, delicious way to bring them to the table. Made with oats, olive oil, herbs, and apple cider vinegar, they’ve got no added sugar but can still warm from head to toe.

This is one of those recipes you’ll literally want to put on EVERYTHING. Spread it on top of a muffin, pancake, or piece of toast for the perfect morning treat.

You’ll never be bored by granola bars again. Packed with pumpkin, cinnamon, nuts, and oats, these bars are delicious and filling, so you’ll get a great start to your day.

Perfect with cinnamon and peanut butter, fresh berries, or some Greek yogurt and honey, this American twist on the British staple is the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea and a good book.

The recipe for this unusual dip has just one step: throw everything in a food processor. The mixture of cannellini beans, pumpkin, and lots of spices creates a rich, Middle Eastern flavor well suited to pita and antipasto.

With no added sugar, these rich, intoxicating pancakes are a healthier option for kids and adults alike. They also pair beautifully with preserves, yogurt, nuts—you name it!

Roasting granola has to be one of the best ways to spend a fall afternoon. The smell alone is worth the effort, and cooking up a big batch for the week ahead can make anyone look forward to waking up in the morning.

There’s something magical about the way Crock-Pots make healthy food even more delicious. Put everything in the crockpot before heading to bed, and you’ll wake to a luxurious (and bright orange) breakfast that will keep you full until the afternoon.

This parfait takes only take 10 minutes to prepare and makes breakfast feel like dessert. Full of Greek yogurt, granola, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this dish is so simple and delicious that it’s sure to become a staple.

The name might sound like a game of Madlibs, but this gluten-free breakfast is no joke. Flawlessly melding the flavors of coconut, pecans, maple, and vanilla, it’s hard to believe how healthy this breakfast is—just make sure you have an hour to prepare it!

The batter can be made the night before, so it’s easy for this tasty, crispy breakfast to become a morning mainstay. Try them topped with fresh berries and Greek yogurt!

Pumpkin has never really found a home between bread, but these patties will change the way you think about burgers. Be sure to remember the chili powder and cumin to give this dish a kick.

This smoky, flavorful loaf is just right on a chilly fall evening. The pumpkin BBQ sauce adds an extra dimension to the savory/sweet dynamic.

Pumpkin tastes so smooth and creamy that it’s amazing we don’t mix it with cheese more often. These quesadillas are a terrific “level-up” for you standard Mexican fare, and the substitution of Greek yogurt for sour cream is an especially nice touch.

This innovative recipe uses coconut milk as a base for the “creamy” sauce (just sub out the cheese if you want to make it fully vegan). If you’re not in a pasta mood, this blogger says using quinoa tastes really great too.

For a flavorful patty, try this smoky concoction that comes alive with Chipotle sauce and smashed avocado. If you’re gluten free try serving the “burger” on a bed of vegetables or mashing it up to make a veggie-burger salad.

To many of us, pumpkin is synonymous with fall, chilly breezes, and Thanksgiving fare, but this dish drops a can into a traditional curry to great effect. The Indian spices add an unusual dimension to the vegetable, but it works beautifully.

If dairy bothers your stomach (or if you just really love icecream) this is a perfect treat! The recipe also packs in one cup of broken-up graham crackers for an added crunch.

Smooth, decadent, and protein-packed, nobody will guess this healthy dessert is sugar free! The coconut oil and almond milk provide filling fats to help give this treat a super satisfying consistency.

This fro-yo recipe steps it up a notch with adding homemade pie crust pieces on top. It may not be sugar free like some of the other recipes on this list, but man is it good.

Baking these delicious vegan cookies is a great way to spend an autumn afternoon. It’s wise to cook in small batches, though—it’s a little too easy to eat an entire tray!

Is there anything more fall than eating donuts with apple cider? A dusting of cinnamon sugar makes this recipe absolute perfection.

Packing the holy trinity of protein, fiber, and omega-3s, chia also forms a goopy gel when combined with a liquid. This makes it’s perfect for making healthy puddings, and this pumpkin flavored variation is an amazing example.

Whip it good. Eggs, that is. Then add them to some pumpkin purée, milk, and spices, bake, and you’ve got a rich yet healthy dessert.

We said “weird” recipes, didn’t we? It turns out pumpkin purée is a great way to help with canine constipation, and pooches will love these fall cookies. Why should Fido be the only one without a holiday treat?