7 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes (With Bonus Benefits) To Whip Up This Fall

It is well and truly pumpkin season: The leaves are falling, Halloween is around the corner, and we've picked up our favorite autumnal items at Trader Joe's. Unfortunately, many of the iconic treats of the season aren't necessarily the healthiest, but that doesn't mean we should skip them altogether: It's about making sure they're serving us nutritionally, too. Enter these pumpkin-powered recipes, packed with bonus benefits.

Pumpkin itself is actually a relative nutrient powerhouse: "Pumpkins contain vitamin A and C, which support eye and immune health1," says Mascha Davis, R.D., MPH. "They are also filled with antioxidants, which help the body fight oxidative stress."

By simply adding pumpkin to your recipes, you're adding valuable nutrients. But there are other ingredients that can also up the nutrition ante. Here, a few of our favorite recipes that harness this iconic fall flavor with even more health benefits.

Finding a go-to pumpkin bread recipe has been one of my autumnal traditions in recent years, but thankfully this year mbg and Maggie Michalczyk, R.D., did the work for me with this nutrient-loaded update to a classic recipe. It's gluten-free and dairy-free and flavored with all the best fall spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. Not only that, but it works in a serving of mbg organic veggies+, which contains turmeric and ginger for extra spice-based benefits.

"Adding a serving of organic veggies+ is such a great insurance policy because it can be hard to get everything found in this greens powder through our diet," Michalczyk says. The hidden veggies this adds include kale, broccoli, and even sea veggies—perfect for getting a sneaky serving in when you're after something decidedly less green-tasting.

Fall-inspired baked goods don't have to stop with pumpkin bread: You can enjoy fall flavors in many dessert forms. These super-simple pumpkin spice cookies come from the kitchen of registered dietitian Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, and they're another great use of organic veggies+ in a better-for-you update on a fall treat.

Sure, the addition of veggies is slightly more noticeable here: "They're not the prettiest, but these would be super-cute decorated, half-dipped in dark chocolate, or with nuts folded into the dough," Cording says. If you're trying to keep on theme, you could reach for pumpkin seeds to top off these 12-ingredient, gluten- and dairy-free cookies.

If you're looking for a healthier alternative to a classic PSL, you can try this ketogenic- and vegan-friendly version from functional medicine practitioner William Cole, D.C., IFMCP. "With just a few simple ingredient swaps, you can easily recreate this classic fall drink from the comfort of your own home," he writes. "You can not only enjoy a delicious PSL but also fuel your body with nourishing superfoods in each sip."

Sweetened naturally with your choice of stevia, allulose, or monk fruit, his recipe includes a dose of MCT oil. Also known as medium-chain triglycerides, MCT oils are a popular coffee addition. They're thought to benefit brain health2 and to help promote ketosis.

Pumpkin dishes aren't limited to sweet treats! Savory applications of pumpkin are, no exaggeration, phenomenal. And this soup is even better because it only has five ingredients—quick and simple enough for making any weeknight. Ella Davar, R.D., CDN, shared her recipe for the perfect fall soup harnessing the power of mbg organic veggies+ and its blend of fall spices—ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon—and nutritious greens.

"This creamy vegetable soup is rich in natural fibers, like cruciferous vegetables and flaxseed, as well as pre- and probiotics to nourish the microbiome,*" explains Davar. Those aforementioned fall spices "are paired with digestive enzymes, which have been shown to help break down food and enhance nutrient absorption while supporting gut health and digestive function3.*"

This low-FODMAP breakfast dish simply screams fall and features a twist on classic porridge. "Quinoa is an ancient grain and a complete protein source, which means it contains all 20 amino acids," writes physician and researcher Rachel Pauls, M.D. "Cooked quinoa is low-FODMAP in servings of one cup and is a great choice for vegans."

The dish is a great candidate for make-ahead breakfasts. Pauls recommends portioning the porridge into Mason jars, and topping it with toasted nuts (pecans are perfect, she says) before enjoying it for a quick, easy, and seriously protein-packed, plant-based breakfast.

You can quote us on this one: We should all be adding pumpkin to our fall (and winter) smoothies. "Adding pumpkin to your smoothies is a great way to get in additional fiber, low-glycemic carbs, and antioxidants," writes holistic nutritionist Samantha Gladish on mindbodygreen.

Her recipe for a vegan pumpkin pie smoothie has all the building blocks of a great smoothie: healthy fats, protein, fiber, and spices. Don't let the banana in the mix fool you: The dominant flavor here is undoubtedly pumpkin, plus hints of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.

Combine two trendy treats with this pumpkin spiced whipped coffee: We promise it tastes better than your everyday PSL, plus it's great for those warmer fall days.

While traditional whipped coffees, and PSLs for that matter, are packed with sugar to achieve their texture and flavor, this version turns to mbg's grass-fed collagen+, your whisk, and coconut sugar for its fluffiness and healthy skin support. According to Michalczyk, the addition of a collagen supplement can aid in helping "maintain healthy moisture levels, elasticity, and manage roughness4 (which is something we all need as we approach the cooler months)."*

Not a pumpkin person? That's OK: The flavors of fall extend beyond the gourds. Try this apple spice smoothie, or maybe some 10-minute apple cinnamon pancakes for a pumpkin-free portion of fall on a plate (or in a glass).