Cooking with PumpkinNo. 2118 · The 2026 edition
30 Things You Can Make With Your Leftover Halloween Pumpkins
Don't toss those pumpkin remnants! Transform your carved jack-o'-lanterns into delicious treats and creative crafts with these 30 inventive ideas.
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at brit.co.
This guide offers 30 creative ways to repurpose leftover pumpkin parts after carving. It includes recipes for roasted seeds, pumpkin puree, and other edible delights, as well as DIY projects like natural dyes and composting tips. Perfect for reducing waste and extending the Halloween spirit.
Ingredients
Tips
- In the U.S. alone, 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins are thrown away after Halloween every year.
- Wasted pumpkins take up landfill space and produce harmful amounts of the greenhouse gas methane.
- Many pumpkins sold in stores in fall are bred for carving and are not safe to eat; they are often marked if inedible.
- Edible pumpkin varieties to look for include Cherokee Bush, Casper, Cinderella, and Fairy Tale.
- Composting is another sustainable option; community compost pick-ups or drop-offs may be available nearby.
- The author says they scooped out over a dozen creative ways to use the whole pumpkin, guts and all.
- Pumpkin seeds have nutritive value and are excellent for munching on their own.
- Raw pumpkin is rich in vitamins A and C and various enzymes, which help brighten and exfoliate skin.
The list
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01
Spiced Pumpkin Cider
Halloween drink using your own pumpkin in place of puree.
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02
Pumpkin Rolls
Cozy weekend breakfast rolls; swap canned puree for homemade.
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03
Pumpkin Pasta
Comfort-food pasta packed with fall flavors.
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04
Pumpkin Curry
Warming pumpkin curry; spice level is up to you.
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05
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Paleo-friendly fall cookies; can be decorated like jack-o'-lanterns.
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06
Pumpkin Juice
Seasonal drink made using your own pumpkin puree.
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07
Chocolate Pumpkin Banana Bread
Banana bread upgraded with leftover pumpkin for a sweet treat.
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08
Homemade Pumpkin Puree
Slice, scoop, and de-seed pumpkin to make fresh puree.
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09
The Perfect Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Gather seeds after scooping; nutritious and good for snacking.
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10
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Warm sticky buns with pumpkin, cinnamon, and maple cream cheese.
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11
Overnight Pumpkin Butter
Sweet, spicy spread made from pumpkin guts.
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12
Hard Squash Hummus
Chickpeas plus raw pumpkin; roast seeds as crunchy garnish.
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13
Honey Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins
For dunking in chili or stews; add butter and warm honey.
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14
Pumpkin Bisque
Uses the pumpkin as serving vessel and flavor enhancer.
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15
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling
Pillowy pumpkin cookies sandwiching sweetened cream cheese.
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16
Pumpkin Ice Cream
Spiced creamy sherbet with milk, pumpkin puree, and spices.
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17
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Pumpkin dessert that could become a regular rotation staple.
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18
Pumpkin Pie Fudge Truffles
Bite-sized pumpkin and chocolate truffles to share.
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19
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos
Make at home; mashed pumpkin guts serve as the puree base.
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20
Black Bean Dip with Roasted Squash, Garlic, Pumpkin Seeds and Chipotles
Delectable dip with roasted squash, garlic, pumpkin seeds, chipotles.
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21
6-Ingredient Spiced Pumpkin Butter
Spiced buttery spread for toast or croissant.
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22
Vegan Pumpkin Smoothie with Ginger and Cardamom
Fall drink combining pumpkin, ginger, and cardamom.
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23
Pumpkin Stuffed Shells
Pumpkin guts make the creamy puree for fall-flavored shells.
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24
Pumpkin and Cauliflower Soup with Ginger
Comfort meal for cold, rainy fall days.
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25
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Let kids scoop guts, then bake this twist on a classic.
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26
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Crumb Cheesecake
Thanksgiving dessert that may become a family favorite.
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27
Dog Birthday Cake
Cake for your dog with pumpkin, peanut butter, and applesauce.
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28
Pumpkin Dog Treats
Dog bone treats packed with pumpkin flavor and nutrients.
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29
Pumpkin-Honey Baking Soda Scrub
Body scrub; raw pumpkin rich in vitamins A, C, and enzymes.
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30
Pumpkin Sugar Body Scrub
DIY scrub with enzymes that fight free radicals and exfoliate.
The plan
- Check whether store-bought pumpkins are bred for carving and inedible; they are often marked as such
- Seek out edible pumpkin varieties such as Cherokee Bush, Casper, Cinderella, and Fairy Tale
- Plan to compost pumpkins after Halloween if not cooking with them
- Look for community compost pick-ups or drop-offs if you don't compost at home
Food & drink
- Spiced Pumpkin Cider
- Pumpkin Rolls
- Pumpkin Pasta
- Pumpkin Curry
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (paleo-friendly, jack-o'-lantern decorated)
- Pumpkin Juice
- Chocolate Pumpkin Banana Bread
- Homemade Pumpkin Puree
- The Perfect Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- Overnight Pumpkin Butter
- Hard Squash Hummus with roasted seed garnish
- Honey Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins
- Pumpkin Bisque served in the pumpkin
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling
- Pumpkin Ice Cream
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Pumpkin Pie Fudge Truffles
- Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos
- Black Bean Dip with Roasted Squash, Garlic, Pumpkin Seeds and Chipotles
- 6-Ingredient Spiced Pumpkin Butter
- Vegan Pumpkin Smoothie with Ginger and Cardamom
- Pumpkin Stuffed Shells
- Pumpkin and Cauliflower Soup with Ginger
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (kid-friendly)
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Crumb Cheesecake
- Dog Birthday Cake
- Pumpkin Dog Treats
Activities
- Make DIY self-care pumpkin body scrubs
- Scoop pumpkin guts with your kids so they can help bake
- Roast pumpkin seeds for snacking
- Compost leftover pumpkins
- Make homemade pumpkin puree from scratch
More photos
Photos hosted by brit.co.
