Everyone loves good appetizers! If you’re one of them, make these 17 best pumpkin appetizers for your parties, holidays, and more.
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s first talk about this orange-colored vegetable.
Every fall, all types of pumpkins and winter squash are harvested.
They’re usually planted sometime between May and June, and they take between 3 and 5 months to be ready for harvest.
There are upwards of 45 different pumpkin varieties you can choose from, but the most popular ones include the Jack-o-Lantern pumpkin, the Cinderella pumpkin, and Autumn Gold.
Some recipes are forgiving enough to allow you to use pumpkin puree, like Pumpkin Wontons and Pumpkin & Goat Cheese Galettes.
Others require fresh ones for you to use, like #4 and #9.
This is why it’s ideal that you know which ones are best for the type of cooking you’re doing.
For baking, the best pumpkins to use include Autumn Gold and Cinderella, while Sweet Pumpkins and Pie Pumpkins are great for pies and sweets.
Other pumpkin types that are favorites in the kitchen include Cheese Pumpkin, Jarrahdale, and Lakota.
Choose the right pumpkin for these pumpkin appetizers, and you’ll get the best results every single time!
Let’s start this list off with a crispy and tasty treat that uses not only the flesh of the pumpkin but also its seeds!
Mixed with chickpeas and a variety of spices, this appetizer is both filling and flavorful.
It’s also quick and easy to make, with total prep time and cooking time taking only roughly 20 minutes.
Salads are great as appetizers since these can whet the appetite and carry a lot of flavor at the same time.
This particular salad is not only flavorful but also has lots of different textures added to it.
You get the crunch from the pecans, softness from the roasted pumpkin, and crispness from the salad greens!
If you’re looking for something Asian-inspired to serve as an appetizer, this one should do the trick!
This fusion dish is twice-cooked–steamed then fried–ensuring that the insides are cooked, and the outsides are crisp.
Serve this with parmesan or a selection of dipping sauces.
Some dipping sauces you can serve with this include sweet and sour, barbecue, ranch, and simple soy with wasabi on the side.
Want to impress your guests on Thanksgiving?
Try this recipe that features Japanese flavors and a variety of textures.
As simple as this dish may seem, its complex flavor profile and restaurant-like plating take it over the top!
You can serve this dish family style or on individual plates for a more impressive and formal presentation.
Another impressive yet simple-to-make appetizer that uses pumpkin is this one that uses phyllo sheets!
Using ready-made phyllo dough and canned pumpkin puree will have this dish done in half an hour.
If you want this dish to have a smoky flavor, however, it’s probably best if you roast and mash your own pumpkins for this recipe.
If you can’t find phyllo dough, you can try to use puff pastry instead.
Savory, cheesy, fresh, and slightly spicy is what you get with each bite of this appetizer.
This baked treat is so good, you might need to make more than what this recipe can give you.
If you want to have two kinds–spicy and mild–you can always make another batch using spicy Italian sausage instead of just the mild kind.
You can also make a sweet variety using the sweet kind of Italian sausage.
For those of you who aren’t aware, a galette is a round, flat, freeform cake that’s crusty and has either a sweet or savory filling.
This appetizer can also use canned pumpkin puree (although, you can make your own for this if you want to).
If you don’t want goat cheese for this recipe, you can always use feta, ricotta, or even cream cheese.
This pumpkin hummus recipe offers a nice kick thanks to the addition of sriracha, chili powder, and paprika.
Some fresh lemon juice gives it a tangy finish that will make your tastebuds tingle.
Serve this creamy smooth hummus with pita chips, naan, or vegetables of your choice.
One thing that pumpkin is good for, aside from pie, is dips.
This is because of their creamy and thick nature once mashed or pureed.
Here’s one such dip that takes the pumpkin’s creaminess and blends it perfectly with cream cheese and some white cheddar for a spectacular dip.
If you want this dip to be somewhat spicy, simply sprinkle some cayenne powder on top.
For a delicious appetizer, this is one recipe you should make.
Quinoa, which is often used in salads and as a substitute for rice, is used in this dish.
These patties can be rather delicate, so some care should be taken while you’re pan-frying them.
If you want to avoid crumbling patties, you can always use an air fryer with a liner or bake them on a parchment paper-topped cookie sheet.
Here’s a unique take on sausage appetizers that uses pumpkin as a topping.
This is one of those pumpkin appetizers that is low-carb and keto-friendly.
Instead of the usual sausage and dough combination, you use sausage slices and pumpkin puree to create canape-style appetizers.
13. Pumpkin Bites
Who says appetizers need to be savory?
Here’s a recipe for a sweet, no-bake appetizer that doubles as a snack and a tasty treat for anytime you want a quick, sweet fix!
This dish can be prepared in advance and frozen to prevent spoiling.
These pumpkin balls have chocolate chips in them, but you can omit these or replace them with nuts if you want these bites to be less sweet.
Looking for something with a unique flavor combination?
Why not try this pesto and pureed pumpkin bruschetta, which also has some goat cheese and sweet sauteed onions added to it?
You can also add some caramelized onions and more pine nuts on top for some crunch and a tastier bite.
This bruschetta uses baguette slices, but you can opt for other types of bread if you want.
Another sweet, nutty, and savory appetizer you can make for Thanksgiving (or any other holiday, for that matter) is this one that’s shaped like a mini pumpkin!
Made with a combination of cream cheese, pumpkin puree, and some butter, this sweet appetizer can be made in many different varieties.
This is because you can coat these cheeseballs in nuts, raisins, shredded coconut, breadcrumbs, and so much more.
You can also serve these without coatings and let your guests enjoy them as is.
16. Pumpkin Salsa
For an appetizer with some zing, this is the recipe you should try.
This salsa is a great dish to make for game day, Halloween, and even when you just feel like it!
Serve this with your favorite tortilla chips or crackers.
17. Pumpkin Biscuits
If you’re into baking and making bread, then this is the perfect appetizer for you to make!
This is a sweet and savory bread that comes in bite-sized circles and topped with sesame seeds and flaky salt.
Aside from being a great appetizer, this dish can also be served as a side for soups.
It can also be served at breakfast and topped or filled with marmalade, butter, or jam.
The bottom line
This list of pumpkin appetizers is a diverse mix of canapes, dips, sides, and salads.
It shows you that the humble pumpkin can be used for more than just Halloween decorations and for pie.
You should try to make these appetizers for your next Thanksgiving gathering.
Or you can make these to serve with dinner tonight or for the next game day!
Whatever you decide to do, you can rest assured that when you make any of these appetizers, your family and friends will love it.
Other Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin Soup Recipes
- Canned Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin desserts
- Savory Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin Puree Dessert Recipes
- Leftover Pumpkin Pie Filling Recipes
17 Best Pumpkin Appetizers
Everyone loves good appetizers! If you're one of them, make these 17 best pumpkin appetizers for your parties, holidays, and more.
Ingredients
- Pumpkin & Chickpea Fritters
- Roasted Pumpkin Salad With Pecan & Goat Cheese
- Pumpkin Wontons
- Roasted Pumpkin With Miso
- Pumpkin Phyllo Bites
- Pumpkin & Sausage Pinwheels
- Pumpkin & Goat Cheese Galettes
- Pumpkin & Spinach Quesadilla
- Roasted Pumpkin Hummus
- Pumpkin, Cheddar & Sage Dip
- Pumpkin & Quinoa Patties
- Sausage & Pumpkin Bites
- Pumpkin Bites
- Pumpkin & Pesto Bruschetta
- Pumpkin Cheeseballs
- Pumpkin Salsa
- Pumpkin Biscuits
Instructions
- Skim through our Pumpkin Appetizers list.
- Select the recipe you’re looking for.
- Prep the ingredients as instructed.
- Spill your thoughts on our Facebook page!