17 Best Pumpkin Appetizers To Make This Fall

Do you love a good fall appetizer? Make one of these 17 pumpkin appetizers for your favorite holiday feast or when a special friend comes to dine!

There are upwards of 45 different pumpkin varieties, but the most popular ones are the Jack-o-Lantern, the Cinderella, and the Autumn Gold. Some recipes like Pumpkin Wontons and Pumpkin & Goat Cheese Galettes allow you to use pumpkin puree. Others require fresh ones, like #4 and #9.

For baking, the best pumpkins are 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. Delicious roasted and cubed are Japanese pumpkin (kabocha), too.

Choose the right pumpkin for these pumpkin appetizers, and you’ll get the best results every single time!

Best Pumpkin Appetizers

1. Pumpkin & Chickpea Fritters

Let’s start this list off with a crisp and tasty treat that uses not only the flesh of the pumpkin but also its seeds! Mixed with chickpeas and spices, this appetizer is both filling and flavorful.

2. Roasted Pumpkin Salad With Pecan & Goat Cheese

Salads are great appetizers because they can whet the appetite and carry a lot of flavor. This particular salad is not only flavorful but also has lots of different textures.

3. Pumpkin Wontons

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.

4. Roasted Pumpkin With Miso

Want to impress your guests on Thanksgiving? Try this recipe that features Japanese flavors and a variety of textures. You can serve this dish family style or on individual plates.

5. Pumpkin Phyllo Bites

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 fresh pumpkin for this recipe.

6. Pumpkin & Sausage Pinwheels

Savory, cheesy, fresh, and slightly spicy is what you get with each bite of this appetizer.

7. Pumpkin & Goat Cheese Galettes

This appetizer can also use canned pumpkin puree (although, you can make your own for this if you want to). You can always use feta, ricotta, or even cream cheese.

8. Pumpkin & Spinach Quesadilla

This Mexican-style quesadilla has only three fillings–spinach, mozzarella, and pumpkin–but you can add more if you want.

9. Spicy Pumpkin Sriracha Hummus

This pumpkin hummus recipe offers a nice kick thanks to 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 raw veg.

10. Pumpkin, Cheddar & Sage Dip

Here’s one 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.

11. Pumpkin & Quinoa Patties

This dish uses quinoa, which is often used in salads and as a substitute for rice. These patties can be rather delicate; use an air fryer with a liner or bake them on a parchment paper-topped cookie sheet.

12. Sausage & Pumpkin Bites

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.

13. No-Bake Pumpkin Bites

Who says appetizers need to be savory? 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.

14. Pumpkin & Pesto Bruschetta

Why not try this savory pesto and pureed pumpkin bruschetta, with goat cheese and sweet sauteed onions? This bruschetta uses baguette slices.

15. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cheeseball Bites

Cute, sweet pumpkin-pie cheese balls on pretzel sticks, they make perfect party presentation and are delicious too.

16. Pumpkin Salsa

This is the recipe you should try for an appetizer with some zing. This salsa is a great dish to make when you’re roasting pumpkin. Serve this with your favorite tortilla chips or crackers.

17. Pumpkin Biscuits

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, 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 making these appetizers for your next Thanksgiving gathering. You can also serve them with dinner tonight or on game day!

Other Pumpkin Recipes

• Pumpkin Soup Recipes
• Canned Pumpkin Recipes
• Pumpkin desserts
• Savory Pumpkin Recipes
• Pumpkin Puree Dessert Recipes
• Leftover Pumpkin Pie Filling Recipes