Want to learn how to cook pumpkin in seven different ways? Fall is here and we all have a thousand reasons to cook a pumpkin before the bounty of pumpkin harvest varnishes. I have seven easy ways to cook a fresh pumpkin right at your home.

This is the time of the year when every grocery store sells tons of pumpkins. This is a very versatile vegetable that can be used in several savory and sweet dishes. Here are some of the recipes that I have used pumpkin to make them.

So, how do we cook a pumpkin? Before we cook this vegetable, we need to cut it the right way and clean it well.

Choose the right pumpkin:

Selecting the right pumpkin is the key to some good pumpkin recipes. Always look for small, round, and bright-colored pumpkins. Those with little green and blemishes are good options too. You will find decorative pumpkins and cooking pumpkins. Always choose sugar pumpkins for the best flavor and texture. These pumpkins work best for making some pumpkin-based desserts too. If you need around 2-3 cups of puree, make sure to pick a pumpkin of 4 pounds or more.

How to Cut A pumpkin?

Begin by washing the pumpkin and removing all the dirt and grimes on it. Pat it dry before cutting it. Because pumpkin skin can be slippery while cutting, you need to ensure that it’s totally dry before inserting a knife into it.
Use a sharp knife, preferably a chef’s knife, to cut the pumpkin into two halves. Always cut it from the top to the bottom after removing the stalk. Once the pumpkin is cut into halves, take a spoon and scoop out all the seeds and thread-like fresh in the core.
If you want to bake, leave the skin and cut the pumpkin into smaller halves. Even for the instant pot cooking, you can leave the skin on the pumpkin.
For sautéing, baking(cubes), broiling, grilling, and air-frying, you will need to peel the pumpkin skin. I really find it hard to peel the pumpkin skin with a vegetable peeler. Therefore, I use my knife to cut the skin off and then cut the pumpkin into smaller cubes.

How to Cook Pumpkin in Six Ways?

How to Roast A Pumpkin? (Baking Pumpkin Halves with Skin)

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the pumpkin halves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper while putting the cut side down on the parchment paper.
Bake the large pumpkin halves for 30-45 minutes. Then check with a sharp knife by piercing the pumpkin with it.
If the knife pierces easily, your pumpkin is cooked through. Remember that bigger pumpkins may take longer and smaller pumpkins often take a shorter time.
Allow the roasted pumpkin halves to cool down. Use a big spoon to scoop out the flesh from each pumpkin halves. You can process the pumpkin flesh in a food processor for making a uniform, smooth pumpkin puree.

Make this Keto Pumpkin Spice Latte using this homemade pumpkin puree!

How to Bake Pumpkin Cubes?

Preheat the oven at 350 F. Cut the pumpkin into small cubes and season it with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Place the cubes on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 14-20 minutes till the cubes are lightly brown around the edges.
Use these cubes in curries, and as topping on your Buddha bowl.

How to Broil Pumpkin Cubes?

Preheat the oven with the broil function on. I usually broil the pumpkin cubes to get a nice char on them.
Use pre-seasoned pumpkin cubes for this recipe too.
Broil them for 5-7 minutes till the pumpkins look brown and dark on the top.
These pumpkin cubes are perfect on vegan bowls or in salads.

How to Air Fry Pumpkin?

Preheat your air fryer to 355 F for three minutes. While it preheats, prepare your pumpkin for cooking.
We will use cubed pumpkin for air frying or julienned ones. I am using thick, French fry cut julienned pumpkin for this method.
Toss julienned pumpkin sticks in salt and pepper and spray with cooking oil spray.
Layer them on an air fryer tray and cook each batch for 8 minutes total. Don’t forget to flip upside down after 5 minutes of cooking.
This air fried pumpkin works best as healthy fries or snacks.

How to Grill Pumpkin?

Grilling a pumpkin is easier than you think, and you can use grilled pumpkin in so many recipes. Use them on salads or in curries, or just toss these with spices and serve as a side-dish.
Heat a seasoned grilled pan and brush it with cooking oil.
Add sliced pumpkin pieces seasoned with salt and pepper.
Grill till 5-6 minutes till grill marks appear on the side down on the pan. Flip and cook the other side till grill marks appear.
You may brush it with more oil or butter after flipping. The grilled pumpkin slices will be ready in 10- to 12- minutes.
Serve it with your favorite salad or use it in cooking.

How to Cook Pumpkin in The Instant Pot?

I love cooking pumpkin in the instant pot.
This kitchen gadget gives choices to steam, pressure cook and sauté the pumpkin.
And if you have a CrispLid, then you can also air fry pumpkin in your instant pot. Just follow the air fry method mentioned above.

Pressure Cook:

Cut the pumpkin into two halves or quarters and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and threads.
Now place the pumpkin quarters (skin side facing down) on an instant pot trivet and set pressure cooking for 6-minutes. After the cooking time, wait for natural pressure release for around 12 minutes and then quick release the remaining pressure slowly.
Open the lid and carefully take out the pumpkin halves. Once cooled down, peel the skin and use the pumpkin pulp in any recipe.

Make this delicious Fall Curry Soup using pureed pumpkin.

Steam:

Place cubed pumpkin in a steam basket and set the steam function for 4-minutes.
After four minutes, wait for natural pressure release and take the steam basket out.
These pumpkin cubes will be fork tender. These are perfect for curries or in Buddha bowls.

Sauté:

Switch on the sauté mode and wait till the sign says “hot.”
Once the inner pot is hot, add a tablespoon of cooking oil and spread it on the cooking surface evenly using a spatula.
Now add pumpkin cubes and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Now add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red chili flakes.
Mix them well and let it cook for another five minutes.
Keep stirring the pumpkin in between and until the edges are brown.
Serve them as it is or use them in salads, soups, and curries.

📖 Recipe

How to Cook Pumpkin?(7 Ways)

Want to learn how to cook pumpkin in six different ways? Fall is here and we all have a thousand reasons to cook a pumpkin before the bounty of pumpkin harvest varnishes. I have seven easy ways to cook a fresh pumpkin right at your home.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to air-fry pumpkin, How to cook pumpkin, How to roast a pumpkin, Instant pot pumpkin

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 15

Servings:

Calories: 49kcal

Author: Sophie

Cost: $3

Equipment

Instant pot

Ingredients

Pumpkin of choice, cut according to the cooking method
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for sautee & grill