24 Ways to Use Leftover Bits of Canned Pumpkin

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a couple spoonfuls of canned pumpkin wondering what to do with it or how to use it up, you’ve come to the right place!

It turns out that recipes that use the entire 15-ounce can of pumpkin are sometimes few and far between. And that’s actually for good reason. Adding an entire can of pumpkin (a little less than two cups) to a recipe that only calls for 1 cup pumpkin can result in baked goods with a wet, heavy texture – and they may not bake up or set properly.

Never fear! There are many other ways to use up the entire can of pumpkin!

Can of opened pumpkin puree with spoon holding last bit of pumpkin.

3 Easy Ways to Deal With Leftover Canned Pumpkin

Store leftover canned pumpkin puree in the refrigerator for up to a week. It can be used straight from the refrigerator in any recipe that calls for canned pumpkin (or in any of the ideas listed below).
Freeze leftover canned pumpkin puree for several months. Store it in freezer-safe bags (press out all the air and seal) or in freezer-safe containers. Thaw before using in recipes.
Double the recipe to use the whole can of pumpkin. If a recipe calls for 3/4 to 1 cup canned pumpkin, the easiest way to not be stuck with leftover pumpkin is to double the recipe.

If you have lingering bits of leftover pumpkin hanging out in your fridge, consider using them in one of the many ways below! Canned pumpkin is incredibly versatile and can be used in lots of non-pumpkin recipes with great results. ⬇️⬇️

12 Non-Pumpkin Recipes That Greatly Benefit from a Bit of Leftover Pumpkin

Remember, we’re not going for full-out, pumpkin-flavored recipes here. Instead, using leftover spoonfuls of canned pumpkin can greatly enhance regular, every day recipes – adding depth of flavor, a hint of sweetness, and fluffy texture!

Cornbread

Stir leftover canned pumpkin into your favorite cornbread recipe. Ideally, it's best to use 3/4 cup or less without changing any other ingredients in the recipe.

My Go-to Cornbread Recipe

Pancakes

Throw bits of leftover canned pumpkin in any pancake batter! It works great and gives the pancakes a deliciously light pumpkin flavor and also contributes to a soft, fluffy texture.

Easy Everyday Pancake Recipe

Waffles

Same goes for waffles! If you don't have enough pumpkin for a specific pumpkin waffles recipe (like the one below), just add whatever leftover pumpkin you have to your favorite waffle batter.

Yummy Buttermilk Waffles

French Toast

Whisk leftover pumpkin into French toast batter – either in a specific recipe like this or just for regular, every day French toast (whisk together milk + eggs + leftover canned pumpkin + a touch of cinnamon).

A Fave French Toast Bake Recipe

Cornbread Muffins

Add leftover pumpkin to cornbread muffins. Yum! You can add up to 1/2 cup pumpkin without needing to alter the recipe.

Classic Cornbread Muffins

Drop Biscuits

Savory pumpkin drop biscuits. Sign me up! Adding a couple tablespoons of leftover pumpkin to this recipe works great (without any other additions). The dough will be soft and slightly sticky – use a greased measuring cup to portion out. If adding more pumpkin, it's helpful to increase the flour and salt just a bit.

Best-Ever Drop Biscuits Recipe

Banana Bread

Toss leftover spoonfuls of pumpkin into your fave banana bread recipe. Remember, we aren't going for a full-on pumpkin-flavored bread here. We're just adding a hint of pumpkin with the leftover bits, and trust me, it's so good in a standard banana bread recipe!

One of my favorite banana bread recipes

Basic Muffins

Do you have a go-to muffin recipe that's relatively simple and plain, like these sour cream muffins? They work really well with a bit of pumpkin added to them, so bookmark these as a great go-to recipe if you have leftover pumpkin. You can add about 1/2 cup pumpkin without needing to change the other ingredients.

Sour Cream Muffins

Hearty Breakfast Muffins

Any sort of hearty breakfast muffin, like these Good Morning Power Muffins works quite well with a little bit of added pumpkin. Bran muffins – same! So save that leftover pumpkin for great muffin recipes like this one.

Good Morning Power Muffins

Chili (Believe it!)

Did you know pumpkin is DELICIOUS in chili recipes? Any good, hearty, red chili recipe will benefit from a bit of leftover pumpkin. It adds an earthy depth of flavor that is so yummy.

Slow Cooker Chili

Taco Soup

Same goes for taco soup! Try it with a bit of leftover pumpkin (I'd suggest less than 1/2 cup…but add more, to taste, if you like!).

Creamy Black Bean Taco Soup

Pasta Sauce

For a savory pumpkin pasta, try adding leftover pumpkin puree to sauces, like this creamy garlic alfredo sauce. A couple spoonfuls added to this recipe makes the yummiest pumpkin pasta! (Will likely need to bump up the salt just a bit, too.)

Creamy Homemade Alfredo Sauce

And for a bit more inspiration, here are some of my favorite recipes that can also come in clutch when you have less than a full can of pumpkin to use. ⬇️⬇️