How to Roast a Pumpkin-It’s Easier than You Think

How to Roast a Pumpkin is easier than you might think, and the flavor is unbeatable when you do it yourself. There’s something special about roasting your own pumpkins in the fall!

Whether you grow your own or pick up a few from a local farmer (my plants didn’t do very well this year), roasting sugar pumpkins is simple and rewarding.

I roasted two pumpkins and used the flesh to make homemade pumpkin puree, and then to make my favorite Pumpkin Pie with a Pecan Crumble Top…YUM. One of the best things about learning how to roast a pumpkin is that it requires very little prep: just wash, cut, season, and pop it in the oven.

If you love simple, scratch-made recipes like this, you’ll find plenty more inspiration on my From Scratch Cooking page.

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Quick Step Summary for How to Roast and Puree a Pumpkin

• Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350º.
• Step 2: Wash, cut, and deseed the pumpkin.
• Step 3: Brush with oil and bake for 40 minutes.
• Step 4: Remove skin and puree in a food processor.

What You’ll Need for Roasting and Pureed Pumpkin:

• Sugar Pumpkins (or other pumpkins good for baking-see list below)
• Sheet Pan– I really like my cast-iron pan. I’ve moved into cooking and baking with more cast iron cookware, and I’m so glad I did. Nontoxic kitchenware can be hard to come by, and these are a no-brainer for me.
• Olive Oil or Avocado Oil– Go for organic when possible. You can use some kind of oil so your pumpkin doesn’t stick to your sheet pan. My cast-iron sheet pan is well-oiled and used, so I didn’t need any, but if you are using another kind of pan, I would use some oil!
• Seasoning– This is up to you. I didn’t use any seasonings because I’ll season later, but you could use salt and pepper or experiment a little bit!
• Food Processor- Great for pureeing your pumpkin for pies and smoothies. You can use other tools, like a blender or a potato masher, too.

Choosing the Right Cooking Pumpkin and Health Benefits

Before we get into how to roast a pumpkin, let’s go over the types and health benefits of pumpkins. While there are many pumpkins that are edible, there are some varieties that are better for roasting and making pies with, and some that are better left to carve and decorate. Here are some pumpkins that I would choose to cook with:

• Sugar Pumpkins (aka pie pumpkins)
• Cinderella Pumpkins
• Japanese Pumpkin
• Long Island Cheese Pumpkin
• Fairytale Pumpkin
• Honorable Mention: Butternut Squash- This is a good alternative to pumpkin, even for pumpkin pies

Pumpkins are high in many nutrients, making them great for cooking with, adding to smoothies, or baking pies with…because a pie made with a vegetable counts as healthy, right? 😉

Pumpkins are high in vitamins A, C, and E and help to fight free radicals and support your immune system. Vitamins C & E are both antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and support eye and skin health. Pumpkins are a great source of fiber, which many of us don’t get enough of. Overall, pumpkins are an underrated veggie that we all should eat more of.

How to Roast a Pumpkin

Preheat the oven to 350º. Wash and cut the sugar pumpkins in half. Scrap out the seeds and save them for roasting.

Brush the cut side of the pumpkin with oil and season if desired. I didn’t season mine because I planned on using it for pie, so the seasonings will come later. Put the cut side down on a baking sheet.

Roast in the oven for about 40-50 minutes. The pumpkins are done when you can pierce the skin easily with a fork. Allow it to cool so you can handle it. I like to flip them over so they cool off a little quicker. Peel off the skin so you’re only left with the pumpkin meat.

If you’re making pumpkin puree for pies or smoothies, use a food processor, food mill, blender, or just a potato masher to break up the pumpkin pieces until they are smooth.

Pumpkin Recipes and More Fall Desserts

These fall dessert recipes are just begging to be added to my dinner list this week. I hope you enjoy them too.

• Pumpkin Pie with a Pecan Crumble Top – A cozy twist on classic pumpkin pie with a crunchy, buttery pecan topping.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice – Make your own warm, aromatic pumpkin pie spice blend to enhance all your fall baking.
• Homemade Apple Recipes – Sweet and savory apple dishes from scratch that celebrate the harvest season.
• Raspberry Crumble – A simple, fruity dessert with a golden, buttery topping perfect for any occasion and to use up your fall raspberry harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions about Roasting a Pumpkin

Try this Roasted Pumpkin for Puree

Don’t forget to check out my Free Pumpkin Crochet Pattern and Pumpkin Spice Tallow Sugar Scrub to stick with the pumpkin theme of today’s post! These little pumpkins would be great as Thanksgiving table decorations or cute little banner decorations. For more recipes, check out our From Scratch Cooking page.