09.29.2021
5 Ways to Use Pumpkin Spice
Creative pumpkin spice uses beyond pie: savory veg, Caribbean squash, baking swaps, oatmeal, toast, and spiced pumpkin seeds.
- Pumpkin spice works in savory dishes when paired with cumin, coriander, and garlic on roasted or sauteed fall vegetables.
- Swap pumpkin spice 1:1 for warm spices in baking and breakfast recipes to autumn-ize muffins, cookies, and oatmeal.
- Use pumpkin spice on French toast, in oatmeal, and to season roasted pumpkin seeds. Start small and adjust salt and sugar to balance flavors.
Pumpkin Spice is that essential autumn seasoning everyone should keep stocked in their pantry. Outside of pumpkin pies and spiced lattes, there are a few more ways to sneak that extra taste of fall into your favorite recipes. If you have a favorite way to cook with pumpkin spice, let us know in the comments below!
Make Things Sweet-Savory
Pumpkin spice’s flavor profile is not far off from a curry blend or North African seasoning. Combine it with a touch of ground cumin, coriander, and granulated garlic for a sweet-savory flavor that’s delectable with roasted or sauteed fall vegetables. Butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes all benefit from this treatment.
Caribbean Style Squash
This recipe for Caribbean squash fuses the flavors of Pumpkin Spice with our Pilsen Spicy Adobo Blend for something that’s deliciously sweet, savory, and spicy. It all stews in rich coconut milk, making it an innocent comfort food when served over a bowl of rice.
Autumn-ize Your Pastries and Sweets
While the blend was originally crafted for pie, think of pumpkin spice as an all-purpose fall baking seasoning. Simply substitute an equal amount of pumpkin spice for any and all spices called for in a sweet baking recipe. This works amazingly well with recipes such as snickerdoodles, carrot cake, and muffins.
Upgrade Your Oatmeal
Cinnamon-apple oatmeal crowds the breakfast table, while pumpkin-spiced oats should steal the show. You can even add small pieces of diced pumpkin to a bowl of quick oats with a splash of milk before tossing it all in the microwave. Finish with a scoop of brown sugar, a sprinkle of pumpkin spice, and pat of butter for a breakfast disguised as dessert.
Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal
As with baking, you can autumn-ize any oatmeal recipe by replacing the original spices for pumpkin spice. This cinnamon-raisin recipe was too good not to share for pumpkin-inspired deliciousness.
Tricked Out Toast
French toast is an easy one. Bread, milk, egg, vanilla extract, and pumpkin spice. Whisk everything together—except the bread—and the rest is history. The same goes for plain old cinnamon toast. Slather your slice of toasted bread with butter before delivering a generous sprinkling of sugar and pumpkin spice. Double the fun with some vanilla bean sugar or maple sugar.
Spiced Up Pumpkin Seeds
Nothing could be more fall festive than pumpkin-spiced pumpkin seeds. Sweet, salty, and crunchy, this is the perfect snack to treat yourself after carving jack-o-lanterns. You could also lean in the savory-sweet direction by adding some some garlic, cayenne, and black pepper.
Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Seeds
This recipe works for any kind of pumpkin or squash. We used a pie pumpkin, but butternut squash, acorn squash, or spaghetti squash are all great choices too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What spices are in pumpkin spice?
Pumpkin spice is a warm blend usually made from cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Some mixes add allspice or cardamom. Ratios vary by brand or homemade recipe.
How do I use pumpkin spice in savory dishes?
Combine pumpkin spice with ground cumin, coriander, and garlic powder. For 1 pound of vegetables, toss with 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon coriander, a pinch of garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon oil. Roast at 400 F for 25 to 30 minutes or saute until tender.
Can I substitute pumpkin spice for other spices in baking?
Yes. Pumpkin spice can replace a mix of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger at a 1 to 1 ratio. Start with the recipe amount and reduce sugar slightly if the mix adds extra sweetness.
How much pumpkin spice should I add to oatmeal and toast?
For a single serving of oatmeal, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon. For French toast, whisk 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice into the egg and milk mixture for every two eggs. For cinnamon-style toast, sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon over buttered bread with a little sugar.
How do I make spiced roasted pumpkin seeds?
Clean seeds and pat dry. Toss 1 cup seeds with 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 325 F for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until golden and crisp.
How should I store pumpkin spice and how long does it last?
Keep pumpkin spice in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It stays usable for 6 to 12 months. The flavor fades over time, so replace it if the aroma is weak.
Can I use pumpkin spice with actual pumpkin or squash?
Yes. Pumpkin spice pairs well with pumpkin and squash in stews, baked goods, and breakfast dishes. For stews, add spice early so flavors meld. For oats or baking, fold it in toward the beginning of the cook or mix.
What spices are in pumpkin spice?
Pumpkin spice is a warm blend usually made from cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Some mixes add allspice or cardamom. Ratios vary by brand or homemade recipe.
How do I use pumpkin spice in savory dishes?
Combine pumpkin spice with ground cumin, coriander, and garlic powder. For 1 pound of vegetables, toss with 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon coriander, a pinch of garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon oil. Roast at 400 F for 25 to 30 minutes or saute until tender.
Can I substitute pumpkin spice for other spices in baking?
Yes. Pumpkin spice can replace a mix of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger at a 1 to 1 ratio. Start with the recipe amount and reduce sugar slightly if the mix adds extra sweetness.
How much pumpkin spice should I add to oatmeal and toast?
For a single serving of oatmeal, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon. For French toast, whisk 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice into the egg and milk mixture for every two eggs. For cinnamon-style toast, sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon over buttered bread with a little sugar.
How do I make spiced roasted pumpkin seeds?
Clean seeds and pat dry. Toss 1 cup seeds with 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 325 F for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until golden and crisp.
How should I store pumpkin spice and how long does it last?
Keep pumpkin spice in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It stays usable for 6 to 12 months. The flavor fades over time, so replace it if the aroma is weak.
Can I use pumpkin spice with actual pumpkin or squash?
Yes. Pumpkin spice pairs well with pumpkin and squash in stews, baked goods, and breakfast dishes. For stews, add spice early so flavors meld. For oats or baking, fold it in toward the beginning of the cook or mix.
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