Go Back
+ servings
How to cook pumpkin

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
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 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
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

Instructions

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

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
    Roasted pumpkin flesh
  • 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.

How to Bake Pumpkin Cubes?

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
    How to roast a pumpkin
  • 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
    broiled pumpkin
  • 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.
    air-fried pumpkin
  • 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.
    Grilled pumpkin
  • 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?

    Pressure Cook:

    • Cut the pumpkin into two halves or quarters and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and threads.
      Roasted pumpkin flesh
    • 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.

    Steam:

    • Place cubed pumpkin in a steam basket and set the steam function for 4-minutes.
      steamed pumpkin
    • 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.
      How to cook pumpkin in an instant pot
    • 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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 100g | Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fiber: 3g