It’s late October in New England, and pumpkin season is in full swing. If you want to make a cozy pumpkin recipe even more hearty, the secret is simple: just add whole grains! The nutty, rich, subtly sweet taste of whole grains is the perfect match for all things pumpkin and pumpkin spice. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, we’ve got you covered with five delicious whole grain pumpkin recipes below.  

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Steel Cut Oatmeal: Steel cut oatmeal is a delightfully chewy alternative to the more common rolled or instant oats. Rather than the classic stovetop method, this recipe utilizes the slow cooker, for an easy, hands-off cooking experience that allows the flavors to fully develop.

Pumpkin Date Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls: We make these cinnamon rolls in the slow cooker, so that the dough can rise and cook all in one easy step. Whole wheat dough has the structure to withstand this type of moist cooking environment, creating a perfectly gooey cinnamon roll. However, our favorite part just might be the cinnamon date filling.

Roasted Winter Squash with Spelt: Did you know that most butternut squash recipes can also be made with other winter squash, like pumpkin? Rather than large carving pumpkins, seek out the slightly smaller “sugar pumpkins” or “pie pumpkins.” Best of all, you can save and roast the seeds, which get sprinkled on top of this autumn grain salad.

Pumpkin Quinoa Chili: As with most chilis, this hearty, plant-based recipe is very forgiving – a great way to experiment with different spices. If you can’t find ancho chili, regular chili powder will do. No pie seasoning? Try a combination of cinnamon and allspice (starting with a small amount, then working your way up if needed). If you aren’t planning on serving all of the chili at one meal, it tastes even better the next day, and freezes well too.

Best Pumpkin Pie Ever: This easy pumpkin pie recipe has a great whole wheat crust you can use with any other pie, and a light and lovely filling that would be a shame to enjoy only once a year at Thanksgiving.

Do you have a favorite whole grain pumpkin recipe? Please share! (Kelly)