Looking for an easy 2-minute recipe that is perfect for snack time, breakfast, or part of lunch and is both healthy and filling? Then this Pumpkin Yogurt is going to be your new BFF! It’s perfect for baby, toddlers, and big kids! For ages 6+ months.
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Homemade Pumpkin Yogurt
Just in time for fall, this homemade pumpkin yogurt will quickly become a favorite in your household. Satisfyingly simple, this recipe uses 4 pantry-staple ingredients and is a great way to introduce your baby, toddler, (or picky eater) to new flavors in a subtle way.
This easy pumpkin yogurt can be made with homemade pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin. It’s naturally sweetened with a little maple syrup, which blends perfectly with real pumpkin flavor.
Plus, you can use any leftover pumpkin yogurt in a variety of ways, as a topping for oatmeal or pancakes, mixed into smoothies, or as a sweet dip for fruits.
If you are looking for more easy and healthy yogurt recipes for your little one, then be sure to check out my Blueberry Yogurt, Strawberry Yogurt, Apple Yogurt, Fruit-Filled Yogurt Parfait, Easy Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt Cups, or these delicious Yogurt Pancakes or Muffins. You can also find more recipes and information in my best-selling cookbook Little Foodies: Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste.
Reasons to Love Pumpkin Yogurt
- Adds a fun twist to plain yogurt
- Easy to make – less than 3 minutes from start to finish
- Perfect for baby-led weaning, traditional spoon-feeding, toddlers, and big kids
- Good source of protein, fats, and probiotics
- Lower in sugar and no added preservatives compared to store-bought yogurt
- Freezer friendly
Ingredients
- Yogurt: plain whole milk yogurt is best, either regular or Greek style. For a dairy-free version, you can do any plain plant-based yogurt you prefer – almond, cashew, oat, etc.
- Pumpkin: you can use a homemade pumpkin puree or you can use canned pumpkin. Make sure NOT to use pumpkin pie filling, as this is not the same as canned pumpkin.
- Pumpkin Spice Blend: use pre-made pumpkin pie spice or you can make your own blend! Just mix together 4 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ginger, 1 teaspoon cloves an 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg.
- Maple Syrup: optional – for toddlers and kids, you could also use honey (for babies over 1) or agave nectar.
- Hemp Seeds: optional – are added for a boost of nutrients
Benefits of Pumpkin Yogurt
Both pumpkin and yogurt and incredibly nutritious in their own right, but add them together and you’ve got a nutrition power couple!
- Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is a good source of protein to support growth and development.
- Yogurt also has beneficial probiotics to help nourish the gut.
- Full fat yogurt is full of fats needed to support brain development.
- Pumpkin is packed with fiber for healthy digestion, vitamin A to support eye health, and other important vitamins and minerals.
- Pumpkin also has some iron which is essential for preventing iron deficiency anemia.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Stir together pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and hemp seeds in a bowl. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your liking.
- Spoon into yogurt and enjoy!
Toppings
While this yogurt is amazing by itself, toppings and yogurt are always a good idea. Here are some of our favorite toppings to add:
- hemp seeds
- granola
- drizzle of honey (for babies over 1 year of age)
- chopped berries
- sliced bananas
- sprinkle of ground flax seeds
- a spoonful of drizzly nut butter
- chia seeds
What Yogurt is Best
When choosing yogurt for your baby and toddler, look for a whole milk yogurt that contains a variety of live active cultures. Yogurt that’s plain or has no added sugar and organic is also preferable.
Storage
Store this pumpkin yogurt in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze pumpkin puree for up to 4 months. We recommend freezing the puree in a silicone baby food freeze tray or an ice cube tray for easy portion sizes. Simply take out the amount you want to thaw and add to yogurt whenever you want.
Feeding Tips
- Mix this pumpkin puree with Greek yogurt for easier eating – Greek yogurt is slightly thicker than standard yogurt, which can be helpful for babies starting solids because it sticks a little more to spoons and fingers.
- Pre-loading a spoon is a great way to help your baby be more successful in the early stages of self-feeding. Simply dip a spoon like the NumNum GOOtensil or ChooMee Starter Spoon into the yogurt so that it sticks to the utensil and allow baby to grab the spoon.
- Use Canned Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)! Pumpkin pie filling has added sweeteners, sodium and flavorings that you don’t need for this yogurt.
- Make it worth your time – this recipe can easily be doubled to make enough for the whole family and to freeze for later!
- Dress it up – if you’re feeling fancy, try topping this pumpkin yogurt with whipped cream, a little extra pumpkin pie spice, and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips.
- 2 cups plain whole yogurt, regular or Greek style
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp hemp seeds (optional)
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Yield: 4 small servings.
Storage: you can store the pumpkin puree for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Toppings:
- drizzle of honey (for babies over 1 year of age)
- sprinkle of ground flax seeds
- a spoonful of drizzly nut butter