You may not feel it when you step outside in the blazing heat, but fall is just around the corner… and with it comes some of the yummiest seasonal foods and drinks of the year! Make sure you’re prepared with this bucket list so you don’t miss out on any cozy-season cuisines.
Apple Cider
Hot or cold, spiced or sparkling, you can never go wrong with this classic fall sip.
Apple Cider Donuts
You’ll typically find these at orchards or farms like 4D Family Farms. I still think about the last time I ate one two years ago… delish! If they’re warm, it takes it to the whole next level.
Baked Brie with Cranberries
You’ll cheese big when you dip a cracker of some sort into the baked Brie. I admit, this festive dish, perfect for large gatherings, hovers the line between fall and winter/Christmas… but who says you can’t eat it in both seasons?
Butternut Squash Soup
I confess, I haven’t tried this one yet, but it sounds delicious and so fall-esque. I’m a potato soup girl myself. (Is it acceptable to eat in 80–90º weather? Just thinking about eating this with some baguette bread makes my mouth water.
Caramel Apples
If you try to make them at home, I’d recommend following a recipe that includes soaking the glaze off of the apples… otherwise the caramel will slide right off. (Trust me, I’ve tried it and failed… multiple times. Lol.) Whether you prefer a classic caramel apple or if you’d rather dress it up with chocolate, nuts, sprinkles, and more, we can all agree that the crisp apple with the creamy ribbons of caramel are dreamy and a must-eat-every-fall treat. (I suggest adding toffee!)
Chili or Stew
You have soooo many options here. Taco soup (okay, technically not a chili but basically is), chicken camp stew, white bean chili… throw it all in the Crockpot in the morning and presto! It’s ready come dinner time. Warm, filling, and perfect for feeding your whole crew and maybe a few extras when watching Saturday night football games from the living room.
Harvest Salad
There are fun fall foods even for the “health nuts”—including the crunchy deliciousness of apples, cranberries, pecans, goat cheese, and maple vinaigrette in a harvest salad.
Homemade Apple Butter
Whether you make your own or buy it at the store (or a farmers market), you can spread this brown sugary goodness on biscuits, toast, pancakes, and more.
Pumpkin Bread or Muffins or Really Pumpkin ANYTHING
Chocolate chip pumpkin muffins are a staple in my house come autumn. I eagerly anticipate the day I can bake the cakey desserts and justify eating them for breakfast because they have pumpkin in them.
Pumpkin Pie
For a long time, I thought this was overhyped, but then I finally had a slice, and now I get it. Bonus points if it’s homemade! (Although personally, chocolate chip pecan pie with a scoop of ice cream on top is really where it’s at.)
Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL)
Love it or hate it, it’s iconic. You already know it had to make the bucket list. Snag one at a local coffee shop, where you can also try other fun seasonal flavors like a Hazelnut Latte.
Roasted Nuts
I’m nutty for some good cinnamon-sugar almonds or candied pecans. The warmth, the flavor… it just fits “fall” too perfectly. If you want to spice things up, consider making (or buying) a homemade granola and eating it straight out of the oven.
S’mores by the Fire
Not gonna lie, making s’mores over a bonfire in the backyard is on my fall bucket list. You can also put a fun twist on this fall treat by making s’mores brownies or s’mores cookies. Regardless, you’ll find yourself wanting s’more. 😉
Spice Cookies
Ginger, molasses, snickerdoodle… These soft, chewy flavors have been fall favorites for generations for a reason.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Are you a nuts-topping, brown sugar topping, or marshmallow kind of person? Marshmallow topping is not optional in my opinion… but we always did brown sugar on it too. Why have one when you can have both?!
Do you have any other “must-eat” fall foods we forgot to include? Let us know on Instagram or Facebook!