Our 10 Favorite Must-Make Fall Recipes

People, it’s happening. The leaves, they’re changing! The weather, it’s cooler! The days, they’re shorter! It’s FALL. And of the many things that this shift in seasons means, one of the biggest is the introduction of all the autumnal cooking, which is obviously the most exciting of them all. Whether you’ve been ready for the start of the new season since August 1, or you’re struggling to say goodbye to sweet, sweet summer, there’s no denying that these fall-centric recipes are sure to get you in the spirit. Happy fall cooking!

Jamie Vespa

Predictable? Yes. Worth the hype? 1,000 percent. What makes this recipe a true winner is the ease. Rather than going through the trouble of making a big batch of pumpkin spice syrup to last you through the next decade, simply use only enough ingredients to make one latte. It’s way cheaper this way and just as delicious as the Starbucks version. Ain’t no shame in being basic—you heard it first.

Now that temps are dropping and you’re spending a little bit more time inside with the oven that you’ve neglected for the past couple months, how about you whip up a loaf of homemade bread? Even if you’ve never tried your hand at baking bread, this is the perfect gateway recipe to get in you the game. Pro-move: spread this pear, olive, and walnut chutney alllllll over a warm slice.

Sara Tane

While you’ve got your oven cranking, might as well go ahead and roast a whole damn bird. By cooking it over a bed of autumnal jewels like sweet potatoes, fennel, apples, and shiitake mushrooms, your produce is sure to soak up all of those fatty chicken juices for an ultra-savory dish that you can eat off of all week long.

Since it’s not fall until you’ve whipped out your slow cooker and bragged to all your friends that you’ve done so, how about you enter slow cooker season with a bang? Super easy to throw together, this is a clutch weeknight recipe when you’re looking to set it and forget it. Plus, in case you weren’t already aware, bacon makes everything better.

Brunch hard, brunch often, and brunch BUTTERNUT. Shake things up at your next weekend breakfast with this super seasonal quiche. If you’re not already completely sold from the butternut, did we mention that pine nuts and Gruyère are involved? Yeah.

Photography: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Thom Driver.

If there will ever be a pan sauce to truly revolutionize the game, it’s this one. Drizzled over perfectly golden brown and crispy thighs, this savory sauce is one that you will not be able to get enough of. Served with brussels sprouts and carrots, this is an easy, weeknight-friendly meal that you can count on throughout the season.

Watch Now: How to Make Crispy Chicken Thighs with Schmaltzy Vinaigrette

Chewy Caramel Apple Cookies

Before we get into the thick of October, when all desserts are colored horrendously orange and black, let’s talk about these gems. Perfect for you next potluck, dinner party, or intense sweet tooth craving, these decadent cookies are seriously all you can ask for in a fall dessert.

Jamie Vespa

A nutty, date crust joins forces with a silky smooth, tofu-based filling for the ultimate clean-eating dessert. Vegan or not, this pumpkin dessert is super tasty and pretty darn adorable, if I do say so myself.

Darcy Lenz

I mean, come on. I feel like this one needs no explanation. ALL THE APPLES. IN A BUNDT CAKE. If you don’t like the word, “moist,” then I’m truly sorry, because there’s no way to talk about this beauty without repeating it several times. SO! MOIST!

Fall weekends are all about lying in bed as long as possible, and making something sweet, warm, and delicious to make your entire home smell like a freshly-lit candle. Lucky for you, this is just the homemade bread to make that all happen. Then, like any good person, you’ll turn it into french toast.