These are the only fall recipes you’ll need this year
Welcome fall with these delicious autumn-inspired recipes. Each dish celebrates the flavors of our harvest, and many recipes feature seasonal produce, like apples, pumpkin, and squash. Though these may not be the most iconic fall foods from each state, they are the highest-rated by our readers. Click on to see the best fall recipes from each state.
Alabama: Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are the ultimate fall treat. But my family likes them so much, they ask me to make them all year long! —Brenda Keller, Andalusia, Alabama. Pumpkin is one of the superfoods nutritionists eat every fall.
Alaska: Turkey Croquettes with Cranberry Salsa
This recipe is a great way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays.—Jacque Capurro, Anchorage, Alaska. Leftovers are one of the many reasons to be grateful this Thanksgiving.
Arizona: Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins
Tart, juicy cranberries enhance the delicate pumpkin flavor of these muffins. Sometimes I dust the tops with powdered sugar to add a little sweetness. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona. A simple muffin recipe, like this one, is something everyone should know how to cook before 35.
Arkansas: Makeover Streusel-Topped Sweet Potatoes
People really do “eat with their eyes,” and no one ever misses the fat and calories in this dish when they see how yummy and attractive the makeover version is. —Tamra Duncan, Lincoln, Arkansas. And this secret ingredient will totally transform your sweet potatoes.
California: Chunky Apple Cake
After taste-testing apple cake recipes, I’ve found this particular recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California. Apples are one of the foods that taste so much better in the fall.
Colorado: Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
This is a wonderful recipe I discovered and changed a bit to suit my taste. I love the flavor of pumpkin and the cinnamon makes ordinary cream cheese frosting extra special. When I made a batch for my husband to take to work, he said they disappeared in record time. —Debbie Wiggins, Longmont, Colorado. Even seasoned bakers might not realize these baking mistakes you might be making.
Connecticut: Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash
This golden, honey-sweetened squash is just as hearty and comforting as your favorite potato dish. With its bright color, it makes an attractive side for special autumn meals. —Bianca Noiseux, Bristol, Connecticut. This recipe just one way to incorporate fall superfoods into your diet.
Delaware: Lemony Sweet Potato Pie
For a finger-licking finale to any holiday meal, I turn to this light and luscious sweet potato pie laced with just a hint of lemon. Funny how folks always seem able to find room for this delectable dessert! —Peggy West, Georgetown, Delaware. Plan ahead to avoid buying ingredients for this classic pie on the worst day to shop for Thanksgiving.
Florida: Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Every year my Mom made cream cheese mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. I tailored the recipe to my family’s taste and carried on the tradition. I make them a day ahead and use my slow cooker to free up oven space for other dishes. —Ann Nolte, Tampa, Florida. Add this to the ultimate Thanksgiving menu your family will love.
Hawaii: Marinated Thanksgiving Turkey
My family enjoys this Thanksgiving turkey because it cooks up tender, tasty, and golden brown. Build up flavor by marinating the meat, then grill it to add a tempting barbecued flavor. —Ken Churches, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Indiana: Apple Dumpling Bake
I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family’s tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana. And we have the secret hack to keep apples from browning.
Iowa: Party Potatoes
These creamy tasty potatoes can be made the day before and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to pop them in the oven (I often do that). The garlic powder and chives add zip, and the shredded cheese adds color. —Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa. Prepping food ahead of time is one of 25 brilliant kitchen shortcuts you’ll wish you knew sooner.
Kansas: Contest-Winning Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
A touch of cinnamon helps blend the flavors in this tender pumpkin chocolate chip bread. And since the recipe makes two loaves, you can send one to a bake sale and keep one at home for your family to enjoy. —Lora Stanley, Bennington, Kansas. Be bold and use fresh pumpkin from one of the best pumpkin patches in America for this recipe.
Kentucky: Hearty Quinoa & Corn Chowder
My grandmother lived in the Appalachian Mountains and always served straight-from-the-garden corn and beans. I updated her dish with quinoa and herbs. — Kari Napier, Louisville, Kentucky
Louisiana: Caramel Apple Muffins
Anyone who loves caramel apples will love these muffins. They are great served with breakfast or coffee. —Therese Puckett, Shreveport, Louisiana. Sweet breakfast muffins aren’t the only thing you can make with a muffin tin.
Maine: Buttercup Squash Coffee Cake
My father grows a large buttercup squash patch, so each fall, I get an ample amount of his harvest. I make this treat to share with my co-workers. They rave about the moist cake, the crunchy streusel and the applesauce between the layers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine. Coffee is such a versatile ingredient! There are many other ways to cook with coffee.
Maryland: Caramel Apple Strudel
My father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all of the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family’s heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland
Minnesota: Grilled Maple Pork Chops
Pork chops on the grill are hard to beat. The marinade is simple and so good. —Nicholas King, Duluth, Minnesota. Take note of the biggest mistake people make when cooking pork.
Mississippi: Stuffing from the Slow Cooker
If you’re hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner this year, add this simple slow-cooked stuffing to your menu to ease entertaining. The recipe comes in handy when you run out of oven space at large family gatherings. I use this Crock Pot dressing recipe often. —Donald Seiler, Macon, Mississippi. Falling for these slow cooker mistakes could ruin this dish.
Montana: Taste-of-Fall Salad
My parents stayed with me at a friend’s beautiful ranch for the holidays and I made them this great salad. It turned into every night’s first course. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana. The best fall superfoods for weight loss include lots of fruits, veggies, and salads.
New Hampshire: Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce
My family loves the sweet and spicy combination and declared this recipe an instant favorite just for that reason. The meatballs start sweet but finish with a little heat! —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire. You can take this recipe to the next level if you read how to make meatballs like a professional chef.
New Jersey: Maple Carrot Cupcakes
I come from a line of family cooks and have liked to cook and bake since I was young. Mother and Grandmom were always in the kitchen cooking up something delicious. These carrot cupcakes were Grandmom’s specialty, and we always have them at family gatherings. —Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio, Vineland, New Jersey
New York: Giant Molasses Cookies
My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy molasses cookies are also great for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York. You just need to choose the right type of molasses.
Ohio: Pumpkin Torte
This beautiful layered cake has a creamy filling with a mild pumpkin flavor and a little spice. It’s quick and always turns out so well. The nuts and caramel topping add a nice finishing touch. —Trixie Fisher, Piqua, Ohio.
Oklahoma: Spicy Touchdown Chili
For me, football, cool weather, and chili just seem to go together. Whether I’m cheering on the local team on a Friday night or enjoying a Saturday afternoon of Oklahoma Sooner football with some friends, I enjoy serving this chili on game day. —Chris Neal, Quapaw, Oklahoma. Or trick your guests with this copycat Wendy’s chili recipe.
Pennsylvania: Stuffed Pepper Soup
Some of the cooks at the restaurant where I work were talking about stuffed pepper soup. We decided to stir up similar ingredients for a stuffed pepper soup recipe. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania. Slurp down this warm and spicy soup while looking at the best spots for fall foliage in America.
Rhode Island: Sweet Potato & Caramelized Onion Shells
Gorgonzola cheese and sweet potatoes add a fun and flavorful twist to classic stuffed shells. Delicious with a sprinkle of Parmesan, the pasta can be topped with leftover gravy, too. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
South Carolina: Honey-Glazed Chicken Kabobs
This is one of my husband’s favorite meals. I serve it with rice pilaf, salad, and grilled garlic bread. —Tracey Miller, Aiken, South Carolina. Make room on the grill for these foods you wouldn’t think to grill, but should, too.
South Dakota: Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Crazy about chocolate chips? This chewy, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie has plenty, not to mention lots of heart-healthy oatmeal. The gang’ll come back for seconds so this big batch recipe is perfect. This is the best “oat choc chip cookies recipe” you’ll ever taste! —Diane Neth, Menno, South Dakota. Baking delicious fall treats with friends is one of the best fall bucket list items.
Utah: Classic French Onion Soup
Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does. I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah. You could also opt for another crowd-pleaser—this chicken soup recipe with over a million views.
Washington: Green Bean Casserole
This easy green bean casserole has always been one of my favorite dishes. You can make it before any guests arrive and refrigerate it until it’s ready to bake. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington.
Wyoming: Wild Rice Stuffing
Since trying this stuffing recipe from my sister, I haven’t made any other kind. It’s so moist and tasty. When a big bowlful starts circulating around the table, happy holiday smiles get even bigger! —Connie Olson, Green River, Wyoming. After you finish baking all the recipes on this list, grab some friends to enjoy the best fall activities in every state.
Originally Published: October 29, 2019
Originally Published on Taste of Home