We agree: autumn is prime time for comfort food. This season sharpens our craving for warm, hearty dishes and spiced desserts, and that’s because comfort foods actually do taste better in autumn. Here are 10 of them worth savoring during fall season.
10. Pork Chops with Apples
Ah, the timeless pairing: pork chops and apples. The sweet fruit is best enjoyed during autumn, when it’s crisp and abundant. This dish is hearty enough for dinner but simple enough to make on a weeknight. A tip? Sauté the apples in a little butter and cinnamon before adding to the pork. It makes the dish smell amazing and taste even better!
9. Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin desserts are extra special in autumn, and pumpkin bars are among the easiest to make. Pumpkin is naturally sweet and creamy this time of the year, making baked goods moist and flavorful without too much effort. Of course, it’s perfect for snacking with a cup of hot tea.
8. Carrot-Ginger Soup
Carrots harvested in the fall are sweet, and this makes them shine in a simple carrot-ginger soup. Meanwhile, the ginger adds gentle heat. It’s the kind of bowl you want to wrap your hands around as soon as the air gets cool. Add a squeeze of orange juice and you’ll make the soup taste lively and fresh.
7. Pear & Cheese Toasts
Apples aren’t the only fruits you can enjoy during autumn. Another favorite is the ripe and juicy pear that’s perfect for simple comfort foods. While pears are usually used in pies or tarts, they can also shine in a snack that’s super easy to make. Just add pear slices on a warm toast with melty cheese, and you’re done!
6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
When roasted, brussels sprouts can get such a glow-up. Their centers turn tender, their edges crisp up, and their flavor changes from bitter to nutty and sweet. Fall is their natural season, so they also taste fresher this time of the year. For fun twists, you can also toss in bacon bits or add a drizzle of honey.
5. Pumpkin Latte
You should find pumpkin latte everywhere as soon as (or even before) the fall season begins. The cozy mix of pumpkin, warm spices, and milk hits different when the mornings turn chilly. It’s actually not just hype. It’s the cool weather that makes us crave the flavors and scents.
4. Beef or Veggie Stew
Stew shows up on so many tables when the weather turns cool and for good reason. A big pot of hearty veggies or tender meat simmering in broth makes the entire house smell amazing! Root veggies like potatoes and carrots are also freshest during the fall season, making them more flavorful. Want to deepen the flavor? Brown the meat or veggies first to make the stew taste richer.
3. Sweet Potato Quesadillas
Sweet potatoes are also everywhere during fall season, and their natural sweetness makes them a perfect comfort food. Mash them up, spread on a tortilla, add cheese, and fold into a quesadilla. For a twist and heartier bite, add black beans or caramelized onions.
2. Apple Crisp
Apples baking in the oven? That’s a sure sign that we’re in the fall season. Sprinkled with cinnamon and topped with a buttery oat crumble, it’s the ultimate comfort food, especially when eaten with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! The classic version uses apples only, but feel free to mix in cranberries for a little tart kick!
1. Butternut Squash Soup
Enjoying the crisp fall air is better with some butternut squash soup! There’s nothing cozier than having a big pot on the stove while the wind rattles the windows. Squash is as its sweetest in autumn, so it gives off a deeper flavor. For a fun twist, add a splash of coconut milk or top each bowl with croutons for extra crunch.