It’s that time of year when I long for cooler temperatures for a number of reasons, not the least of which is fall foods! Flavors like pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, chili, and corn are all integral in helping me enjoy the season. Adding soups, chili, and casseroles back into our meal rotation gives some of our other old stand-bys a break. I hope you enjoy this list of some of our favorite fall foods and find some inspiration for your own family.
Tailgate Treats
Whether you watch the game at home or take your tail to campus, football season requires food!
Cake Mix Cookies – I like the endless variations made possible by choosing any flavor cake mix and your choice of mix-ins (m&ms, chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, etc). On game days, I like to make them with red velvet cake mix and white chocolate chips. Yellow cake and milk chocolate chips make an irresistible classic cookie.
Air Fryer Extra Crispy Chicken Wings – For the past few years we’ve ordered wings on game days. That’s okay, but first we have to agree on sauces, then someone has to pick them up (in our area), and it can be expensive. Enter the air fryer. I got one this summer and it is brilliant. I highly recommend this “recipe” (really just cooking instructions) for at-home wings. I can cook a dozen at a time in my 6qt air fryer, and everyone can choose their own sauce from our growing collection.
Crack Chicken Pinwheels – Make-ahead, bite-sized roll-ups are perfect for game days and any other fall get-together.
Soups (Slow Cooking Optional)
When the days get shorter and colder, it’s nice to come home to a Crock Pot full of chili or soup that’s ready to serve. If you don’t have all day to wait, these soups can also be whipped up on the stovetop, or in an Instant Pot.
Creamy Potato and Sausage Soup – Instant Pot friendly, this rich potato soup can be ready to serve in 30 minutes!
Classic Betty Crocker Chili – I always double this recipe so that we have leftovers, but if you just need a small batch, stick with the original amounts.
Hearty Southwest Black Bean Soup – You can keep these ingredients in your pantry for a filling fall meal when you don’t have time to stop at the grocery. It cooks up in under 30 minutes on your stovetop, which is just enough time to bake a quick cornbread to serve with it.
Pumpkin Everything
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie – 
When the South refuses to play into your fall fantasy about scarves, sweaters (but not sweating), and lattes, you can get your pumpkin spice fix with this cool smoothie. Pumpkin is a superfood, and this is great for breakfast, or anytime!
Two Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins – Need to take a team snack to a soccer game? Grab and go breakfast option? How about getting your carb-lover to gobble up some veggies? You need this recipe!
Pumpkin Wonderful – This may be better known as Pumpkin Bars, but my sister-in-law calls it Pumpkin Wonderful, and I like that better. It’s especially wonderful if you serve it warm like cobbler, rather than waiting for it to cool to cut into bars.
Comfort Casseroles
Loaded Chicken and Potatoes – Hot, spicy, savory, and bacon! It’s possibly even better as leftovers, if you’re lucky enough to have any.
French Onion Chicken and Rice – Creamy chicken and rice will warm you right up on a fall day. It’s a kid-friendly favorite!
Loaded Meatloaf Casserole – Meatloaf topped with mashed potatoes makes this a complete meal in one dish.
