10 Seasonal Snacks To Make This Fall
Between pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider donuts, fall is peak snack season. There’s a food to fit any occasion, from halloween parties to scary movie nights. Want to add some flavor to your fall? Here are ten treats (not tricks!) to make this season.
1. Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is the quintessential fall food. It’s crumbly, sweet, and will warm you up when the weather gets cooler. Kalyn Brooke’s apple crisp recipe, as shown on her blog, is one that I swear by. It’s true what the title says: this is the best apple crisp recipe ever. Kalyn’s apple crisp is thicker than most, possibly due to her use of shortening and her layers upon layers of toppings. In her recipe post, Kalyn recommends using either Cortland or Granny Smith apples. I typically go with Granny Smith, but everyone has their preferences. For a step-by-step breakdown of how to make her apple crisp, check out Kalyn’s blog: https://kalynbrooke.com/recipe-box/best-apple-crisp-recipe/#_a5y_p=3418811
2. Pumpkintinis
If you can’t get enough of pumpkin spice lattes, try it in the form of a martini. Pumpkin spice martinis (or, pumpkintinis) are the perfect cocktail for autumn. While you probably shouldn’t serve them to trick-or-treaters, you could make them for your friends at a halloween party. I’ve made them before using pumpkin chai mix, simple syrup, vodka, pumpkin spice, and Bailey’s Irish Cream. If you’re repulsed by the combination of pumpkin chai and vodka, substitute the chai mix for pumpkin puree. Better yet, swap normal vodka for vanilla vodka. Shake the ingredients together and pour over a glass of ice. This drink is sure to wake the dead. For more specific instructions on how to make pumpkin spice martinis, check out this link: https://pin.it/6ZeLt9y
3. Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
Good news for college students: this recipe doesn’t require an oven. All you need is either a microwave or a toaster, as well as a small baking dish. I scored a mini Le Creuset baking dish at Homegoods, and it works perfectly for this recipe. The hardest ingredient to find for this dish is pumpkin brioche bread. Trader Joe’s usually sells pumpkin brioche in the fall, but if they’re out, normal brioche will suffice. Break pieces of bread into small cubes until they fill your dish halfway. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, vanilla extract, a splash of milk, sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice, and pour over the bread cubes. Bake your french toast in the toaster or the microwave until it’s golden. Drizzle maple syrup over, and voila! What better way is there to start your morning? For more detailed instructions, follow a similar recipe on this link: https://pin.it/UZQ1bKY
4. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Looking for a simple recipe to follow? While I can’t promise you that you won’t make a mess, it’s easy to turn pumpkin seeds into a tasty snack. Let’s start with the basics: you’ll need a pumpkin. The fun (yet grimy) part is carving into your pumpkin and scooping out the seeds. Rinse your seeds, then press them between two paper towels to absorb the moisture. Next, you’ll want to lay out all your seeds on a baking tray. Sprinkle seasonings of your choice over the seeds; I recommend Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend. Bake your seeds until they start to brown (20-25 minutes at 350 degrees usually does the trick), and enjoy! You can get the same effect by putting them in the toaster, too.
5. Cold Boozy Butter Beer
I grew up reading the Harry Potter books, so butter beer is something I’ve always wanted to try. Thanks to the powers of Pinterest, I’ve recreated a boozy version of the iconic beverage. For this recipe, you’ll need two different kinds of schnapps: cinnamon and butterscotch. Cinnamon is optional, but butterscotch is a must. You’ll also need vanilla vodka, cream soda, and whipped cream to work your mixology magic. If you’re looking for measurements, visit this link: https://pin.it/4th66Kz . Whether you’re a wizard or a Muggle, you’re spellbound to love this drink.
6. Pumpkin Overnight Oats
Say what you will about overnight oats, I think they’re delicious. They’re especially great for those mornings when you’re running out the door and don’t have time to make breakfast. Add a fall flair to your everyday oats with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Maybe you’ve sensed a common thread with most of these recipes: a lot of them involve pumpkin puree and spice. Those are two staple ingredients for fall snacks, and when you mix them with oats, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and a generous helping of vanilla yogurt, they’ll instantly upgrade your breakfast. I usually eyeball my measurements when it comes to making oatmeal. If you want to be precise, a quarter of a cup of puree and a half a cup of both oats and milk should do the trick. The yogurt should be about equal to the puree, so I would recommend a quarter of a cup of that, too.
7. Starbucks Hacks
Starbucks counts as a snack, right? Modify your usual order to match the fall vibes. If you’re bored of plain iced chai, I have a solution for you. Ask your barista to put some pumpkin cold foam and pumpkin spice seasoning on top. I swear, the spicy-sweet combination of pumpkin and chai will make you swoon. You can even request a shot of vanilla syrup to make it sweeter! If you’re trying to save money (I get it, Starbucks isn’t cheap), you can make this recipe for yourself at home. Starbucks uses Tazo iced chai, which is sold at Target and several other grocery stores. To make the cold foam, use a frother to mix together milk and pumpkin puree. For a thicker consistency, add heavy cream.
8. Trick-Or-Treat Trail Mix
As a college student, I live off of trail mix. It’s the best thing to snack on in between study breaks (or after a late night out). It’s also super easy to make on your own. I don’t think I need to walk you through how to throw together trail mix. I will, however, recommend my favorite fall food pairings. Whether you love it or hate it, you need candy corn in your trail mix. At the very least, you can include it to be festive. If you have leftover M&Ms from the ones you handed to trick-or-treaters, toss them in too. M&Ms will balance out the saltiness of other trail mix staples, like pretzels and Cheez-Its. If you ended up roasting pumpkin seeds, don’t be afraid to add those into the mix.
9. Mummy Hot Dogs
I don’t care that I’m 21. If I see these mummy hot dogs on a plate, I’ll eat them all and giggle while doing so. They’re just so stinkin’ cute. I’m honestly considering making these for my sorority and bringing them to chapter. Anyone who has a soul (and an appetite) would appreciate mummy hot dogs. Making them is simple: boil hot dogs and roll out some pre-made crescent dough. Cut the dough into thin strips that you will then wrap around your dog, mummy style. Throw them in the oven for about ten minutes for the dough to bake. For the eyes, I recommend using cut-up bits of mozzarella. Dot food coloring on the eyes to make pupils, or stick a sprinkle in there.
10. Mr. Fox’s Nutmeg Ginger Apple Snaps
These cookies from Fantastic Mr. Fox always looked so good to me. Truth be told, I forgot who in the movie made them. For my own personal convenience, I’ll say Mr. Fox did. Now, you can make them yourself! Lindsay Moe from The Live-In Kitchen has an amazing recipe for nutmeg ginger apple snaps. Her ingredients include apples, coarse sugar, fresh ginger and ground ginger, molasses, brown sugar and granulated sugar, cloves, nutmeg, and the baking basics (flour, eggs, butter). You can see the full recipe at: https://theliveinkitchen.com/lolas-third-birthday-with-nutmeg-ginger-apple-snaps-and-a-fantastic-mr-fox-cake/
With fall on its way, get ready for those cozy nights filled with baking and halloween movies. Share these treats with a loved one, or make them for yourself. I won’t judge you either way.
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Feature image source: https://pin.it/49p0lsC
