Top Five Fall Food Trends to Try in 2021
{ By Miranda Martin }
Autumn harvest season is upon us, and that means tons of new, exciting food trends to try this September through Thanksgiving that will fill your belly and warm your heart. Time to refill our pantries and dig into some of these delectable fall dishes (including some select sweet treats)– let’s get started!
Apple cider donuts
Yes, yes, I’m starting with dessert– I know. But us Pennsylvanians have known this for years, and apple cider donuts are all the rage across the nation this fall as Dunkin’ unveiled their new apple cider donut menu item just in time for fall!
Apple cider donuts mix all the wonderful things about donuts (which is pretty much everything) with the yummy, apple-y flavors of fall and it all just works. Don’t believe me? Try one for yourself at Dunkin’! You won’t be disappointed.
Squash casserole
This one isn’t just for summer, y’all. Gourds abound in the late summer and early fall, and my mom taught me years ago how to make a cost-efficient and easy squash casserole that’s the perfect, filling main or side-dish for any fall fling. This recipe is much like hers, championing squash, onion, cream-of-mushroom soup, and plenty of croutons (or stuffing, if you’d rather) on top, and you can’t go wrong with this hearty option at dinnertime!
Pumpkin bread
We all jumped on the banana bread bandwagon in 2020, right? Well, I know I did, and I’ve found myself thinking lately, “I’ve never attempted pumpkin bread before”! Pumpkin pie? Sure. Pumpkin rolls? When I have the patience, yes– but pumpkin bread is a wonderfully diverse breakfast or dessert-bread option that has surged in popularity in recent years, and there are so many ways to make it!
Whether you prefer cinnamon or nutmeg-heavy twist on this autumn classic, pumpkin bread is the baked good I’ve been going crazy over this year (and you won’t regret trying it for yourself, too)!
Chicken pot pie (but from scratch)
Another potentially intimidating fall-favorite dish that many avoid making themselves (because it does seem like a lot of work) is the classic chicken pot pie. I used to think it was a hard dish to create from scratch, too (because after all, isn’t that what Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans are for?), but this simple-to-follow recipe utilizes puff-pastry and Worcestershire sauce in a way that makes the homemade pot pie extra special, in that it offers an extra “kick” you can’t find in the restaurants.
Fall salads (yes, seriously!)
When I think of fall I don’t often think of salads, but a nice, fall salad full of diced sweet potatoes and cranberry accents can actually be the perfect Thanksgiving side-dish or fall light-lunch option that can help you stay on the lighter side of the season.
This fall salad recipe takes it to the next level, merging cranberries, feta cheese, and bacon bits into a dish designed to be devoured this season. Give it a shot, and (if you’re like me), add some olive-oil roasted and diced sweet potatoes to the bowl as well to add some warmer texture to the mix!
Whether you’re ready or not, fall is on its way, and that means fall foods will be abounding. You can’t go wrong with these fall faves, and your fall fling guests will likely agree!
