Kid-Friendly Fall Cooking Fun

Fall is a season of new beginnings as children head off to school and the weather shifts to cozier, more comfortable conditions. Historically, these new beginnings have also symbolized the time of harvest. Many crops are picked in autumn and the abundance is shared through delicious recipes.

While your family probably has a few fall-related recipes you love to cook each year — perhaps a delicious pumpkin pie or apple crumble —it’s always fun to start new family traditions. We’ve collected some of our favorite autumnal recipes that are easy to cook with children and a great way to introduce new flavors into your child’s palette.

Acorn Squash Fries

Squash shouldn’t always be destined for casseroles. Acorn squash is an excellent choice for making a french-fry alternative that’s packed with flavor. 

Just preheat your oven to 450°F, cut the squash into fry-shaped pieces, and coat them lightly with olive oil. You can add any spices you think your family may enjoy. Some of our favorite spices include simple salt and pepper, cayenne, or even cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Then bake them until they turn golden brown and crisp up – just be sure to flip them once during the baking process.

Pumpkin Pie Crescent Rolls

Try the classic flavor of pumpkin pie in a new way that’s easy for little hands to handle!  The best part about this recipe is that kids can help with rolling the crescents, something that is fun at almost any age. The recipe is also super simple and only requires a few ingredients.

Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, unroll a package of refrigerated crescent roll dough and place the triangles on the baking sheet. Next, put about a tablespoon of pumpkin pie filling or pumpkin puree mixed with sugar and pumpkin pie spice onto each triangle (see recipe for ingredient amounts). The key here is to avoid adding too much filling, or it will leak out. 

Finally, have your kids roll up the crescents and pinch the sides to seal the mixture in. Follow the baking directions listed on the crescent roll dough, and you’ll have yourselves a treat that is great for a quick fall-themed breakfast or afternoon snack!

Pumpkin Pie Pops

If you have leftover puree from the pumpkin pie crescents, use those leftovers in these easy-to-eat pumpkin pie pops! 

First, roll out store-bought or homemade pie crust and cut out circles using a cookie cutter (this is an easy step to delegate to kids). Place the circles on a baking sheet, making sure there is enough space between them to add popsicle sticks. 

The next step is to prepare the filling – either canned pumpkin pie filling or a mixture of pumpkin puree, sugar, butter, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, vanilla, and egg. Put a teaspoon of the mixture into the circles on the baking sheet, and then add a popsicle stick. 

Place another circle of pie crust on top, sandwiching the two together by crimping the edges with a fork (another fun task for small hands). Add an egg wash if desired, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and bake at 325° until golden brown.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Here’s one more simple recipe involving pumpkin, although a different part of the pumpkin. This recipe in particular calls for a tasty savory spice mix that ensures this nutrient-rich snack will disappear pretty quickly. 

Just place 4 cups of clean pumpkin seeds in a bowl and add 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 3 tablespoons of melted butter, and 2 teaspoons of seasoned salt. Spread onto a large baking sheet and bake at 250°F for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the seeds are golden and crisp but not hard.

Quick & Easy Applesauce

Pumpkins and squash aren’t the only crops harvested in fall. Apples are also especially fresh and delicious this time of year. Applesauce is a kid favorite, and it always tastes better homemade than out of a jar. Here’s a simple recipe to get that homemade flavor fast.

First, slice apples into small pieces. If your child is eager to participate, first cut thin chunks of apples and then give them a plastic knife to use to further break up the pieces. Put the small pieces in the steamer basket of a rice cooker and add just a touch of sugar and cinnamon. Steam until soft, which usually takes around an hour. Finally, mash with a fork and serve!

Apple Nachos

Your kids may be bored of apple slices, but if you introduce them as apple nachos with fun toppings, they’ll beg for this healthy snack. 

Just slice up some apples and then put toppings out in small bowls for kids to choose themselves. We recommend caramel dip, mini chocolate chips, peanut butter melted in the microwave, chopped nuts, and/or coconut flakes. Kids can add the slices to a plate and then drizzle and top their “nachos” as they please!

Try these fun fall recipes out for yourself, and show your children the amazing abundance nature has to offer this season! Looking for more fun recipes? Check out this site!