Fall breakfast ideas are all about celebrating the richness and warmth of flavors which come with this season, thus offering a comforting beginning to cold mornings.
Consider solid meals that have seasonal fruits like apples, pumpkins, and pears as they add some natural sweetness and nutrition.
Hot cereals, spiced drinks and toasted loaves complemented by fall spreads become common during autumn hence setting a cozy environment at breakfast.
These are more than enough reasons for you to take your morning meal in this way; they not only feed the body but also create a mood of seasonal delight and solace with every meal.
These breakfasts are perfect for enjoying the cool air and vibrant colors of the outdoors to kick start your day.
The 15 Best fall breakfast ideas and recipes
1. Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
It is by far my all-time favorite breakfast treat! How can you not love that warm spice blend?
And I love the way the pumpkin adds a twist to the springy, flavor of the breakfast.
I find it totally magical how a simple recipe can turn my kitchen into fall heaven. How one bite even reminds me why this is my favorite season.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
In a bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice.
In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, pumpkin puree, egg, and melted butter.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it.
Pour 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the skillet, separate with space in between, cook both sides until bubbles form on the surface, flip and cook until golden brown on both sides.
2. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
I love starting off my day with a warm bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal. I love the sweet, slightly tart apples and the spicy warmth of the cinnamon.
Apple cinnamon oatmeal is not only delicious but healthy too. I love how the flavors take me back to autumn, even when it’s summer.
I think we all need something like this in our lives.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
2 cups water or milk
1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, bring water or milk to a boil.
Add rolled oats, diced apple, and ground cinnamon to the boiling liquid.
Turn down the heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats are tender and the mixture has thickened.
Stir in maple syrup or honey to taste.
Serve warm, optionally topping with extra apple slices or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
3. Maple Pecan Granola
This stuff is delicious! The rich maple and the buttered pecan in each bite, I can’t get enough of it!
I enjoyed a bowl for breakfast this morning and even added some to a yogurt and granola bowl with some strawberries and blueberries. It added such a yummy crunch to that too!
It’s not too sweet, which I like. It tastes so good I might use it in my trail mix.
Ingredients
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix oats, pecans, and ground cinnamon.
In a small bowl, combine maple syrup and melted coconut oil.
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until evenly coated.
Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet in an even layer and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through and pressing the mixture back into an even layer, until golden brown. Allow to cool completely before serving or storing.
4. Cranberry Orange Muffins
I am a big baker, and I have a foolproof recipe for Cranberry Orange Muffins. I love the flavor combination of tart cranberries and bright, zesty orange.
The first time I make that batch into muffins, the scent of the baked goods will waft from my kitchen to welcome those at the door. It’s a sweet, tangy thing – harking back to old-fashioned comfort food, to a soothing childhood, to a life well-lived.
Every bite is a mouthful of popping berries and citrus.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup fresh cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and sugar.
Stir in the cranberries, orange juice and vegetable oil, mixing just until combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Place the mixture in a preheated oven at 350°, bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Cool and serve.
5. Spiced Pear Smoothie
It’s delicious and refreshing and goes perfectly with anything, any time of the day. This smoothie brings together the warming spices of the season and the sweet taste of ripe pears in a velvety texture which is then perfectly balanced by the pear’s juicy flavor.
Mine comes out just right every time: invigorating and fulfilling.
Spiced Pear Smoothie
Ingredients
1 ripe pear, cored and chopped
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
Add the chopped pear, Greek yogurt, and almond milk to a blender.
Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
Blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Taste, and adjust the spices or sweetness as needed.
Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately for a refreshing fall breakfast!
6. Sweet Potato Hash
I love making this sweet potato hash for breakfast or brunch. It’s delicious.
The sweet flavor of the orange flesh of the sweet potato is beautifully enhanced by the savory spices.
I love all the color that the vegetables bring to the pan, as well as the richness of flavor and the nutrient boost.
There’s also a beautiful balance of textures and tastes that make it something I think everyone will love. I’ll serve this for my friends and family whenever they come over and head to my kitchen.
Ingredients
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 small red onion, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Eggs
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add diced sweet potatoes and cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
Then add red bell pepper and red onion, stirring and cooking for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, optionally topped with a fried egg or fresh herbs for added flavor.
7. Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut Squash Soup: A Cozy Fall Breakfast Idea
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cups vegetable broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup coconut milk (optional for creaminess)
Instructions
PREPARE YOUR VEGGIES: Sweat the chopped onion and minced garlic in a large pot until fragrant and soft.
Another Vegetable: Add the cubed butternut squash, and cook that for a couple minutes too.
That’s it! The recipe is over.
Simmer: Add the vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the squash is tender (20 minutes).
Puree: Puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth.
Or, transfer in batches to a blender.
Adapt & Serve: Stir in the coconut milk for an even richer final product, then season to taste with salt and pepper before serving hot.
8. Chai-Spiced Overnight Oats
I love my morning blend of spices. My breakfast often contains the familiar spices of chai-spiced overnight oats.
In fact, my chai spice-and-oat combo is so delicious and healthy that I consider it a morning delight.
I have found the recipe for a perfect start to my day.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice)
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp chai spice blend (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, clove)
1-2 tbsp maple syrup or honey (to taste)
Instructions
In a jar or container, mix 1 part rolled oats, 2 parts almond milk, 2 parts chia seeds and 1 part of the chai spice mix.
Mellow: Add maple syrup or honey to the syrup and stir well.
Cover with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight – refrigerated, the acid will continue to break down the crustaceans into increasingly flavorful broth.
Stir and Serve: Stir the oats before serving to incorporate flavors.
Add Toppings (Optional): Top with fruits, nuts, or a dollop of yogurt if desired.
9. Caramel Apple French Toast
There is nothing that gets my day going better than a big delicious breakfast and a favorite treat contains the ultimate combination. I love providing that sweetness against the backdrop of salty, toasted bread.
The contrast of textures and flavors is so satisfying and it seems that the longer the bread is toasted the better. It is always a treat when I make this and I will never tire of it.
Caramel Apple French Toast
Ingredients
4 slices of thick-cut bread (brioche or challah recommended)
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
3 apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
Make the Apple Topping: In a medium skillet, cook the sliced apple over medium heat until the apples have softened, about 5 minutes. Add in the caramel sauce and toss to coat the apples.
Set aside.
Make the Egg Mixture: Whisk eggs and milk together in a shallow dish until evenly blended – season with a little salt and pepper.
6. Dip the Bread: Take the each slice of bread and dip in the egg mixture, making sure to coat both sides.
Cook French Toast: Heat a skillet over medium heat with a little oil or butter. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until each bread slice is golden brown.
Serve and Finish: Plate the cooked French toast and top with the caramel apple mixture, then serve immediately.
10. Gingerbread Bagels
I love the gingerbread smell wafting around my kitchen while I bake them – soft, fluffy bagel dough enriched with gingerbread spices, topped with a sprinkling of sugar crystals for sweet/spice and texture. This is one of those recipes for holiday breakfast I would make regardless of how busy I was.
Ingredients
4 cups bread flour
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 tbsp molasses
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp instant yeast
Instructions
Knead in the bread flour and ground ginger and stir until you’ve created a smooth, elastic dough.
Set the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until it has doubled in size.
Form into bagels: Divide the dough into equal pieces, roll into balls and poke your finger through the centre of each .
Simmer the shaped bagels for 1 minute per side in a pan of water, after which bake for 20-25 minutes at 425°F (220°C) until brown.
11. Pumpkin Yogurt Parfait
I love the creamy play of tastes in this fall parfait. It’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy pumpkin and I often reach for it when I’m in need of something sweet but also something nutritiously substantial.
It’s a dessert parfait of sorts, so comforting yet also healthy! The layers of spiced pumpkin and tangy yogurt create such a satisfying play of tastes that I look forward to with each luscious spoonful.
This is a seasonal treat I can’t get enough of.
Ingredients
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Granola, for topping
Instructions
In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with pumpkin puree until well combined.
Stir in the maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice to taste.
Layer the pumpkin yogurt mixture in a glass or bowl.
Top with a generous sprinkle of granola.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.
12. Quinoa with Roasted Apples
I love the nuttiness of the quinoa mixed with the caramel sweetness of the roasted apples. The contrasting textures and tastes make a great breakfast or side but, for me, it works on its own as a supremely satisfying soothing lunch or light dinner.
I turn to this combination of quinoa and apple all the time so it’s versatile and comforting as well as delicious. It’s warming, meets the needs of our bodies, and is just plain enjoyable to eat.
And to top it off, it’s pretty good for you – it even makes me feel good about eating it.
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa
2 medium apples, cored and diced
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups water
Instructions
Make the Quinoa: Rinse quinoa under cold water. Combine quinoa and water in pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed.
Season the apples: While the quinoa is cooking, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the diced apples with maple syrup and cinnamon.
Roast Apples: Spread the apples out onto a baking sheet and roast until soft and caramelised, about 15-20 minutes.
Mix: After quinoa is cooked, fluff with a fork and toss in the roasted apples.
Serve: Divide into bowls and drizzle with extra maple syrup if desired. Enjoy warm!
13. Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Something about a warm, freshly-made, cinnamon sugar donut is extremely comforting.
I love the way the spice of the cinnamon mingles with the sugar to create a sweet spice, which then plays off the soft and airy dough. It is my quick solution to a sweet craving.
I enjoy these with a steaming hot cup of coffee, or on their own. There is nothing like having something that brings to mind a time that was simpler in life.
When you take a bite of one, you smile.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup milk
1 large egg
1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
Stir in the flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder and ground cinnamon.
Blend Wet
In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg and melted butter.
Mix the Mixtures: Slowly add the wet components to the dry components, stirring until just mixed.
Bake Donuts: Preheat a donut maker or regular oven to 350°F (175°C).
Fill greased donut moulds, or a donut pan, with batter. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
Roll In Cinnamon Sugar: While still warm, roll the donuts in the remaining ¼ cup sugar combined with a pinch of ground cinnamon to coat. Enjoy your delicious Cinnamon Sugar Donuts!
14. Nutmeg Waffles
I love starting a morning with the sweet, nutty fragrance of nutmeg waffles. The gentle heat of the spice combines with the buttery batter to create an irresistible comforting scent.
It has become a cherished ritual in my kitchen, one that permeates the house with pleasant smells and my heart with cheer. Every bite is a delight, and breakfast feels like a treat.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 ¾ cups milk
Instructions
Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and ground nutmeg in a large bowl.
Whisk the milk into the dry ingredients until just combined.
Pour the batter onto the preheated waffle iron and cook until golden brown.
Serve immediately topped with warmed maple syrup or spiced apple compote, or another fall favourite.
15. Baked Brie with Fig Jam
One of my favourite appetisers is a rich, salty, spreadable treat that is the star of the show at any potluck I make it for. I love the combination of the rich, gooey cheese with the sweet fig jam.
It’s decadent, elegant and comforting all at the same time. My guests always rave about it.
Baked Brie with Fig Jam
Ingredients
1 wheel of Brie cheese
1/4 cup fig jam
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)
Fresh herbs (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Place the Brie wheel on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Spread the fig jam evenly over the top of the Brie.
Drizzle with honey and sprinkle chopped nuts on top.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the Brie is soft and gooey.
Top with fresh herbs, if using, when serving.