Fun Fall Recipes for Kids

By Chef Jonathan R. Poyourow '03, RD, LD
October 2015

I'm one of many who can call Southern New England home. As autumn arrives, the temperatures may be hot one day, chilly the next and the leaves on the trees transform into brilliant shades of gold, orange, and red. But the most-reliable sign that fall is here is, unfortunately, the amount of candy displays that spring up in supermarkets, drug stores, and on TV ads. I don't want to be a Scrooge, especially when it comes to my own kids, so this is the time of year when you will find me in the kitchen engaging my 7-year-old son, Sean, and encouraging him to enjoy the season in moderation.

To do that, he dons an apron as my sous chef and takes part in preparing delicious and nutritious foods that become part of our annual Halloween celebrations. His favorite is Pumpkin Bread, a sweet and spicy treat that, when served warm, is a wiser option for the young palate than a handful of sugary candy. The Halloween treats will last longer when your kid's cravings for sweet, salty, and fatty is tempered with this homemade slice of goodness.

My Pumpkin Gingerbread Pancakes pack a healthy punch of protein powder that makes them a substantial breakfast or afternoon snack. Add a side of Homemade Applesauce using the apples you and your kids picked at the orchard during the weekend, and you're sharing a taste of farm-to-table that will last a lifetime.

Want to sneak some fiber into your child's diet? Do it with dessert. The recipe for Black Bean Brownies will have everyone asking how this trick can be such a treat. The secret is replacing the egg yolks and oil with the fiber, nutrition, and moisture of this little black legume.

Try all of my Fall Recipes for Kids: