There’s something about October that makes cooking feel even more exciting. All the fall produce and spices and you know my Halloween obsessions. This roundup has a little bit of everything to inspire your kitchen this month.

In this list, you’ll find breakfasts that feel warm and filling, easy lunch ideas packed with fall produce, cozy dinners for chilly evenings, and a few fun treats for Halloween and beyond. These are recipes we’re actually making right now, and many of them are great for meal prep, leftovers, or feeding a crowd.
And because I’m always asked about our favorite fall home finds, I included a few seasonal staples we use to make the house feel festive and functional all October long.
Favorite Halloween And Fall Kitchen Picks
This time of year is big in our house when it comes to decorating, baking, and making mealtime feel fun and a little special. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, baking with the kids, or just want your kitchen to feel cozy and seasonal, here are a few things we use every fall:
- Fall Wreath
- Halloween Candles
- Halloween T-Shirt and Sweatshirt
- Halloween Doormat
- Skeleton & Spotlights
- Halloween Cookie Cutters
For even more ideas, check out my full fall & Halloween storefront here.

Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
- Apple Cinnamon Raisin Baked Oatmeal
- High-Protein Maple Chicken Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches
- Pumpkin Coffee Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Starbucks Pumpkin Scones (Gluten-Free Copycat)
- Starbucks Potato, Cheddar & Chives Bake

Lunch Recipes
- Apple Pecan Chicken Salad
- Quick Harvest Tuna Salad Melt
- Butternut Squash Fall Harvest Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Turkey Waldorf Salad
- Roasted Feta and Butternut Squash Soup

Dinner Recipes
- Chili Cornbread Pot Pies
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Gluten-Free)
- One Pot Squash Mac and Cheese (Gluten-Free)
- Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Gluten-Free Butternut Squash Lasagna

Dessert & Snack Recipes
- The Best Healthier Cinnamon Apple Crisp
- Easy Witch Hat Cookies
- The Viral Caramel Date Apple (4 Ingredients)
- Easy Pecan Pie Truffles (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Easy Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Easy Pumpkin Pie Frozen Yogurt
- Irresistible Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Blondies
- Apple Pie Magic Cookies (Gluten-Free)
- Apple Fritter Cake (Gluten-Free)
- Halloween Oreo Rice Krispie Treats
- Chocolate Caramel Apple Bark (Vegan)
Tips for Cooking in October
- Roast once, eat twice: Make a big batch of roasted veggies or squash at the beginning of the week to use in salads, soups, and pasta.
- Lean on one-pot meals: They make cleanup easier and are perfect for busy nights when everyone is in a million directions.
- Keep apples and canned pumpkin on hand: You’ll be surprised how often you reach for them in both sweet and savory recipes.
- Don’t forget the freezer: Many of these meals can be doubled and frozen for later, which is perfect as things get busier toward the holidays.
Let me know if you try any of these and which ones are on repeat in your kitchen this season!