6 Seasonal Superfoods To Enjoy This Fall

There are many reasons to love fall—cooler temps mean sweater weather, hot toddies, and a serious change of scenery. And if you peek around the market, you’ll find an abundance of superfoods to add to your favorite recipes, too. Here are some of our favorite seasonal ingredients, plus the best ways to use them.

Pomegranate

Bright pink and heart-shaped, this favorite fruit has represented fertility, health, and eternal life in many ancient religions. If you’re intimidated by the deseeding process, check out our tips, or try a scoop of pomegranate powder in your next smoothie.

Spiced Hibiscus Pomegranate Tea
Cinnamon and ginger spice up brewed hibiscus tea that’s mixed with sweet pomegranate juice.

Watercress-Grapefruit Salad
Bright and refreshing, a salad of tart grapefruit, peppery watercress, and fresh herbs is just the thing for a light lunch. Top with pomegranate seeds for extra crunch.

Triple Ginger Cookies With Pomegranate Molasses
These little molasses cookies hold two secrets that make their gingery bite even better. One is the fruitiness and subtle, dark edge of pomegranate molasses and the second is that they’re deliciously gluten-free.

Pumpkin

Before you roll your eyes—’tis the season to OD on pumpkin-flavored everything, so you might already be over the stuff—reconsider this gourd for its versatility. From drinks to desserts to irresistible snacks, there are so many ways to make this ingredient a star, you’ll never get tired of it.

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte
Cool fall mornings call for hot, steamy lattes. This sip starts with a pour of your favorite coffee, then whisks in pumpkin purée, spices, and a touch of syrup for sweetness. Top off this dairy-free drink with a dollop of coconut cream. It’s a delicious way to get your pumpkin spice fix all season long.

Paleo Maple Pumpkin Pie
This pie includes all the classic fall flavors: pumpkin, pecan, maple, cinnamon, and ginger. Topped with decadent coconut whipped cream, this Paleo-friendly dessert gets even sweeter.

Pumpkin Pie Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
When you’re carving pumpkins, wrapping gifts, or stringing up twinkle lights, it’s always a good idea to keep a healthy snack on hand. We love these crunchy autumn pumpkin seeds spiced with cinnamon and ginger. Striking the right balance of sweet and salty, we guarantee you’ll eat them by the handful!

Dates

Sweet, wrinkly, and full of flavor, dates are perfect for adding a touch of natural sugar to anything you’re cooking this fall. You can also incorporate these morsels into your diet for a quick source of energy when you’re on the go.

Gluten-Free Edible Cookie Dough
We’re about to make your cookie dough dreams come true—even for gluten-free eaters! Instead of using flour, eggs, butter, and granulated sugar, this recipe combines dates, almond butter, and almond milk. (But don’t worry, there are still plenty of chocolate chips involved.)

Fig and Date Syrup
This homemade fig and date syrup combines two delectable fruits with zippy orange zest and a touch of salt. After straining the syrup, save the compote to add to pancake batter, use it to top oatmeal, spread on toast, or even accompany ice cream.

Raw, Nutty Chocolate Protein Bites
Here’s a perfect snack for days when you can’t decide between salty or sweet, chewy or crunchy. The plant-based protein (from a blend of pea, pumpkin, sunflower, chia, hemp, and sacha inchi powders) alongside raw almonds and cashews means there are quite a few good-for-you ingredients rolled up in these little bites!

Cranberry

Instead of reaching for a pre-made, sugary sauce, get your hands on some fresh or dried cranberries and add them into smoothies, desserts, and even a savory Thanksgiving side for tart flavor and an enjoyable, chewy texture.

Cranberry-Pecan Apple Crumble
Fall weather means it’s apple season, and this warm crumble is the perfect way to celebrate! (Bonus: your kitchen will smell amazing.) For the topping, get a head start on flavor by using a gluten-free granola that’s studded with chewy cranberries and roasted pecans, plus liquid coconut oil that means no melting required. Serve it up à la mode, if you’d like.

Superberry-Ginger Cranberry Sauce
Is it even Thanksgiving if dinner doesn’t come with a side of cranberry sauce? Here, we’ve updated the classic condiment by adding spicy ginger and tart goji and golden berries.

Pear and Caramelized Onion Stuffing
The combination of sweet caramelized onions tangled with earthy kale and floral pears might be our new favorite twist on classic stuffing. Not to mention, we toss in dried cranberries for sweetness. This side is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Ginger

Fresh ginger root isn’t exactly beautiful, but peel back that outer layer and a lovely light yellow interior is revealed. And this stuff is potent—ginger’s spicy-sweet taste can be overwhelming, but the right ingredient pairings help mellow it out. Try this root freshly grated, in powder form, or even as soft, chewable cubes.

Lemon-Ginger Chicken Zucchini Noodle Soup
Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just craving comfort food, this updated chicken noodle soup hits the spot. A bright lemon-ginger broth adds tons of flavor to chicken breasts and mixed veggies, while zucchini “noodles” keep it light and fresh.

Ginger Moscow Mule
If you never know what to with those crystallized ginger pieces (besides sucking off the sugar), here’s a happy hour-worthy way to transform them into an impressive cocktail that’s shaken up with vodka and lime, ready to enjoy.

Crispy Tofu With Sesame Ginger Dipping Sauce
Tofu isn’t just for vegetarian stir-fry—when baked with a little sesame oil, it becomes a surprisingly addictive, crunchy appetizer. Serve ’em with a sweet and savory sesame-ginger dipping sauce for an Asian-inspired hors d’oeuvre your guests won’t soon forget.

Cinnamon

This staple spice makes its way into so many winter dishes, but it’s worth adding a dash of cinnamon to your meals year-round. Whether you bake it into muffins, sprinkle into raw nut bars, or sip in a hot beverage, there are more than enough ways to enjoy this warming spice.

Raisin Nut Bars
Granola bars are always a favorite for school lunches or picnic baskets, so we made our own version using a short list of easy-to-find ingredients. The result is a chewy, nutty, slightly sweet treat both kids and adults will love. Make these on Sunday for handy snacking all week long.

Hot Mulled Apple Cider
If you’ve got a date with a roaring fire and a good book this fall, then this drink is the third wheel you need to cozy up with! It not only warms you up while you relax, but can help soothe your tummy, too.

Hemp Hearts Zucchini Muffins
This muffin has everything you’re looking for in a quick breakfast. Easy to make in advance? Check. Wholesome ingredients? A trio of alternative flours (sprouted brown rice, almond, and tapioca) keeps this batch gluten-free and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg pair perfectly with neutral-flavored zucchini.