The Top Fall Recipe In Every State
Updated: Feb. 12, 2024
Need a new fall recipe? Look no further than our highest-rated and most-loved seasonal dishes from every state.
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Welcome fall with these delicious autumn-inspired recipes. Each dish celebrates the flavors of our harvest, and many recipes feature seasonal produce, like apples, pumpkin and squash. Though these may not be the most iconic fall foods from each state, they are the highest-rated by our readers.
Still hungry? Here are even more cozy recipes to make this fall.
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Alabama: Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin bars with cream cheese icing are a delicious (and surprisingly easy) festive fall treat. Flavorful, moist and oh, so simple, you'll be making these on repeat!
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Arizona: Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins
Tart, juicy cranberries enhance the delicate pumpkin flavor of these muffins. Sometimes I dust the tops with powdered sugar to add a little sweetness. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona
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Arkansas: Makeover Streusel-Topped Sweet Potatoes
People really do "eat with their eyes," and no one ever misses the fat and calories in this dish when they see how yummy and attractive the makeover version is. —Tamra Duncan, Lincoln, Arkansas
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California: Chunky Apple Cake
After taste testing lots of apple cakes, I've found this apple cake recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California
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Colorado: Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
I discovered this wonderful pumpkin cupcake recipe and changed a bit to suit my taste. I love the flavor of pumpkin and the cinnamon makes ordinary cream cheese frosting extra special. When I made a batch for my husband to take to work, he said they disappeared in record time. —Debbie Wiggins, Longmont, Colorado
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Connecticut: Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash
This golden, honey-sweetened squash is just as hearty and comforting as your favorite potato dish. With its bright color, it makes an attractive side for special autumn meals. —Bianca Noiseux, Bristol, Connecticut
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Florida: Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Every year my Mom made cream cheese mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. I tailored the recipe to my family's taste and carried on the tradition. I make them a day ahead and use my slow cooker to free up oven space for other dishes. —Ann Nolte, Tampa, Florida
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Georgia: Game Day Gumbo
Tailgating at Friday night high school games brings our children and friends together to share great food. Gumbo is a southern standard that definitely feeds our hungry crowd. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia
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Hawaii: Marinated Thanksgiving Turkey
It is not the most common way to cook Thanksgiving dinner, but once you learn how to grill a turkey, you will never want to make the bird any other way.
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Idaho: Comforting Cheesy Potatoes
Real home cooks give this cheesy potatoes recipe rave reviews, whether they're made simply in the slow cooker or baked in a casserole dish.
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Illinois: Triple Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry fans will ask for this sauce again and again. It's loaded with their favorite fruit—in fresh, dried and juice form. Orange and allspice make it awesome. —Arlene Smulski, Lyons, Illinois
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Indiana: Apple Dumpling Bake
I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
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Iowa: Party Potatoes
These creamy, tasty potatoes can be made the day before and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to pop them in the oven (I often do that). The garlic powder and chives add zip, and the shredded cheese adds color. —Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa
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Kansas: Contest-Winning Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Our recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip bread is a fall staple for any day, any time of the week.
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Kentucky: Hearty Quinoa & Corn Chowder
My grandmother lived in the Appalachian Mountains and always served straight-from-the-garden corn and beans. I updated her dish with quinoa and herbs. — Kari Napier, Louisville, Kentucky
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Louisiana: Caramel Apple Muffins
These muffins are perfect for anyone who loves caramel apples. They are particularly good with breakfast or during a coffee break. —Therese Puckett, Shreveport, Louisiana
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Maine: Buttercup Squash Coffee Cake
My father grows a large buttercup squash patch, so each fall, I get an ample amount of his harvest. I make this treat to share with my co-workers. They rave about the moist cake, the crunchy streusel and the applesauce between the layers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine
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Maryland: Caramel Apple Strudel
My father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland
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Massachusetts: Deep-Dish Apple Pie
This deep-dish apple pie is a winner! The crust is so flaky and the filling is sure to please everyone. —Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, Massachusetts
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Michigan: Creamy Cranberry Salad
This cranberry salad (or cranberry fluff salad to some) is an excellent side or dessert recipe. Cranberries, pineapples, green apples and delightful mini marshmallows are all folded together with whipped cream and walnuts for a fluffy yet crunchy dish.
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Minnesota: Grilled Maple Pork Chops
Pork chops on the grill are hard to beat. The marinade is simple, and so good. —Nicholas King, Duluth, Minnesota
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Mississippi: Stuffing from the Slow Cooker
This vegetarian Crockpot stuffing is a keeper. It has all the classic flavor, but it's cooked in a slow cooker for a moist, fluffy stuffing that leaves your oven free for other dishes.
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Missouri: Oven-Roasted Spiced Carrots
I started roasting veggies and serving them often with dinner. Now my children say, “Is it OK to finish the veggies?” Pinch me. —Joan Duckworth, Lee's Summit, Missouri
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Montana: Taste-of-Fall Salad
My parents stayed with me at a friend's beautiful ranch for the holidays and I made them this great salad. It turned into every night's first course. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana
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Nevada: Cauliflower Au Gratin
Count on this dish to make new vegetable converts. Whenever I serve it, people ask me for the recipe. Sometimes I’ll substitute broccoli for all or half the cauliflower, and the green veggie tastes just as good! —Jacki Ricci, Ely, Nevada
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New Hampshire: Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce
My family loves the sweet and spicy combination and declared this recipe an instant favorite just for that reason. The meatballs start sweet but finish with a little heat! —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire
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New Jersey: Maple Carrot Cupcakes
I come from a line of family cooks and have liked to cook and bake since I was young. Mother and Grandmom were always in the kitchen cooking up something delicious. These carrot cupcakes were Grandmom's specialty, and we always have them at family gatherings. —Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio, Vineland, New Jersey
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New Mexico: Slow Cooker Cider
There's no last-minute rush before the party when you simmer this slow-cooker apple cider. It has all the tantalizing flavors of fall. —Alpha Wilson, Roswell, New Mexico
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New York: Giant Molasses Cookies
Learn how to make molasses cookies with our top-rated recipe and step-by-step tips from an expert baker.
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North Carolina: Marmalade Candied Carrots
My favorite way to make baby carrots is to steam them, then drizzle with an orangey glaze that makes them candy-sweet. —Heather Clemmons, Supply, North Carolina
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North Dakota: Caramel Apple Cheesecake
This caramel apple cheesecake will bring back nostalgic memories of your childhood visits to the fair. This version is all grown up, with a rich cheesecake filling and its garnish of pecans.
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Ohio: Pumpkin Torte
This beautiful layered cake has a creamy filling with a mild pumpkin flavor and a little spice. It is quick and always turns out so well. The nuts and caramel topping add a nice finishing touch. —Trixie Fisher, Piqua, Ohio
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Oklahoma: Spicy Touchdown Chili
For me, football, cool weather and chili just seem to go together. Whether I’m cheering on the local team on a Friday night or enjoying a Saturday afternoon of Oklahoma Sooner football with some friends, I enjoy serving this chili on game day. —Chris Neal, Quapaw, Oklahoma
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Oregon: Cranberry Honey Butter
If you are traveling to a friend's or loved one's for the holidays, bring them something even better than a bottle of wine—this easy to whip up treat! —Arisa Cupp, Sherwood, Oregon
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Pennsylvania: Stuffed Pepper Soup
Stuffed pepper soup is quicker and easier to make than regular stuffed peppers—yet it is just as delicious! If you love the classic comfort food, you'll love this variation.These are the best fall soup recipes to try this season.
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South Carolina: Honey-Glazed Chicken Kabobs
This is my husband’s favorite "special day" meal. I serve it with rice pilaf, salad and grilled garlic bread. —Tracey Miller, Aiken, South Carolina
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Tennessee: Mom's Sweet Potato Bake
Mom loved sweet potatoes and fixed them often in this creamy, comforting baked sweet potato casserole. With its nutty topping, this side dish could almost be served as a dessert. It's a yummy treat! —Sandi Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee
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Utah: Classic French Onion Soup
This rich and comforting French onion soup recipe is surprisingly simple to make at home. And it rivals the soup you’ll find at any restaurant.
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Virginia: Pumpkin Banana Bread
This easy pumpkin banana bread recipe is a delicious way to welcome in fall.
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Washington: Green Bean Casserole
If green bean casserole is your go-to Thanksgiving side dish, why not make it more often? The creamy, crunchy dish is an easy make-ahead recipe that goes well with a variety of meals.
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West Virginia: Aunt Lou's Fresh Apple Cake
My Great-Aunt Lou made a luscious fresh apple cake recipe that became a family tradition. My mom makes it for our annual beach trip to the Outer Banks. —Cristy King, Scott Depot, West Virginia
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Wisconsin: Winning Apple Crisp
Every bite of this apple crisp has tart, tender apples and a cinnamon streusel topping. It smells like heaven when it's baking too!
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Wyoming: Wild Rice Stuffing
This wild rice stuffing has a nutty, earthy flavor and a pleasant chewy texture. It pairs beautifully with a plate of Thanksgiving turkey and gravy.Originally Published: August 11, 2019
