![colorful halloween bark](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.allrecipes.com/thmb/AxLCJglCEG7-v1pvgXa6Q_aXUh0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ar-Halloween-Bark-4x3-9b340feb7c8b47dd8d57a6a7d5c3809f.jpg)
Allrecipes Magazine
October is a festive month from beginning to end. We wrap up Oktoberfest just in time to go pumpkin picking and costume shopping for Halloween. And as we're watching the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, we're getting inspired in the kitchen, too.
Autumn cooking has us ready to indulge in cozy comfort foods and fall favorites. From hearty stews to spooky treats, we've got a lineup of recipes that will have you swapping out that witch's hat for an apron and your wand for a wooden spoon. Let's dive into the culinary magic that awaits us.
Apple Fritter Pancakes
![Apple fritter pancakes served with apple slices and sausage.](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/ENwEz2TBq2TbZG1SryttGrk7XDA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8496144-apple-fritter-pancakes-VAT-hero-02-4x3-715c84e950754f878b2c91c98b7355c0.jpg)
ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY
Turn a beloved fall treat into a special post-apple-picking breakfast with this recipe for "perfectly light, and airy pancake[s] that taste like an apple fritter doughnut," according to Chef John. Reviewer fiona1966msncom writes, "These pancakes were unlike any others that I have made in the past. They are crispy on the outside and are just plain DELICIOUS! I will definitely be making these again."
Sausage and Sauerkraut
![Beer-Glazed Brats and Sauerkraut](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/39z4RwxyamhXmHotuQS4rGOkUJI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/876299-Beer-Glazed-Brats-and-Sauerkraut-Photo-by-lutzflcat-2000-88d191eb332b4067b43fbbadfb3a0492.jpg)
Lucky for us, Oktoberfest—in all its culinary glory—runs through October 3, just in time to close out the occasion with a comforting plate of sausage and sauerkraut this month. An added bonus of this particular recipe is how versatile it is; Though it calls for kielbasa, you can easily use Italian pork sausage, bratwurst, chicken sausage, or even a plant-based option. The brown sugar, bacon, and onion help mellow out the sauerkraut and round out the dish as well.
Homemade Hot Apple Cider
![Close up on a glass mug of hot apple cider, with a cinnamon stick garnish.](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/mrWjvbSfj0npL8_26Svhx33wgjE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/9501-hot-apple-cider-DDMFS-4x3-262c1362f2514c998fd61ff9dff61350.jpg)
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
It's officially fall, y'all! And that means it's time to cozy up with a big mug of hot cider. While this cherished apple drink is wonderfully sweet, tart and satisfying on its own, it's also fun to spice it up (literally and figuratively) with cinnamon, clove, citrus, and maple syrup like in this recipe. It can be further elevated into an adults-only cocktail featuring bourbon, spiced rum, or your liquor of choice. But whatever you do, save some cider to use in your cooking, too.
Touchdown Chili
![A bowl of red beef chili topped with parsley, sour cream and cheddar cheese](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/roTVM-u1xzanywtlNttE4H9i5r8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Secret-Ingredients-for-the-Best-Chili_3x2-bd55d8cf704e4c9389a3bc1f74f00efd.jpg)
Just as we've been waiting for cooler weather to enjoy hot apple cider, we've been dreaming of chili. This recipe, perfect for football season, calls for a generic, unspecified beer, but a great way to get more flavor into your bowl is to use a specialty bottle like a dark stout or a pumpkin brew.
Roquefort Pear Salad
![Roquefort Pear Salad on a platter](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/tNJyOap3lE3CUJqR_ZUD60CKqqk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/34613-roquefort-pear-salad-DDMFS-beauty-4x3-BG-4614-b38f28545b79476991c9542856d2b7a4.jpg)
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Serve this alongside your chili to round out dinner, or add a protein and make it the main course on a warm fall evening. Either way, this show-stopping salad featuring pears, crumbled Roquefort, avocado, caramelized pecans, and a tangy vinaigrette is an autumn go-to. Nearly 1,900 5-star reviews back this sentiment up.
Eggplant Parmesan
![close up view of eggplant parmesan in a baking dish, and a slice of eggplant parmesan on a spatula](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/L9wpL6T8bgfo7C09-Euoa-OSN0A=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/25321-eggplant-parmesan-ii-DDMFS-4x3-6d53ce79765b4c3d9f554d2a47e14d00.jpg)
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Recipe creator Dolores Gentner is selling this comfort food classic straight to us this month. Dolores writes, "This easy eggplant Parmesan recipe has layers of crispy, breaded eggplant slices that have been baked, instead of fried. The combination of crunchy bread crumbs, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese is guaranteed to please!" Serve it with pasta, roasted vegetables, or a simple seasonal salad.
Cheddar Bay Biscuit Chicken Cobbler
![a close up view of a single serving of cheddar bay biscuit cobbler on a white plate.](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/UFdsNDXME250qLCCLVP9ZOcAUII=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cheddar-Bay-Biscuit-Chicken-Cobbler-ddmfs-3x4-1-f90dd44c4c98447a8121268179e5909b.jpg)
Forget apple or peach cobbler—that was so last season. Instead, try a spin on chicken pot pie that takes half the amount of effort but delivers the same satisfaction. It seems like Chicken Cobbler is having a moment right now—and we can see why. This recipe uses rotisserie chicken, a bag of frozen veggies, and biscuit mix for a comforting casserole in just about an hour.
Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
![high angle looking into a bowl of mushroom risotto](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/ZCcAL-VndTcSvpiVu09D-reBoxs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/259455-instant-pot-mushroom-risotto-DDMFS-4x3-0ce2893dac9f49749fcd67a23a11ec1c.jpg)
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Mushrooms are one of those ingredients that perfectly bridge the gap between seasons. Throw them in your Instant Pot with Arborio rice and you'll realize just how easy risotto can be. Reviewer codemasterg agrees, calling this dish a "Simple, easy recipe that delivers," continuing on to say "This is definitely a keeper, thank you for this great labor-saving and delicious recipe."
Chef John's Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
![golden baked loaf of chocolate chip and pumpkin seed pumpkin bread sliced open on a board](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/ygHllZ4r2h9pS3vPYkrhgA_JJN4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7970341_Chocolate-Chip-Pumpkin-Bread_Chef-John_4x3-4b2239f2fe724cd7be3104beb714fcff.jpg)
Chef John
We’re finally ready to lean into all things pumpkin this month. But when you're staring at a roundup of the best pumpkin recipes, it can be hard to narrow it down. What better place to start than with pumpkin bread? The Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread might be our most popular pumpkin bread recipe to date, but Chef John is offering up a chocolate chip twist in his revamped recipe that is too tempting to pass up. Especially when he notes "This chocolate chip pumpkin bread is one of the lightest, moistest, most flavorful pumpkin breads ever, and probably the easiest." Where Chef John leads, we will follow!
Halloween Bark
![colorful halloween bark](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/AxLCJglCEG7-v1pvgXa6Q_aXUh0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ar-Halloween-Bark-4x3-9b340feb7c8b47dd8d57a6a7d5c3809f.jpg)
Allrecipes Magazine
We could (and will) spend all of October whipping up spooky recipes left and right. From Hot Dog Mummies to Spiderweb Layered Dip to Skull Cupcakes, Chocolate-Candy Corn Pretzel Bites, Slime Popcorn, and many more fun Halloween treats, this month is all about celebrating the 31st. And this chocolate bark makes for a festive project the whole crew can put their spell on.
Let the enchantment of the season inspire us all.