When you think of fall what comes to mind? The sight of family and friends. The warmth of a fire. The smell of fresh baking bread. The taste of pumpkin. So many wonderful food-related memories! Here are 10 cozy, fall recipes inspired by YA books!
Recipes from young adult classics like Harry Potter and Hunger Games plus new favorites to fall in love with, too.
Including:
Dragonborn Crème Brule - Inspired by Dragonborn
Pumpkin Pasties
Inspired by Harry Potter
What could be more "fall" to kick off our list than a Harry Potter x Pumpkin recipe?! Check out Simply Magical Susan's recipe for these easy, delicious pumpkin treats.
The Fully Illustrated Edition
"Go on, have a pasty,” said Harry, who had never had anything to share before or, indeed, anyone to share it with. It was a nice feeling, sitting there with Ron, eating their way through all Harry’s pasties, cakes, and sweets (the sandwiches lay forgotten).
Gingerbread Cookies
Inspired by Hansel and the Gingerbread Queen
Have you ever had a Crumbl cookie? They're delicious (and often found gifted around corporate offices in the USA, especially during the holidays). Check out Lifestyle of a Foodie's copycat recipe.
No matter how the sugar sparkles, never sample the sweets.
Evony is the daughter of a witch, with all of her reputation but none of her powers. She's spent her whole life in the heart of the forest, safe from outsiders in a wondrous candy cottage as dangerous as it is beautiful. Kept company by a trio of tiny companions—a loyal gingerbread dragon and two mischievous brownies—Evony's one desire is to find a place in the human world. But first, she must find a way to undo her mother's spells and free the poor souls who fell to temptation.
Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso
Inspired by Seven Crowns
This is such a rich, flavorful drink and part of the fun of making it at home is you can do everything just to taste. Want less sugar? No problem. Prefer cow's milk? Easy peasy. Check out Healthful Idea's copycat recipe below.
(Kitchen Hack: If you have a Keurig, you can get an espresso facsimile. Opt for a dark roast coffee. Use the smallest size and select the "strong" setting. Brew over your cold oat milk before adding ice to avoid diluting.)
Caffeine addicts, rejoice! Coffee is mentioned 40 times in Seven Crowns.
“Wait a minute,” Ana cried, spotting a stainless steel handle. “Don’t tell me you cannibalized the electric kettle?”
“Sorry.” Holden winced. “I know how you like your morning coffee.”
“Like is an understatement.”
“Oh, chill out, Halt," Shay interrupted. "This is going to be worth it. You’ll be sipping coffee back on Bellaton in no time. You can flavor it with Adam’s tears after he loses this challenge.”
If you loved the royal court intrigue of Cruel Prince and the dystopian, interstellar twist of Cinder, the Shadows & Starlight series is for you!
Lamb Stew with Dried Plums
Inspired by Hunger Games
Would a cozy, fall food list really be complete without a stew? Luckily, Spinach Tiger gives us the perfect Hunger Games inspired dish.
“I’m starving and the stew is so delicious—beef, potatoes, turnips, and onions in a thick gravy—that I have to force myself to slow down. All around the dining hall, you can feel the rejuvenating effect that a good meal can bring on. The way it can make people kinder, funnier, more optimistic, and remind them it’s not a mistake to go on living. It’s better than any medicine.”
Join Katniss in this epic YA dystopian series as she battles sixteen other teens for her life.
Frozen Butterbeer
Inspired by Harry Potter
If you're lucky enough to have visited Universal Studio's Harry Potter Park, then you probably already know how delicious their frozen butterbeer is! Check out Living Locurto's copycat recipe, and you'll feel like you're back on the Hogwarts Express! (Still waiting on that letter, Dumbledore...)
The Fully Illustrated Edition
For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.
Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts . . . he's at Hogwarts."
Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.
Sourdough Bread
Inspired by A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
The smell of fresh baking bread? Need I say more?! With over 500 reviews and a 5 star rating, you're going to want to check out Alexandra's Kitchen's sourdough recipe.
Fourteen-year-old Mona isn't like the wizards charged with defending the city. She can't control lightning or speak to water. Her familiar is a sourdough starter and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt's bakery making gingerbread men dance.
But Mona's life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona's city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target. And in an embattled city suddenly bereft of wizards, the assassin may be the least of Mona's worries...
Dragonborn Crème Brule
Inspired by Worldwalker + Dragonborn
Prepare yourself for some caramelized ooey-gooey goodness with the author's very own Crème brûlée recipe!
The dead start talking when Adalyn’s magic awakens.
Adalyn’s life as a cook in the king's kitchen will soon end when the spirits of the past reach out to her warning that things are not all as they seem in the Kingdom of Peiruin.
Having long since rid itself of magic the world has not seen a human with magical power in five hundred years. Overwhelmed that her life may be forfeit if her newfound abilities are discovered, Adalyn must find the strength to rise to the challenge of being the only worldwalker.
On her quest to hone her magic, Adalyn enlists the help of the secret race of dwarves and elves and discovers she may be the key to saving them all -- or bringing the kingdom a war that’s long overdue.
A Classic British Breakfast
Inspired by Narnia & The Hobbit
There are so many YA books with great British breakfasts. I feel like Harry Potter, Narnia, and The Hobbit just barely skim the surface. Check out this guide to a classic breakfast on The English Kitchen.
When Lucy enter the wardrobe, she meets a faun who invites her to "a wonderful tea" that includes "a nice brown egg...sardines on toast, and then buttered toast."
The Hobbits in Lord of the Rings like breakfast so much, they eat it twice.
Start Reading The Lord of the Rings.
Start Reading The Chronicles of Narnia.
The Best Dutch Apple Pie
Inspired by The Rose Gate
I'm not drooling. You're drooling! This recipe by the Food Charlatan had many rave reviews from Pinterest commenters and just look at that photo. 🤤
Wanna go apple picking in Faerie... with an otter?!
If you wish that The Cruel Prince was a bit less...cruel, or think that Downton Abbey could be improved by having forest creatures as staff, try The Rose Gate! This is a sweet retelling of Beauty and the Beast that kicks off the Faerie Tale Romances series.
🍂 What's your favorite fall food? 🥧
Drop your favorites in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
This article was written by E.V. Everest.
E.V. Everest is a YA fantasy and sci-fi author, best known for her Shadows & Starlight series. Check out more of her work by clicking any of the book covers below.
