Assuming you are looking for quick fall recipes, there is always the — are they also healthy and delicious question.  Well, I have good news for you. As long as you can get your hands on any of the ingredients which are readily available on and off season there is nothing to worry about.

You will be able to make any of these easy fall recipes  anytime.

Butternut or winter squash?√.  Pumpkin? √.  Pomegranate √.  Not only are these vegetables in season, but they are very healthy.  Take squash for example.

Winter Squash: Perfect Fall Food with Blood Sugar Balancing Benefits

According to The World Healthiest Foods Research a second area of high potential for winter squash and its health benefits is blood sugar regulation and prevention of type 2 diabetes.

We’ve already seen evidence in animal studies that show improvement in blood sugar and insulin regulation following intake of cell wall polysaccharides from winter squash and other Cucurbita foods. Likewise, we’ve seen research pointing to other nutrients found in winter squash as beneficial for blood sugar control.

These nutrients include the B-vitamin like compound d-chiro-inositol—a nutrient we expect to see moving up on the radar screen with respect to blood sugar regulation. It’s also important to remember that blood sugar regulation is closely tied to our overall supply of B-complex vitamins, and that winter squash is unusual in its B-vitamin composition. This food provides a good amount of five B-complex vitamins! Those vitamins are B1, B3, B6, pantothenic acid, and folate.

1. Pumpkin Pancakes with Bacon and Pecans

Pancakes aren’t just for breakfast, and these delicious grain free pumpkin bacon pecan ones aren’t the exception. Whether you are following a grain-gluten free lifestyle or not, these pancakes will be a great addition to your repertoire of delicious and healthy recipes.

2. Paleo Holiday Hash

This hash combines amazing fall ingredients with some protein, which make it perfect for a delicious breakfast or as a side dish for any healthy meal.  Plus sweet potatoes are one of those healthy low glycemic carbs. What’s not to love about this delicious hash?

3. Butternut Squash and Smokey Ham Quinoa

Summer is almost gone, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop eating salads.  This hearty wholesome salad is packed with butternut squash, ham, onions and delicious herbs that will decadently entice your guests senses. You will want to make this salad all season long.

4. Grapefruit and IPA Grilled Chicken Wings

Yes, I can see the eye roll from here… Wings a healthy food? Absolutely!  These wings are grilled  [which is the key to this recipe], low carb and best yet she uses a gluten removed beer for flavor. Oh my I’d make three batches!

Here is an awesome tip by Mellissa from Ibreathiamhungry to get perfect wings:

If you don’t have a lot of time to spend at the grill lovingly turning and basting these long enough to get the skin crisp and the fat rendered out, you can cheat by boiling your wings in salted water for about 5 minutes.  That seasons them and gets lots of the fat out from under the skin.  Then you grill them and baste them and your cooking time is cut in half – with tender mouthwatering results.

 

5. Pumpkin Apple Muffins- Grain, Gluten Free, No Sugar Added

Autumn is in the air… and what better way to celebrate than with ingredients like pumpkin, apple, cinnamon with a healthy twist– coconut.

As we all know coconut is a very healthy food full of natural fiber and those amazing chain fatty acids we need.  These grain free muffins will be a hit with your guests or your new go to and guilt free pleasure.

6. Roasted & Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is full of fiber, 486 mg of Potassium, Vitamins A,C, D, B6 & B12 putting it a the top of the list of healthy ingredients.  Add the protein from the beef, and the bursting flavor of the rest of the ingredient and you’ve got yourself a marvelous meal. By the way, who says you can’t eat the bowl?

7. Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey-Cumin Vinaigrette

If you want to add a light touch to your fall meal or simply want to change it up a bit, give this lovely salad a try.  Satisfaction will be the last word in your guests mouths.

8. Paleo: Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Kale

As if this soup doesn’t look good enough, it is also (Gaps, Paleo, Grain-Free) friendly. That means that you have less to worry about when it comes to allergies, or certain lifestyles.  All you have to think about, is how much your friends and family will enjoy this hearty soup.

9. Brazilian Shrimp Stew (Moqueca de Camaroes)

Shrimp stew for a fall recipe you ask? Yes Maaam or Sir :).  If you want to wow your family –or friends with a wonderful low carbohydrate, gluten free stew that is not only healthy but the flavors will explode in your mouth, this is your dish.  Warm, scrumptious and best yet– healthy.  Go ahead and be different you will be remembered for decades to come.

10. Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash

When it comes to autumn recipes, this is your go to dish.  Whether you are looking to make healthy fall lunch recipes or even for dinner, you will be winning in both departments; flavor and health!

Note: This recipe is so gorgeous and delicious that I decided to add it to this list of fall recipes- despite the fact that it is made with brown sugar. However there is an easy fix :).To make it low glycemic or diabetic friendly )for healthier version) omit the sugar and instead use coconut syrup (find it here) or even swerve– an all natural sweetener that measures and tastes like sugar without the glycemic load.  (Find swerve here)

11. Quinoa Salad with Apples, Cranberries, Pecans & Maple Basil Dressing

Nothing speaks fall recipes louder than this amazing Quinoa salad.  There are healthy apple recipes, but this definitely tops them all when it comes to satisfying, taste and healthy all at the same time.  Salads go pretty much with every meal or even as a snack.

Packed with powerful antioxidants from the cranberries and apples, healthy fats from the pecans and of course all of the health benefits of Quinoa.  Now, if you are watching the glycemic load in foods– like I– am simply swap the maple for organic coconut syrup.  (Try coconut syrup here).

12. Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts 

Yes- I know donuts healthy? Ahh yep, I found these amazing grain free, gluten free, no sugar added donuts. Even better they aren’t deep fried, they baked; now we are in healthy business.  So, if your family or friends don ‘t want to try any of the other healthy options, they will appreciate this “super healthy one” –in disguise (grin).

13. Beef and Lentil Stew

Try this warm and hearty beef and lentil stew that pairs nutrition with flavor.  As an added bonus lentil soup freezes very well, so you will be able to enjoy this iron charged meal all throughout the season.

14. Pumpkin Pie Poppers

Ahh dessert… wait let’s try that again–Ahh healthy dessert!!! Sounds even better right?

These gorgeous pumpkin pie poppers are super easy to make and even easier to eat.  In about 20 minutes you’ll have a decadent, tasty dessert to please the toughest crowd.

15. Spaghetti squash bacon spinach and feta cheese

Give this satisfying and healthy Spaghetti Squash dish when the local squash in in season and you are able to find all of these nutritious ingredients.

16. Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cranberries & Candied Walnuts

I don’t know about you, but there is nothing better in a salad bursting with different flavors and textures!

According to live strong, Butternut squash has a glycemic index ranking of 51. Based on a serving size of 80 grams, or about 1/3 cup of boiled, mashed squash, butternut squash has a very low glycemic load of 3. These are numbers for plain squash. Adding sugar, butter or other ingredients can affect the vegetable’s glycemic index and load.   Not bad at all!

Go ahead and serve this health fall recipe confidently.

17. Roasted Fall Vegetables

This dish is very versatile because you can use it as a side dish next to an elegant roasted ham, salmon or even for Thanksgiving.  Best of all? It literally cooks itself in less than on hour. If you are pressed for time, sautee these beauties in coconut or olive oil and voila!

18. Pumpking Cheesecake Truffles 

Who said you can’t indulge on decadent desserts while eating clean and keeping it healthy?

These truffles will be a fantastic addition to your healthy fall meal.  With only 4.6 NET grams of carbs, and almost 2 grams of fiber you and your guest can confidently devour this fall dessert; with zero guilt.   Dark chocolate, spices and pumpkin puree makes these truffles a super- healthy dessert. 

Question: Would you make any of theses recipes? Which one caught your attention? What has been your experience when cooking for a crowd? You can leave a comment below.