One of the things I love most about fall is the amazing flavors in healthy fall recipes. The pumpkin, of course. But also crisp apples, warm cinnamon, toasted nuts, juicy pears, and delicious maple.

I could honestly eat these ingredients the whole year through. But when the weather gets a bit chilly, I crave them even more.

What Makes a Healthy Fall Recipe?

I’ve been on the search lately to find some of these flavors in recipes that include healthy fats, carbs with good fiber, and lean protein — the trifecta that helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and avoid a spike with eating.

I’m excited to share with you a collection of 15 recipes for fall meals you can try this season — for breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.

HEALTHY FALL RECIPES FOR BREAKFAST

Let’s start the day right, shall we? How about these first three delicious breakfast recipe choices.

1. APPLE PANCAKES WITH OATS

Apples and cinnamon are one of my favorite fall flavor combinations. And these apple pancakes with oats are packed with goodness — fiber from the apples and oats, protein from the oats and nuts and yogurt.

Friend, this one is a win on the list healthy fall recipes for breakfast. Scramble up some eggs for protein, and you’re set for the morning. Or have it as “breakfast for dinner” like we do so often. Either way, it will be dee-lish.

Apple Pancakes with Oats by Beauty Bites

2. PUMPKIN MUFFINS

One of my other favorite fall flavors is pumpkin. I’m a sucker for pumpkin cakes, pumpkin bars, pumpkin breads… you name it. Pumpkin cheesecake? Yes, ma’am! And these pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips look absolutely delicious, don’t they?

This recipe makes nine muffins. At only 80 calories each, you might want to save one as a snack! This muffin recipe offers using any type of milk you like, and oat flour which helps with a lower carb count and additional fiber.

Pumpkin Muffins by Chocolate Covered Katie

3. TRIPLE BERRY OATMEAL BAKE

This triple berry oatmeal bake recipe is a favorite of mine on my list of healthy fall recipes. Sometimes I struggle with oatmeal in warmer weather. But when fall rolls around, I can make this ahead the night before, and pop it in the oven for a cozy, warm (and delicious!) breakfast in the morning.

The combination of oats and berries and almonds give it great nutrition, and a crunchy-but-creamy oatmeal texture. And that teaspoon of cinnamon really makes a difference. Whip up some eggs or serve with yogurt for a yummy fall breakfast.

Triple Berry Oatmeal Bake by Devotions on Diabetes

HEALTHY FALL RECIPES FOR SOUPS AND SALADS

Depending on the temperature as fall fluctuates so much, I am typically either in the mood for soup or a salad for lunch during this season. And I’ve got some really good blood sugar friendly choices to share with you here.

4. Black Bean Tortilla Soup

On a chilly fall day, there’s nothing like a warm bowl of soup. And with this one, you can add a little extra spice to heat things up if you like!

This black bean tortilla soup recipe boasts amazing fiber and protein content, which you’ll have with these nutritious ingredients. And that avocado on top is prime healthy fat. A great fiber-fat-protein blood sugar stabilizing meal for sure. Serve it up for dinner!

Black Bean Tortilla Soup by the Minimalist Baker

5. SHAVED BRUSSELS AND PEAR SALAD

For a warmer fall day, I personally prefer a salad for lunch. And this one is a super tasty combination of ingredients! I’m all about pears in the fall, and I love that they are such an excellent source of fiber in this shaved brussels and pear salad recipe. And the pumpkin seeds here provide fiber as well, in addition to some protein, too. Want to add more protein? Try some shredded chicken or a hard boiled egg.

I personally think that using shaved brussels sprouts as “lettuce” is genius. Looking for a crunchy bite in a healthy fall recipe for lunch? This one is diabetes friendly for sure.

Shaved Brussels and Pear Salad with Manchego by Dishing Out Health

6. Chicken and Barley Soup

I had to include this in my list of healthy fall recipes because this picture alone makes me want to go make it right now. Who doesn’t love homemade chicken soup? It’s just such a comfort food. This one is a low calorie soup that will also fill you up with good balanced nutrition.

Made with barley and chicken, this soup is packed with protein! And with barley being a whole grain, that’s a win for a more stable blood sugar level too.

Homemade Chicken Barley Soup by Clean Healthy Meals

7. Chipotle Pumpkin Chili

I love a good twist on a classic chili recipe, and here’s one with fall written all over it: chipotle pumpkin chili. This particular recipe is full of fiber and protein from two types of beans and half a pound of low fat ground turkey.

And I appreciate the inclusion of some fruits and vegetables too — zucchini, tomato, and red bell pepper — to help round out the flavor and texture.

Chipotle Pumpkin Chili by Rachael Hartley Nutrition

8. Autumn Harvest Salad with Apples and Pears

This recipe is a personal favorite of mine on my list of healthy fall recipes. Every fall I look forward to enjoying this salad for lunches throughout the week.

Like I mentioned before, I dearly love pears, and a combination of textures and flavors. This salad has all of that and more — including an easy homemade dressing that takes it over the top!

Autumn Harvest Salad with Apples and Pears by Devotions on Diabetes

9. CLASSIC MINESTRONE SOUP

I feel like you can’t go wrong with a classic soup as a healthy fall recipe for lunch. This one in particular is pretty low in calories, but definitely high in protein and fiber. And you could swap the traditional pasta for a whole grain option to make it even more diabetic friendly.

In under an hour, your house will be smelling amazing and you will be enjoying this healthy soup for lunch.

Classic Minestrone Soup by Ambitious Kitchen

HEALTHY FALL RECIPES AS MAIN DISHES FOR DINNER

Do you say “supper” or do you say “dinner” when you refer to the meal you eat in the evening? There’s seems to be some debate on that, and I think it’s a regional thing. My husband’s family is from the north and they say “supper” for the evening meal. They call their noontime meal “dinner” and it always confuses this midwest girl.

Regardless, we need healthy and balanced nutrition in our evening meal, no matter what we call it, so our blood sugar levels will be nice and steady going into bedtime. Here are several solid options.

10. Ground Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers

Here’s another recipe you could add some additional heat to if you like: ground chicken stuffed bell peppers. This recipe is a Mexican take on a classic stuffed bell pepper, and without rice it’s pretty low carb.

This colorful and flavorful recipe packs a ton of protein per serving. And you could cut some of the fat and calories by leaving out the sour cream (or subbing in greek yogurt instead).

Ground Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers by Sailor Bailey

11. Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner

A sheet pan dinner is always a win because everything is cooked together on one pan to wash. And I’m all for that! Nutty pecans, smooth butternut squash, and crunchy broccoli and brussels sprouts make it a super delicious choice in this list of healthy fall recipes.

This particular dinner is a wonderful combination of flavors and nutrition. This chicken apple sausage is a healthier alternative to traditional sausage, so that’s the first win. I’m a big fan of substitution. Then the fiber from the broccoli and brussels sprouts is key. The protein is good with the chicken and nuts. It’s gets a gold star in my book!

Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner by Two Pink Peonies

12. Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

This combination of ingredients is like peanut butter and jelly to me. They were absolutely made to be eaten together. And pork chops and apples just scream fall meal to me.

This one-pan dish gets most of its carbs from the apples, which also give good fiber to help blood sugars. Cooking in just 30 minutes, this should be in your fall meal rotation for sure.

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions by Nourish and Fete

13. Sundried Tomato, Spinach, and Cheese Stuffed Chicken

First of all, stuff anything with tomato, spinach, and cheese, and I’m there for it. But this gorgeous chicken even looks exquisite in this cast iron skillet!

You’ll need to calculate your own carbs and such for this recipe because this website doesn’t provide it, but it’s definitely low carb. The majority of the carbs will come from the sundried tomatoes. If you’re not a tomato fan, feel free to substitute in some roasted red pepper instead.

Sundried Tomato, Spinach, and Cheese Stuffed Chicken by Yammie’s Noshery

14. Healthy Whole Grain Pasta

People with diabetes are sometimes told that pasta is a big “no no” for them. But I don’t buy it. Eaten in moderation, and cooked with wholesome ingredients, people with diabetes can absolutely enjoy pasta. It’s the ultimate comfort food — it can’t be excluded from the healthy fall recipes list!

This recipe takes delicious whole grain penne noodles and a quick and easy homemade meat sauce and transforms them into a super comforting meal that’s helpful for stabilizing blood sugar levels. And it’s delicious!

Healthy Whole Grain Pasta for Diabetics by Devotions on Diabetes

15. Harvest Chicken Casserole

Casseroles are another type of recipe that has a bad reputation in the diabetes community. I get it. If you didn’t make it, you don’t know what’s in it, and you can only guess that it’s filled with simple carbs and unhealthy fats. But with the right ingredients, it can work!

In this harvest chicken casserole recipe, most of the carbs come from the tart dried cranberries and delicious sweet potato. But it’s balanced out with other fibrous veggies and proteins, and topped with crunchy pumpkin seeds. What yummy flavor combinations!

Harvest Chicken Casserole by Healthy Fitness Meals

Enjoy these Healthy Fall Recipes

There’s so much variety in these recipes that hopefully you’ve found a few you’d like to try. And hopefully this solves the question of “what’s for dinner tonight?” We hear that in our house pretty much every day. And now maybe we have some new delicious and nutritious answers.

Enjoy!

NOTE: I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician. Nothing here should be taken as professional medical advice. Any nutritional information provided should be used as a general guideline and estimate only. For the most accurate information, please calculate based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, as well as any changes you make to the recipe.

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