Summer Meets Fall: Recipes for the Seasonal Transition

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Photos of salads, pasta, breakfasts, and desserts perfect for the late summer to early fall transition

Whether you’re ready for apples, still hanging onto summer corn, or ebbing and flowing between vibrant summer recipes and cozy fall eats, we’ve got you covered! We’ve gathered recipes perfect for the late summer to early fall transition. Think warm apples topped with vanilla ice cream, refreshing salads with fall produce, and much more!

Late Summer to Early Fall Recipes

What’s in season will vary depending on where you live, but we’ve gathered recipes that call for produce items generally abundant in US grocery stores in late August and early to mid-September.

You can click to jump to your favorite fruit or veggie (corn, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, green beans, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, blackberries, grapes, stone fruits, figs, apples, and pears), or scroll through to get inspired by them all!

(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)

Corn

Two gold spoons in a skillet of Cheesy Jalapeno Corn Dip
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Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Dip
Easy, 10-ingredient cheesy jalapeño corn dip that's entirely vegan and gluten-free! Perfectly sweet, spicy, and savory ⁠— the perfect dip for summer!
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Bowls with our Southwest Black Bean Dip recipe and with plantain chips
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Southwest Sweet Potato Black Bean Dip
Loaded with wholesome, everyday ingredients, this 30-minute Southwest Sweet Potato Black Bean Dip can be enjoyed as an appetizer or side dish on Mexican night. It’s also a great addition to burrito bowls, tacos, nachos, and more!
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Vegan Chipotle Ranch Dressing drizzled over our fresh Grilled Corn Salad recipe
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Grilled Corn Salad with Vegan Chipotle Ranch Dressing (30 Minutes!)
Easy, 30-minute grilled corn salad perfect for summer gatherings. Pair with just about any main and top with our Easy Vegan Chipotle Ranch Dressing!
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Big bowl of Simple Summer Corn Soup
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Simple Summer Corn Soup
9-ingredient simple summer chowder with corn and potatoes. Blend for a creamier soup, or leave as is for a brothy soup with more texture.
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Eggplant

Cubed roasted eggplant on a baking sheet
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Perfect Roasted Eggplant (Tender, Caramelized!)
An easy, step-by-step recipe for oven-roasted eggplant! It’s tender, caramelized, versatile, and perfect every time! Just 3 ingredients and 30 minutes required.
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Plate with a slice of Lentil & Eggplant Lasagna topped with fresh basil
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Lentil & Eggplant Lasagna
Satisfying, healthy eggplant lasagna with lentil marinara. Made with just 10 ingredients, this is the perfect plant-based, gluten-free entrée!
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Fork resting on a plate of vegan moussaka
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The BEST Vegan Moussaka
Incredibly delicious vegan moussaka with layers of roasted eggplant, hearty tomato lentil sauce, and roasted garlic cashew bechamel! Just 10 ingredients and simple methods required.
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Overhead shot of a plate of miso-glazed salmon, eggplant, and broccolini
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Miso-Glazed Salmon & Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner
Sheet pan meal with salmon, eggplant, and broccolini coated in a gingery miso glaze. An easy, satisfying weeknight dinner with just 10 ingredients required!
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Peppers

Cutting board of Spanish Quinoa Stuffed Peppers topped with avocado, cilantro, and onion
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Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Amazing Mexican-inspired quinoa stuffed peppers made with just 10 ingredients! Simple, flavorful, full of protein and fiber, and entirely vegan and gluten-free!
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Platter of our Lentil Curry Salad made with Kale, Roasted Veggies, and Green Curry Dressing
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Curry Roasted Vegetable & Lentil Kale Salad
A hearty, intensely flavorful kale salad with roasted curried vegetables, lentils, and a tangy, spicy green curry dressing. Just 30 minutes required!
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Plate of our green enchilada bake recipe
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Pinto Bean & Veggie Green Enchilada Bake
Saucy, satisfying enchilada casserole with green enchilada sauce, veggies, and pinto beans. A hearty, quick, nourishing entrée that’s vegan, gluten-free, and easy to prepare. Just 10 ingredients required!
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Holding a bowl of roasted red pepper chickpea curry topped with cilantro and limes
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Roasted Red Pepper Chickpea Curry (Instant Pot Friendly!)
Rich and creamy roasted red pepper curry sauce with hearty sweet potatoes and chickpeas. Plant-based, Instant Pot friendly, and just 10 ingredients required!
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Using a fork to swirl a bite of Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
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Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (GF)
10-ingredient roasted red pepper pasta with a creamy, savory-sweet red pepper sauce and fresh parsley. Light, healthy, and simple, yet incredibly satisfying.
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Using a fork to lift a bite of Vegan Green Chili Mac n Cheese from a skillet
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Vegan Green Chili Mac ‘n’ Cheese
10 ingredient, 30 minute vegan mac n cheese infused with green chili and topped with crispy baked crushed tortilla chips!
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Tomatoes

Parchment-lined baking sheet filled with slow roasted yellow and red cherry tomatoes
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How To Roast Tomatoes
A 3-ingredient recipe for perfect slow-roasted tomatoes! The result is tender, intensely flavorful tomatoes perfect for pastas, salads, pizza, and more!
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Creamy vegan skillet meal with white beans, burst cherry tomatoes, spinach, and fresh basil
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Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet Meal (25 Minutes!)
Creamy vegan skillet meal with white beans, burst cherry tomatoes, and greens in a flavorful cashew sauce. An EASY, comforting meal made with just 10 ingredients in 25 minutes!
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Wooden spoon resting in a pot of Creamy Vegan White Pasta with Summer Vegetables
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Creamy Vegan White Pasta with Summer Vegetables
A light, cheesy white vegan pasta with summer vegetables. Incredibly versatile, 10 ingredients, and a delicious plant-based side or entrée!
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Close up shot of a skillet of our easy shakshuka recipe
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Easy Shakshuka (with Fresh or Canned Tomatoes)
Savory, saucy, flavorful shakshuka made with fresh (or canned) tomatoes! A satisfying, comforting, subtly spicy 1-pot meal suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
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Green Beans

Cast iron skillet filled with spicy stir-fried green beans
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Spicy Stir-Fried Green Beans
Quick and easy stir-fried green beans with ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes! The perfect side for Asian-inspired main dishes and beyond. Just 9 ingredients and 20 minutes required!
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Using wooden spoons to toss a bowl of noodle stir-fry
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Vegan Ginger Sesame Noodles with Crispy Tofu
An easy sheet pan meal with flavorful seasoned tofu and crispy roasted vegetables tossed with saucy ginger sesame noodles. SO flavorful, gluten-free, plant-based, and just 10 ingredients!
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Tray filled with Gado Gado made with roasted and fresh vegetables and Spicy Peanut Sauce
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Gado Gado with Spicy Peanut Sauce
An Indonesian-inspired bowl made with brown rice, vegetables, and spicy peanut sauce. Incredibly customizable and perfect for a simple, basic yet hearty meal. Just 30 minutes required!
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Butternut Squash

Top down shot of a big bowl of Butternut Squash Hummus with olive oil and pine nuts
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Butternut Squash Hummus
Savory, 10-ingredient butternut squash hummus with garlic, parsley, and cumin. A creamy, flavorful dip that's perfect for fall.
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Bowl of Butternut Squash Tom Kha Gai Soup topped with cilantro
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Tom Kha Gai Butternut Squash Soup
Tom kha gai soup with a twist. Butternut squash purée makes it creamy and luxurious and doubles the flavor. Warm, gingery, spicy, and the perfect vegan, GF-friendly soup to warm your weary bones.
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Bowls of Curried Butternut Squash Soup topped with pepitas and a coconut milk drizzle
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Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Creamy Curried Butternut Squash Soup infused with coconut milk and yellow curry powder. A savory, simple soup that’s perfect for the fall and winter months.
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Bowl of gluten-free butternut squash pasta with shiitake bacon
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Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta
Incredibly flavorful roasted butternut squash pasta with garlicky alfredo sauce and optional shiitake bacon. Savory-sweet, comforting, 10 simple ingredients required! Naturally plant-based and gluten-free.
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Cutting board with Butternut Squash Veggie Pizza made with chickpeas and broccolini
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Butternut Squash Veggie Pizza
10-ingredient pizza that’s perfect for late summer and fall. Butternut squash sauce adds a colorful, savory-sweet base, while broccolini, chickpeas, and onion add texture, fiber, and protein. A healthy, plant-based meal the whole family will enjoy.
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Pouring a small jar of Vegan Jalapeño Queso onto a bowl of roasted butternut squash and other veggies
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Roasted Squash Bowl with Jalapeño Queso
A versatile Mexican-inspired bowl with butternut squash, peppers, and vegan queso sauce! Just 10 ingredients required for this satisfying plant-based meal.
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Overhead shot of a baking dish of butternut squash and black bean enchiladas
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Butternut Squash Black Bean Enchiladas
Simple butternut squash black bean enchiladas made from scratch with just 10 ingredients! A savory, satisfying plant-based meal even picky eaters will love.
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Sweet Potatoes

Slicing into Sweet Potato Quinoa Fritters on a plate
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Crispy Quinoa Sweet Potato Fritters
Easy-to-make sweet potato fritters with quinoa, spinach, and eggs! A delicious, gluten-free vegetarian side or snack ready in 30 minutes!
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Big plate of our Sweet Potato Kale Breakfast Scramble made with roasted vegetables
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Roasted Sweet Potato & Kale Breakfast Hash
A hearty, 10-ingredient breakfast hash with roasted sweet potatoes, red onion, kale, and tandoori masala-spiced tofu! A protein- and fiber-packed plant-based meal.
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Dutch oven filled with Chickpea Sweet Potato Kale Green Curry
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1-Pot Green Curry with Chickpeas, Kale, and Sweet Potato
A 1-Pot Thai- and Indian-style fusion green curry made with sweet potatoes, plenty of fresh aromatics, chickpeas, creamy coconut milk, and seasonal greens. The result is a vibrant, creamy, satisfying curry perfect for weeknight meals, meal prep, and beyond!
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Holding a nourish bowl topped with mango hot sauce
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Spicy Black Eyed Pea Nourish Bowls
A nourishing, plant-based, and gluten-free bowl meal made with smoky black eyed peas, tender greens, bright and spicy sauce, and a perfectly cooked sweet potato. It’s savory, satisfying, and amaaazing for meal prep!
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Tahini sauce next to a large bowl of Rosemary Roasted Root Vegetable Panzanella
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Rosemary Roasted Root Vegetable Panzanella
An autumnal panzanella featuring rosemary roasted root vegetables, garlicky chickpeas, and jumbo croutons. Topped with a mustard tahini dressing for the ultimate plant-based meal or side.
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Bowl of hearty kale salad with chipotle pecan pesto
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Hearty Kale Salad with Chipotle Pecan Pesto
An incredibly satisfying and nourishing kale salad BURSTING with smoky and savory goodness. Just 10 ingredients required for this comforting and flavorful plant-based dish!
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Blackberries

Skillet of homemade Blackberry Cobbler topped with coconut whipped cream and a lemon
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Simple Blackberry Cobbler (Vegan + GF)
A simple, healthier blackberry cobbler made in just 1 bowl! Naturally sweetened blackberries and a crumbly gluten-free oat topping send this dish over the top. Perfect with coconut whipped cream or dairy-free ice cream.
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Stack of Vegan Blackberry Cornmeal Muffins with the top one partially eaten
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1-Bowl Blackberry Cornmeal Muffins
Simple, 1-Bowl Cornmeal Muffins studded with ripe blackberries. Tender, perfectly sweet, and a delicious snack or side dish for savory entrées.
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Grapes

Using wooden salad spoons to pick up a serving of Lentil Grape Cauliflower Salad
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Curried Cauliflower, Grape & Lentil Salad
Super delicious kale salad topped with red grapes, lentils, and curry roasted cauliflower. Served with a tahini-green curry paste dressing! Just 30 minutes required for this flavorful side or entrée.
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Stone Fruit

Jar of peaches n cream overnight oats topped with fresh peaches
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Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats
Dreamy Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats made with wholesome ingredients, just 5 minutes hands-on time required! The ultimate plant-based, gluten-free breakfast or snack!
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Cast-iron skillet filled with our Easy Peach Crisp recipe topped with scoops of ice cream
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Easy Peach Crisp (Vegan + GF)
Simple, 10-ingredient Peach Crisp that's naturally vegan and gluten-free! Butter-free, simple methods, and so delicious with dairy-free ice cream!
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Slice and platter of millet breakfast cake with stone fruit
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Fluffy Millet Breakfast Cake with Stone Fruit
A fluffy, wholesome, naturally sweetened cake baked with seasonal fruit. Perfect for brunch, breakfast, snacking, and beyond! Just 1 bowl and simple ingredients required.
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Removing a slice of plum upside down cake from a plate
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Plum Upside Down Cake (Vegan + GF)
Easy plum upside down cake with juicy, tart plums nestled into soft, fluffy, perfectly sweet almond cake. Vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for brunch or dessert. Just 10 ingredients required!
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Figs

Stack of our healthy homemade fig newtons recipe
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Easy Fig Newtons (GF)
8-ingredient, naturally sweetened no-bake fig newtons with nut-date cookie dough and a simple dried fig center. An incredibly tender, delicious take on classic fig newtons.
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Bowl of Toasted Coconut Baked Oatmeal topped with fresh figs
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Toasted Coconut Baked Oatmeal
Delicious baked oatmeal infused with coconut in three ways: coconut flakes, milk, and oil. Made with 10 ingredients, naturally sweetened, and perfect for hosting!
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Apples

Two jars of apple overnight oats with cinnamon
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Apple Pie Overnight Oats
Easy overnight oats infused with the flavors of apple pie! Naturally sweetened, cinnamon-infused, and just 9 wholesome ingredients required. Perfect for fall and beyond!
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Spoons in a pan of Cinnamon Baked Apples topped with vegan ice cream
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Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples
Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples requiring simple ingredients and 1 bowl, plus naturally sweetened! The perfect grain- and gluten-free plant-based dessert for the holidays and beyond!
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Mini cast-iron skillet filled with cooked apples, ice cream, and pecans
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Apple Pie Sundaes (30 minutes!)
Easy, stovetop caramelized apples over cinnamon-sugar pecans and vanilla bean coconut ice cream! A naturally sweetened, 30-minute dessert for fall!
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Bowl with a serving of the best Vegan Apple Crisp with a Pecan-Oat Topping
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The Best Vegan Apple Crisp
The best vegan apple crisp, naturally sweetened and made in 1 bowl! Tender, caramelized apples under a crispy pecan-oat topping. Fall dessert perfection.
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Serving spoon and fork in a bowl of Korean-inspired cabbage apple slaw
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Quick Cabbage Apple Slaw (Korean-Inspired)
A QUICK kimchi-inspired slaw with cabbage, apple, carrot, and a tangy, optionally spicy dressing. Perfect for when you’re craving a side of kimchi for your favorite Korean dishes but don’t want to run to the store or wait for it to ferment. Ready in 20 minutes with just 10 ingredients!
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Servings spoons in a bowl of our simple kale apple slaw recipe
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Kale Apple Slaw with Dijon Vinaigrette
Quick kale apple slaw with a zippy Dijon vinaigrette. A simple, plant-based side for fall and beyond! Just 1 bowl, 10 minutes, and 9 ingredients required!
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Big plate of Apple Pecan Arugula Salad for a healthy vegan side dish
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Apple Pecan Arugula Salad
A healthy, hearty fall salad with peppery arugula, crisp apples, and toasted pecans. Dressed in a simple, vibrant lemon vinaigrette, it makes the perfect light-yet-satisfying plant-based side.
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Hand holding a mug of homemade spiced apple cider
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Hot Spiced Apple Cider (No Added Sugar)
Fragrant, warming spiced apple cider perfect for fall entertaining! No added sweeteners and just 4 ingredients, 1 pot, and 20 minutes required!
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Pears

Cinnamon stick over a plate of caramelized cinnamon-spiced pears
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Caramelized Cinnamon-Spiced Pears (8 Minutes!)
Perfectly tender and subtly spiced pears cooked in just 8 minutes! Perfect for adding to oatmeal, porridges, pancakes, waffles, and ice cream. Just 5 ingredients and 1 pan required!
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Bowl of Brown Sugar Pear Steel Cut Oats topped with pecans
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Brown Sugar Pear Steel Cut Oats
Warm steel-cut oats with brown sugar pears and pecans. A simple vegan breakfast with full servings of fruit, fiber, and protein.
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Baking dish filled with cinnamon baked pears with vegan ice cream
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Easy Baked Pears
Easy baked pears made in one dish with simple ingredients. Serve with vanilla yogurt or ice cream for the ultimate elegant dessert perfect for the holidays and beyond. Just 30 minutes and 1 pan required.
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Bowl of Pear and Candied Walnut Salad for a healthy fall salad
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Pear Balsamic Salad with Dried Cherries and Candied Walnuts
Incredibly flavorful, 30-minute pear balsamic salad with dried cherries and easy candied walnuts! A sweet and savory plant-based side or entrée.
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If you try any of these late summer to early fall recipes, let us know! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag it @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers to the final days of summer sun and hello to fall fun!

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