Fall is our favorite season here at Arkansas Frontier. It’s when we open our farm to the public (hint, hint) and celebrate the fruitful harvest of pumpkins galore and more. On the farm, we recreate and celebrate the ways of our frontier ancestors in the early 1900s, and that includes food! As the crisp air arrives and leaves turn golden, fall brings the need for simple, hearty dishes that fill the belly and warm the heart!
In this article, we’ve chosen 10 “frontier” dishes that use natural, wholesome ingredients you probably have in the pantry. These easy 5-ingredient recipes for fall check can be made in the comfort of your home or over a campfire. We’ve included breakfast options, hearty dinners, and even a few options for a fall-inspired afternoon pick-me-up. We’ve even given you some suggested pairings, so you can enjoy delicious meals without the fuss!
Fall on the Frontier
As mentioned, fall is our favorite time on the Frontier! Our U-pick Pumpkin patch opens for the month of October, and we would love to see all your faces! We’re open M-F from October 1-31. We are about so much more than picking pumpkins. Not only do we rock the standard games and activities, but we transport you back in time to an early 20th-century frontier village and test your homesteading skills! Above and beyond our daily adventures, we’re hosting two Family Fall Festivals on Saturday, October 19th & 26th! Don’t miss fall at Arkansas Frontier!
**Attention all teachers! Contact us about a special field trip!
Top Ten Easy 5-Ingredient Recipes for Fall
Here they are, in no particular order, our choices for the best recipes this fall. Make them at home, or transport them to the campground, either way, your creations will be the star of the show!
1. Butternut Squash Soup Hug
Ingredient List:
- 1 large butternut squash
- 1 yellow onion
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup coconut milk
- Olive oil
How to Make It:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut the butternut squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast face down for 45-50 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, sauté diced onions in olive oil until translucent. Once the squash is cool, scoop out the flesh and blend in a food processor with the onions, vegetable broth, and coconut milk until smooth. Heat in a pot until warmed through. Serve hot.
Pair With:
- Crusty sourdough bread for dipping
- A light mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
This creamy soup is rich and comforting, so a crisp salad and hearty bread balance the meal perfectly.
Frontier Version:
If you want to go truly frontier with this one, you can wrap the vegetables and oil in aluminum foil and bury them under your campfire. When soft, hand mash, add liquid ingredients, warm over the campfire, strain, and serve!
2. Honey-Roasted Carrots Delight
Ingredient List:
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut lengthwise
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss carrots with honey, olive oil, salt, and thyme sprigs. Spread on a sheet pan and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and caramelized.
Pair With:
- Roasted chicken or turkey
- Quinoa or wild rice
These sweet and tender carrots complement savory main courses like roasted meats and grains with nutty flavors.
Frontier Version:
This hearty side dish can also be made in a frontier manner by burning under the fire, also known as a “hobo meal.” If carrots aren’t your thing, swap them for roasted acorn squash. Acorn squash is a perfect fall comfort food!
3. Sweet Potato Medley Mash
Ingredient List:
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until they’re soft. Let them cool slightly, then remove the skins. Mash the sweet potatoes with butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
Pair With:
- Grilled pork chops or sausages
- Steamed green beans
The natural sweetness of the mashed sweet potatoes contrasts nicely with savory, spiced meats and fresh green veggies.
Frontier Version:
Just like the others so far, these can be roasted slowly over embers or made into a hobo meal.
4. Apple Cinnamon Oats Bowl
Ingredient List:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 apples, diced
- 2 cups almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
How to Make It:
Bring milk to a simmer in a saucepan, then stir in oats and diced apples. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until thickened. Stir in cinnamon and maple syrup before serving.
Pair With:
- A side of yogurt topped with granola
- A hot cup of spiced chai or black tea
This hearty breakfast is already filling and fills your home with the scents of autumn. A side of yogurt adds protein and a warm drink enhances the cozy, fall flavors. We also love this recipe because you can make a huge batch and refrigerate, serving it all week in an overnight oats fashion.
5. Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Sip
Ingredient List:
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 banana
- 1 cup of your chosen milk
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
How to Make It:
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve chilled or over ice for a refreshing fall-inspired drink.
Pair With:
- A handful of toasted pumpkin seeds or nuts
- A slice of whole-grain toast with almond butte
This combination works well for an afternoon pick-me-up! A simple, crunchy snack like nuts or toast makes a satisfying addition to this smooth, fall-inspired drink.
Frontier Version:
While certainly more work, you could definitely hand mix this and strain it with cheesecloth if you don’t have a blender handy!
6. Maple Pecan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Ingredient List:
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or crushed pistachios
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once. Add pecans during the last 5 minutes of roasting for a toasty finish.
Pair With:
- Grilled salmon or roasted chicken
- Creamy mashed potatoes
The earthy flavors of Brussels sprouts pair well with light, flaky fish or rich meats, alongside creamy mashed potatoes for balance.
Frontier Version:
Brussel sprouts are just as good cooked over low fire in a cast-iron skillet with a lid. You may need to add a couple of teaspoons of water during the cooking process to keep them moist.
7. Cast Iron Apple Crisp
Ingredient List:
- 4 apples, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tbsp honey
How to Make It:
Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a cast iron skillet, layer the apple slices. In a separate bowl, mix oats, cinnamon, and butter until golden, then stir in the honey. Spread the crumble mixture over the apples. Bake or slow roast over a fire for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and the apples are tender.
Pair With:
A cup of strong black coffee or hot tea, just like they would have done on the frontier.
Hot Tip: Tired of apples? Swap them out for pears!
8. Frontier Stew Pot
Ingredient List:
- 1 lb beef stew meat
- 4 potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cups beef broth
How to Make It:
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the beef over medium heat. Add the chopped potatoes, carrots, onions, and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5-2 hours until the meat is tender and the vegetables are soft. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pair With:
- A warm slice of skillet cornbread or biscuits to make this a true frontier meal.
9. Rosemary Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Ingredient List:
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (or get those campfire embers going). Toss the potatoes with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Pair With:
- Grilled steak or lamb chops
- A side of sautéed spinach
Crispy roasted potatoes are the perfect companion to a hearty main like steak or lamb, with a side of garlicky greens to add freshness. With these three strategically chosen items, you have a full meal that can easily be created at the campsite and is sure to wow!
10. Apple Cider Chicken
Ingredient List:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It:
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. In a skillet, sear the chicken in olive oil until browned, then set aside. In the same pan, mix apple cider and Dijon mustard, simmering until slightly thickened. Return the chicken to the pan, coat with glaze, and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Pair With:
- Roasted sweet potatoes or parsnips
- Sautéed Brussels sprouts
This sweet and savory chicken dish pairs nicely with roasted root vegetables and a side of Brussels sprouts for a fully balanced fall meal.
Frontier Version:
As with our other recipes, apple cider glazed chicken can easily be made on a grate over an open fire!
Bonus Recipe:
Fall recipes can be heavy and rich. If you’ve got a warm fall day (which we have in abundance here in Arkansas), you might steer away from the chili and slews and go for a simple salad with a fall theme.
Cranberry Walnut Salad Crunch
Ingredient List:
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinaigrette
- Crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
How to Make It:
Toss mixed greens with dried cranberries, walnuts, and apple cider vinaigrette. Add crumbled feta or goat cheese for extra richness. No baking is required for this simple fall salad!
Pair With:
- A slice of quiche or savory tart
- A bowl of butternut squash soup
This super easy salad works well as a side dish to a rich, cheesy quiche or hearty soup for a more filling meal.
Frontier Version:
Apple cider vinaigrette is easy to make with standard pantry ingredients. Just toss together a squirt of honey, a splash of apple cider vinegar, a squeeze of fresh lemon, a pinch of salt, and a good blob of extra virgin olive oil! Then, give it a whisk! Check out this full recipe from Alexandra’s Kitchen!
Five-Ingredient Simple Fall Cooking- Final Thoughts
Can you smell the cinnamon yet? I don’t know about you all, but my mouth is now watering, and it’s time for me to go whip something up in the kitchen. I think we’ll have apple cider chicken tonight! Don’t forget to save this blog to your phone so you have easy access the these easy 5-ingredient recipes for fall!
Did you know the Natural State is famous for Arkansas Green Beans? Soy sauce, brown sugar, bacon, and garlic…what more could ask for?!
Stay tuned for next week when we release our newest blog on the updated Arkansas fall activities for 2024! Until then, check out last year’s winners and start filling your calendar with family-friendly fall events!