Whether State College feels like it or not, we’ve officially entered the fall season as of Monday.
Penn State students are always on the lookout for apartment-friendly recipes to prepare for themselves or to share with roommates.
There are many, many recipes to choose from online and in cookbooks, so if this task seems a little overwhelming, here is some inspiration for your new fall apartment eats.
Pumpkin bread
What a classic.
It’s simple to make, requiring only two dishes, a loaf pan, mixing bowl and very few ingredients — most you may already have buried deep in your pantry or fridge.
Pumpkin bread can serve as part of your breakfast, dessert or snack on-the-go as you travel through your busy schedule of the day.
The smell will fill your apartment and will remind you of Halloween at home as a kid. The pumpkin and cinnamon aroma transports you back to the times when you’d run around your house wearing your superhero or fairy costume before trick-or-treating for the night.
This may hint back to the times you sat on your living room floor, hearing the sounds of candy bar wrappers crinkling as you organized them into groups while counting up your grand total.
Pumpkin snickerdoodles
Cinnamon-sugary sweet, and did I mention, pumpkin?
My mother makes these every fall season, and each year I grow to love them more and more. These pumpkin snickerdoodles have a hard outside and a gooey inside, perfect for a fall treat.
These cookies require a little time, as they need to chill for 2 hours or more in the fridge. However, this does leave time to clean up your kitchen so you don’t clutter your communal space.
When making pumpkin snickerdoodles, you must roll out the dough into balls and then roll them into your mixture of cinnamon and sugar — you can use as much or as little as you’d like.
This amplifies your baking experience and makes it even more fun and engaging.
A patch of pumpkins sits on a shelf at the Arboretum at Penn State during its annual pumpkin giveaway on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024 in University Park, Pa.
Chris Eutsler
Roasted butternut squash
Making a change from the dessert recipes, roasted butternut squash is a healthy and in-season side for your apartment meals this fall.
It’s easy to make and requires very little work — you cut up the butternut squash and season it before placing it on a baking sheet in the oven for about 35 minutes.
This recipe is also good for meal-prepping. College days are busy with club meetings, studying and classes, so having your dinner ready for you will help while navigating your tight schedule.
Roasted butternut squash can be paired with any variation of chicken, on a salad or in a bowl with rice, other vegetables and a protein of your choice.
Pumpkin baked oatmeal
Speaking of meal prep, this may be one of the simplest ways for you to cook breakfast days in advance.
Making this pumpkin baked oatmeal will not only grant you a taste of fall in each bite, but also help you fulfill your whole grain dietary needs for the day. This can also be made gluten-free and/or dairy-free if this option is most suitable for you, too.
Baked oatmeal can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days, but life hack, freezing them in individual squares can help make them last longer and save you on a day where you only see milk in your fridge.
If you try this for breakfast and eating it plain is just not for you, it’s recommended by the baker to top it off with some honey, syrup or fruit of your choice.
Airfryer apples
This may just become the future snack of college students and apartment eats — airfryer apples.
Almost every college student has an overworked airfryer in their apartment, or even secretly in their dorms.
This is also a snack on a budget — only requiring 2 apples, cinnamon, sugar and butter — you may already have these ingredients ready.
Apples and cinnamon screams “fall,” as these are core ingredients in many recipes throughout the season. These airfryer apples will remind you of apple pie, apple crumb cake and more.
Try them with vanilla ice cream and you’ll have a college cooking version of apple pie à la mode.
Chicken pot pie soup
Imagine it’s a chilly, rainy fall day, and all you want to do is sit on the couch under a blanket watching a comfort movie.
The warmth of soup brings all of the calm and cozy feelings that you’re looking for on this type of day.
Everyone knows about chicken pot pie and the comfort it brings from its homey feel. But trying it in a new form, soup, may be a creative way to spice up your meals this season.
This could be a great dish to make with your roommates, since the recipe yields 4 servings, and spend time watching a movie together on this night in.
For some, this movie night could range anywhere from starting the Hallmark Channel “Countdown to Christmas” or Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween” marathon— whichever is your favorite.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Finally, with an honorable mention, the infamous Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese.
This frozen dinner is there for you every time you need it. It’s there for you during midterms season, just like the one we’re experiencing now.
It’s a quick reheat meal you can enjoy in between your long hours of studying and contemplating your academic choices.
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