By Claire Pickens

Trying not to be basic this fall? Make the most out of your mornings and whip up a filling and seasonal breakfast instead of just grabbing that PSL with extra whipped cream. Here are some recipes that will warm up and energize your mornings, including some options for those of us that don’t have access to a kitchen!

Apple Pie Pancakes

Wondering how to get creative with apples and make something tasty? Apple pie pancakes are your next project! Perfect for a lazy Saturday morning in October, these fluffy pancakes are a yummy combination of favorite fall flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg and apple. If you’re feeling experimental, try them out for yourself using this recipe. 

Unskilled in the kitchen but still want to try these hotcakes? Our own Modern Malt in Armory Square offers apple pie pancakes on their all-day breakfast menu, and I highly recommend them for any meal of the day.

Pumpkin Breakfast Parfait

For the creative, yet simple eaters! There are only six ingredients in this fall breakfast delight: granola, chopped pecans, crushed gingersnap cookies, pumpkin puree, fat-free vanilla Greek yogurt, and of course pumpkin spice! This breakfast is easy to make and nutritious. For fall mornings when you need some energy, try this quick recipe.

If you’re a pumpkin lover and want to add even more spice to your parfait, try using Purely Elizabeth Pumpkin Cinnamon Ancient Grain Granola for your topping! It combines pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, and other fall flavors with ancient grains, creating a gluten-free, low-glycemic treat.

Apple Cinnamon Smoothie

Barely enough time for breakfast, but still love it? This two-minute smoothie is a perfect combination of apples, cinnamon, banana and oats (plus a couple more ingredients) to make it your fall wake-up call. If you want to enjoy fall flavors this year and have little time, try this recipe and get creative with your toppings, like brown sugar, honey, granola, or even applesauce.

Pumpkin Muffins

One of my favorite fall recipes comes from Mark Bittman’s recipe book, “How to Cook Everything.” Pumpkin muffins are great for light breakfasts or afternoon snacks. This recipe yields almost two dozen muffins, so it’s great for people who don’t make breakfast every day. Try it out and you’ll have a fall breakfast waiting for you for more than two weeks.

If you’re a pumpkin spice fanatic, top this pumpkin muffin off with some Philadelphia Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese spread and you’ll be set.