Can you feel a slight chill in the air? Autumn is here, with its cooler nights and shorter days. And this means embracing warmer dishes, comforting flavours and the diverse range of foods that come into season at this time of year.

From hearty oven-baked meals to cozy sweet treats, it’s the kind of food that’s taken a back seat during summer. But we’re ready for it!

You’ll love these autumn recipes . . . all staring nuts, of course. With their earthy flavours, crunchy texture, and impressive nutritional profile, nuts make the perfect ingredient inclusion in all types of autumn dishes.     

Five recipes to embrace this autumn:

Warm macadamia and potato salad

This vibrant, satisfying dish has ‘autumn’ written all over it. Every bite is infused with the buttery flavour and delectable crunch of macadamias. Plus, you’ll get a nourishing dose of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and fibre. Perfect on its own, or as a side.

Recipe courtesy of Australian Macadamias.

Did you know? Roasting macadamias enhances their buttery flavour, and gives them a deep golden colour and crunchy texture. Try roasting them with flavours like wasabi, matcha, lemon myrtle, paprika and cinnamon.

Mixed nuts, zucchini, and ricotta pizza

You will love this quick and easy weeknight meal, which combines the flavours of zucchini, basil, and lemon. Plus, a serve provides the daily nut target (30g), for a plant protein boost. This recipe features chopped pistachios, pine nuts and walnuts, but any nuts will work.

Recipe courtesy of International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation.

Did you know? As well as helping to manage body weight, a handful of nuts a day provides valuable nutrients for immunity and heart health, and can even lower the glycaemic load of carb-rich meals.

Chestnut arancini

Home-made arancini balls are incredibly tasty! These ones, using fresh chestnuts, are perfect for sharing with friends and family. This dish can be made ahead, by preparing the arancini balls and keeping them in the fridge, to be cooked when you’re ready.

Recipe courtesy of Chestnuts Australia.

Tip: Fresh chestnuts are harvested in Autumn. This means they’re at their in-season best over the next few months (from mid-March to mid-July).

Quinoa hazelnut porridge

Looking for a twist on classic porridge? This nourishing brekkie uses quinoa in place of oats, alongside the always-delicious combo of apple and cinnamon. It is topped with sweet, buttery hazelnuts, to help keep you fuller for longer.

Tip: Along with apples, other in-season autumn fruits include grapes, pears, kiwifruit, and pomegranates.

Roasted rose-scented plums with slivered almonds

This simple dish is a must-try! That’s because stone fruits, like plums, with their sweet flesh and slightly-bitter skins, pair so well with the natural sweetness of almonds. Serve with a dollop of yoghurt for a deliciously-healthy autumn dessert. 

Recipe from ‘Food as Medicine – Cooking to prevent and treat diabetes’ by Dr. Sue Radd.

Tip: Australian-grown Queen Garnet plums, which are used in this recipe, are in season from late January until early April.