Fall is the perfect time to gather your good little boys and ghouls in the kitchen to create seasonal treats that capture the flavors of autumn and leave lasting memories of the season. Whether you’re preparing for a Halloween party or just celebrating the crisp days of fall, these brunch recipes delight both kids and adults alike. Plus, the recipes are easy enough for your mummy’s little helpers to join in—making it a fun weekend activity.

Pumpkin Cheesecake French Toast

Bring the cozy flavors of fall to your brunch table with a twist on classic French toast. Pumpkin cheesecake French toast is sure to become a new family favorite.

Start by whisking together 3 large eggs, ½ cup milk, ½ cup pumpkin puree, 1 tsp vanilla extract, amd 1 tsp pumpkin spice. Dip 8 slices of thick brioche bread into the mixture, then cook them in a heated, skillet with 1 tbsp butter about 2-3 minutes per sideor until golden brown.

To take it up a notch, prepare a cheesecake filling with 4 oz softened cream cheese, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, and ½ tsp of ground cinnamon. Sandwich the filling between two slices of French toast, drizzle with maple syrup, and add whipped cream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. It’s like having dessert for breakfast, and your kids will love layering the ingredients!

Harvest Cinnamon Apple Waffles

Waffles are always a hit, but adding fall flavors like cinnamon apples takes them to the next level. Start by preparing your favorite box of waffle batter—or, better yet, make it from scratch with 1.5 cups whole wheat flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1.5 cups milk (or buttermilk), ¼ cup vegetable oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 large eggs.

While the waffles are cooking, sauté 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, and sliced) in 2 tbsp butter, adding ½ tsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp brown sugar until soft and caramelized.

Once the waffles are ready, top them with the warm cinnamon apples and ¼ cup of chopped pecans for crunch. Don’t forget a generous drizzle of maple syrup.

These waffles make for a cozy fall brunch and are perfect for involving kids in the cooking process—from mixing the batter to decorating the waffles with toppings. For added intrigue, you might also consider adding spooky sprinkles to your shopping list.

Monster Bagels

Start by gathering your ingredients for this easy, interactive dish:

• 4 mini bagels (or 2 regular bagels cut in half)
• 4 tablespoons of cream cheese or mashed avocado (enough to spread on each bagel)
• 4 slices of turkey or ham
• 2 slices of cheddar or American cheese
• 8 pitted black olives or 4 cherry tomatoes (for monster eyes)
• Toothpicks (optional—to secure the eyes)

Begin by laying out the bagels on your countertop. Whether you choose mini bagels for cute, individual monsters or regular bagels for larger ones, it’s up to you! Let your kids choose between a savory base of cream cheese or mashed avocado—both spread easily onto the bagel halves.

Next, take a slice of turkey or ham and layer it inside each bagel as the “monster’s mouth.” For added fun, you can fluff it up to make it look like wild monster “tongues” hanging out.

Now it’s time to make the monster’s teeth! Cut slices of cheddar or American cheese and into jagged pieces or skinny rectangles. Help your kids tuck these cheesy “teeth” around the edge of the bagel to give each monster its own toothy grin.

Finally, it’s time to bring your monsters to life with black olives or cherry tomatoes for the eyes, securing them with toothpicks. If you want to get extra creative, try slicing olives into smaller pieces to make different-sized “pupils” or use multiple toothpicks to give your monsters more than two eyes.

Once all the pieces are in place, the monsters are ready to serve!

Encourage Creativity and Build Life Skills Early

At Shine NYC, we believe that nurturing creativity early on helps kids thrive—and cooking together is one of the best ways to explore seasonal fun while learning valuable life skills. Engaging kids in the kitchen not only sparks their imagination but also supports cognitive development, motor skills, and teamwork.

For your aspiring young chefs, explore our Kitchen Stars cooking classes. Designed for ages 3-5, 6-7, and 8-10, these hands-on classes allow kids to discover new recipes, refine their culinary talents, and gain confidence in a fun, supportive environment.