🍂 Autumn Harvest Quinoa Bowl

A Cozy Fall-Inspired Salad

There’s something about crisp fall days that makes me want to bring the orchard straight to the table. After a morning surrounded by apple trees, pumpkins, and overflowing mums, I came home and made this Autumn Harvest Quinoa Bowl — warm, colorful, and just the right mix of cozy + fresh.

This recipe blends roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, hearty chickpeas, and crunchy pistachios with a maple balsamic vinaigrette. It’s easy enough for weeknights but beautiful enough to share with friends after a day at the farmstand or orchard.

📝 Ingredients

For the salad:

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa (rinsed)

• 1 cup baby spinach

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled + cubed

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained + rinsed

• 2 apples, diced (Honeycrisp or your orchard pick!)

• ½ cup shelled pistachios

• 1 tsp each cinnamon + smoked paprika

• Olive oil, salt + pepper for roasting

For the maple balsamic vinaigrette:

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• Pinch of salt + pepper

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the quinoa: In a medium pot, combine quinoa with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until fluffy (about 15 minutes). Fluff with a fork and set aside.

2. Roast the sweet potatoes and chickpeas: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss cubes and chickpeas with a drizzle of olive oil, cinnamon, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Roast on a baking sheet for 25–30 minutes.

3. Mix the vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon, salt + pepper until smooth.

4. Assemble the bowl: In a large serving bowl, combine quinoa, baby spinach, roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, diced apples, and pistachios. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently to coat.

5. Serve: Enjoy warm or chilled — it keeps well for meal prep too!

🌿 Kelly’s Notes

• Swap pistachios for pecans or walnuts if you prefer.

• Make it ahead — the flavors get even better as it sits.

• Perfect as a main or side for a cozy fall dinner.

This bowl is all about savoring the season — the crunch of orchard apples, the sweetness of roasted roots, and the cozy tang of maple balsamic. If you make it, tag me @kellysgreenkitchen_ so I can see your fall creations. 🍎🍂