Best Fall Dinner Party Menu Ideas with Mullethead and Hambone

Mullethead & Hambone’s Autumnal Extravaganza: Recipes to Fall For

Join our journey of discovery for Fall dinner party menu ideas. As the autumn leaves create a tapestry of reds and golds outside, inside Mullethead and Millie’s cozy Hill Country home, a different kind of masterpiece is unfolding.

Mullethead, Hambone, Millie, and Hillary gather around the kitchen island with a mission: to curate a fall-themed dinner party menu that celebrates the season’s rich bounty and rustic charm.

With glasses generously filled with cabernet, the four friends prepare to infuse their signature humor and hospitality into each delectable dish.

Get ready to join this delightful journey where friendship and fall flavors unite for a celebration filled with laughter and mouthwatering dishes.

• These dinner party recipes are for four diners; double as necessary, according to your head-count.

Jump to Recipes:

• Autumn Brie Bites
• Harvest Hummus Platter
• Crispy Fall Fritters
• Harvest Chicken Stew
• Maple-Glazed Carrots
• Garlicky Green Beans with Almonds
• Spiced Apple Cider Margarita
• Cranberry Bourbon Fizz
• Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Sour
• Apple Crumble

 

Appetizers to Fall For

Setting: Mullethead and Millie’s sunlit kitchen, where the collection of cookbooks doubles as décor.

Mullethead: “Okay, crew, let’s kick off with some appetizers that scream fall—but, you know, in a way that doesn’t frighten the children.”

Millie: “That is some chicken-fried wisdom, cowboy. Let’s keep it simple yet sophisticated.”

Hambone: “Simple? Sophisticated? Sounds like someone’s got a split personality. Lookin’ at you, Mullethead.”

Everyone chuckles, clinking glasses as they dive into the first round of ideas.

Autumn Apple Brie Bites

   Ingredients: 

   – Puff pastry sheets  

   – Brie cheese, cubed  

   – 1 apple, sliced thin (make your life and cooking easier buy using a mandolin like this handy OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer)

   – Honey and chopped walnuts for topping

Tools: OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer

   Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.  
2. Cut puff pastry into squares and place in a greased mini muffin tin.  
3. Top each with a cube of Brie and a slice of apple.  
4. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with walnuts.  
5. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.

Millie: “These Apple Brie Bites are like a little piece of autumn heaven in every bite! The flaky pastry, the sweet apples, the melty brie…it’s a match made in flavor-fall heaven!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight. “I could eat a whole plate of these!”

Tools: Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Mini Muffin Pan

 

Harvest Hummus Platter

   Ingredients:  

   – 1 can chickpeas, drained  

   – 2 tbsp tahini  

   – 1 lemon, juiced  

   – 2 cloves garlic, minced

   – 1 cup roasted butternut squash  

   – 1/4 cup Olive oil

   – 1/4 tsp. paprika

   – assorted veggies

   Instructions:

1. Blend chickpeas, squash, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic until smooth.  (we love our Cuisinart 7-Cup Food Processor for this). 
2. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika.  
3. Serve with a colorful array of fall veggies like carrot sticks and bell pepper strips.

Hambone: “Man, this butternut squash hummus is so good, it’s like a warm hug from a pumpkin pie on a crisp fall day!” Hambone exclaimed, taking another spoonful. “I could eat this all day and night, and never get tired of it!”

 Tools: Cuisinart 7-Cup Food Processor (big enough for a doubled batch).

Crispy Fall Fritters

   Ingredients:  

   – 2 cups shredded zucchini and carrot mix, (we again used our Cuisinart 7-Cup Food Processor). 

   – 1/2 cup flour  

   – 1 egg 

   – oil for frying, enough to cover 1/4-1/2 in. bottom of pan  

   – Salt, pepper, and cumin to taste  

   Instructions:

1. Mix shredded veggies with flour, egg, and seasonings.  
2. Heat oil in a skillet, drop in spoonfuls of the mixture, flatten with a spatula, and fry, turning until golden all over. (we use our affordable restaurant-quality Vollrath Wear-Ever 12″ fry pan for this).
3. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream.

Hillary: “Honey, these fritters are so good, I could eat them all day! They’re like little bites of fall sunshine, and the carrots and zucchini give them a nice crunch. I’m thinking about opening a fritter stand on the corner!”

 Tools: Vollrath 12″ Wear-Ever Fry Pan/PowerCoat Interior and Cool Handle (all of our pans are Vollrath Wear-Ever, you won’t regret buying these!),
Cuisinart 7-Cup Food Processor

 A Main Course to Warm the Heart

Harvest Chicken Stew

   Ingredients:  

   – 4 boneless chicken thighs  

   – 2 tablespoons flour  

   – 2 cups butternut squash, cubed  

   – 1 onion, chopped  

   – 2 carrots, sliced  

   – 4 cups chicken broth  

   – Thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper to taste

   Instructions:

1. Dredge chicken in flour and brown in a Dutch oven. (our workhorse Dutch Oven is the very affordable Tramontina Enameled Cast-Iron 5.5 qt. Dutch Oven which was recommended by Cooks Illustrated magazine. It’s larger than needed for this recipe but we often make larger batches of soup and stew for multiple meals. Tramontina also has a 3.5 qt version more appropriate for this size recipe). 
2. Remove chicken and sauté onion and carrots until soft. 
3. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces 
4. Add chicken back, squash, broth, and herbs. Simmer until chicken is cooked and squash is tender.  

Millie: “this stew is the best thing I’ve ever tasted! The butternut squash gives it such a creamy texture, and the chicken is so tender. I could eat this every day for the rest of my life.”

Mullethead: “I know, right? It’s like a warm hug on a cold day. I think I’m going to start calling it ‘Butternut Bliss’.”

Tools: Tramontina Enameled Cast-Iron 3.5 qt. Dutch Oven (this one is Teal, but there are other colors available).

 

Side Kicks and Side Dishes:

Maple-Glazed Carrots  

   Ingredients:  

   – 1 lb carrots, sliced  with a mandolin, like this OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer

   – 1/4 cup maple syrup  

   – 2 tbsp butter  

   – Salt and pepper to taste  

   Instructions:

1. Steam carrots until tender. (we use an expandable steamer basket that works with most pots). 
2. Melt butter in a pan, add carrots and maple syrup.  
3. Cook until carrots are caramelized and glossy.  

Hambone: “Oh great, now our carrots are as sweet as Mullethead thinks he is.”

Mullethead: “Hey, at least they’re not sour like your jokes are, buddy.”

Tools: OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer, Premium Stainless Steel Veggie Steamer Basket

 

Garlicky Green Beans with Almonds

   Ingredients:  

   – 1 lb. green beans, trimmed  

   – 2 tbsp olive oil  

   – 3 cloves garlic, minced  

   – 1/4 cup sliced almonds  

   Instructions:

1. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3 minutes, then transfer to icewater.             
2. Sauté garlic and almonds in olive oil on medium heat 1 minute, add green beans and warm through, 1-2 minutes.  
3. Toss to coat and serve warm.  

Hillary: “These green beans are so good, I could eat them all day!”

Millie: “I know, right? They’re like little green soldiers, marching straight into my mouth and conquering my taste buds.”

Hillary: “I bet they’re even dreaming of garlic and almonds in their green bean dreams.”

Millie: “I wouldn’t be surprised. They’re probably planning a green bean revolt against all other vegetables.”

Tools: OXO Good Grips 2-piece Tongs with Nylon Heads

 

Cocktails That Keep You Cozy

Spiced Apple Cider Margarita

   Ingredients:  

   – 1 cup apple cider  

   – 1/2 cup tequila  

   – 1/4 cup lime juice  

   – Cinnamon sugar for rim  

   Instructions:

1. Rim glasses with cinnamon sugar.  
2. Shake cider, tequila, and lime juice with ice; strain into glasses.  

Hambone: “This drink is like a warm hug on a cold day, but with a kick.”

Mullethead: “Yeah, it’s like apple cider and tequila had a secret love child, and that child grew up to be a really good-looking bartender.”

Hambone: “I think I’m in love with this drink.”

Mullethead: “Don’t worry, it’s not cheating on your wife.”

Tools: Cocktail Shaker with Built-In Strainer (very affordable!)

 Cranberry Bourbon Fizz

   Ingredients:  

   – 1 cup cranberry juice  

   – 1/2 cup bourbon  

   – Ginger ale  

   Instructions:

1. Mix cranberry juice and bourbon in a glass.  
2. Top with ginger ale and serve over ice.  

Hillary: “You know, Millie, if this Cranberry Bourbon Fizz gets any better, I’m going to have to start asking it for advice on my life choices!”

Millie: “Right? I had one sip and suddenly I’m feeling like a fall fashion influencer. Who knew a drink could make my sweater game so strong?”

Hillary: “Honestly, I think this cocktail might be the only thing getting me through the pumpkin spice invasion!”

Millie: “Agreed! At this point, I’m just waiting for someone to try and turn this into a candle scent!”

Hillary: “Cranberry Bourbon Fizz: the perfect potion for fall, with just enough magic to forget that I can’t pronounce ‘autumnal’!”

Tools: Goldinger Italian-Made Highball Drinking Glasses

 

Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Sour

   Ingredients:  

   – 1 oz whiskey  

   – 1 oz lemon juice  

   – 1 tbsp pumpkin puree  

   – Dash of cinnamon 

    Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker; strain into a glass.  
2. Garnish with small cinnamon-sugar-coated apple pie slice and/or a mini pumpkin spice-drizzled doughnut.

Hillary: “This Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Sour is so good, I might just start putting it on my cereal instead of milk!”

Mullethead: “Right? I never thought I’d enjoy whiskey this much, but add some pumpkin, and suddenly it feels like Thanksgiving in a glass!”

Hillary: “Exactly! The only downside is that my pumpkin spice sweater is now officially jealous of my drink!”

Mullethead: “And don’t even get me started on the garnish! Is it a cocktail or a fall decoration? I’m tempted to put googly eyes on it and call it my new best friend!” 

Hillary: “If this drink keeps making me feel this good, I’ll have to start inviting it to family gatherings. Who needs the in-laws when I have Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Sour?”

Tools: DeeCoo Old Fashioned Glasses

 

Dessert to End Your Fall Feast!

Apple Crumble

This classic dessert is the perfect way to end your fall feast. It’s made with a layer of apples topped with a crumbly topping.

   Ingredients:

Apple Filling:

   -4 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 in. (again, using our OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer).

   -1/4 cup granulated sugar

   -1 tablespoon lemon juice

   -1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

   -1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Crumble Topping:

   -1/2 cup all-purpose flour

   -1/4 cup packed brown sugar

   -1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

   Instructions:

1.    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2.    In a large bowl, combine the apples, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3.    Transfer the apple mixture to a buttered or greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
4.    In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and butter. Use your fingers to crumble the mixture.
5.    Sprinkle the crumble topping over the apple mixture.
6.    Bake for 30-35 minutes uncovered, or until the crumble is golden brown and the apples are tender.

Constant Craving, for Crumble

Hambone: “I don’t want to say this Apple Crumble is perfect, but I’d consider fighting a bear for the last piece!”

Hillary: “You’d need to do more than fight a bear—this crumble has the power to turn me into a Greco-Roman Wrestler! I might just start training for the ‘WWE Royal cRumble!'”

Mullethead: “Honestly, if this dessert were a politician, I’d vote for it! No one else can unite a room like a warm Apple Crumble.”

Millie: “And the aroma! It’s like it’s whispering sweet nothings to my nose. ‘Ditch that husband, Millie! Embrace the crumble!’”

Hambone: “At this point, I’m pretty sure Apple Crumble could solve world hunger! Or at least my hunger—can I get a scoop of ice cream please?”

Hillary: “Just don’t tell the crumble! It’s fragile. We wouldn’t want it to crumble under pressure!”

Tools: Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set with Lids, Pyrex 9×13 inch Baking Dish with Lid, OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer

Fall Feast Finale

As the tantalizing aroma of fall fills the air, Mullethead clinks his glass with a wide grin. “Here’s to leaf piles, cozy nights, and food as good as the company,” he declares, with Hambone nodding emphatically, “No tricks, all treats tonight!”

With their fall dinner party menu complete, these two dynamic duos look forward to a fall dinner party that promises warmth, wonderful food, and perhaps a few well-timed jibes among friends.

Want to recreate this feast? Dive into these recipes, head to the links for kitchen tools, and bring the magic of their autumnal celebration into your own home.

Before You Go

Don’t forget to share your culinary creations with us in the comments and tag us on social media with your fall feast photos!

Until then, cheers to a fabulous fall full of food, friends, and fun! We’re Mullethead and Hambone and we thank you for kindly dropping in. Y’all come back now, hear!