From warming breakfasts to shareable snacks, discover simple ways to make cold-weather days feel a little brighter
HARRISON, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As temperatures fall and evenings grow darker, homes become more inviting. Across PepsiCo's (NASDAQ: PEP) food and drink brands, familiar favorites can make staying in feel special, from a slow weekend brunch or easy family dinner to a film night with snacks within reach.
A warm start to a chilly day with Quaker
Quaker Oats bring a cozy warmth to the mornings and naturally contain whole grain and soluble fiber, making them a good start to the day. Served steaming with apple, cinnamon, nuts or seeds, they make an everyday breakfast feel suited to the season; baked ahead, they can also become an easy dish for a slower morning shared around the table.
Oats can go beyond the bowl, too. Try Quaker oat banana bread for a rainy-day baking session or serve Quaker Japanese fluffy pancakes with fruit, cinnamon or syrup for a slower weekend brunch.
Cold-weather classics with a crunch
When everyone comes in from the cold, the best dinners often begin with something dependable and with PepsiCo brands can lend added convenience to your meal prep, including our Lay's potato chips.
A grilled cheese sandwich already has everything a cold day calls for but to really up the crunch, add in your favorite flavor of Lay's to create Lay's Ultimate Grilled Cheese. The result is a familiar favorite with an extra savory snap, ideal sliced into smaller pieces for sharing. For something more substantial, Lay's Katsu Curry pairs a warming curry sauce with a crisp Lay's coating, showing how a familiar bag of chips can become an ingredient rather than simply a side.
If a bowl of soup is your go-to ritual to warm up as the thermostat drops, bring your own unique flavor spark and follow the latest Instagram trend, garnishing with Lay's or Ruffles for added bite.
Make the night in, an occasion
Once dinner gives way to a film, a game or a long conversation, the food can become more relaxed. Smartfood offers ready-to-share popcorn, while its U.S. Fiberpop range provides 6 grams of fiber per serving and includes the fall-inspired Toffee & Sea Salt flavor. PopCorners Protein offers 9 grams of protein per serving in crunchy, popped, never fried pieces, including Cinnamon Delight. For a help-yourself spread, set out Lay's and Ruffles, Tostitos scoops and Doritos tortilla chips with salsa, queso or other dips. Try Ruffles Baked Potato dip or Tostitos Beef Queso dip, add Sabra hummus and serve chilled Pepsi beverages alongside.
When snacks become a part of dinner, recipes like Doritos Loaded Pepsi-marinated pork is a dish built for sharing. Set out the components separately and everyone can assemble a combination to suit them. For a sweet finish, Churros-inspired Doritos Loaded combines cinnamon-sugar flavor with Doritos crunch for a casual gathering or movie night.
For a chef-inspired crowd-pleaser, try one of Gordon Ramsay's Doritos Loaded recipes, such as Doritos Loaded Chicken Hellfire Nachos.
Flavors of the season
Bring seasonal warmth, spice and all things nice to what you eat over the coming months with limited edition flavor releases from some of PepsiCo's best loved brands.
In the U.S., Pepsi Vanilla Cream launches in October with a nostalgic flavor reminiscent of fall baking. Serve chilled with a savory Lay's spread or as part of a seasonal taste test with friends.
Starbucks ready-to-drink beverages bring seasonal flavors on the go. Starbucks New Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink combines coffee with warming pumpkin spice, while Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink pairs coffee, chocolate and peppermint. Both are ready for commutes, autumn walks or busy afternoons.
The moments we remember
Cozy season is about the moments around the food: a warm bowl of Quaker oats on a chilly morning, or Lay's and Doritos Loaded shared with friends. PepsiCo brands can be part of the everyday rituals that make autumn and winter memorable.
For more ways to embrace colder days, explore the comforting dishes in the FLVR winter recipe collection or More Smiles With Every Bite recipe site.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $94 billion in net revenue in 2025, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and drinks, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that places sustainability at the center of our business strategy, seeking to drive growth and build a stronger, more resilient future for PepsiCo and the communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.
Katie O'Mahony, katie.omahony@pepsico.com
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SOURCE PepsiCo, Inc.
