We explore return spillover from crude oil to ethanol, corn, soybean and wheat on daily data during 17 May 2005–27 June 2018. This study is unique in capturing the time-frequency dynamics of return spillover. We use the frequency-dependent spillover measure that jointly captures information from time and frequency domain. We also identify two endogenous break dates that segregate the study period in three sub-periods. Our results indicate that return spillover from crude oil to ethanol, major feed stocks (i.e. corn and soybean) and food crop (i.e. wheat) is pronounced only in lower frequency band or long-term (more than 1 month). We find that return spillover is stronger only during 2005–2010, i.e. the period of energy and food crisis.