Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Dried apricots – those chewy, golden-orange gems – are more than just a healthy snack. They are a powerhouse of concentrated flavor, bringing a delightful sweet-tartness and a wonderful texture to a vast array of dishes. If you’ve ever wondered what to make with dried apricots, you’ve come to the right place! This guide is packed with dried apricot recipe ideas, tips, and inspiration to transform this humble dried fruit into culinary stars, from delectable desserts and hearty main courses to energizing snacks.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a curious home cook, get ready to explore the incredible versatility of recipes using dried apricots.
Table Of Contents
Table of contents
- Why We Love Cooking with Dried Apricots
- Quick Tips for Using Dried Apricots in Your Kitchen
- Perfect Flavor Pairings for Dried Apricots
- Delicious Sweet Dried Apricot Recipes
- Mouthwatering Savory Dried Apricot Recipes
- Healthy & Easy Dried Apricot Snacks
- Beyond the Usual: Creative Ways to Use Dried Apricots
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Dried Apricot Recipes
- Embrace the Golden Goodness of Dried Apricots!
Why We Love Cooking with Dried Apricots
Before we start with the recipes, let’s take a moment to-see why dried apricots are such a great ingredient:
- Concentrated Flavor: The drying process intensifies the apricot’s natural sweetness and tartness, creating a more potent-flavor profile than fresh apricots.
- Wonderful Texture: Dried apricots provide a satisfying chewiness that adds exciting textural contrast to both soft and crunchy dishes.
- Pantry Staple: They have a long-shelf life, making them a convenient ingredient to have on hand for spontaneous culinary creations.
- Versatility: As you’ll see, they shine in sweet treats, add depth to savory meals, and boost the appeal of healthy snacks.
- Nutritional Boost: Dried apricots are a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin A, and antioxidants.
Quick Tips for Using Dried Apricots in Your Kitchen
To get the best out of your recipes with dried apricots, keep these simple tips in mind:
- To Soak or Not to Soak? This is a common question!
- For baking (cakes, muffins, breads): Soaking (or “plumping”) dried apricots in hot water, fruit juice, or even a liqueur (like brandy or rum for adult treats) for 15-30 minutes makes them softer, juicier, and easier to incorporate. Drain them well before adding to your batter.
- For no-bake recipes (energy balls, trail mix): Soaking is usually not necessary and can make them too wet.
- For savory dishes (stews, tagines): They will often rehydrate sufficiently during the cooking process. However, if you want them extra tender, a quick soak won’t hurt.
- Chopping: Dried apricots can be sticky. To make chopping easier, lightly oil your knife or kitchen shears, or briefly freeze the apricots.
- Storage: Store dried apricots in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them.
Perfect Flavor Pairings for Dried Apricots
Dried apricots are wonderfully sociable and pair beautifully with a wide range of flavors. Understanding these pairings can help you create your own unique dried apricot recipes:
- Nuts: Almonds (a classic!), pistachios, walnuts, pecans.
- Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, star anise.
- Herbs (for savory dishes): Rosemary, thyme, sage, mint.
- Cheeses: Goat cheese, blue cheese, brie, cream cheese.
- Meats: Chicken, lamb, pork, duck.
- Other Fruits: Citrus (orange, lemon), apples, pears, dates, cranberries.
- Sweeteners: Honey, maple syrup, brown sugar.
- Chocolate: Dark, milk, or white-chocolate can all complement dried apricots.
Delicious Sweet Dried Apricot Recipes
Dried apricots lend their unique sweetness and chewiness to a delightful array of desserts and baked goods. Here are some popular dried apricot dessert recipes and baking ideas:
Classic Dried Apricot Scones
- A teatime favorite! Chopped dried apricots, perhaps plumped in orange juice, add pockets of sweetness to tender, buttery scones. Serve with clotted cream and a dab of apricot jam for a double dose of apricot goodness. This is a fantastic dried apricot recipe for baking.
Luscious Apricot Almond Cake
- Almonds and apricots are a match made in heaven. Imagine a moist almond cake studded with chewy apricot pieces, perhaps with a hint of orange zest. This can range from a simple loaf cake to a more elaborate layer cake.
Chewy Apricot Oat Bars or Flapjacks
- Perfect for a healthier treat or an on-the-go snack. Combine rolled oats, chopped dried apricots, nuts, seeds, and a binder like honey or nut butter. These can be baked or made as no-bake dried apricot recipes.
Homemade Dried Apricot Jam or Compote
- Simmer chopped dried apricots with water, sugar, and a squeeze of lemon juice (and perhaps a cinnamon stick) until thickened. A compote is looser and great spooned over yogurt or ice cream, while jam is thicker and perfect for toast.
Apricot & White Chocolate Cookies
- Add a sophisticated twist to your cookie repertoire by incorporating chopped dried apricots and white chocolate chips into your favorite cookie dough. The tartness of the apricot balances the sweetness of the white chocolate.
Mouthwatering Savory Dried Apricot Recipes
Don’t relegate dried apricots just to the sweet section! Their sweet-tart profile adds incredible depth and complexity to many savory dried apricot recipes:
Apricot Glazed Chicken or Pork Tenderloin
- Create a simple glaze by simmering apricot preserves (or blended soaked dried apricots) with a touch of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Brush it over chicken pieces or a pork tenderloin during the last few minutes of roasting or grilling for a beautifully caramelized and flavorful main course. This makes for an easy dried apricot recipe for weeknights.
Moroccan Lamb or Chicken Tagine with Apricots & Almonds
- A classic North African stew where dried apricots play a starring role. The fruit softens and melds with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, and ginger, creating a rich, fragrant sauce that beautifully complements tender lamb or chicken. Often served with couscous.
Apricot and Sausage Stuffing/Dressing
- Elevate your holiday (or any day) stuffing by adding chopped dried apricots. Their sweetness contrasts wonderfully with savory sausage, herbs like sage and thyme, and crusty bread.
Tangy Dried Apricot Chutney
- A versatile condiment that’s perfect with cheese boards, roasted meats, or even curries. Simmer chopped dried apricots with onions, vinegar, sugar, and spices like ginger and chili flakes until thick and flavorful.
Rice Pilaf with Apricots and Pistachios
- Stir chopped dried apricots and toasted pistachios into a fragrant rice pilaf (perhaps cooked with chicken broth and a pinch of saffron or turmeric) for a delightful side dish with Middle Eastern flair.
Healthy & Easy Dried Apricot Snacks
Looking for healthy dried apricot recipes? These naturally sweet fruits are perfect for wholesome snacks:
No-Bake Apricot Energy Balls
- A hugely popular and easy snack. Blend dried apricots with oats, nuts (like almonds or cashews), seeds (chia, flax), a touch of coconut, and perhaps some protein powder. Roll into balls and chill. Perfect for a quick energy boost.
DIY Apricot & Nut Trail Mix
- Create your own custom-trail mix by combining dried apricots with your favorite nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), and perhaps some dark chocolate chips or other dried fruits.
Yogurt with Chopped Apricots & Granola
- A simple yet satisfying breakfast or snack. Top plain Greek yogurt with chopped dried apricots, a sprinkle-of granola, and a drizzle of honey for natural sweetness.
Stuffed Dried Apricots
- For an elegant and easy appetizer or snack, make a small slit in larger dried apricots and stuff them with goat cheese or cream cheese, then top with a toasted pecan or walnut half.
Beyond the Usual: Creative Ways to Use Dried Apricots
Think outside the box! Here are a few more ideas for what to do with dried apricots:
- Salad Booster: Toss chopped dried apricots into green salads, grain salads (like quinoa or farro), or chicken salads for a chewy, sweet element.
- Cheese Board Companion: Whole or sliced dried apricots are a wonderful addition to any cheese platter, pairing especially well with tangy and creamy cheeses.
- Infused Spirits: Add a few dried apricots to a bottle of vodka or brandy and let it infuse for a week or two for a subtly fruity spirit.
- Smoothie Addition: A couple of dried apricots can add natural sweetness and fiber to your morning smoothie.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Dried Apricot Recipes
Not always. For recipes where they’ll cook in liquid (stews, compotes) or for no-bake items where you want their chewiness (trail mix), rehydration isn’t essential. For baked goods like cakes and scones, plumping them first makes them softer and juicier.
When stored properly in an airtight-container in a cool, dark place, dried apricots can last for 6-12 months. Refrigeration can extend their shelf-life even further.
Warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves are excellent. For savory dishes, consider cumin, coriander, turmeric, and even a touch of chili for heat. Vanilla enhances their sweetness beautifully.
It depends on the recipe. Dried apricots have a more concentrated-flavor and a different texture. If a recipe calls for fresh apricots for their juiciness and delicate flavor (like a fresh fruit tart), dried apricots might not be a direct substitute. However, in many cooked applications, you can adapt. You’ll likely need to rehydrate dried apricots and might need to adjust sugar levels.
Sulfured apricots retain their bright orange color, while unsulfured ones are darker brown and may have a slightly different, often more caramelized, flavor. Both work well in recipes. Unsulfured apricots might soften more readily. It’s largely a matter of preference and availability.
Embrace the Golden Goodness of Dried Apricots!
From simple dried apricot recipes to more complex dishes, this fruit is very versatile and can be used in many ways. We hope this guide helps you discover the great options with dried apricot recipes. So, get a bag of these golden fruits and start trying out new things in your kitchen. Whether you are making apricot scones, a savory tagine, or healthy energy balls, you will enjoy the sweet and tangy flavor as well as the chewy texture of dried apricots.
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