43 Recipes That Make the Most of Dried Fruit

43 Recipes That Make the Most of Dried Fruit

Read Time: 20 mins

43 Recipes That Make the Most of Dried Fruit1/43 Favorite Irish Soda Bread 34 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Favorite Irish Soda Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 1 loaf (12 wedges) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My best friend, Rita, shared this irresistible Irish soda bread recipe. It bakes up high, with a golden brown top and a combination of sweet and savory flavors. —Jan Alfano, Prescott, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1 wedge: 227 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 447mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g

3/43 Cranberry

protein. 2/43 Harvesttime Chicken with Couscous 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 3 hours 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Even on busy days, I can start this chicken in the slow cooker and still get to work on time. When I come home, I whip up a spinach salad and crescent rolls to round out the menu. —Heidi Rudolph, Oregon, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups chicken mixture with 1/2 cup couscous: 351 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 699mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 7g fiber), 30g protein. 3/43 Cranberry

This moist dressing is perfect when paired with poultry or even pork

Cornmeal Dressing 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cranberry Cornmeal Dressing Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This moist dressing is perfect when paired with poultry or even pork. The sweet-tart flavor of the dried cranberries really complements the dish’s turkey sausage. —Corinne Portteus, Albuquerque, New Mexico Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 205 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 695mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 lean meat. 4/43 Date Pinwheel Cookies 13 Reviews

The dates have such a wonderful flavor.—Ms

Test Kitchen Approved Date Pinwheel Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings about 16 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a great recipe for a delicious cookie to serve at the end of any meal. The dates have such a wonderful flavor.—Ms. Lee B. Roberts, Racine, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 43 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 18mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 5/43 North African Chicken and Rice 13 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved North African Chicken and Rice Recipe photo by

We love the spice combinations

Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m always looking to try recipes from different cultures, and this one is a huge favorite. We love the spice combinations. This cooks equally well in a slow cooker or a pressure cooker. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 386 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 556mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. 6/43 Empanada Beef Chili Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe

I’ve made it over the years and passed it down to my grandchildren

From the Recipe Creator: While I lived in Mexico in the 1960s, a friend’s mother gave me her grandmother’s empanada recipe. I’ve made it over the years and passed it down to my grandchildren. To shed some carbs, I converted the recipe into a chili. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 373 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 957mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 6g fiber), 29g protein. 7/43 Ultimate Fruity Granola 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Ultimate Fruity Granola Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 9 cups

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Honey, maple syrup and vanilla coat this wonderfully crunchy treat that is fantastic no matter how you serve it—on its own, with cold milk, or in a yogurt parfait. —Sarah Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 253 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein. 8/43 Brie Appetizers with Bacon-Plum Jam 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Brie Appetizers with Bacon-Plum Jam Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 40 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the

Recipe Creator: Among my friends I’m known as the pork master, because I love to cook just about every cut there is. These appetizers combine soft, mild Brie cheese with a sweet-sour bacon jam that has a touch of Sriracha sauce. —Rick Pascocello, New York, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 91 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 205mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 9/43 Chicken Bulgur Skillet 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Bulgur Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the

Recipe Creator: This recipe was passed on to me by a friend

Recipe Creator: This recipe was passed on to me by a friend. I’ve altered it slightly to suit our tastes. We like it with a fresh green salad. —Leann Hilmer, Sylvan Grove, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 412 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 561mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 12g fiber), 36g protein. 10/43 Balsamic-Glazed Fig & Pork Tenderloin 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Balsamic-Glazed Fig & Pork Tenderloin Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 12 kabobs Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have a huge fig tree

that produces an abundance of figs

that produces an abundance of figs. One year I tried drying some and developed this sweet and smoky recipe as a result. Now it’s a regular at family gatherings. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob: 139 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 306mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein. 11/43 Moroccan Apple Beef Stew 10 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 20 min Servings 8 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love the mix of sweet and savory flavors in

this hearty stew

this hearty stew. It’s the perfect blend of adventurous and comforting, and makes a fun dish to share with guests. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 339 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 905mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein. 12/43 Candied Fruit Cookies 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 7 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These no-fuss candied fruit cookies are both nutty and fruity, so they’re always a hit at holiday time. —Florence Monson, Denver, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 59

calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 13/43 Curried Chicken & Peach Salad 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Curried Chicken & Peach Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a very healthy and simple salad to make; even my non-cooking husband can whip it together in minutes. We’ve served this to friends over the years, and they always ask for the recipe. —Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 286 calories, 12g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1 fruit

fat (2g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 315mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1 fruit. 14/43 Crown Roast of Pork 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crown Roast of Pork with Mushroom Dressing Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It looks so elegant that everyone thinks I spent a lot of time on this roast. But it’s actually so easy! The biggest challenge is to remember to order the crown roast from the

meat department ahead of time

meat department ahead of time. —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 pork rib plus stuffing: 404 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 45g protein. 15/43 Great Grain Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 12 servings (3/4 cup each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I can’t think of a better dish to round out a meal. My grain salad features all my favorite nuts, seeds and fruits. Try adding grilled chicken to make it a meal on its own. —Rachel Dueker,

Gervais, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 368 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 281mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein. 16/43 Bacon Date Bread 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Date Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 1 loaf (16 slices) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: There’s a standing joke between friends that whenever I’m asked to bring a dish to a party, it always contains bacon. My partner loves bacon-wrapped dates and my grandmother got me hooked on date-nut bread, so I made a

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community

Want more inspiration like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly dinner ideas and cooking tips!

Subscribe Now

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *