Today we’re sharing ideas for using dried fruit in your recipes. Whether you’ve got some left over from Christmas baking or you’re looking to get some more healthy snacks into your day, we’ve got ideas for you. Dried fruits are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a great addition to a healthy, balanced diet. They’re also super tasty, portable and versatile, as we hope you’ll see if you read on!

Snacks

We stock Think Fruit Dried Fruit Snacks which are perfect if you need a quick bag of energy to throw into your bag as you head out of the door. We offer pineapple, cranberry, peach, blueberry, cherry and cinnamon apple pieces. We also offer a variety of trail mix options if you’re heading out on a hike and want to combine your fruits with nuts and other snacks.

Granola

A great way to use up dried fruit or add it to your diet is to make your own granola. Not only does this reduce the cost of your breakfast, but you can also add only the ingredients that you really like. We know how annoying it is to find that your granola has one ingredient that you don’t want to eat, so why not make your own? Check out our range of nuts to help you with this. Roast them and mix with dried fruits and any spices that you like such as cinnamon, vanilla, or cardamom. Make sure that you store your granola in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

Compote

It’s really easy to create a compote from your favorite dried fruits, which you can then enjoy on top of yogurt or oatmeal. Put your dried fruit in a bowl with any spices that you want to use to flavor them, such as cinnamon. Pour over 3 fl. oz. of boiling water and 3 fl. oz. of juice (apple or orange work well) for 2 oz. fruit. Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge overnight. In the morning you will have soft, broken down fruit ready to spoon onto your breakfast! You can experiment with different combinations of fruit to find the best one for you.

Desserts

You can add dried fruit to many different desserts, such as cobbler or crumble, to add an extra element of texture or flavor. Simply mix them in with the fresh fruit that you are using. You can also bake dried fruits into bread or cakes. For best results, soak them in some hot water or juice before using so that they do not affect the moisture of the cake. Be careful to seek out a bread recipe that includes dried fruits as they will affect the rise of the dough.

Salads

We really love adding dried fruit to salads. It adds a burst of sweetness, extra flavor and a pop of color as a feast for the eyes. Our favorites are cranberries or cherries as their tartness works well against fresh vegetables. Add some seeds or croutons for extra crunch and you’ll have a well-balanced salad.

How do you like to eat dried fruits? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!