I always keep a bag of dried apricots in my pantry because they are little chewy miracles that can turn any dish into something special. From sticky sweet treats to cozy savory dinners, these sunny gems are total back pocket heroes. I've gathered 25 of my very favorite dried apricot recipes for you to try, and I promise, every single one is a reason to get excited.
1. Apricot Cookies
These cookies are the ultimate fruity chocolatey treat. Chewy dried apricots meet crunchy almonds and rich dark chocolate in a seriously irresistible combo.
They're crunchy around the edges, chewy in the middle, and totally sweet and satisfying. One of my favorite cookie creations.
2. Apricot Coconut Scones
I'm a firm believer that a cup of tea isn't complete without a fluffy scone. These apricot coconut scones are truly something else, tender and packed with sweet dried apricot chunks. Enjoy one while it's still warm with a pat of butter, tea in hand, and your afternoon is basically perfect.
3. Chicken Tagine
This chicken tagine is a total flavor explosion. The rich, spice infused braising sauce is seriously drool worthy, and to get all those layers just right, I like to blend my own spice mix. One bite and you'll be so glad you did.
4. Apricot Fruitcake
Ready to kick off holiday baking? This apricot fruitcake is pure Christmas cheer.
Toss in some glacé cherries and mixed fruit and the colors alone will get you in the spirit. There's no molasses or warm spices hanging around here, just the vivid, fruity flavor of dried apricots and friends shining through.
5. Quick and Easy Dried Apricot Jam
Empty jam jar staring back at you? Grab those dried apricots from the pantry and let's fix that.
This jam comes together in just minutes and bursts with bold, fruity flavor. It also makes a lovely homemade gift, because who wouldn't want a jar of sunshine to share with friends and family?
6. Healthy Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Apricots
I call this my 'pantry salad' because it basically coaxes whatever's hanging out in your cupboards into one vibrant bowl. I toss together nutty quinoa, tender spinach, chewy dried apricots, and pecans. It's the kind of healthy, throw together meal that tastes like you planned ahead.
7. Curried Chickpea Apricot Stew
If a vegetarian stew is what you need tonight, this one is packed with chickpeas, veggies, and warm Moroccan inspired spices. Fruity dried apricots sweeten the pot naturally.
It's exactly the kind of toasty, nourishing bowl you want on a cold weeknight. So cozy and delicious.
8. Apricot Kuchen
Kuchen is just the German word for cake, and this one is pure comfort. It's quick and easy enough for a weeknight dessert, with a sparkly sugar crust and a fluffy sponge dotted with sweet chunks of dried apricot. I love how simple and satisfying it is.
9. Apricot Ginger Salmon with Almond and Thyme Rice Pilaf
This meal is healthy, gorgeous, and all about that apricot marinade. It's sweet, salty, and so good I've definitely been caught eating it with a spoon.
A salmon fillet gets smothered in the marinade and baked until perfectly flaky. Pair it with almond and thyme rice pilaf for a dinner that feels special.
10. Mascarpone and Dried Apricot Tart
For an easy summer dessert that feels light and creamy, this tart is a dream. A mix of mascarpone cheese and heavy cream whips up into the silkiest filling. Every cool, luscious slice cures whatever sweet craving I've got going on.
11. Cinnamon Granola with Apricot and Almond
Mornings feel brighter when I have this granola waiting for me. Cinnamon kissed oats mingle with crunchy almonds and chewy, sweet apricot pieces.
A drizzle of maple syrup brings everything together into the most perfect cereal. Spoon it over yogurt or just snack on it by the handful.
12. Apricot Coconut Crumble Bars
One bite of these crumble bars and I know they'll earn a permanent spot in my Christmas cookie lineup. They're crumbly, sweet, and have a beautiful tangy edge. The apricot filling is a breeze: just simmer dried apricots with sugar and water until they turn jammy and thick.
13. Pork Chops with Apricot Brandy Sauce
These pork chops nail that savory sweet balance I can't get enough of. The sauce is wonderfully complex, with a splash of fruity, woodsy brandy that seeps into the dried apricots and adds so much depth.
It's silky, rich, and a little bit elegant. You'll be spooning every last drop onto your plate.
14. Dried Apricot and Blue Cheese Canapes with Walnuts
Your next party absolutely needs these little beauties. They're elegant, simple, and ridiculously tasty.
Bite sized and perfectly poppable, they're made for sharing, but I should warn you: they disappear fast. The combination of sweet apricot, funky blue cheese, and crunchy walnuts is just too good to resist.
15. Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Nothing beats a moist, tender slice of coffee cake, especially when it's as sweet and nutty as this one. This easy Bundt cake is my go to for an afternoon pick me up. It's swirled with a cinnamon spiced dried fruit and nut filling that's totally mouthwatering.
16. Oatmeal Soda Bread with Apricots
If you're a fan of raisin soda bread, this oatmeal version with dried apricots will win you over. It's a smart way to cut back on sugar too, because a little honey and the natural sweetness of apricots step in for white sugar. Slice it warm, maybe with a smear of butter, and life is good.
17. Apricot Bars
Need a grab and go snack that still feels a little bit special? These apricot bars are my answer.
A buttery shortcrust base gets topped with glossy apricot jam, then scattered with crunchy pecans and toasted coconut. I love them for rushed mornings or as a quick, sweet treat when dessert cravings hit hard.
18. White Chocolate, Coconut, and Apricot Balls
These no bake white chocolate, coconut, and apricot balls come together in just 10 minutes. It's a brilliant recipe to make with kids since there's no hot oven involved, and they'll have a blast rolling the mixture into little spheres. Sweet, coconutty, and so easy.
19. Perfect Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Apricots
These are some of the best cookies you can pull from your oven, I'm telling you. Warm, chewy oatmeal cookies studded with zingy bits of dried apricot are pure heaven when they're fresh and hot.
Hearty oats and tangy apricot are a dream team. I can never resist sneaking one straight from the baking sheet.
20. Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
Walking into your house after this has been bubbling away all day? Heaven.
The chicken turns so tender it practically melts, and the dried apricots plump up and get all juicy as they cook in the broth, becoming fall apart tender. The savory sweet aroma alone will make you swoon.
21. Almond Apricot Biscotti
A cup of coffee really isn't the same without a biscotti for dunking. These almond apricot biscotti are crispy, sweet, and totally addictive.
I like to stash a batch in the freezer so I can grab a few with my morning brew. Fair warning: one is never enough.
22. Dried Apricot and Almond Cake
This cake is a total showstopper, perfect for when you want to impress. It's soaked in an orange and almond drizzle, then finished with almonds, candied seeds, and a flurry of orange zest.
The sponge is made with ground almonds and polenta, which gives it the most incredible texture. I could slice into this all day long.
23. Traditional Lamb Tagine with Apricots
Apricots bring the loveliest sweetness and texture to this traditional lamb tagine. A tagine is that two part clay cooking vessel you see all over North Africa, and the slow, gentle heat allows the food to soak up every bit of flavor. It's a beautiful way to cook, and the results are deeply fragrant.
24. Chocolate Apricot Balls
With just three ingredients and a few minutes, you can have these chocolate apricot balls ready to go. Soak dried apricots and almonds in water, blitz them into a paste, roll into little balls, and then drown them in melted chocolate. Simple, fudgy, and ridiculously good.
25. Eggplant and Lentil Apricot Curry
On chilly nights, this eggplant and lentil curry is my go to comfort. As the dried apricots simmer into the sauce, they release a gentle sweetness that plays so nicely with cool coconut yogurt.
A hint of mint and a squeeze of lemon bring a bright, refreshing lift. It's cozy and surprising all at once.