10 Best Winter Fruits Recipes

In winter, you won’t get as many exciting tropical fruits like pineapple, watermelon or mangoes. However, winter fruits can be equally as delicious and go well in a variety of recipes both sweet and savoury.

Especially at the start of winter, you’ll still find some autumn fruits around like raspberries, blackberries, apples and pears. Have a read of our recipe ideas using autumn fruits.

Other winter fruits include plums, figs, cranberries and pomegranates. You’ll also find a variety of oranges like clementines, tangerines and mandarins.

Read on for some inspiration on how to use these winter fruits.

1. Chicken thighs with roasted winter fruit

Here’s a lovely, hearty winter dish for those chilly nights. This recipe for chicken thighs with roasted winter fruit by Jamie Geller is a well rounded dish, with a combination of sweet, spicy, tangy and savoury. Crispy chicken thighs are paired with the sweetness of apples, pears and grapes. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without the herbs and spices, such as mustard powder, cinnamon, garlic and thyme. Add a touch of balsamic for a little tang and you have yourself a perfect midweek meal.

2. Mulled winter fruits with cinnamon ice cream

Ice cream in winter? Why not! This recipe for mulled winter fruits with cinnamon ice cream by Gary Jones is a delightful mix of warm and cold, sweet and spicy. It’s not the easiest of recipes – there are lots of elements to it – but we think it’s worth the effort if you’re looking to impress your guests.

For the fruits, a pungent blend of spices like cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks and peppercorns add a distinct warmth to the dish. These spices are stewed in red wine and ruby port, before adding in winter fruits like apples, pears, figs and plums.

The dessert is served with a pain d’épices, a type of French cake spiced with Chinese five spice. For the ice cream, a touch of cinnamon gives it a subtle and sweet flavour.

You can find all the spices you need on our website.

3. Spiced winter fruit compote

Looking for something a little more simple? This recipe for spiced winter fruit compote from Good Housekeeping is an easy yet delicious dessert. This compote is the ultimate blend of winter fruits, and uses oranges, pears, apples, dried figs, dried apricots, dried plums and dried sour cherries. The fruits are simmered in a sugar-brandy syrup spiced with cinnamon and star anise. Serve the compote over cake, ice cream or yoghurt.

4. Pork roast with winter fruits and port sauce

If you’re in the northern hemisphere, winter means holiday season, and holiday season means roasts. If you’ve been making the same old roasts year after year, why not spice things up with this recipe for pork roast with winter fruits and port sauce by Ruth Cousineau. For the stuffing, winter fruits like dried apricots, prunes and apples are simmered in port, giving a nice intensity to the dish which isn’t too sweet. The bacon wrapped around the roast will not only keep it moist – it’ll also keep your guests coming back for more.

5. Golden crostata with winter fruits

We think fruit and pastry go hand in hand, which is why we love this recipe for golden crostata with winter fruits from My Food Book. A crostata is a baked tart or pie, and one of the most classic Italian dishes. You can have sweet or savoury crostatas. Savoury crostatas can include meat, fish and vegetables, whereas sweet crostatas use fruit preserves as fillings. This particular recipe calls for raspberries, apples and pears.

6. Savoury roasted pears and red onions with halloumi cheese

Pears are delicious in savoury dishes, and we love this recipe for savoury roasted pears and red onions with halloumi cheese by Heartbeet Kitchen. Pears are roasted together with red onion and fresh thyme sprigs, and as they bake, the natural sugars are released which creates browning – the key to a rich, deep flavour. Halloumi cheese is a great addition to this dish. This salty, springy cheese is perfect for grilling or pan-frying, and adds a lovely texture to the dish.

7. Poached quince and winter fruit in spiced wine

This recipe for poached quince and winter fruit in spiced wine by Raymond Blanc is an easy winter dessert. Its warm and spicy flavours are perfect for ringing in the holiday season. Fruits like quince, apple, prunes and blackberries are poached in red wine alongside spices like cloves, bay leaves, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks and vanilla pod. If you’re looking to show off, this dish will have a beautiful, deep burgundy colour that’s bound to wow your guests!

8. Winter fruit pavlovas

It’s hard to say no to a good pavlova. This recipe for winter fruit pavlovas by Health makes the most of seasonal fruits. It’s the type of recipe where you can prepare each component a day in advance, and assemble it just before serving. These pavlovas are pretty and delicate looking, with thin slices of apple, cranberries and pomegranate seeds scattered on top. Add some fresh sprigs of rosemary for a finishing touch.

9. Provencal duck stew with winter fruits

Head to France for some Provencal duck stew with winter fruits. This recipe by Chef Francois de Melogue is perfect for Christmas, as the prunes, walnuts, apples, oranges and spices will fill your home with a festive scent. It’s also great for dinner parties as you can prepare it ahead of time and reheat. The fruits, alongside spices like black peppercorns, juniper berries, star anise and cinnamon, are simmered in pinot noir. Add vegetables like carrots and celery alongside your duck and voila – you have yourself a delicious stew.

10. Salted caramel apples with spiced winter fruit and nuts

Looking for a Christmas dessert? This recipe for salted caramel apples with spiced winter fruit and nuts is packed with flavour and makes for an excellent showstopper. Cox apples are filled with salted caramel, baked, and topped with dried fruits like cherries, prunes and raisins that have been soaked in liqueur and mixed spice. Sprinkle with toasted pecan nuts and serve.