Raisins are one of those love/hate ingredients. There are a few recipes that wouldn’t be the same without them (like oatmeal raisin cookies), and a lot more where most people wish they weren’t there at all (like carrot cake). We’ve been known to skip them in lieu of more universally palatable options like cranberries or dried apricots, but let it be known, we do LOVE raisins. Their tangy-sweet flavor is great in desserts, of course, but truth is we might actually like them better in savory recipes. Check out our 15 raisin recipes for a variety of desserts, mains, side dishes, and snacks—we might just sway you on this dried fruit after all.
When you think of raisins, do you imagine those little red boxes you ate as a kid? A little gritty, a little sticky, they’re not something you’re likely seeking out when you’re cooking at home as an adult. Those raisins have a time and a place, but there are so many more options out there too. Some popular options available at most stores include golden raisins, green raisins, currents, and more, so familiarize yourself with what’s on offer and figure out your favorite. Our top tip for all kinds that have maybe been on the shelf for too long (which, let’s be honest, is a lot of them): Avoid the plague of distractingly over-dried, tough, and chewy raisins by soaking them. Plumping them up in a little water (or milk or broth, depending on your end game) will go a long way to helping those dried fruits be more pleasant in your final product.
Craving a sweet dessert or breakfast? Check out our cinnamon swirl bread or our morning buns for a more involved project, or our carrot cake bread or our bread pudding for something a little easier. Then try adding raisins to any of your favorite cookies, breads, or carb-heavy breakfasts—you never know, you might discover a new favorite combo.
Not a big sweets person? Don’t write off raisins just yet—they add depth and contrast to savory recipes too. Our Indian chicken biryani, our Moroccan carrot salad, our Sicilian caponata, or our Mexican chiles en nogada are all great examples… that many different cultures can’t be wrong! Truly, keep a container of your favorite raisins near your stove, and next time you’re cooking, consider throwing a handful in. We’re always pleasantly surprised by their flavor and think you will be too.
Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies are crunchy on the edges and soft in the middle, making them perfect (in our humble opinion!). The best part? These can be personalized with your favorite mix-in combinations too—try swapping in different nuts, or adding chocolate chips, whatever you like!
Get the Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
Classic Caponata
Five cups of this classic Sicilian dish may seem like a LOT, but when you realize it's the perfect condiment, toast-topper, pasta mix-in, and chicken and seafood accompaniment (among many other things), you'll be wishing you made double of this irresistible antipasti.
Get the Classic Caponata recipe.
For this recipe, we were inspired by the Hyderabadi style of biryani, where rice and a curry filled with veggies and/or a protein are cooked separately, then layered and baked into an aromatic, harmonious, and hearty dish. Serve alongside a fresh cucumber raita for a perfectly balanced meal.
Get the Chicken Biryani recipe.
Best Carrot Cake
This is your cake, so feel free to customize it to your liking. Not a fan of pecans? Sub in walnuts or pistachios, or leave the nuts out entirely. Craving more sweetness? Try adding pineapple to the batter too.
Get the Best Carrot Cake recipe.
Chiles En Nogada
It's believed that chiles en nogada, a traditional Mexican dish of poblano peppers (chiles) stuffed with a fruit and nut filled picadillo that is then covered with walnut sauce (nogada) and pomegranate seeds, was invented by nuns in Puebla in the 18th century. The green of the poblanos, the red of the pomegranate seeds, and the white salsa de nogada make up the colors of the Mexican flag.
Get the Chiles En Nogada recipe.
Moroccan Carrot Salad
This carrot-and-raisin salad gets an upgrade with a slightly spicy, slightly sweet harissa and honey sauce. It brings out the sweet freshness of the carrots and makes the whole dish sing. We're tempted to pour it over all of our salads from here on out.
Get the Moroccan Carrot Salad recipe.
Bread Pudding
This rich, custardy dessert is a guaranteed breakfast crowd-pleaser. We love challah for its subtle sweetness and light, airy texture, but any [stale] bread will do. Though raisins are optional, we think they add a nice pop of sweetness and texture.
Get the Bread Pudding recipe.
Apple Strudel
Strudel is a layered pastry with a gooey filling made extra easy thanks to store-bought phyllo dough. It can be done with all types of filling, but the most popular is apple, and this one is made even more delicious with the addition with cinnamon, lemon zest, and raisins.
Get the Apple Strudel recipe.
Pastelón
Akin to a Puerto Rican lasagna, pastelón layers up crispy fried sweet plantains with melty mozzarella cheese and picadillo, a mix of ground beef, tomatoes, sofrito, herbs, briny olives, and a pop of sweetness from raisins. It takes a bit to prepare all the elements, but it’s worth it for this sweet and savory dish you can easily serve to a crowd.
Get the Pastelón recipe.
Charoset
Not only does charoset have a lot of symbolic meaning as part of the Passover celebration (it represents the mortar used to stack the bricks to make the pyramids), it also tastes amazing and is one of our favorite things to put on matzo. The key to a good charoset is using sweet, kosher wine like Manischewitz, so seek some out.
Get the Charoset recipe.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These oatmeal cookies are fat, chewy, and star-studded with raisins. Just like grandma used to make!
Get the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe.
Carrot Cake Bread
On its own, this is a very simple loaf, but spread some cream cheese frosting on top, and you've got an insanely special anytime snack. It's not as dramatic as our layered carrot cake, but it's seriously just as good as dessert. If you are looking for a more breakfast-y carrot bread, just skip the frosting (or do a thinner glaze instead).
Get the Carrot Cake Bread recipe.
Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Homemade cinnamon swirl bread (aka cinnamon raisin bread) is soft, fluffy, and magical. Although making homemade bread can be a labor of love, the end results are incomparable. The base of this loaf is loosely based on our brioche recipe, which means it's extra buttery. Swoon.
Get the Cinnamon Swirl Bread recipe.
Morning Buns
A cross between a cinnamon roll and a croissant, these morning buns are a touch crispy-flakey on the outside, moist and super soft on the inside, with a healthy dose of nuts, rum raisins, and cinnamon.
Get the Morning Buns recipe.
Monster Trail Mix Bites
These trail mix bites are the perfect on-the-go snack for kids and adults alike! You could skip the mini M&Ms if you want, but we like them for the pop of color (and a little added sweet crunch).
Get the Monster Trail Mix Bites recipe.
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