Celebrate National Apricot Day with Tasty, Healthy Recipes

National food holidays have been in existence for decades. Although they are not official holidays, they are sure fun to celebrate. It gives us a good excuse to enjoy certain foods. National Apricot Day is celebrated on January 9th every year in the USA by apricot lovers.

The apricot tree is a hardy winter tree that grows to 12 to 15 feet but can grow to 45 feet if not pruned. The tree produces pink, white, or red flowers,¹ and produces fruit for 20 to 25 years.²

The apricot fruit is fleshy and similar to peaches - a golden orange fruit color and a firm texture. Its flavor is more tart than a peach. You can eat it fresh, canned, or dried. To select fresh apricots, look for fruit with a rich orange color that’s soft to the touch; avoid pale yellow or green.

Apricots are fruits we can enjoy throughout the year when dried. They are tasty, healthy, and can be eaten any time of the day. Organic dried apricots are brown in color. Although most store-bought apricots have bright orange color indicating they were treated with sulfur compounds during preservation.¹

Here’s what you should know about National Apricot Day.

Origin of the name

Apricot is a Latin word meaning precious, but its history has been linked to an Arabic word “al barquq” or early ripe. They ripen in early summer, much earlier than most summer fruits, and are dried to preserve for use throughout the year.¹

History of National Apricot Day

Apricots were discovered about 4,000 years ago in China. It was introduced in the USA in California in the 18th century by Spanish explorers. They planted the trees all over the west coast of the USA, and it quickly became a popular crop.¹

The first commercially produced apricots were cultivated in south San Francisco in 1972. The USA is among the top apricot producers. Currently, California farmers produce more than 95% of the apricot grown in the US.²

Nutritional value of apricots

Fresh apricots are rich in nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, calcium, and iron. They are also a good source of fiber. They are versatile with their unique flavor and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. They make a perfect low-calorie snack right of the pack, whether dried or fresh. Dried or freeze dried apricots can be added to salads or granola.¹

How to observe National Apricot Day 

Use the hashtag #NationalApricotDay on Facebook and Twitter. Aside from that, you can add apricots to your dishes, cakes, or salads. Be creative! They can be used in many more ways than you think. Here are five apricot recipes to try on National Apricot Day.

1. Apricot-Raspberry Preserves/Jam⁴

Sweet • Tangy • Versatile
Makes: About 1½ cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Bright and fruity, this quick preserve pairs the tartness of apricots with the rich sweetness of raspberries. It’s perfect spooned over pancakes, waffles, yogurt, or even ice cream. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a simple way to bring fresh, homemade flavor to your breakfasts and desserts.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ripe apricots, peeled, pitted, and halved

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries (optional)

Instructions:

1. Chop the apricots
   Add the apricots, lemon juice, and sugar to a food processor. Pulse several times until the apricots are coarsely chopped.

2. Cook the mixture
   Transfer the mixture to a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.

3. Add raspberries
   Add half the raspberries and simmer for another 1–2 minutes until softened. Taste and add more sugar if needed.

4. Cool and store
   Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

2. Apricot Strawberry Smoothie⁵

Refreshing • Fruity • Vitamin-Rich
Makes: 2 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

This vibrant smoothie blends sweet apricots with freeze-dried strawberries and pineapples for a light, tropical treat. With just a handful of ingredients and a healthy dose of vitamins A and C, it's the perfect refresher any time of year.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chilled coconut water or filtered water

• 1 cup fresh apricots, pitted and chopped

• 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries

• 1/2 cup freeze-dried pineapples

• 1 teaspoon flax seed oil (optional)

• 1 to 1½ cups ice

Instructions:

1. Rehydrate the Fruit
   Add freeze-dried strawberries and pineapples to a bowl with 1 cup of warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes, then drain and gently pat dry.

2. Blend the Ingredients
   In a blender, combine coconut water, fresh apricots, rehydrated strawberries and pineapples, flax seed oil (if using), and ice. Blend until smooth and creamy.

3. Serve Chilled
   Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately for a refreshing, nutrient-packed drink.

3. Baked Apricot Chicken⁶

Sweet • Tangy • Comforting
Makes: Serves 6–8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1-hour 10 minutes

A simple, flavor-packed dish perfect for hectic weeknights. Tender chicken thighs are baked in a slightly sweet apricot glaze, elevated with freeze-dried pineapple and zesty French dressing. Serve it alongside rice, roasted potatoes, or a green salad for a balanced and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 12 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)

• 1 cup apricot preserves

• 1 cup French salad dressing

• 1 (1 oz) package dry onion soup mix

• ½ cup freeze-dried pineapple pieces, lightly rehydrated

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Rehydrate Pineapple:
   Place freeze-dried pineapple in a small bowl with just enough warm water to cover. Let sit for about 10 minutes, then drain lightly—fruit should be tender but not soggy.

3. Make the Glaze:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together apricot preserves, French dressing, onion soup mix, and rehydrated pineapple until well combined.

4. Bake the Chicken:
   Arrange chicken thighs in a single layer in a baking dish. Pour the apricot mixture evenly over them. For extra juiciness, you can cover the dish tightly with foil.

5. Finish Baking:
   Bake uncovered for about 60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is golden and cooked through. Remove foil during the final 10–15 minutes if covered, to slightly caramelize the glaze.

6. Serve:
   Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon remaining glaze and pineapple over the top. Pair with rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.

4. Pineapple Punch⁷

Bright • Budget-Friendly • Party-Ready
Makes: Serves 6–8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Refreshing, fizzy, and fruit-forward—this tropical punch blends sweet pineapple, tangy lime, and ripe apricot nectar. A perfect beverage for warm days or festive gatherings, all topped off with a bubbly finish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple juice

• 1 cup apricot nectar (from fresh apricots or canned)

• 1 cup frozen limeade concentrate

• 2 liters lemon-lime flavored carbonated soda

• Freeze-dried pineapple (for garnish, optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix the Base:
   In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine the pineapple juice, apricot nectar, and limeade concentrate. Stir well to blend.

2. Add Bubbles:
   Slowly pour in the carbonated soda and stir gently until everything is combined and fizzy.

3. Serve and Garnish:
   Serve chilled over ice. Garnish with freeze-dried pineapple pieces or a slice of lime or apricot if desired.

5. Apricot Walnut Bars⁸

Tender • Fruity • Crunchy Treat
Makes: ~24 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Celebrate National Apricot Day with these buttery bars topped with sweet apricot glaze and a satisfying walnut crunch. They’re ideal for shareable snack platters or dessert tables!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

• ¾ cup brown sugar

• 2 egg yolks

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup apricot preserves

• ½ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prep:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a small overhang for easy removal.

2. Make the Base Layer:
   In a large bowl, beat together butter and brown sugar until light and creamy. Add egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined. Gently stir in the flour until the dough is smooth and uniform—avoid overmixing.

3. Bake the Base:
   Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven, but leave the oven on.

4. Top with Apricot and Nuts:
   While still warm, spread the apricot preserves evenly over the baked layer. Sprinkle chopped walnuts on top. Cut into bar-sized portions using a sharp knife.

5. Finish Baking:
   Reduce oven temperature to 250°F (120°C). Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes. This sets the apricot layer without over-browning.

6. Cool and Serve:
   Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift out the bars using the parchment overhang and slice along pre-cut lines.

Enjoy these delicious recipes on National Apricot Day. Don’t forget to purchase our freeze-dried apricots. They will make your work easier for these recipes.

References

1. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-apricot-day-january-9/
2. https://mobile-cuisine.com/did-you-know/national-apricot-day/
3. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/apricot-day/
4. https://natashaskitchen.com/15-minute-apricot-raspberry-preserves/
5. https://natashaskitchen.com/apricot-strawberry-smoothies/
6. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8840/baked-apricot-chicken/
7. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/20310/aileens-punch/
8. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10963/apricot-bars-i/

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