25 Healthy Fruit Recipes Because That's What Summer Is For

Summer can mean blistering heat and wistful glances outside office windows, but thankfully it also means fruit. Fifteen minutes at the farmers' market, and we're carrying back what feels like 100 pounds of berries, peaches, and whatever else looked too good to resist. We're eating it by the pint, sprinkling it on granola, and throwing it all in a pot to make jam—and when we want to get just a little more creative, we're making these recipes. There are lots of options here: some are sweet, some are savory, and some are even boozy. Enjoy!
1/25Fig Caprese Salad
It's not about the number of steps or ingredients in a dish. If you shop smart, buying peak-season produce and quality protein, you don't have to do much at all (like with this easy salad recipe).
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott2/25Cherry Compote with Honey Yogurt
You'll fall in love with this light dessert once you finally buy a cherry pitter (worth it).

Peden + Munk4/25Sweet and Salty Fig Toast
Taste a fig first to see how sweet it is... and thus how much honey you want to add.
Alex Lau5/25Oven-Dried Strawberries
Here’s your opportunity to use up berries that are slightly past their prime.
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott6/25Rice with Parsley, Almonds, and Apricots
Rice suddenly got a lot more interesting.
Alex Lau7/25Watermelon With Yogurt, Poppy Seeds, and Fried Rosemary
There’s no law that says watermelon salads must incorporate feta. This renegade combination is at once sweet, tart, and savory—the kind of dish that’s as comfortable at the breakfast table as it is at a potluck.
Laura Murray8/25Frozen Rum-Mango Lassi
Of course, you don’t have to include the rum—just like you don’t have to visit the swim-up bar next time you’re on vacation.
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott9/25Plum-Rosemary-Crisp with Oat-Spelt Topping
Double up on the topping and save half for later. Baked on its own, it’s great with yogurt.
Alex Lau10/25Watermelon and Jicama Salad With Jalapeño and Lime
This colorful salad packs a bit of heat by adding the jalapeño; it balances out the cooler flavors, but feel free to omit it.
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott11/25Cold-Infused Blackberry-Pepper Soda
A refreshing homemade soda to drink all summer long.
Alex Lau12/25Cantaloupe and Cucumber Salad
Savory fruit salads are officially a thing. (And, for the record, cucumber is a fruit.)
Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li13/25Quinoa-Banana Muffins
Including our favorite approach for cooking quinoa.
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott14/25Savory Peach and Cucumber Salad
This is the future of fruit salad—with avocado, herbs, a little spice, and peak season peaches.
Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li15/25Mango-Yogurt Pudding with Lucuma and Chia Seeds
Feel free to sweeten this pudding recipe with more agave, maple syrup, or plain-old sugar if lucuma just isn’t your bag.
Alex Lau16/25Grape Salsa with Tarragon
This jewel-toned salsa recipe can be used on more than just crackers.
Alex Lau17/25Nectarines and Peaches With Lavender Syrup
This savory-sweet salad can be a bright summer side or even light dessert.
Jeff Luker18/25Sesame-and-Soy Watermelon Poke
Marinating and searing the watermelon concentrates its flavor and primes it for this savory treatment.
Photo by Laura Murray, Styling by Judy Mancini19/25Berries with Tea-Infused Cream and Pistachios
This fresh, simple summer dessert recipe gets a slight twist with addition of tea. If you’re not a fan of Earl Grey, try it with chamomile, matcha, or jasmine.
Alex Lau20/25Mango and Cucumber Chow
Green mangoes would be ideal, but slightly unripe mangoes are an imperfect but successful substitute.

Peden + Munk22/25Honeydew and Lox
This recipe puts a spin on prosciutto and melon by swapping in smoked salmon for the salty dry-cured ham.
Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li23/25Roasted Strawberry and Tahini Buttermilk Shake
Using bruised berries, that last little bit of buttermilk in the container, and a scoop of tahini will make you feel both resourceful and well fed.
Juco24/25Sorbet in Grapefruit Cups
These frozen treats are also super cute made with orange rinds and work with any flavor sorbet or sherbet you fancy.
Ditte Isager25/25Sweet and Sour Cherry and Buckwheat Crumble
Had kasha or soba? You’ve tasted buckwheat. The flour has an earthy, mineral flavor that pairs especially well with tart fruits, like these cherries.