Kumquats are small fruit that shares a close resemblance to oranges, but they tend to be smaller. They have a citrusy flavor that, while it is sweet, is overall a much more sour and tangy fruit than expected.
However, did you know that the sweetest part of a kumquat is its peel? You could eat a kumquat whole if you decided to.
Naturally, with their unique flavor, you might wonder what else you can do with them. That’s why we’ve found 15 of the best kumquat recipes for you to try out today.
15 Best Kumquat Recipes To Try Today
1. Kumquat Marmalade
One of the easiest ways to use kumquat is by making delicious kumquat marmalade. If you have too many kumquats for you to eat in one go, then this is the perfect recipe to ensure they don’t go to waste.
All you need is your kumquats, water, some powdered fruit pectin, and sugar. However, the hardest part of this recipe is removing the seeds; after that, it doesn’t take long to make.
Once done, you can put your kumquat marmalade in the fridge and have it with your bread or toast for a hearty snack.
2. Kumquat-Strawberry Margaritas
You don’t only have to make food, as kumquats make an excellent addition to your boozy treats.
Margaritas (see also “How To Prepare Kiwi-Passion Fruit Margaritas“) are made with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice and are one of the most popular cocktails in the world. However, this recipe makes a slight adjustment, exchanging limes with a concoction of strawberries and kumquats.
Flavored with kumquat-strawberry syrup with plenty more freshly sliced kumquats and strawberries, you’ll find that this cocktail is a must-have for any kumquat fan for a relaxing drink (see also “How To Make Raspberry-Apple Champagne Slushies“).
3. Candied Kumquats
If you have kumquats, you want to use; then you could always make candied kumquats. These are great treats to make if you want to emphasize the sweetness of your kumquats.
As the peel is sweeter than the flesh inside, this is a great way to enjoy all parts. All you need to do is remove the seeds and juice before you start.
Once you make them, all you really need are your kumquats and some sugar to go with them. You can add as much sugar as you want to taste and then choose to top them on some ice cream or on their own.
4. Kumquat Upside-Down Cake
Upside-down cake is an easy dessert to make, so you don’t have to worry about any complicated adjustments.
The cake is made as you normally would make it, and if you prefer a boxed mix, you can use it instead of all-purpose flour.
So long as you add your vanilla extract, you’ll be able to enjoy this delicious cake and finish it off with a sprinkle of brown sugar. You’ll be unable to have enough of this recipe!
5. Kumquat Cupcakes
These kumquat cupcakes are a delicious treat at any time of year. You can make them, put in a lunch box, and combine them with a sweet orange icing or glaze. Using orange for the icing promises a combination of sweet flavors.
The process is even easier with the help of a food processor. The peel adds plenty of sweetness, so you don’t need to worry about peeling them before you put them in a food processor for the batter.
6. Oven-Roasted Kumquat Chicken
We know that we have been linking to a number of desserts here, but that doesn’t mean you have to reserve kumquats for anyone with a sweet tooth. Chicken can admittedly be pretty bland on its own, so fruits can add plenty of flavor to it.
As kumquats are a combination of sweet and sour, these citrusy fruits can improve the taste of your chicken so long as you prepare it correctly.
7. Kumquat Carrot Cake Muffins
Returning to desserts, we need to tell you about kumquat carrot cake muffins. Spring is the best season to enjoy these delicious muffins.
Some people may not enjoy kumquats on their own, as they can be pretty sour, but you’ll find it’s easier to combine them with some delicious carrot cake.
These cakes are an ideal healthier dessert, and you can adjust the coconut and turbinado sugar for granulated if you want to ensure they’re sweet.
Once you combine these with jam, you’ll notice the explosion of flavor from all the ingredients included here.
8. Kumquat Carrot Soup
No one realizes that you can make a delicious kumquat and carrot soup that has a puree-like texture. The bright color of this soup adds a little extra light to the darkening winter season.
This soup has a touch of sweetness thanks to the kumquat’s skin, as it balances with the tartness of the flesh inside. If you’re looking for a comforting winter treat, this is definitely the one for you.
9. Kale, Brussels Sprout And Kumquat Salad
Naturally, kumquat is a treat that you can incorporate into your salad to add a little extra. While kale and Brussels sprouts are traditionally a winter dish, kumquats are arguably more popular in spring.
Kale and Brussels sprouts actually balance well with the tartness of your kumquat, and all you need to do is ensure that the seeds of your kumquat are removed before you serve them up.
You’ll find this dish may seem complicated by including honey and caramelized shallots, but it’s also quick to make.
10. Kumquat Ginger Vinaigrette
If you don’t enjoy kumquats whole, but you want to ensure you find a use for them before they expire, why not turn them into a lovely vinaigrette?
Kumquat and ginger offer a hearty combination that will bring a brand-new flavor to your salad. This recipe will help you add more flavor to your salad without wasting any kumquats.
11. Kumquat Banana Bread
If you live in the Deep South, you may notice a never-ending supply of kumquats. But what can you do with all of this food?
If you want to get rid of all the kumquats you have, we recommend making banana bread with a kumquat puree.
Combining the sweet flavor of banana bread with the tang of kumquats will ensure you have a delicious treat that you won’t be able to get enough of.
12. Kumquat Chiffon Cake
Kumquats aren’t only a staple in the Deep South, but they’re also incredibly popular in Hong Kong. Every part of a kumquat is edible, and if you want a delicious dessert, you can utilize all of the kumquats to get all of the flavors.
Garnished with caramelized kumquat, this chiffon cake doesn’t need to have any filling, but if you do, you just need some marmalade and caramelized kumquats. This sponge cake is perfect for a delicious dessert for a party.
13. Kumquat Pie
Naturally, kumquats are an incredibly popular dessert. Not only does it work in cakes, but it can be a delicious pie filling.
You don’t even need to bake this dessert; all you need are some graham crackers and a delicious creamy filling. There are so many kumquats available in the Florida winter that you need to be careful, so you don’t waste any.
Once you remove the seeds, you can just put them in a food processor and ensure they become pureed. Combining them with cream, you’ll find this creamy dessert has a tart flavor that is perfect with some kumquat peel.
14. Kumquat Scones
Baking with kumquats is a fun experience that everyone needs to try at one point. If you have too many kumquats to eat on your own, you can always bake them into scones.
It’s not difficult to make, but it can take a little while, so you’ll need to do some preparation the night before.
Ideally, you should cut the kumquats thinly; then, instead of using the center, you should discard it so you can enjoy the sweetness more than the tart flavors involved.
They only take 20 minutes to bake maximum, so you won’t have to wait long to consume them all.
15. Cardamom Kumquat Bars
While kumquats can be used for main dishes, they are more commonly used for desserts. They happen to be easily combined with sweeter dishes so you can get the best flavors.
If you’ve had lemon bars, you can easily adapt lemons for kumquats, as both are known for their citrusy tang.
To get more flavor, infuse some cardamom into your bars and have a herbal taste that offers more freshness to your tangy dessert.
Using a shortbread crust, you’ll find that you can combine these with orange blossom water to really emphasize the taste of each ingredient.
Final Thoughts
Kumquats are a delicious fruit that combines a sweet peel with tangy flesh inside. While some people prefer to eat them whole, they’re not to everyone’s taste.
That’s why so many people enjoy eating kumquats as a companion ingredient in desserts and some main meals.
They have a unique flavor that blends well with various baked goods, making them an ideal fruit to experiment with when you need to use your ingredients quickly.
If you enjoyed this article, you might like our post ‘15 Best Smoker Recipes To Try Today‘.
