Fall Fruits: What’s in Season and Where to Find Them

What fruit is in season in the fall?

Fall beckons the comeback of delights like pumpkin spice lattes and, of course, tasty seasonal fruit! The following is a list of fall fruits and recipes using fall fruits. 

1. Apples

Apples are one of the biggest commercial fruit crops produced in the United States. There are currently 2,500 varieties of apples in the United States, with approximately 7,500 varieties produced globally. Make a delicious apple pie, toffee apples for the kids, steaming mouthwatering apple-cheddar soup, or apple meringue cupcakes. 

2. Jalapenos

According to its scientific classification, jalapenos are botanically classed as a berry. It’s a cultivar of the Capsicum annuum family and was originally cultivated in Mexico. Set the scene for fall comfort food with tasty jalapeno poppers, jalapeno cornbread, or chicken and jalapeno casserole. 

3. Cranberries

These fall fruits are produced in Oregon, New Jersey, Washington, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. Cranberries comprise 90 percent water. Use these to make cranberry pie, cranberry relish, decadent cranberry-orange rolls, or cranberry-pistachio biscotti in chilly weather. 

4. Pears

The primary pear-producing states are Washington, California, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Pears form part of the species of genus Pyrus and are part of the Rosaceae clan. Preserve and store these fall fruits in jars, or make delicious pear muffins, lamb stew with pears, or pear cobbler. 

5. Dates

Dates are derived from the species Phoenix dactylifera. These sweet fruits, grown via date palms, originated in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East. Whip up scrumptious pumpkin-oat muffins with dates, or bake a loaf of orange-date bread on those cool autumn days. 

6. Persimmons

Persimmons come from the genus Diospyros and have their origins in ancient China. Make ginger-persimmon bread, kale, pecan, and persimmon salad, or enjoy delectable persimmon muffins with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. 

7. Grapes 

These were first cultivated in Spain. There are approximately 8,000 varieties and 60 species of grapes throughout the globe. Enjoy delicious grape clafoutis, roasted grapes, or entertain guests with a tasty cheeseboard with grapes. 

8. Figs

Figs form part of the mulberry family and are grown on the Ficus tree. This flowering plant originated in Asia. Store this fall fruit by making fig chutney and then canning it. You can also make bacon-wrapped figs or fig and raspberry crumble cake. 

9. Pomegranates

The scientific name for this is Punica granatum, and it comes from the Lythraceae family. It’s also native to Pakistan and Afghanistan. This super fruit can be stored for two months in a refrigerator. Enjoy pomegranate pork belly or a delicious sprout salad with pomegranate in the fall. 

10. Lemon

Lemon tree leaves are often utilized to manufacture tea. You can use the grated rinds of lemon or lemon zest for baking. Or whip up a lemon curd tart with olive oil. 

11. Limes

 These tasty fall fruits were first grown in India. A single lime tree can produce more than 1000 limes per year. Enjoy coconut-crusted chicken with lime, lime and coconut cake, or a lip-smacking seafood stew with lime and tomatoes. 

12. Pineapple

Pineapple originated in the Americas. These fall fruits can take up to three years to mature, and a pineapple plant can bear fruit for 50 years. Pineapple is the ideal ingredient to add to sweet and savory dishes. You can enjoy them on Hawaiian pizza as a topping or make a cinnamon-pineapple upside-down cake.  

13. Avocado

Avocados were first documented 7,000 years ago in Mesoamerica. It is mainly produced in California and Mexico. Use this buttery, creamy fall fruit to make lovely avocado hummus or an avocado and pesto salad with salmon. 

14. Green bananas

Green bananas originated in Guinea. These bananas are less sweet than yellow bananas. Relish a green banana tikki or fenugreek dry curry with green banana in the fall. 

15. Kumquats

Kumquats were first documented as far back as the 12th Century in Chinese literature. They were first grown in Europe in 1846. Enjoy homemade kumquat marmalade, make kumquat candies and store them in jars, or enjoy them on their own. 

16. Oranges

There are more than 600 types of oranges globally. These fall fruits are also the biggest citrus fruits worldwide. Savor decadent orange cheesecake rolls for breakfast, or enjoy mouthwatering orange spritz cookies at teatime. 

17. Guavas

Guavas were initially produced in South and Central America. There are about 500 seeds in a guava. Enjoy tasty guava empanadas or tasty cream cheese and guava dip with breadsticks or chips at a dinner party. 

18. Quinces

The scientific name for quince is Cydonia oblonga, and it’s derived from the Rosaceae family. These fruits were initially popularized in the colonial era in the United States during the 19th century. There’s nothing quite like a warm quince crumble tart or delicious roast venison with quince to warm you on a chilly autumn day. 

19. Grapefruit

Grapefruit trees usually grow up to 20 feet, although they may reach up to 49 feet. They were initially documented in the 18th century by a Welshman who had described specimens in Barbados. Use grapefruit to make a brown derby grapefruit cake or a sweet and tangy grapefruit cake. 

20. Passion fruit

This fruit is produced on a fast-growing vine that grows approximately 20 feet per annum. The fruit was discovered by the Spanish and then spread to Europe and the rest of the world. Enjoy decadent chicken breasts with passion fruit sauce or a passion fruit martini.

Where to find fall fruits

Search for fall fruits in produce departments and farmer’s markets in your city. Note that you’re more likely to find fall fruits when in season, although you may find them during the off-peak season too. Simplify your search by checking Instacart for fall fruits in your area. 

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