10+ Plum Recipes to Brighten Your Seasonal Cooking

Plums are such a fun fruit to cook with, honestly. They bring this sweet-tart punch to dishes, so you can use them in all sorts of desserts and snacks.

You can enjoy plums in simple recipes that bring out their natural taste without needing much effort.

Whether you want something fresh or baked, plum recipes can fit whatever mood or skill level you’re at. Trying new ways to cook with plums might just liven up your meals.

Using plums is a great excuse to make the most of the season.

Ingredients

• Fresh plums
• Sugar
• Butter
• Flour
• Cinnamon (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and cut the plums as needed.
2. Mix plums with sugar and cinnamon if using.
3. Prepare any topping by combining butter, flour, and sugar.
4. Bake in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) until bubbly and golden, about 30-40 minutes.

1) Classic Plum Crisp with buttery crumble topping

You can whip up a plum crisp with fresh plums and a handful of pantry staples. Just toss the fruit with a bit of sugar and cinnamon, then pile on a buttery crumble made from oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter.

Bake it at 350°F (175°C) until the topping is golden. The result? Warm, juicy, and honestly pretty irresistible—especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh plums, sliced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss plums with 1/4 cup flour, granulated sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon.
3. Pour plums into an ungreased 1 1/2-quart baking dish.
4. Mix oats, 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and butter until crumbly.
5. Spread the crumble evenly over the plums.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until topping is golden and plums are bubbly.

2) Plum-studded Upside-Down Cake

This cake is such a straightforward way to show off juicy plums. Lay the sliced fruit at the bottom of your pan, pour the batter over, and bake.

Flip it when it’s done, and you get caramelized plums gleaming on top. Tart or sweet plums both work, and you can reduce the juice if you’re worried about sogginess.

A little vanilla or bourbon gives extra flavor. Greek yogurt keeps the cake moist, so you don’t need loads of butter.

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 ripe plums, sliced
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Arrange plum slices in a greased baking pan.
3. Mix flour, sugar, and baking powder in a bowl.
4. Whisk yogurt, melted butter, egg, and vanilla together.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients gently.
6. Pour batter over plums evenly.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool briefly, then invert onto a plate to serve.

For more tips, check this Plum Upside Down Cake recipe.

3) Grilled Plum Relish for pork chops

Grill some firm plums until they’re just charred and soft. Chop them up and toss with green onions, a bit of chile, and a splash of vinegar.

This relish brings a fresh, tangy kick that’s perfect with grilled pork. Spoon it right over the meat or serve on the side.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound firm-ripe plums, halved and pitted
• 1/3 cup sliced green onions
• 1 serrano chile, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or your choice of vinegar
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C).
2. Place plum halves cut side down on the grill for 2-3 minutes until charred.
3. Remove plums and dice them once cooled slightly.
4. In a bowl, combine plums, green onions, sliced chile, vinegar, and salt.
5. Mix well and serve over grilled pork chops.

4) Easy Plum Cobbler with sweet crumbled dough

A plum cobbler is one of those desserts you can throw together fast. Slice up some fresh plums, toss with sugar, and top with a crumbly, sweet dough.

It bakes up with a juicy filling and crunchy golden crust. Serve it warm with cream or ice cream—if you’re feeling fancy, why not?

Check out this easy plum cobbler recipe for more tips.

Ingredients

• Fresh plums, sliced
• Sugar
• Flour
• Baking powder
• Butter, cold and cut into pieces
• Milk or cream
• A pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss sliced plums with sugar and place in a baking dish.
3. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
4. Cut in cold butter until mixture looks crumbly.
5. Stir in milk or cream to form dough.
6. Sprinkle the dough evenly over the plums.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and bubbly.
8. Let cool slightly before serving.

5) Italian Plum Jam & Ricotta Crostata

This crostata is a classic Italian tart—simple and full of flavor. Start with a buttery pastafrolla crust.

Spread on a ricotta and sugar mixture, then top with plum jam. Bake until the crust turns golden and the filling sets.

It’s great for dessert or a sweet snack.

Ingredients

• 1 batch pastafrolla dough
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 cup plum jam

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Roll out dough and place it in a tart pan.
3. Mix ricotta, sugar, and lemon zest. Spread over dough.
4. Spoon plum jam evenly on top.
5. Bake for about 40 minutes until crust is golden.
6. Let cool before serving.

6) Plum & Pear Crumble

Plum and pear crumble is pure comfort food. Juicy fruit bubbles under a crunchy, buttery topping.

Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or a splash of cream for extra indulgence.

Plums add tartness, pears bring sweetness, and a crumble with oats or almonds gives great texture. It’s a fantastic way to use up seasonal fruit.

Ingredients

• 300g plums, pitted and sliced
• 200g pears, peeled and chopped
• 100g sugar
• 100g flour
• 75g butter, cold and diced
• 50g rolled oats
• 50g almonds, chopped (optional)
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C.
2. Mix plums, pears, and half the sugar in a baking dish.
3. In a bowl, rub butter into flour, oats, and cinnamon until crumbly.
4. Add remaining sugar and almonds, then mix gently.
5. Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over fruit.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and fruit is bubbling.
7. Let cool slightly before serving.

7) Plum Tarte Tatin

Here’s a dessert that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy—plum tarte tatin. Ripe plums get caramelized in sugar and butter, then you cover them with puff pastry and bake.

When it’s ready, flip it over so the beautiful plums are on top. Store-bought pastry keeps things quick.

Try a sprinkle of cinnamon or a few basil leaves if you want to mix it up, like in this plum tarte tatin with basil.

Ingredients

• 6-8 ripe plums, halved and pitted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 sheet puff pastry
• Optional: pinch of cinnamon or fresh basil leaves

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Melt butter in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat.
3. Add sugar and cook until it starts to caramelize.
4. Place plum halves cut side up in the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Cover plums with puff pastry, tucking edges down around fruit.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until pastry is golden.
7. Let cool for 5 minutes, then carefully flip onto a plate.

8) Plum & Nectarine Clafoutis

Plum and nectarine clafoutis is an easy, custardy dessert you can make in under an hour. It’s like a soft, baked pudding with fruit.

Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream or a little whipped cream. The combo of plums and nectarines gives it a fresh, summery vibe.

Ingredients

• 3-4 ripe plums, pitted and sliced

• 3-4 nectarines, sliced

• 3 large eggs

• 1 cup milk

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ⅓ cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Butter (for greasing)

• Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Cooking Instructions

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

2. Butter a baking dish, then scatter half the fruit across the bottom.

3. In a bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, flour, milk, and vanilla until the mixture looks smooth.

4. Pour this batter right over the fruit.

5. Layer the rest of the fruit on top.

6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top turns golden and the custard sets.

7. Dust with powdered sugar if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy it warm.

More details are over here: Plum & Nectarine Clafoutis Recipe.

9) Sautéed Plums with butter and spices

Ever need dessert in a hurry? Try sautéing plums in butter. The butter softens the fruit and gives it a rich, almost caramel flavor.

Slice up your plums, then heat some butter in a pan over medium. Toss the plums in and cook for a few minutes, just until they’re soft but not falling apart.

Sprinkle on cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg—totally up to you. If your plums taste extra tart, drizzle in a little honey or sugar.

Serve the sautéed plums warm. They’re lovely on their own, but honestly, they shine over ice cream or a scoop of yogurt.

Ingredients:

• 4 fresh plums, sliced

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon honey or sugar (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat.

2. Add the sliced plums and stir gently for 3-4 minutes.

3. Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg over the fruit.

4. Add honey or sugar if you want, then cook for another minute.

5. Take off the heat and serve warm.

Want more ideas? Check out simple sautéed plums.

10) Oven-Roasted Plums with honey and vanilla

If you’ve got a few plums and a bit of time, roasting them is honestly one of the best ways to enjoy their flavor. Honey and vanilla bring out their natural sweetness.

Cut the plums in half and lay them cut-side up in a baking dish. Drizzle honey and vanilla over the top. That’s pretty much it.

Pop them in the oven and let the heat do its thing. The plums turn soft and syrupy, and the smell is just incredible.

You can eat these right out of the dish, or spoon them over yogurt or ice cream. No wrong answers here.

Ingredients

• 6 ripe plums, halved and pitted
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Place the plum halves in a baking dish, cut side facing up.

3. Drizzle honey over the plums. Add the vanilla too, making sure it’s spread around.

4. Roast them for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for soft, fragrant fruit.

5. Let the plums cool for a bit before you dig in.

Seriously, it’s hard to beat how quick and good this is.

For more details visit oven-roasted plums recipe.