These easy roasted plums are made with maple syrup or honey for a simple fruit dessert.
Roasted Plums
When plums are ripe and in season roasting them is one of the easiest ways to turn them into dessert. The heat softens and concentrates their natural sweetness, while a drizzle of maple syrup or honey adds a touch of sweetness.
Roasted plums are delicious on their own, but they're also a wonderful over yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles or ice cream. I especially like them served warm from the oven but they're also great at room temperature or served chilled from the fridge the next day.
Why You'll Love These Roasted Plums
- Simple ingredients. You only need a few ingredients to make this easy seasonal dessert.
- Quick to prepare. There's very little hands-on time, and the oven does most of the work.
- Versatile. Serve them for breakfast with yogurt or oatmeal, or for an easy dessert with ice cream.
- Make-ahead friendly. The roasted plums can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator, ready to spoon over breakfast or dessert.
What Kind of Plums Should I Use?
The best plums for roasting are ripe or even slightly overripe, because they're juicy, sweet and full of flavor. You can use red or black plums, or a combination of the two. Pluots work well too.
Avoid underripe plums if possible. They tend to be sour and won't soften and become as juicy and tender in the oven.
Ingredients for Roasted Plums
- Plums – Ripe or slightly overripe. You can slice them in half or into wedges depending on size.
- Maple syrup or honey – Both work beautifully with roasted plums. Use whichever you prefer. (If using honey I recommend pairing it with vanilla, and if using maple syrup I recommend pairing it with cinnamon.)
- Lemon Juice – For brightness and acidity.
- Vanilla or cinnamon – A little vanilla adds warmth and brings out the flavor of the roasted fruit while cinnamon adds spice and fall flavor. (Tip - Pair vanilla with honey and maple with cinnamon.)
How to Roast Plums
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F.
Place the plums in an oven-proof baking dish with the maple syrup or honey, lemon juice and vanilla or cinnamon. Gently toss everything together so the plums are evenly coated.
Roast the plums stirring halfway through. The plums should be tender with a syrupy sauce forming around the bottom of the dish.
Let the roasted plums cool slightly before serving. The juices will thicken a little as they cool.
How to Serve Roasted Plums
These oven-roasted plums are great for either breakfast or dessert. Try them:
- With yogurt: Spoon over Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt for an easy breakfast.
- With ice cream: Serve them warm over vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert.
- Over oatmeal: Add them to oatmeal with a drizzle of extra maple syrup.
- With pancakes or waffles: Use the plums and their juices instead of syrup.
- With coconut tapioca pudding: Spoon the roasted plums over coconut tapioca pudding for an easy seasonal dessert.
- In a parfait: Layer them with yogurt and granola.
Don't forget the juices left in the baking dish, spoon them over the fruit and whatever you're serving.
Variations
Here are a few easy ways to change the flavor.
- Balsamic roasted plums: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar before roasting. The acidity balances the sweetness of the fruit and gives the plums a deeper flavor.
- Add spice: Add star anise, cardamom or ground ginger before roasting for a more spiced fall version.
- Add citrus: Add a little fresh lemon or orange zest for brightness.
FAQ
Can I make roasted plums ahead of time?
Yes. Roasted plums can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can be served chilled, brought to room temperature or gently rewarmed before serving.
Do I need to peel the plums?
No. There's no need to peel plums before roasting. The skins soften in the oven and add color and flavor.
Final Thoughts
Make a batch of roasted plums when they're at their ripest and keep any leftovers in the refrigerator to enjoy over the next few days. They're an easy way to add a little something special to a bowl of yogurt, a scoop of ice cream, or your favorite breakfast.
More Plum Recipes
Roasted Plums
These easy roasted plums are made with maple syrup or honey, lemon juice, and a touch of vanilla or cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 6-8 plums (about 1-11/2 pounds / 453-680 g), ripe or slightly overripe
- 3 Tablespoons /45ml maple syrup or honey
- 1 Tablespoon/15ml fresh lemon juice
- ½ vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (or ½ teaspoon vanilla paste) or use 1 cinnamon stick (or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the plums in a large oven-proof baking dish with the maple syrup or honey, lemon juice and vanilla or cinnamon. Gently toss to coat.
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the plums are tender and their juices are bubbling and syrupy.
- Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
The cooking time will vary depending on the size and ripeness of your plums. Very ripe plums will soften more quickly and release more juices.
For the best results, use ripe or slightly overripe plums. Avoid underripe plums, which tend to be sour and won't soften as well during roasting.
Store leftover roasted plums in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan Option (use maple syrup), Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Refined Sugar-Free
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 19Sodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 5gSugar: 4g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
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