Dried Fruits

Essential Dried Fruits to Stock in Your UK Pantry

Why dried fruit deserves a permanent place in your shopping basket

If you’re anything like me, you love snacks that are tasty, portable, and packed with purpose — and dried fruit ticks all those boxes. It’s like nature’s candy but with more nutrients, a longer shelf life, and no refrigeration required. Whether you’re topping porridge, mixing into trail mix, or grabbing a quick bite between meetings, dried fruit offers a flavor boost and a nutrient punch that fresh fruit can’t always deliver when you’re on the go.

Where to buy dried fruit in the UK: top stores and online options

Buying dried fruit in the UK is easier than ever. You can pick up everyday options at national supermarkets, hunt for specialty or organic varieties at health-food stores, or click for delivery from online grocers. Stores to consider include Coffee Friend, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, ASDA, Morrisons, Ocado, Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic, Lidl, Aldi, and Amazon. Each has its strengths — price, selection, or rare finds — so you’ll often mix and match depending on what you need.

Coffee Friend and the Forest Feast range

If you enjoy specialty snacks, Coffee Friend stocks the Forest Feast range, which includes compact packs ideal for a lunchbox or travel. Popular choices from that collection include dried peeled Williams pears (about 4.2 ounces), pineapple slices (about 4.2 ounces), fair trade dried mango slices (about 4.2 ounces), a berries and cherries mix (around 6.0 ounces), and classic orchard prunes (about 7.1 ounces). These smaller bags are handy for sampling new flavors without committing to a big tub.

Supermarkets: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, ASDA and Morrisons

Major supermarkets usually offer the best balance of price and convenience. Tesco and Sainsbury’s carry a wide range of branded and own-label dried fruits, from unsulphured apricots to sweetened pineapple rings. Waitrose tends to focus on premium and organic options, while ASDA and Morrisons are good for value buys and larger family-size packs. Keep an eye on their seasonal deals — they often mark down larger bags for baking or bulk snacking.

Health shops and specialist retailers: Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic and Ocado

For organic, raw, or minimally processed varieties, Holland & Barrett and Planet Organic are go-to choices. Ocado excels at bringing niche brands to your door, including certified organic and Fair Trade ranges. If clean labels and premium sourcing matter to you, these retailers are worth exploring even if the price is a little higher.

How to choose the best dried fruit: a shopper’s checklist

Choosing dried fruit feels simple until you’re faced with a dozen options on the shelf. Start by asking what you’ll use it for: baking, snacking, or meal prep? Look at ingredient lists — fewer ingredients usually mean less added sugar and fewer preservatives. Decide whether you prefer unsulphured fruit (richer color, sweeter taste) or sulphured for brighter appearance but with added preservatives. Check for certifications like Organic or Fair Trade if sustainability and ethical sourcing matter.

Look at packaging size and value

Smaller packs, like the 4.2-ounce Forest Feast bags, are perfect for trying new flavors. But if you use dried fruit regularly, it’s often cheaper per ounce to buy in bulk. Compare price per ounce across stores — you’ll often save when buying a 1 to 2-pound bag for recurring use.

Watch for added sugars and syrups

Some dried fruits are packed in sugar syrup to boost sweetness and texture. If you want a healthier snack, seek out “unsweetened” or “no added sugar” labels. These give you the fruit’s natural sweetness and fewer empty calories.

Top dried fruits and smart ways to use them

Dried fruits differ in texture, sweetness, and culinary uses. Here’s a quick run-through of favourites and how to make the most of them in the kitchen.

Dried mango (about 4.2 ounces packs)

Dried mango brings a tropical, chewy punch to any plate. It’s brilliant in granola, stirred into yogurt, or chopped and added to salsa for a sweet contrast to spicy flavours. The Fair Trade dried mango slices you’ll find at specialty stores are usually softer and less processed, which means more natural taste.

Dried pineapple (about 4.2 ounces packs)

Pineapple is sweet, tangy, and great for baking or snacking. Try it chopped into a trail mix with nuts and dark chocolate chips for a sweet-and-salty combo that keeps well in a tin.

Dried pears (about 4.2 ounces packs)

Dried Williams pears are delicate and subtly sweet, ideal for cheese boards or added to porridge. They rehydrate well in warm water or tea if you prefer a softer texture for baking or compotes.

Berries & cherries mix (about 6.0 ounces packs)

Berry mixes are tart and flavourful — perfect stirred into muesli, layered into yogurt parfaits, or baked into muffins. Their bright flavour helps balance rich recipes like spicy granola or citrus-based cakes.

Prunes (about 7.1 ounces packs)

Prunes are a baking superstar. They add moisture and natural sweetness to cakes, and when pureed they make an excellent substitute for some fats in baking. Plus they’re famously good for digestive health, a reason many people keep them on hand.

Nutritional benefits and things to watch out for

Dried fruit concentrates the sugars and nutrients of fresh fruit, so a small handful can deliver a satisfying amount of fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. For example, prunes are high in fibre and certain vitamins, while dried berries are rich in antioxidants. But that concentrated sugar means portion control matters — a few pieces can turn into a lot of calories quickly if you snack mindlessly.

Allergies, sulphites, and additives

If you’re sensitive to sulphites, which are sometimes used to preserve colour, check labels carefully. Organic and unsulphured options are increasingly common, especially at health food stores. Also check for nut-free or processed-in-a-facility warnings if allergies are a concern.

Storage tips to keep dried fruit fresh longer

Dried fruit keeps best stored in an airtight container away from direct heat and sunlight. In a cool pantry, most varieties will stay fresh for several months; opened bulk bags do well in the fridge and can last even longer. For really long-term storage, freeze portions in a resealable bag and thaw what you need — texture may change slightly, but taste remains excellent.

Cooking and baking with dried fruit: quick ideas

Dried fruit isn’t just a snack — it’s a versatile ingredient. Toss chopped dried mango into a spicy chicken salad for a sweet kick, soak prunes and blend them into chocolate cake batter for moistness without extra butter, or simmer dried pineapple and ginger into a quick chutney for roast pork. Even simple swaps, like adding dried berries to pancake batter, can give breakfast an instant upgrade.

Rehydration tricks for softer texture

If a recipe calls for softer fruit, rehydrate by soaking dried pieces in warm water, juice, or a liqueur for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on size. This is especially useful for larger pieces like whole prunes or thick mango slices that you’d like to blend smoothly or bake into a dense cake.

How to compare prices and save money on dried fruit

Price variation across stores can be dramatic. To get the best value, calculate cost per ounce rather than comparing bag sizes at face value. Buy seasonal or bulk when you find a favourite. Look for own-brand ranges at supermarkets, which often undercut branded tubs. Finally, use comparison tools and deals pages (including price-comparison websites) to spot promotions across multiple retailers at once.

Fair Trade, organic and sustainability considerations

Many dried fruit buyers care about ethical sourcing. Fair Trade certifications ensure producers receive a fair price and work under safer conditions. Organic labels reduce exposure to pesticides and sometimes indicate higher environmental standards. If sustainability matters, check for transparent sourcing information and prefer brands that publish details about growers, fair pay, and environmental practices.

Best buys for different uses: single-serve vs bulk families

Single-serve packs like those 4.2-ounce Forest Feast bags are ideal for lunches, sample testing, or gifting a taste of something new. For families, bakers, or regular snackers, bulk 1- to 2-pound bags from supermarkets or online wholesale retailers offer the best price per ounce. Decide based on how fast you’ll use the product — smaller packs avoid waste, while bulk cuts costs.

Final buying checklist

Before you add a bag to your trolley, run through this quick checklist: is it the right texture for your recipe? Are there added sugars or preservatives you want to avoid? Does the price per ounce make sense for how you’ll use it? Is it ethically sourced if that matters to you? And finally, how will you store it to keep it fresh? A quick scan saves time and money.

Wrapping it up: picking the right dried fruit for your life

Dried fruit is flexible — it can be a convenient snack, a baking boost, or a flavourful addition to savoury dishes. Whether you pick up a 4.2-ounce trial bag from a specialist like Coffee Friend, a family-size tub from a supermarket, or an organic pack from a health food shop, the key is choosing quality and portion sizes that fit your routine. With a little planning you can enjoy big taste without paying over the odds or wasting food.

Conclusion

Dried fruit is an easy, delicious way to add fruit to your diet year-round. From trial-size packs that introduce you to new flavours to bulk buys that save money on staples like prunes and raisins, there’s a format for every lifestyle. Shop around — both in-store and online — compare prices per ounce, and choose brands that match your priorities for taste, health, and ethics. With the tips above, you’ll be stocking a pantry that’s ready for breakfast, baking, snacking and everything in between.