There's more to yellow fruits than lemons and bananas! As well as being delicious to eat, this list of yellow fruits is full of color, taste, and texture that will brighten up your bakes as much as they'll tickle your taste buds.
Jump to:
- The Best Yellow Fruits
- 1. Mango
- 2. Lemon
- 3. Banana
- 4. Passion fruit
- 5. Yellow Dragon Fruit
- 6. Pineapple
- 7. Durian
- 8. Golden Kiwi
- 9. Yellow Apple
- 10. Canary Melon
- 11. Yellow Peaches
- 12. Yellow Fig
- 13. Golden Raspberry
- 14. Pomelo
- 15. Quince
- 16. Starfruit
- 17. Yellow Cherries
- 18. Yellow Pear
- 19. Persimmon
- 20. Yuzu
- 21. Yellow Plum
- 22. Yellow Watermelon
- 23. Barhi Dates
- 24. Yellow Guava
- 25. Buddha’s Hand
- 26. Papaya
- 27. Nectarines
- 28. Cape Gooseberries
- 29. Cantaloupe
- 30. Apricot
- 31. Loquat
- 32. Lucuma
- 33. Oroblanco
- 34. Grapefruit
- 35. Yellow Bell Peppers
- Yellow Fruits FAQs
- Related Yellow Fruit Recipes
The Best Yellow Fruits
Fruits that are yellow are full of nutrients, too. The best yellow fruits are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium, so try as many of them as you can!
1. Mango
One of the most popular yellow fruits, mangoes are super juicy and flavorful, and their soft yellow flesh is packed with a tropical taste. Mango blends really well, so it can be incorporated into custards and fillings for tarts and cakes or made into delicious ice cream. Try this mango mousse cake if you love mango as much as I do.
2. Lemon
Lemon is a popular citrus fruit used in cuisine all over the world, and lemon desserts are everyone´s favorite. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a grate of the zest can heighten the flavor of other foods, or it is excellent on its own. It is sharp and acidic, so it often needs softening with sugar to enjoy fully. A classic lemon meringue tart is a great lemon recipe to make if you're a citrus lover like me.
3. Banana
Banana is a fantastic ingredient to use in baking as it can add both natural sweetness and moisture. It is also the best portable fruit snack, as it comes in its own wrapper! Bananas grow on trees in huge bunches and are harvested when they are still green, and then they turn yellow as they ripen. One of my favorite banana recipes to make is this caramelized banana tart. And, of course, who could forget banana bread?
4. Passion fruit
The yellow flesh of passion fruit has the most amazing sweet flavor, and the edible seeds add a pop of crunchy texture, too. Passion fruit tastes delicious with chocolate, and if this sounds good to you then you should try making my chocolate passion fruit tart recipe.
5. Yellow Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is so cool. With a bright and spiky yellow skin (resembling a dragon), the taste is sweet with some floral notes, too. Yellow dragon fruit is sweeter than red dragon fruit, so bear this in mind if you are using it in desserts.
6. Pineapple
Pineapple is surely one of the juiciest yellow fruits to eat and a personal favorite of mine. I love to eat pineapple with other tropical fruits or serve it with vanilla ice cream and a chocolate cremeux. What's more, pineapple works perfectly in smoothies or sorbets. Core and remove the tough rind before enjoying this tropical fruit with an iconic spiky mohawk.
7. Durian
Durian fruit has a bad reputation that you may have heard of. But whilst this spiky and pungent fruit might smell bad, its taste more than makes up for it! Read more about durian fruit and promise to try it; it's one of those yellow fruits you simply have to taste, and then you'll see why it's a delicacy in Southeast Asia.
8. Golden Kiwi
Green kiwis and golden kiwis have a similar taste and just as much flavor and sweetness! The color can vary from light yellow to a brighter, more intense golden color. Kiwis taste delicious paired with other tropical yellow fruits like bananas and mangoes, and I also love them with coconut.
9. Yellow Apple
Apples are such a great all-rounder. Compared to other apple varieties, yellow apples have a milder and sometimes more tart taste. I think this makes them ideal for cinnamon rolls with apple filling and other delicious apple desserts, as it balances the sweetness.
Did you know you can store apples long-term to extend the harvest season? Keep them in a cool, dark place with humidity as well as ventilation.
10. Canary Melon
You can't miss this bright yellow melon in grocery stores; it's shaped a bit like a football and has such a vibrant color. The flesh inside is more green in tone, and the taste is deliciously sweet. You know they are ripe when the skin has a slightly wrinkled texture. Try making sorbets and smoothies with canary melons or eating them on their own!
11. Yellow Peaches
I just love yellow peaches. The juicy, sweet flesh is like an explosion of summer flavor, and they are so versatile, too. Try making a beautiful and easy peach galette with ripe, juicy peaches. It's one of those fruit desserts that tastes amazing yet is surprisingly simple to make.
You can eat the skin of peaches, but it does have a fuzzy texture that detracts from some dishes. Make sure you stone peaches, too, before serving or using in the kitchen.
12. Yellow Fig
Yellow long neck figs have an unbelievably sweet honey flavor; you simply have to try them. You can eat the skin as well as the bright red flesh and seeds of these fall fruits but cut the stalk off first. Figs taste great with nuts like almonds; try yellow figs eaten raw or with baked homemade frangipane for a delicious treat.
13. Golden Raspberry
Golden raspberries are a super pretty yellow fruit with a delicate pink tinge to them. But other than that, they have the same delicious taste as raspberry! Or perhaps one could say they are sweeter, with more honey undertones. Raspberries are a very common fruit used in baking, and you can check out raspberry desserts to make here.
14. Pomelo
Pomelo, the largest citrus fruit, has a thick, yellow-green rind and juicy, mildly sweet flesh. This tropical gem, similar to grapefruit but less bitter, is renowned for its refreshing taste and enjoyed mostly in Southeast Asia, as it is a fruit native to that area. When peeled and segmented, it becomes a delightful snack or addition to salads or desserts, providing a burst of citrusy flavor.
15. Quince
Quince is in season during the fall, and its superpower is that it will turbocharger the apple flavor when added to apple desserts. Make quince into jelly to serve with cheese after dessert; it tastes fabulous with Manchego. Quinces are golden in color and slightly larger than apples, with a similar crisp texture. Find out more about quince here.
16. Starfruit
Starfruit surely has to be one of the most eye-catching yellow fruits there are. Their distinctive five-point star shape looks exquisite when sliced on a plate, and the taste of star fruit is also unusual and slightly sweet-sour in flavor, so it can work well in cocktails as well as desserts.
Ripe starfruits have bright yellow skin with light green edges and slightly brown tips on the ridges, indicating they're ready to eat. If mostly green, they're not fully ripe yet.
17. Yellow Cherries
Yellow-skinned heritage cherries have a very sweet taste and, therefore, work beautifully in dessert recipes. The texture of a yellow cherry is more crisp, but this adds to its appeal, in my opinion. You could try making a cherry hand pie with these pretty little fruits for an individual cherry dessert that everyone will love.
18. Yellow Pear
Golden pears are an Asian variety known for their juicy and slightly grainy texture, and they are a favorite choice for desserts. They pair well with nuts and spices like cinnamon and can be pureed or eaten whole. Poach pears to enjoy on their own or incorporate into other pear desserts like an almond pear cake.
19. Persimmon
Persimmons, with their sweet, honey-like taste and vibrant orange hue, are a dessert lover's dream. When ripe, their creamy texture and natural sweetness add a delightful twist to pies and smoothies, tarts, and cakes. Persimmons can also be sliced and layered into fresh desserts to create a visually appealing and flavorful treat.
20. Yuzu
Have you heard of yuzu? Whilst you might mistake them for lemons, this citrus fruit is a different gem. This Japanese citrus fruit has a tangy yet floral flavor; use it to elevate both your sweet and savory dishes. Whether incorporated into desserts and beverages or used to infuse a zesty twist into your main courses, once it tantalizes your taste buds, you won't look back!
I strongly suggest you make this black sesame tart with yuzu curd, and you can read more about yuzu here.
21. Yellow Plum
Yellow plums, with their golden hue and juicy texture, are a culinary hero in baking. These sweet fruits can be halved and pitted before being baked into a variety of desserts, such as pies, crumbles, and tarts. I also love to roast plums to let their natural sugars caramelize and serve on top of ice cream or yogurt with some nuts sprinkled on top.
22. Yellow Watermelon
Yellow watermelon has just as visually striking an appearance compared to its red counterpart. But as well as having yellow flesh, it also has a milder, sweeter taste. While it is typically enjoyed fresh, its unique sweetness makes it an excellent addition to desserts. Although baking yellow watermelon is uncommon due to its high water content, it can be pureed and used to create delicious summer sorbets, popsicles, and gelatos.
23. Barhi Dates
Yellow Barhi dates dangle in long clusters from the yellow branches and stems of a date palm tree. These dates taste delicious on their own or can be thinly sliced and served with ice cream, cakes, and other baked goods. In the Middle East, locals concoct a sweet dish called date halwa by simmering these yellow fruits with nuts, sugar, spices, and ghee. It's certainly delicious!
24. Yellow Guava
Ripe guava is yellow with a hint of pink and slightly soft when you gently squeeze it. Puree guava and add it to ice creams, custards, and smoothies to impart a unique fruity flavor. In baking, guava paste, derived from ripe yellow guava, is a popular filling for pastries and cakes, adding a delightfully sweet-tart contrast.
25. Buddha’s Hand
Whilst this fruit looks unusual and intriguing, resembling a hand of long yellow fingers, this actually makes it the ideal candied fruit garnish! Despite lacking pulp or juice, its sweet pith and zest carry a potent lemon fragrance, so you can grate it to infuse a distinctive citrus aroma into cakes, cookies, and pie crusts.
26. Papaya
Papaya is a versatile tropical fruit that can be enjoyed in so many ways. When ripe, it can be eaten fresh, either on its own or mixed with other fruits like mangoes in salads and desserts. But it can also be enjoyed unripe, when it's firm texture and mild flavor make it an excellent addition to spicy salads, offering a crunchy contrast.
27. Nectarines
Nectarines are such a delicious summer fruit enjoyed both fresh or cooked in sweet and savory dishes. Grill or roast nectarines to bring out tasty caramelized undertones that make them a perfect topping for ice cream or yogurt. They are also commonly used in baking, adding a burst of flavor to pies, tarts, and cobblers or pureed into sauces.
28. Cape Gooseberries
Cape Gooseberries, also known as ground cherries or Physalis, are small, golden-orange fruits encased in a papery husk. These berries have a sweet and slightly tangy flavor profile; they can be incorporated into pies, tarts, muffins, and cakes, adding a delightful tropical twist. Additionally, make a cape gooseberry sauce or compote that can complement both sweet and savory dishes.
29. Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe has sweet and juicy flesh that can be enjoyed fresh, sliced, or scooped into refreshing salads, smoothies, and desserts. You'll know when cantaloupe is ripe by its scent and slightly brown and withered stem - so look out for this in grocery stores.
30. Apricot
Apricots, with their velvety skin and tender flesh, are perfect for use in desserts and baking due to their exquisite flavor. These golden-orange or yellow fruits are often baked into pies, tarts, and cobblers or used in jams, preserves, and compotes. Apricots can also be transformed into luxurious sauces for drizzling over cakes like a Sacher Torte Cake and taste delicious paired with dark, rich chocolate.
31. Loquat
Loquats are a hidden gem in the world of desserts and baking. These small, juicy yellow fruits, resembling apricots, add a tropical touch to various culinary creations. They can be transformed into jams, chutneys, and compotes, infusing desserts with a unique sweetness. Loquats can also be baked into tarts and pies, crumbles, or used as a filling for pastries.
32. Lucuma
You may not have heard of Lucuma or eggfruit before, but it is native to Central America and tastes delicious in fruit smoothies. Its creamy texture and mild flavor are sometimes likened to a sweet potato custard pie!
To identify a ripe eggfruit, look for a golden yellow peel with natural browning. It should feel heavy for its size and yield to gentle thumb pressure when ripe.
33. Oroblanco
Oroblanco is a hybrid fruit, similar to a grapefruit but sweeter in taste. The skin is a pale yellow-green color, and the flesh ranges in color but can be a vibrant yellow. Ripe oro blanco displays a golden yellow peel, a thick, bitter rind, and up to ½ inch deep pith. Its tender, juicy, seedless flesh is sweet, surrounding a large hollow core.
34. Grapefruit
Most grapefruit are yellow on the outside, with an inside flesh that ranges from yellow through to bright red. It is in season during the winter months and has a sharp taste that can be slightly bitter. Grapefruit juice is excellent in cocktails, smoothies, or as a healthy breakfast.
35. Yellow Bell Peppers
Yes, bell peppers are actually a fruit! A fruit is the seed-bearing produce of a plant's flowers. So bell peppers (and tomatoes) are fruits, even though they are more commonly enjoyed as part of savory dishes. But they do have a natural sweetness to them, as I am sure you will agree. So, I simply had to include them in my list of yellow fruits.
Yellow Fruits FAQs
Mangoes, lemons, bananas, durians, papaya, apricots, and passion fruit are all fruits that are yellow or have yellow flesh. Check out my yellow fruits list for more.
Banana bread, mango mousse, lemon meringue pie, passion fruit tart, and yellow peach cobbler are some desserts with yellow fruits.
Like all colorful fruits and vegetables, yellow fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrition, fiber, and other health benefits.
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