5 Ways to Use Kashmiri Khubani Beyond Snacking

A pack of dry khubani tends to just sit in the pantry as a snack — which is a fine use, but only one of many. Kashmiri khubani (apricot in kashmiri) has a place in cooking, baking, and even breakfast that most people never try. Here are five ways to actually use it.

1. Straight as a Snack

The obvious one, but worth doing right: dry khubani has a tangy-sweet flavour that's more complex than most commercial dried apricots, so it's genuinely good eaten plain — no need to dress it up if you're short on time.

2. Soaked Overnight for Breakfast

Soak a few pieces of khubani in water or milk overnight. By morning, they've softened and plumped up, ready to be added to oatmeal, yogurt, or eaten on their own with a drizzle of honey. This is a common way apricot in kashmir is eaten in the mornings during winter.

3. Stuffed With Nuts

Make a small slit in a soaked or naturally soft khubani and stuff it with a walnut or almond half. It's a simple, no-cook way to combine two Kashmiri pantry staples into something that works as a snack or a quick dessert.

4. In Milk Pudding (Kheer)

Chopped dry khubani stirred into a simmering rice or vermicelli kheer adds a tart contrast to the usual sweetness — add it in the last few minutes of cooking so it softens without fully dissolving.

5. Baked Into Bread or Cake

Roughly chopped khubani works well folded into a basic loaf cake or quick bread batter, similar to how you'd use dried cranberries or raisins — the tartness balances out a sweeter batter nicely.

A Note on Varieties

If you're using khubani in cooking rather than snacking, softer varieties tend to soak and blend into recipes more easily, while firmer varieties like Jardalu hold their shape better when baked or stuffed — worth choosing based on what you're making.

Where to Start

Our Kashmiri Dried Apricots (Khubani) are sun-dried the traditional way and work well across all five of these uses. If you want a firmer, less tart option for baking, our Jardalu Dried Apricots are worth trying too.

Beyond the Snack Bowl

Khubani deserves more credit than it usually gets in the kitchen. Next time you reach for the pack, try one of these five instead of eating it straight from the bag — you might find a new favourite way to use it.