These 15 Recipes That Prove August Is the Best Month for Fresh Fruit Dishes, Desserts and Drinks

Katie Workman
·4 min read

I surely hope you have some sort of access to a farmers' market at this time of year because August is the best when it comes to produce. The array of different kinds of fruit available is simply amazing and as is the slew of recipes you can make with them. Don't let this summer pass you by without trying these 15 sunshine-y August fruit-forward recipes. 

Yes, you can certainly eat all of those juicy plums and peaches and melons straight up, and revel in the simplicity and beauty of these fruits, but don't miss the chance to cook up some beautiful summer desserts (and also incorporate those fruits into easy dishes like grain salads and salsas).

Related: 27 Pie Recipes That Will Make You Thankful For Summer Fruit

What Fruit is in Season in August?

August is the peak summer season and there are plenty of fruits and vegetables that are at their prime, picking-wise:

Related: How To Pick the Best Watermelon Using the Dot Rule

Best August Fruit Recipes

Scroll through the slideshow for recipes that star each of these incredibly ripe, flavorful summer fruits. Cherries stud muffins, watermelon gets paired with cucumber and jicama in a spicy (and unusual) appetizer, honeydew melon brightens up a green salad, all kinds of berries can be part of a summery sangria, juicy peaches anchor a fruit salsa and blueberries star in simple ice cream (that can be made with or without an ice cream maker).

Related: 42 Best No-Bake Cheesecake Recipes

Once you start to see how different fruits can bump up the flavor profile—and color—of all sorts of dishes, you'll want to include them regularly. And I mean beyond just pies and crisps—but don't worry, there are also pies and crisp recipes here!

The Best August Fruit-Forward Recipes

<p>California Strawberry Commission</p><p>Simple but tasty with fresh apriocots and yogurt-based dressing, this fruit salad will complement almost any type of main dish.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/26889/californiastrawberrycommission/california-summer-salad" data-ylk="slk:California Summer Fruit Salad;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">California Summer Fruit Salad</a></strong></p>
<p>Recipe Girl</p><p>Sweet, fresh cherries are wonderful to have around for snacking. They’re also great for adding to baked goods! These muffins freeze well, too, if you’d like to save some for later.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/841422/lorilange/sweet-cherry-muffins-recipe/" data-ylk="slk:Sweet Cherry Muffins;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Sweet Cherry Muffins</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.i929fm.com/lifestyle/tried-making-famous-olympic-village-110000289.html" data-ylk="slk:Olympic Village Chocolate Muffin Recipe Review;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Olympic Village Chocolate Muffin Recipe Review</a></strong></p>
<p>Mark Boughton Photography</p><p>Paired with crunchy jicama and cucumber, sweet summer watermelon takes a spicy-savory spin in this Mexican-inspired appetizer.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/661479/alison-ashton/chile-lime-watermelon-cucumber-and-jicama/" data-ylk="slk:Chile-Lime Watermelon, Cucumber and Jicama;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chile-Lime Watermelon, Cucumber and Jicama</a></strong></p>
<p>Nisa Burns</p><p>Pistachios and melon make a great addition to a summer salad.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/151528/nisaburns/honeydew-pistachio-salad-with-honey-lime-dressing/" data-ylk="slk:Honeydew Pistachio Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Honeydew Pistachio Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing</a></strong></p>
<p>Katie Workman</p><p>This perfect summer galette comes together in a snap thanks to refrigerated pie crust and a short ingredient list.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://themom100.com/recipe/blueberry-and-peach-crostada/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Blueberry and Peach Crostada;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Blueberry and Peach Crostada</a></strong></p>
<p> Katie Workman</p><p>This sangria is so pretty and so fruity and SO summery. Use a mix of strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries, or whatever berries you have on hand.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://themom100.com/recipe/sparkling-rose-berry-sangria/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Sparkling Rosé Berry Sangria;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Sparkling Rosé Berry Sangria</a></strong></p>
<p>Katie Workman</p><p>This delicious breakfast or snack treat has a load of berries nestled in a moist cake hiding under a layer of streusel.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://themom100.com/recipe/raspberry-streusel-coffee-cake-with-sweet-vanilla-drizzle/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Raspberry Streusel Coffee Cake with Sweet Vanilla Drizzle;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Raspberry Streusel Coffee Cake with Sweet Vanilla Drizzle</a></strong></p>
<p>Katie Workman</p><p>Summer nestled under a crunchy topping with a touch of cinnamon.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://themom100.com/recipe/plum-and-nectarine-crisp-1/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Plum and Nectarine Crisp;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Plum and Nectarine Crisp</a></strong></p>
<p>Katie Workman</p><p>A dazzler of a salsa, savory and sweet all at the same time.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><strong><a href="https://themom100.com/recipe/peach-and-roasted-red-pepper-salsa/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Peach and Roasted Red Pepper Salsa;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Peach and Roasted Red Pepper Salsa</a></strong></p>
<p>Katie Workman</p><p>This summery fruit crisp makes the most of peaches or nectarines, but you can also sub in other stone fruits like plums or apricots if you like. It's a fruit crisp 101.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://themom100.com/recipe/simplest-peach-nectarine-crisp/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Simplest Peach or Nectarine Crisp;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Simplest Peach or Nectarine Crisp</a></strong></p>
<p>Katie Workman</p><p>Bright and citrusy and sweet and herby.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://themom100.com/recipe/spicy-pear-cilantro-salsa/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Spicy Pear and Cilantro Salsa;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Spicy Pear and Cilantro Salsa</a></strong></p>

Katie Workman

Bright and citrusy and sweet and herby.

Get the recipe: Spicy Pear and Cilantro Salsa

<p>Katie Workman</p><p>Refreshing, clean, and rejuvenating.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><a href="https://themom100.com/recipe/beet-berry-smoothie-bowl/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Beet Berry Smoothie Bowl;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "><strong>Beet Berry Smoothie Bowl</strong></a></p>

Katie Workman

Refreshing, clean, and rejuvenating.

Get the recipe: Beet Berry Smoothie Bowl

<p>Alison Ashton</p><p>This Star-Spangled Berry Pie is easy to throw together to celebrate any summer gathering.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/1037028/alison-ashton/star-spangled-berry-pie/" data-ylk="slk:Star-Spangled Berry Pie;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Star-Spangled Berry Pie </a></strong></p>

Alison Ashton

This Star-Spangled Berry Pie is easy to throw together to celebrate any summer gathering.

Get the recipe: Star-Spangled Berry Pie

<p>Parade</p><p>A perfect summer treat, which you can make with or without an ice cream maker!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/51768/nisaburns/cool-summer-treat-blueberry-lemon-ice-cream/" data-ylk="slk:Blueberry Lemon Ice Cream;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Blueberry Lemon Ice Cream</a></strong></p>

Parade

A perfect summer treat, which you can make with or without an ice cream maker!

Get the recipe: Blueberry Lemon Ice Cream

<p>Parade</p><p>This simple pizza, adapted from <a href="/product/1419734393/US/paradedigital-20/" rel="nofollow" data-ylk="slk:Genuine Pizza;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "><em>Genuine Pizza</em></a> by Miami-based, James Beard Award–winning chef <strong>Michael Schwartz</strong>, is a delicious way to showcase summer peaches.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/888393/parade/peach-and-gorgonzola-pizza-michael-schwartz/" data-ylk="slk:Peach and Gorgonzola Pizza;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Peach and Gorgonzola Pizza</a></strong></p>

More Summer Fruit Inspiration

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