If you’re wondering what to do with persimmons, look no further than this collection of 23 of the Best Persimmon Recipes! You’ll find recipes for persimmon cookies, cake, salad and jam to name a few, and you’ll also learn about the types of persimmons, nutrition information and more about this delicious fruit!

Persimmon recipes long collage pin

Fall is my favorite season hands down, and persimmons are a big part of that.  I always hate saying good-bye to summer tomatoes and berries, but all I have to do is think about the start of persimmon season and I cheer right up!

I didn’t have any exposure to persimmons until my son came home from school in the 3rd grade and told me about a persimmon tasting that they’d had at school that day.

He told me how much he loved them, then he handed me three recipes that he’d gotten from school.  One of the recipes was a salad, so I went right to the store to pick up the ingredients that I needed to make it.

That salad is still one of our favorite recipes, and my love for persimmons has only grown over the years. Now I use it everywhere I can in both sweet and savory recipes.

They’re so versatile and absolutely delicious. 🙂

Fuyu persimmon in a basket
What are persimmons?

Persimmons are edible fruits from the Diospyros family that originated in China, where it was cultivated for centuries.  They spread to other parts of Asia including Korea and Japan, and finally the first plant was introduced in California in the mid 1800’s.

The word Diospyros derives from the Greek words “dios” and “pyron”, which may be translated as “divine fruit”.

Persimmon color ranges from gold to deep orange, and they’re either round with a flat bottom or oblong like an acorn.

Common types of persimmons

The most common types of persimmons are fuyu and hachiya varieties, and while they look similar, they cannot be used interchangeably.

When are persimmons in season?

Persimmon season begins in the fall and ends in early winter.
Persimmon in a linen lined basket

How to tell if a persimmon is ripe

You can tell when persimmons are ripe as they’re very soft and they become deeper in color.

What does a persimmon taste like?

Persimmons have a sweet, honey flavor that’s reminiscent of an apricot. A soft, ripe persimmon is much sweeter than a firm one.

What is the difference between Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons?

Fuyu persimmons are rounded with a flat bottom and may be eaten raw when they’re crisp or very ripe.

Hachiya persimmons are acorn or heart shaped, and are astringent due to high tannin levels. This means that the fruit is inedible until it’s fully ripe (when ripe, the fruit is extremely soft).

How do you eat a persimmon?

Fuyu: Slice off the top and either slice into rounds or wedges. There’s no need to peel the persimmon as the skin is edible, and it adds a great texture as well. When fuyu persimmons are firm, they may be eaten like an apple, used in appetizers, or added to persimmon salad, salsa, etc. When they become very soft and ripe, they’re even sweeter, so they’re great to use in smoothies, jam and baking.

Hachiya: Hachiya persimmons should not be eaten raw unless they’re very soft as they’re extremely astringent. Once ripe, simply cut off the top and scoop out the soft flesh. From there, the pulp may be used in smoothies, jam and baking recipes like my persimmon cake.

Slices of fuyu persimmon on a cutting board

Can you eat persimmon skin?

It depends on the type of persimmon! Fuyu persimmon skin is edible, but hachiya persimmons are very astringent, so the skin is usually not eaten.

Health benefits of persimmons

Persimmons have a multitude of nutritional benefits. They’re high in vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, C and B, potassium and manganese. They also contain the plant compounds tannins and flavonoids.

Persimmons are also an excellent source of antioxidants, including flavonoids and beta-carotene.

How to store persimmons

I store my persimmons at room temperature in my fruit bowl for up to 5 days depending on ripeness. When the persimmons become very soft, I move them to the refrigerator and use them within a day or two.

Once very ripe, scoop the pulp from the persimmon. Store the flesh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

How to cut a persimmon

Simply remove the collar, then cut out the small core from the top (like you would a tomato). From there, scoop out the flesh or cut it into wedges, depending on the ripeness and type of persimmon you’re using.

Fuyu persimmons in a wire basket

More recipe round ups you’ll love:

23 Persimmon Recipes

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with persimmons, you’re not alone. People ask me how to use them all the time, which prompted me to gather this collection of both sweet and savory persimmon recipes.

I hope the recipes below inspire you to enjoy this delicious fruit a number of different ways!

Persimmon salad in a bowl with salad servers

Persimmon Salad

Persimmon Salad is sweet, savory and absolutely delicious! It's tossed in an apple cider dressing and it comes together in minutes!
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Persimmon cake on a marble board

Persimmon Cake with Brown Butter Orange Frosting

Persimmon Cake with Brown Butter Orange Frosting is dense, moist and full of flavor! It's a delicious, versatile cake that's perfect for dessert, holidays and even breakfast and brunch!
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Cranberry Apple Persimmon Sangria

I know you need a good holiday cocktail and there’s nothing easier, (or prettier!) than a pitcher of fruity sangria!
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Apple and Persimmon Salad with Chinese 5 Spice Cornbread Croutons

The star of the show in today’s apple and persimmon salad are these gorgeous persimmons!
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Persimmon cookies

Persimmon Cookies

A delicious seasonal persimmon cookies recipe that does an excellent job to highlight the honey-like flavor from ripened Fuyu persimmon fruit.
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Avocado Toast with Persimmon, Pomegranate and Fennel

This toast is one of those “non-recipe” recipes. It starts with a simple avocado and goat cheese mash and is then topped with persimmon, pomegranate seeds and thinly sliced fennel.
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A persimmon smoothie in a glass with a straw.

Spiced Persimmon Smoothie

Persimmon smoothie is the perfect smoothie for fall. Made with persimmons, banana, ginger, cinnamon and cloves, it’s slightly spiced and deliciously sweet. It’s also quite the little immune booster!
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Overhead view of a fall harvest salad on a serving platter.

Fall Harvest Salad

It’s a salad to end all salads. The Fall Harvest Salad is equal parts beautiful and delicious and while it looks fancy – it couldn’t be easier to throw together!
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Overhead view of a sliced loaf of persimmon bread.

Paleo Persimmon Bread

This Paleo Persimmon Bread is a healthy treat that uses pureed Fuyu persimmons for flavor and moisture, and is loaded with toasted walnuts & golden raisins!
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Overhead view of a cranberry persimmon salad on a white platter.

Harvest Cranberry, Persimmon and Burrata Salad.

Crisp and sweet, totally delicious and easy to prepare too! Perfectly fit for the Thanksgiving table.
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Overhead view of persimmon bacon bites on a gray plate, next to two glasses of wine.

Persimmon Bacon Bites with Rosemary Goat Cheese

These persimmon bacon bites with rosemary goat cheese are the perfect festive appetizer and only require four ingredients! This post is sponsored by Cavit in partnership with Honest Cooking.
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Persimmon Cheesecake

You’ll love this classic New York cheesecake, nestled in a spicy gingersnap crust, and topped with a sweet and seasonal persimmon topping!
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Kale Salad With Chickpeas, Cranberry & Persimmon

A delicious healthy kale salad recipe slowly roasted on a sheet pan to crunchy perfection! Roasted chickpeas, cranberry and persimmon kale salad is light and packed with sweet and spicy flavors!
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Persimmon Chutney

This quick, easy persimmon chutney is amazing all on its own. Sweet, sour, lightly spiced.
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Persimmon Coconut Overnight Oats

Persimmon Coconut Overnight Oats – sweet ripe fruit is combined with shredded coconut, rolled oats and almond milk for super-easy grab-and go breakfast.
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holiday salad in bowl

Salad with Persimmons & Delicata Squash

Spinach salad with persimmons and delicata squash is a hearty and robust side dish. It’s finished with caramelized onions, pistachios, and white wine vinaigrette. Add it to your holiday table for a pop of fall color.
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Overhead view of persimmon muffins on a wire cooling rack.

Persimmon Muffins

These are similar to banana muffins in that you add in the mashed fruit and it blends in to be part of the batter rather than in chunks. Hachiyas are best for this since they are more pulpy but if you have overripe fuyus, they would also work.
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close up front view of red sangria with mint sprig

Red Sangria with Orange, Persimmon, and Pomegranate

Red Sangria with Orange, Persimmon, and Pomegranate is easy, classic red sangria with pinot noir wine, brandy and pomegranate juice!
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Two turmeric persimmon smoothies in glasses with straws.

Turmeric Persimmon Smoothie

This beautiful golden Turmeric Persimmon Smoothie is your ultimate Fall smoothie! Vegan, Easy & Delicious!
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Vanilla Bean Pear Persimmon Pie

This vanilla bean pear persimmon pie deserves a feature on your holiday dessert table. Warm spiced pear and fuyu persimmon slices flecked with vanilla bean nestled into a buttery flakey vanilla gluten-free pie crust.
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Roasted Delicata Squash, Fig and Persimmon Wild Rice Salad

Roasted Delicata Squash, Fig, and Persimmon Wild Rice Salad is packed with kale, pomegranate, and tossed in a spiced maple vinaigrette!

Persimmon Jam – No Sugar Added Easy Persimmon Jam Recipe

This simple persimmon jam uses no additional sugar or pectin! An easy, winter treat perfect for spreading on toast with no canning necessary.
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a winter fruit and yogurt bowl, with a hand wrapped around the edge.

Winter Fruit and Yogurt Breakfast Bowls

Loaded with persimmons, pomegranates and grapefruit segments, these bowls will have you falling in love with Winter fruits all over again.
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