17 Easy Kumquat Recipes To Sweeten Your Day

If you’re looking to shake up your menu, these kumquat recipes are just the thing! They’re sweet, sour, tangy, and delicious.

Kumquats look kind of like a cross between a Golden Grape tomato and an orange. Plus, you can eat the peel, which is pretty weird at first.

Still, they make fantastic jams, and they’re great in desserts. Oh, and they even add a bright kick of sweet citrus to certain savory dishes. 

So, if you’re ready to shake it up and make something unexpected, try these 17 delicious kumquat recipes. 

1. Kumquat Marmalade 

Paddington Bear might be obsessed with orange marmalade, but you’re going to obsess over this one.

It’s bright, citrusy, and just the right amount of sweet. It’s also easy to make!

Using just four ingredients – kumquats, sugar, water, and Meyer lemon juice – the hardest part is preparing the kumquats, and that’s only because it’s tedious.

But it’s worth it because this marmalade is finger-licking good. 

2. Candied Kumquats

These beautiful little citrus gems taste so good! And although you’re literally turning them into candy, they are not cloyingly sweet. 

This recipe uses honey as well as regular sugar, which helps them from getting too sweet.

It also adds fabulous floral notes that complement the kumquat’s natural flavors.

These are addictive on their own, but they work really well in dishes, too. 

3. Kumquat Rosemary Tart

There is something so wonderfully unexpected about adding herbs to deserts. And rosemary is one of my faves!

This tart features a rosemary pastry crust and a sweet kumquat filling, so it’s herby, buttery, creamy, and tart.

Every bite is sweet and bright. It tastes like flavor heaven. 

4. Kumquat Pie

This light and refreshing pie is perfect for your next summer get-together. It’s cool and creamy, and everyone will love it.

Better still, it’s a simple, no-bake recipe.

You need kumquats, a lemon, a pre-made Graham Cracker crust, frozen whipped topping, and sweetened condensed milk. 

5. Kumquat Chicken with Kumquat Hoisin Sauce

This exotic spin on orange chicken is sure to tantalize your taste buds. It’s also going to be a hit with your whole family!

This dish features juicy chicken and tart kumquat in a rich, savory sauce.

It’s a little sweet and a little salty, with just a bit of heat, so every bite is balanced and delicious. 

Serve with rice and your favorite vegetables. 

6. Easy Kumquat Jam

Like the marmalade recipe, making this delicious jam is quite simple.

It is, however, a bit tedious, and it requires some patience. Nevertheless, I promise that it’s worth taking the time. 

This jam is bright and sweet and a bit tangy. It’s excellent on toast, oatmeal, cakes, and more.

It’s so yummy; you might be tempted to eat it straight from the jar!

7. Spicy Kumquat and Almond Conserve/Jam

Like the jam and the marmalade on this list, this conserve is a little time-consuming.

And also like those tasty spreads, it’s worth the time because it’s so delicious! 

This conserve is different because it is laden with warm spices and slivers of almonds.

It’s also a bit boozy! 

This would be absolutely amazing on French toast or pancakes. 

8. Kumquat Ginger Margaritas

It’s been said that the only thing better than a margarita is two margaritas.

Well, I’m here to say that this kumquat ginger margarita is even better than that!

The kumquat and ginger puree adds sweetness, brightness, and a wonderful texture.

It blends wonderfully with lime juice, orange liquor, and tequila. 

You’ll have to make a double or triple batch for your guests because these margaritas are going to disappear really fast! 

9. Kumquat Salad Dressing

This kumquat salad dressing is seriously tasty and so easy!

Four ingredients and a blender… that’s all you need. You’ll never want to buy pre-made dressing again.

This dressing is meant for salads, but I think it would also make a fantastic marinade for chicken.  

10. Fresh Herb Salad with Kumquats and Pistachios

This light and healthy dish is the perfect side for a summer dinner.

It’s super bright and fresh, featuring a mix of spring lettuce, cilantro, dill, parsley, kumquat, and avocado.

Plus, it’s topped with a mustard orange vinaigrette and pistachios, making it creamy, crunchy, and delicious!

11. Kumquat Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing

Nutritious and delicious, this kumquat and kale salad is power-packed with healthy goodness. 

This salad is full of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and more!

Chia seeds and bread crumbs add some crunch, while the sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and seasonings add extra oomph!

The salad is topped with a fabulous tahini dressing made with orange juice, maple syrup, almond milk, and seasonings.

12. Kumquat Liqueur (A Kumquat Version of Limoncello)

Transport yourself to the Italian coast with this kumquat limoncello. It’s a strong, bright, and sweet liqueur that’s perfect for sipping after a late dinner. 

This recipe is simple, but it does take some time.

First, you have to peel the kumquats, which, as we’ve mentioned, can be rather monotonous.

Then you need to soak them in 45 proof alcohol for 10 days. 

When that’s done, strain the rinds, make a simple syrup, and mix the liquids. Then strain it again, fill a glass bottle, and enjoy!

13. Sweet Green Tea and Kumquat Spritzer

Say ‘hello’ to summer with this light and refreshing drink! 

Green tea, agave syrup, and kumquats steep together in water to create a sweet base. When that’s ready, add sparkling water and mint.

It’s not too sweet, lightly herbal, fresh, and delicious.

If you’re not a fan of agave, I recommend light honey. That will bring some fantastic floral notes to the drink. 

This drink is non-alcoholic, but you can definitely make an adult-only version with a few swaps.

For example, you could swap the sparkling water for hard seltzer or a bubbly Moscato. 

14. Kumquat Salsa

I seriously love fresh fruit salsa, and this kumquat version is definitely in my top five.

It’s made with simple ingredients, but it is full of bright flavors. 

The sweet, tangy kumquats balance the bite of the red onion perfectly in this dish. Then the cilantro adds a herby, citrusy flavor.

And red pepper flakes and cayenne bring some heat. 

Add some shrimp, avocado, and lime juice to turn it into a ceviche! 

15. Basil Chicken with Kumquats

Why is it that chicken always tastes so good with citrus? I’m sure there’s a science answer somewhere, but for now, I’ll just enjoy it. 

This dish is simply divine and uses simple, whole ingredients.

The entire dish is roasted, so the flavors of the ingredients deepen and sweeten. As a result, you end up with juicy chicken, richly flavored produce, and a delicious sauce.

It’s a vivid, healthy, and filling dish.

16. Kumquat Cake with Orange Glaze

This simple citrus cake is humble in appearance, but its flavor is transformative. Truly, a bite of this, and you’ll become instantly happier. 

It’s sweet, fresh, and irresistibly moist.

It’s perfect for a summer party, or just because you want to treat yourself. 

17. Kumquat Upside Down Cake

Upside-down cakes are severely underrated.

They’re beautiful, versatile, and they always taste great. Plus, you get that magical, fruity butter caramel sauce which is just ah-mazing.

No doubt you’ve seen, and maybe even made, pineapple upside-down cake, and it’s lovely.

But this kumquat version? *chef’s kiss*

You’ll find tangy kumquat throughout the cake, including beautiful, candied, caramel kumquats on the top layer.

And you’ll encounter delicious chunks of fruit in the cake batter too.