30+ Dry Fruit Names: Dried Fruits, Nuts and Seeds Explained

Quick answer: More than 30 popular “dry fruits” include almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, macadamias, pine nuts, peanuts, raisins, munakka, dates, figs, apricots, prunes, mango, cranberries, mulberries, cherries, blueberries, goji berries, apple, pear, peach, pineapple, banana, coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame and chia. In Pakistan, the everyday category includes dried fruits, nuts and seeds, even though they are nutritionally different.

A clear list of 30+ dry fruit names

Tree nuts and nut-like foods

1. Almonds (badam): mild and crisp; useful for snacks, milk and desserts.
2. Walnuts (akhrot): earthy, slightly bitter kernels for baking and chutney.
3. Pistachios (pista): green kernels used in mithai, kheer and snacking.
4. Cashews (kaju): creamy nuts for curries, sweets and snack mixes.
5. Hazelnuts: buttery nuts commonly paired with cocoa and coffee.
6. Pecans: sweet, tender nuts popular in baking.
7. Brazil nuts: large rich nuts naturally high in selenium; small portions are prudent.
8. Macadamias: rich, crisp nuts with a high fat content.
9. Pine nuts (chilgoza): edible seeds used as a premium snack and garnish.
10. Peanuts (mong phali): botanically legumes but used like nuts.

Traditional dried fruits

11. Raisins (kishmish): dried grapes in golden, green or brown forms.
12. Munakka: often a larger, dark and seeded dried grape.
13. Dates (khajoor): sweet fruit sold soft, semi-dry or dry.
14. Figs (anjeer): chewy dried fruit with many tiny edible seeds.
15. Apricots (khubani): sweet-tart orange or brown dried fruit.
16. Prunes: dried plums valued for their deep flavour and fibre.
17. Dried mango: chewy tropical slices, sometimes sweetened.
18. Dried apple: rings or pieces used in snacks and baking.
19. Dried pear: soft, delicately sweet slices.
20. Dried peach: fragrant, chewy pieces for compotes and snacks.
21. Dried pineapple: tangy-sweet rings; often sold with added sugar.
22. Banana chips: crisp slices that may be fried and sweetened, unlike simply dehydrated banana.
23. Dried coconut (khopra): slices or shreds used in Pakistani sweets and curries.

Dried berries and speciality fruits

24. Cranberries: tart berries commonly sweetened after drying.
25. Mulberries: delicate berries with a honey-like flavour.
26. Dried cherries: tart or sweet fruit used in baking and trail mix.
27. Dried blueberries: small berries that may contain added sugar or oil.
28. Goji berries: chewy red berries used in cereals and drinks.
29. Goldenberries: tart dried fruit also called cape gooseberries.
30. Blackcurrants: deeply flavoured dried berries used in baking.

Seeds commonly sold with dry fruits

31. Pumpkin seeds: green kernels or white in-shell seeds.
32. Sunflower seeds: mild kernels sold plain or roasted.
33. Sesame seeds (til): tiny white, brown or black seeds.
34. Chia seeds: small seeds that form a gel in liquid.
35. Flaxseeds (alsi): brown or golden seeds generally used ground.

Dried fruit, nuts and seeds are not interchangeable

Nutrition varies within every group. Cranberries may be sweetened, banana chips may be fried, and salted pistachios differ from plain ones. The ingredient and nutrition labels answer more than the product name.

How to use the list

For a snack mix, pair plain almonds or pumpkin seeds with a smaller amount of raisins or apricots. For Pakistani desserts, pistachios, almonds, coconut and raisins add familiar flavour. Dates or figs can sweeten homemade energy bites, while cranberries or cherries add tartness to salads and baking. Choose variety rather than expecting one “superfood” to provide everything.

For breakfast, chopped figs, dates or raisins work in oats and dahi. For savoury food, apricot and raisin suit rice dishes, while walnuts and pumpkin seeds add crunch to salads. When serving children, chop chewy fruit and avoid whole hard nuts where they pose a choking risk. For guests, keep packaging available so anyone with allergies can review the ingredients and cross-contact warning.

Explore relevant collections for current options: almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios and dried fruits.

Quality and label checks

• Prefer intact seals and clear net weight, ingredients and date details.
• Check for added sugar, salt, oil, colour and preservatives.
• Avoid mould, insects, webbing, dampness or fermented odours.
• Reject nuts with a paint-like or sharply bitter rancid smell.
• For allergies, check the exact nut and shared-equipment warning.
• Compare price by edible weight; shells and gift packaging affect value.

Storage in Pakistan

Use airtight containers away from sunlight, stove heat and humidity. Refrigerate nuts and seeds for longer storage in warm weather because their oils can turn rancid. Keep dried fruit dry and use a clean utensil. Label transferred food with its original date and batch details. Buy an amount your household can finish rather than letting a bargain bulk pack deteriorate.

Frequently asked questions

Why are almonds called dry fruits?

It is a common South Asian retail term. Botanically and nutritionally, almonds are tree nuts rather than dehydrated fruit.

Which dry fruits are naturally sweet?

Dates, raisins, figs, apricots and other dried fruits contain concentrated natural sugars. Some products also have added sugar.

Are banana chips dried fruit?

They are often grouped that way, but many are fried in oil and sweetened. Check the ingredient list.

Which dry fruits are best?

There is no universal best. Select for your dietary needs, allergies, taste, recipe and budget, and rotate varieties.

How do I store a mixed dry-fruit box?

Keep it airtight, cool and dry. For long storage, separate moist fruit from crisp nuts and refrigerate if the label permits.

Use the names above as a checklist, then compare ingredients and pack sizes in the complete dry-fruit range.