24 National Raisin Day Recipes That Go Way Beyond Trail Mix

Raisins usually end up in trail mix or ignored at the bottom of the baking shelf, but for National Raisin Day, we’re changing that. They’re cheap, easy to store, and actually bring a lot to the table if you give them more to do. These recipes prove that raisins can pull their weight in cookies, breads, salads, and even dinner. You won’t find any sad boxed muffins or generic snack bars here. Everything on this list makes raisins feel like part of the plan, not an afterthought.

Sweet Potato Raisin Bread

This loaf is dense and slightly sweet with sweet potato and raisins baked throughout. Toast it, top it with nut butter, or eat it plain. It’s simple, hearty, and holds up well through the week.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Raisin Bread

Broccoli Raisin Salad

This salad uses steamed broccoli, raisins, pumpkin seeds, and a tangy dressing to keep things interesting. It’s a great side for cookouts or lunches and proves raisins can do more than just sit in desserts.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Raisin Salad

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

These vegan cookies bake up soft and chewy with plenty of oats and raisins in every bite. They’re straightforward, easy to make, and great for anyone looking for a classic that skips the dairy and eggs.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Carrot Cake Cookies

These cookies use whole wheat flour, oats, raisins, and walnuts to pull in everything you want from carrot cake. Optional almond cream cheese drizzle on top makes them feel extra without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Cookies

Instant Pot Picadillo

This version of picadillo is made in the Instant Pot with lentils, tempeh, potatoes, and raisins in a seasoned tomato base. It’s fast, plant-based, and full of flavor with minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Picadillo

Rice Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Kale

This hearty rice salad includes wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes, mushrooms, kale, and raisins. It works as a side or a main, served warm or cold, and it’s a great way to give raisins a real place on the dinner table—not just in your snack stash.
Get the Recipe: Rice Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Kale

Carrot Raisin Salad

Carrots, raisins, pineapple, and mayo come together in this classic side dish that’s quick to make and easy to scale up. It’s a solid choice for cookouts or holiday tables when you want something crunchy, a little sweet, and ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Eggless Oatmeal Cookies

These soft and chewy oatmeal cookies skip the eggs but still deliver plenty of cinnamon and raisin flavor. They’re simple to mix, bake fast, and work great for anyone who just wants a straightforward cookie that doesn’t taste like a shortcut.
Get the Recipe: Eggless Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Butterscotch Cookies

Adding butterscotch chips to a classic oatmeal raisin cookie might not be traditional, but it works. These cookies are chewy, rich, and bake up with just the right amount of sweetness to keep the raisins from fading into the background.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Butterscotch Cookies

Sour Cream Raisin Pie

This pie brings together creamy sour cream filling, sweet raisins, and a golden meringue top. It’s tangy, rich, and definitely not your average pie, which makes it perfect for raisin fans looking for something a little different.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Raisin Pie

Old Fashioned Raisin Pie

This dessert sticks to the basics—raisins, sugar, and spices wrapped in a flaky crust. No distractions, just bold raisin flavor baked into every bite. It’s a classic for a reason and a great reminder that raisins don’t need help to carry a dish.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Raisin Pie

Cuban Picadillo

Raisins add a hint of sweetness to this savory dish made with ground beef, olives, bell peppers, and tomato sauce. It’s easy to make and loaded with flavor. Raisins aren’t just filler here—they’re a key part of why it works.
Get the Recipe: Cuban Picadillo

Creamy Rice Pudding with Condensed Milk

Condensed milk gives this rice pudding a rich texture that pairs perfectly with soft raisins and warm spices. It’s an easy, old-school dessert that feels comforting without being fussy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Rice Pudding with Condensed Milk

Sweet Potato Bran Muffins

These muffins combine mashed sweet potato, bran, and raisins for a dense, satisfying bake that works well for breakfast or snacks. They freeze well and hold up through busy mornings.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Bran Muffins

Coconut Cookies with Banana and Sultana Raisins

These cookies use just three ingredients—banana, coconut, and raisins—to keep things simple and fast. No flour, no dairy, no eggs, and still a solid snack that bakes up soft and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cookies with Banana and Sultana Raisins

Irish Soda Bread With Raisins

This soda bread comes together quickly and bakes into a dense loaf with just enough sweetness from the raisins. It’s great on its own or toasted with butter and holds up for a few days without drying out.
Get the Recipe: Irish Soda Bread With Raisins

Banana Raisin Bread

Moist banana bread meets sweet raisins and a cinnamon sugar swirl for a loaf that works just as well for breakfast as it does for dessert. It’s a good way to use up overripe bananas and make raisins actually feel exciting again.
Get the Recipe: Banana Raisin Bread

Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies

These cookies use oats, raisins, and cranberries to bring chew, tang, and just enough sweetness into every bite. They come together in one bowl and keep well, which makes them great for make-ahead baking.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies

Raisin Cinnamon Tortilla Sushi

This simple snack spreads nut butter over a tortilla, adds raisins and cinnamon, and gets rolled up and sliced into easy pinwheels. It’s fast, kid-friendly, and works for lunchboxes or after-school snacks.
Get the Recipe: Raisin Cinnamon Tortilla Sushi

Oatmeal Raisin Edible Cookie Dough

Egg-free and oven-free, this raisin-packed cookie dough is safe to eat raw and ready in minutes. It’s a good option when you want something sweet but don’t want to bake a full batch of cookies.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Edible Cookie Dough

Puerto Rican Picadillo

This take on picadillo uses raisins, potatoes, olives, and bold spices to build flavor into every bite. It’s a one-pan dinner that comes together quickly and makes great leftovers too.
Get the Recipe: Puerto Rican Picadillo

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Overnight Oats

These overnight oats use cinnamon, oats, and raisins to capture the flavor of an oatmeal raisin cookie. Prep them the night before and you’ve got breakfast ready without lifting a finger in the morning.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Overnight Oats

Sheet Pan Rum and Raisin Pancakes

Pancakes baked on a sheet pan are easy to portion and freeze, and this batch uses raisins and rum flavor to switch things up. They’re practical for feeding a crowd or meal prepping without hovering over a griddle.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Rum and Raisin Pancakes

Cranberry Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies cut back on butter and sugar but still bake up chewy thanks to raisins and a handful of chocolate chips. They’re a good go-to for something sweet that doesn’t feel like a total sugar bomb.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Cranberry Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies