The moment the weather starts to get warm, like it finally has this week, we start craving fresh fruit and fruity flavours in just about everything we eat! There’s just something so refreshing and invigorating about biting into a fruit based treat full of sweet juices and it always reminds us of spring and the bright, warm days leading up to summer. Whether it’s a healthy dish or a sweet treat that’s just flavoured or topped with fruit, just about everything we make has fruit in it around this time of year. So, which fruit has been our favourite lately, you ask? Well, we’ve actually been completely obsessed with everything watermelon since we were little kids! It only makes sense, then, that we’ve got a huge list of delicious watermelon based recipes up our sleeves.
Just in case you love watermelon as much as we do, if not more, here’s a list of 15 of the best treats, ideas, meals, and snacks we’ve come across so far that let your favourite fruit take centre stage!
1. Skinny watermelon cake bites
Are you the kind of sweet treats and baked goods lover who’s always dreaming about things like cake flavoured with your very favourite fruits, but you’ve also been trying your best to eat a little healthier whenever you can lately? Well, we’re firm believers in treating yourself every once in a while even when you’re watching your weight or calorie counting, but we like to do that with compromise in mind, rather than just splurging and ruining our own progress. That’s why we thought this little watermelon “cake” bites featured on Delish were such a great idea! You get some fresh fruit, which is a lot more healthy than sponge cake, but you still get to add something sweet by topping each bite with a bit of whipped cream, some rainbow sprinkles, and yummy chocolate drizzle.
2. Berry topped, iced watermelon cake
Were you so intrigued by the idea of making a watermelon cake out of actual watermelon when we mentioned the “cake bites” above that you started wondering whether or not you could actually make a full watermelon cake that way? Well, thanks to this awesome recipe and tutorial featured on Real Food, the answer is a resounding yes! Check out how they made a slightly healthier alternative to sponge cake but icing a watermelon cylinder and topping it with berries and almond slices.
3. Sriracha lime grilled watermelon
Sweet treats aren’t the only things you can make with fresh watermelon this spring to incorporate it into as many refreshing warm-weather meals as possible! There are plenty of delicious entree and side dish ideas too, and some of them are even served warm so you can enjoy watermelon with new textures and practice preparing it in new ways. This sriracha lime grilled watermelon dish outlined on Health Magazine is the perfect example of what we mean!
4. Watermelon caprese
Perhaps you’re very interested in the idea of making a savoury watermelon dish but you think you’d like to keep things chilled and make something like a delicious salad instead? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at this creative version of the delicious Italian classic, Caprese salad! Instead of pairing their mozzarella di buffalo and basil with fresh red tomatoes, Delish used seasoned slices of fresh watermelon for a completely unique flavour!
5. Mouthwatering watermelon bars
Are you still thinking about how much you’d love to make a sweet baked treat using watermelon but you’ve never been an iced cake kind of person so you’re looking for an alternative that’s at least a little less sweet? In that case, we think you’ll enjoy this awesome watermelon dessert bar idea featured on Right At Home! They guide you through the process of making the pureed top with real watermelon rather than just flavouring, as well as the delicious crust along the bottom.
6. Prosciutto wrapped watermelon chunks
Are you torn between making yourself something very quick and simple because you’re in a little bit of a hurry at essentially all times, and making something so unique that it could almost be called gourmet, despite its simplicity? In that case, we have a feeling these incredibly flavourful prosciutto wrapped watermelon chunks outlined on Delish might be precisely what you’re looking for!
7. Tomato, watermelon, and feta skewers with mint and lime
Did we almost make up your mind when we started talking about watermelon Caprese salad because you love the idea of enjoying fresh chunks of your favourite fruit with herbs and cheese, but you can’t help but wonder whether it might be better to keep the tomatoes involved, or maybe just add a few additional flavours all together? Then look no further than this amazing watermelon, tomato, and feta skewers served with mint and lime! Southern Living shows you how to make these flavour packed snacks happen.
8. 3-ingredient watermelon margaritas
Entrees and desserts aren’t the only things you can make that will help you enjoy the deliciously fresh taste of watermelon this spring and summer! In fact, these surprisingly simple watermelon margaritas outlined on Minimalist Baker are one of our very favourite watermelon flavoured things around. Even if you don’t put the alcohol in and just make a “virgin” version, these blended drinks are still packed with delicious fruit taste!
9. Watermelon basil sorbet
We’re no strangers to watermelon sorbet and if you’re the kind of person who likes visiting new ice cream shops when the weather warms up, then we’re sure you’re probably familiar with how great it tastes as well. Just because we love something, however, doesn’t mean we aren’t open to switching it up a little if it means possibly making it taste even better! That’s why we found the idea of making homemade watermelon basil sorbet, just like Taste did here, so appealing.
10. Watermelon, watercress, and feta salad
Have we got you feeling rather intrigued by the idea of putting watermelon in salad and now you’re trying to find as many of these salad recipes as you can? Well, we can’t say we blame you, because this is one of our very favourite ways to enjoy watermelons in all kinds of diverse ways, all spring and summer long! This particular salad featured on Saveur, which is made from a mixture of fresh watermelon chunks, watercress, and feta, is the perfect example of what we mean.
11. Watermelon fruit leather
Have you actually been scrolling through our list looking for ways to get your kids eating more watermelon because they like the taste but they won’t eat the fruit, and you don’t want their watermelon cravings to be limited to just unhealthy snacks like gummy candies and Jello? In that case, we think you’ll be very happy to learn about these awesomely flavourful watermelon fruit leathers made by Domestically Blissful! We made these and could hardly believe how simple they were because they’re made from only two ingredients.
12. DIY watermelon freezies
The warmer the weather gets, the more we find ourselves craving delicious cold treats like freezies. Combine that with our intense fresh fruit cravings, and we’re sure it’ll come as no surprise to you that we make our own freezies all the time! Once of our very favourite recipes (and definitely the kind that our kids ask for the most) is this watermelon freezie tutorial from Hen Family.
13. Vegan watermelon pizza dessert
Are you actually still scrolling hoping to find a healthy snack that will keep you on track with your spring and summer diet, or perhaps just keep your kids nourished, but that’s also completely delicious and friendly to any guests who might eat vegetarian, gluten free, or vegan? Then here’s a recipe that is absolutely perfect for you… because it’s a treat made completely out of fruit! The Cookie Writer guides you through the process of making a vegan watermelon pizza, where the triangular watermelon slices are the “pizza” pieces and your other favourite fruits and berries are all the toppings.
14. Lemony quinoa and watermelon salad
We promised you more exciting watermelon salad recipes and we plan to deliver on that! Here’s a completely delicious cold dish that has a little more substance to it for days when you’re feeling extra hungry and aren’t sure whether a salad of just fruits and veggies will totally fill your belly. Watermelon.org suggests mixing fresh watermelon chunks with kiwi slices, lemon zest, and quinoa. It’s a truly unique flavour that we savour with every single bite.
15. Tuna crudo with pickled watermelon
Are you actually a little bit of a food connoisseur who loves getting creative in the kitchen and you’re intent on making something that both looks and tastes nothing short of gourmet for your next date night? In that case, we have a feeling this fantastically fresh tuna crudo with pickled watermelon on top might be right up your alley! Find out how it’s made in more detail on The Optimalist Kitchen.
Do you know someone who loves watermelon just as much as we do, if not more, and you know they’re always looking for new, delicious ways to enjoy their favourite food? Share this post with them so they have lots of unique and delicious new options to try!
