When it comes to entertaining, you can’t beat watermelon appetizers. Juicy, refreshing, and invigorating, these tasty nibbles will be the talk of the party. Planning a big Fourth of July backyard bash? There are more than plenty of ideas here. Try the watermelon and feta bites for a light nibble. Or indulge in the margarita watermelon for a boozy treat. From watermelon salsa to cheesecake dip, here are 13 ways to turn watermelon into a fun summer appetizer.
1. Watermelon Caprese Appetizer
You can never go wrong with Caprese. But why not spruce it up the watermelon way? Ditch the tomato and replace it with a hunk of watermelon flesh. It creates an enticing combo with the chewy mozzarella ball and a drizzle of balsamic. Speaking of balsamic, go with the glaze. It’s more concentrated and sticks better to the appetizer than regular vinegar does. You may want to make a double batch because you can’t just have one of these.
2. Watermelon and Feta Appetizer Bites
Looking for a mess-free individual appetizer? These toothpick tidbits are the perfect bite. All you need is watermelon, feta, and a slice of mint. Simple and light, they give you just a taste without stuffing you before the main course. If you want to add more character, use a melon baller for the watermelon for a juxtaposition of shapes.
3. Watermelon and Goat Cheese Appetizer
So we know watermelon is great with mozzarella as well as feta. But have you had it with goat cheese yet? These adorable watermelon cups have a creamy goat cheese filling with a slice of Persian cucumber on top. Sure, it’s more work than skewering. But sometimes, it’s about an eye-catching presentation, too. Baby showers, birthdays, or brunches, this watermelon and goat cheese appetizer has the allure you want for special occasions. And surprisingly, you can have it ready to serve a crowd in 20 minutes.
4. Margarita Watermelon Appetizers
Spiked watermelon is a fun adult treat, and this is one your pals will love. The watermelon soaks in a margarita marinade with classic ingredients like tequila and orange liquor. What makes it even more captivating is the jalapeno simple syrup. Pierce it with a toothpick, then top it with cotija and a slice of jalapeno. Pass the platter around, and let’s get the party started!
5. Cucumber Watermelon Appetizers with Blue Cheese
Want something creative for your backyard bash? This red, white, and blue nibble is perfect. Your guests will love noshing on these at a backyard party. Each slice of cucumber is a tower of taste topped with watermelon, blue cheese, blueberry, and honey. They can get a little sticky, so you might want to pierce them with a toothpick. You’ll also want to chill them before serving. This is great because you can make them beforehand.
6. Watermelon and Corn Salsa
Grab the chips because you’ll want to dip them in this salsa all summer long. Barbecues, picnics, potlucks, wherever you’re gathering with good company, you’ll want to bring this corn salsa along. It’s a fresh melody of juicy watermelon, sweet corn kernels, and ripe tomatoes. Of course, it wouldn’t be a fiesta without the lime! I like to add a pinch of cilantro and a jalapeno or two to spice things up. You can also serve it in the watermelon itself for a picture-perfect presentation.
7. Watermelon Corn Salad with Basil and Feta
The corn and watermelon salsa got me dreaming about this summer salad. It’s fruity, fresh, and basically, everything you want on a hot day. You’ll love the sharpness of the feta with the coolness of the basil and the crunch of cucumber. Not to mention, the watermelon that’s bursting with juice! Keep the dressing simple with a drizzle of apple cider vinegar or squeeze on some lime. If you need to turn this into a vegan appetizer, leave out the cheese. Oh, and if you want to get creative with it, toss the watermelon and corn on the grill to turn it into a grilled salad.
8. Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad
Don’t you just hate it when you get a sad fruit salad with unripe melon and only a berry or two? I know I do. Trade in that pitiful fruit salad for this rockin’ berry delight! There’s no need for unripe fruit here. It’s only the best of the best with super juicy strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, watermelon, and more. To highlight the natural flavor, skip the creamy dressings and go with lime juice. It’s simple, magnificent, and a fine way to showcase summer fruits. While it’s perfect as is, you can also give it a red, white, and blue theme by adding chunks of feta.
9. Watermelon Jicama Salsa
I’m all about fresh homemade salsa. It’s not only great with a meal, but it’s also a fine choice for a party appetizer. However, only one is oozing with fruity summer flavors and that’s watermelon jicama salsa. Jicama has an incredible crunch that goes smashingly with watermelon flesh. So do standard pico de gallo ingredients like lime, cilantro, and onion. Cut everything into evenly sized pieces so you can get the perfect bit of all these amazing flavors. You might want to make a large batch. That way, you have some for dipping and some for pairing with your grilled fish.
10. Cold Watermelon Soup
Trade in your hot winter warmer for a revitalizing cold soup like watermelon. It’s refreshing like gazpacho and brimming with juicy watermelon. When selecting accompanying veggies, you want ones that are cool and crisp. That’s why cucumbers and bell peppers are the ideal match. Toss in a handful of mint and basil, then blend it all up. If you’re like me, you’ll want an acidic component to balance out the flavors. So I recommend going with either sherry or a classic citrus fruit like lemon or lime.
11. Watermelon Jam
With watermelon jam, the possibilities are endless. Pair it with a charcuterie board, slather it on crostini, or turn it into a glaze for chicken skewers. This four-ingredient jam will take about an hour. However, you can preserve extra so you can have it around for the entire summer. So when unexpected guests come knocking at the door, you can make something last minute.
12. Watermelon Sticks with Coconut Lime Dip
Don’t mind me, I’ll just be over at the appetizer table gobbling down these watermelon sticks. These sticks are not only super fun to dip, but they are highly addicting. The watermelon has a coating of Tajin. So it tastes similar to a Mexican fruit salad. The real treat, though, is when you dunk those sticks in the three-ingredient coconut lime dip.
13. Watermelon Cheesecake Dip
Here’s a watermelon appetizer the kids will fall in love with. You turn a block of cream cheese into a sweet dip that looks just like a watermelon. I love the extra touch of using M&M’s for the seeds. As for the dippers, I think graham crackers and pretzels work best. Since the dip is sweet, you want a bit of contrast in flavors. Click on a star to rate it!
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