3 Refreshing and Creative Ways to Enjoy Watermelon

July is here, and with it comes the Fourth of July and the vibrant energy of summer! It’s a time for hikes and outdoor adventures, backyard barbecues, and indulging in the season’s freshest fruits. Among the myriad of fruity options, the beloved watermelon stands out as a quintessential summer treat. It’s hard to imagine a Fourth of July barbecue without watermelon at the end.

While biting into a juicy wedge is undoubtedly delightful, and traditional, there’s more to this fruit than meets the eye. Here are three fun and inventive ways to savor watermelon like never before!

Watermelon Jerky: Sweet and Chewy

If “watermelon jerky” sounds weird, just call it dehydrated watermelon. It’s an interesting twist on the concept of dried fruit. It’s chewy and, without the water diluting the sugar, intensely sweet. If that sounds like something worth trying, then this might just become a favorite summertime indulgence! Here’s how to make it (it’s as simple as you think):

Ingredients:

Watermelon (surprise!)

Instructions:

Cut the watermelon and remove the flesh from the rind. Try to make the pieces about 1/4″ thick. Remove any seeds. If you want them to actually look like jerky, cut them into strips.

Place the watermelon pieces on lined dehydrator trays and dehydrate at 135 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 12–24 hours, or until the watermelon is sufficiently dry and breaks when you bend it. The time range is so large because dehydrators vary in how they dry—watermelon also has a lot of water, obviously, which means it takes a long time to dry out. Depending on how old yours is, you might not be able to even set the temperature. If you don’t own a dehydrator, you can also use your oven.

Once dried, store the watermelon jerky in an airtight container.

Watermelon Slushie: Cool and Refreshing

Beat the summer heat with a refreshing watermelon slushie that’s delicious and extremely easy to make. With just a few ingredients, you can quickly whip up this icy beverage to enjoy on hot days or at outdoor gatherings.

Ingredients:

10 cups of cubed seedless watermelon, frozen for at least 24 hours

2–4 tbsp maple syrup

the juice of 1 large lime

1/4 cup fresh mint or basil leaves, loosely packed (optional)

1 1/2 cup filtered water

Instructions:

Let the frozen watermelon chunks defrost at room temperature for 5–10 minutes. Then add the watermelon, maple syrup, lime juice, mint (if using), and water to a high-speed blender.

Pulse the blender until the watermelon begins to break up, then blend until smooth and slushie-like. Sometimes watermelon juice can be gritty, so blend well! Adjust the sweetness with more maple syrup if needed and add extra water if the mixture is too thick.

Divide the slushie into glasses, serve, and enjoy! And add some garnish on top to make your friends think it’s fancy.

For a fizzy twist, substitute the filtered water with flavored sparkling water! Even fancier.

Watermelon Pizza: But Is It Really Pizza?

Transform watermelon into a appetizing dessert pizza topped with creamy yogurt and an array of fresh fruits. It’s a playful, nutritious, and conversation-starting treat that’s sure to impress at summer gatherings.

Ingredients:

1 watermelon

1 cup yogurt (whichever kind is your favorite)

assorted fresh fruits, like strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blueberries, and pomegranate seeds

honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

Slice a round disc-shaped piece of watermelon, approximately 2–3 inches thick.

Spread a layer of yogurt evenly over the watermelon slice, leaving space around the edges to resemble a pizza crust.

Arrange your choice of fresh fruit toppings on the yogurt layer as desired.

Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for added sweetness, again if desired.

Then discuss with your friends whether you can actually call it a pizza.

This summer, let your creativity flow. Whether you’re indulging in sweet and chewy watermelon jerky, sipping on a refreshing slushie, or crafting a vibrant, eye-popping watermelon pizza, there’s almost no limit to the ways to incorporate this iconic fruit into your festivities and get-togethers.