Watermelon Fruit Salad with Papaya, Avocado & Crunchy Seeds is a nutritious, fresh fruit salad made with juicy watermelon, ripe papaya, creamy avocado, banana, and a scattering of raw pumpkin seeds for crunch. A simple honey-lemon dressing and a pinch of everything bagel seasoning turn it from a plain fruit bowl into something you'll keep going back to. It comes together in 10 minutes.
This is one of my favorite summer salads, and I often make it for breakfast or lunch. It’s naturally sweet and refreshing, with a savory edge from the microgreens and seasoning blend. The avocado adds the same creaminess I love in my spicy mango avocado salad, and somehow makes all that juicy fruit taste even better.
I often cut the watermelon and papaya ahead of time and keep them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Then, when I’m ready to eat, I just add the avocado, banana, microgreens, seeds, and dressing. It makes this salad incredibly easy to throw together during the week.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fresh, creamy, and crunchy: Juicy watermelon and papaya, creamy avocado, peppery microgreens, and pumpkin seeds give you a little bit of everything in each bite.
- A sweet-savory fruit salad: Honey and lemon bring out the sweetness of the fruit, while everything bagel seasoning adds an unexpected savory finish.
- Perfect for a light breakfast or lunch: It’s refreshing and fruit-forward, but the avocado and pumpkin seeds make it feel more substantial than a simple bowl of fruit.
- Easy to prep ahead: I often cut the watermelon and papaya in advance, then add the avocado, banana, greens, and dressing when I’m ready to eat.
Ingredients & Notes
This salad works because every ingredient is doing something.
- Papaya: Peeled and cubed, papaya brings a soft, slightly floral sweetness that balances the watermelon. Look for one that gives slightly when gently pressed.
- Watermelon: The juiciest part of the bowl. If you end up with more than you need, my watermelon lemon ginger juice is where the rest of mine usually goes.
- Avocado: Adds a creamy, almost buttery contrast to the fruit. Choose one that’s ripe but still firm enough to hold its shape when cubed.
- Banana: A small amount rounds out the sweetness and gives the salad a little more body.
- Microgreens: Add a fresh, slightly peppery contrast to all that sweet fruit. Any mild variety works.
- Raw pumpkin seeds: Add the crunch. You can toast them for a deeper, nuttier flavor, but I prefer them raw here.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the fruit and adds a lovely citrusy finish.
- Honey: Just a drizzle ties the flavors together. Adjust to taste depending on how ripe and sweet your fruit is.
- Everything bagel seasoning: Optional, but highly recommended. It adds the savory, salty edge that makes this fruit salad feel a little unexpected.
How To Make It
Step One — Place the papaya, watermelon, avocado, banana, and microgreens in a large serving bowl along with the pumpkin seeds. Toss gently so the softer fruit doesn't break down.
Step Two — Pour the lemon juice over the top and drizzle with honey. Season to taste with everything bagel seasoning, then toss again, gently. Taste and adjust with more honey, lemon juice, or seasoning until it's balanced the way you like it. Serve right away.
Top Tips
- Don’t skip the lemon juice: It brightens the sweet fruit and gives the whole salad a fresh finish.
- Chill the watermelon and papaya first: This salad is especially good when the fruit is cold, particularly on a hot day.
- Taste before serving: Fruit sweetness can vary quite a bit, so treat the honey and lemon as a starting point and adjust to taste.
Variations & Substitutions
- No pumpkin seeds: Sunflower seeds or chopped toasted almonds work just as well for the crunch.
- Want it creamier: A small drizzle of coconut yogurt on top is a nice addition if you want to make it heartier.
- Skip the everything bagel seasoning: A pinch of flaky sea salt works instead if you want something simpler.
- No microgreens: Fresh mint is a lovely swap, or use a handful of peppery greens the way I do in my arugula persimmon salad.
Storage
This salad is best enjoyed the day it's made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day, but expect the avocado and banana to soften. For meal prep, cube the watermelon and papaya ahead and store them separately, then add the avocado, banana, and dressing just before serving.
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📖 Recipe
Watermelon Fruit Salad with Papaya, Avocado & Crunchy Seeds
Mariska RamondinoIngredients
- 2 cups peeled sweet papaya, cubed About 290 grams
- 3 cups peeled watermelon, cubed About 455 grams
- 1 peeled avocado, cubed
- ½ peeled banana, cubed About 60 grams
- ¼ cup microgreens
- 1 tablespoon raw pumpkin seeds
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 15 ml
- Drizzle of honey to taste
- Everything Bagel seasoning to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Place all the fruits in a serving bowl together with the microgreens and seeds. Toss gently.2 cups peeled sweet papaya, cubed, 3 cups peeled watermelon, cubed, 1 peeled avocado, cubed, ½ peeled banana, cubed, ¼ cup microgreens, 1 tablespoon raw pumpkin seeds
- Pour over the lemon juice and drizzle with honey. Season to taste with the everything bagel seasoning blend. Gently toss again. Taste test and add more honey, lemon juice, or seasoning to taste. Enjoy!1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, Drizzle of honey, Everything Bagel seasoning to taste (optional)
Notes
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Nutrition (% Daily value)
Disclaimer: This nutritional data is calculated using third party tools and is only intended as a reference.
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