Delicious Fresh Fruit Bowl Recipe

Introducing our delicious and simple Red, White and Blue Watermelon Fruit Bowl recipe. This vibrant and refreshing fruit bowl recipe is perfect for celebrating patriotic holidays. However, this fruit bowl goes together easily and you can change up the fruits and serve this fresh fruit bowl for any festive occasion.

The star of this fruit bowl recipe is a large watermelon. We cut it so it serves as a natural bowl for a colorful medley of red, white and blue fruits. The watermelon fruit bowl is a fun way to present summer fruits at a party.

The watermelon is cut in half horizontally (we have some tips on that). The meat of the watermelon is retained and made into melon balls and there is the base for your fruit bowl. For the blue, we add fresh whole blueberries. Blueberries add a burst of vibrant blue to represent the patriotic spirit. To complete the patriotic color palette, apples cut into star shapes and soaked in lemon juice, top it all off.

The result is a striking, mouthwatering red, white and blue fruit bowl recipe that is a showy piece on a party table with very little work. This fruit bowl is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will leave everyone reaching for seconds.

Whether enjoyed as a healthy snack, a refreshing dessert, or a centerpiece for your festive fruit bowl platter, the Patriotic Watermelon Fruit Bowl is sure to impress and delight your guests.

What Should Be In a Fruit Bowl?

A fruit bowl recipe typically consists of a variety of fresh fruits such as berries, melons, citrus fruits, grapes, apples, pears or tropical fruits. It’s a great way to enjoy the seasonal fruits in your local area. You can customize your fruit bowl with additional ingredients like nuts, seeds, or dressings to add flavor and texture.

We provided you with a nice optional dressing recipe in the printable recipe card if you want to make this fruit bowl recipe even more flavorful. This makes it more like a simple fruit salad recipe. You’ll want to serve this version with plates and forks. Spoon the fruits out of the watermelon bowl with a slotted spoon to leave the juice in the fruit bowl.

This fruit bowl recipe can be as healthy as you like. It’s all about choosing healthy fruits. It makes a nice option for breakfast fruit salad, fruit bowl breakfast, snacking, dessert, or as a refreshing addition to meals and gatherings. But remember, fruits are healthy but they do contain a lot of sugar and carbs. The ‘healthy’ components of a fruit bowl can be quickly overcome by the natural sugar content of the fruits and any dressing you choose.

It’s all balance. Healthy dishes are rarely a big deal when you’re serving party food. But fruit bowls are better for you than cupcakes anytime. 🙂

What fruits should not be mixed in Fruit Salad?

There are a few fruits that should be avoided or need special handling when using them in a fruit salad or fruit bowl. These include:

1. Citrus fruits: Oranges and grapefruits should be used sparingly or avoided altogether as their acidic nature can make other fruits become too tart or bitter.
2. Delicate fruits like bananas and strawberries and stone fruits like peaches and nectarines are prone to breaking down in a fruit bowl and getting mushy or easily bruised. Since they may not hold up well in a mixed fruit salad for an extended period plan to serve fruit bowls containing the delicate fruits immediately after assembly.
3. Extremely juicy fruits like watermelon and pineapple can release a lot of liquid. This results in a watery fruit salad if mixed with other fruits for an extended time. When serving our watermelon fruit bowl keep in mind you may have a lot of liquid accumulating in the bottom of the watermelon bowl. Best to serve this fruit bowl with a slotted spoon and serve immediately after assembling.

While delicate and juicy fruits can still be enjoyed in a fruit salad, it’s best to add them just before serving. You might prefer serving them separately to maintain the freshness and texture of all the fruits in the salad.

For our watermelon fruit bowl recipe, the juicy watermelon is not a problem for the apples and blueberries. They make a great threesome since any extra liquid the watermelon balls secrete will fall to the bottom or make a nice addition to the other fruits when the excess liquid is gently mixed in.

Substitutions:

You can substitute or include various other red, white, and blue fruits to create your own festive and colorful presentation if you prefer.

Here are some options but please keep in mind the characteristics, flavors and textures you are putting together when making substitutions.

Red Fruits:

• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Cherries
• Red grapes
• Red currants
• Pomegranate seeds
• Red plums
• Goji berries

White Fruits:

• White grapes
• Dragon fruit
• Sliced bananas
• Sliced pears
• Lychees
• White peaches or nectarines
• Coconut chunks

Blue Fruits:

• Blueberries (already included in your original recipe)
• Blackberries
• Purple grapes
• Acai berries

By incorporating these fruits into your recipe, you can create a vibrant and patriotic fruit bowl with red, white, and blue colors. Feel free to mix and match according to your preference and availability of fruits.

How to Make a Really Nice Fruit Platter:

Make this fruit bowl recipe into an incredible fruit platter by setting the watermelon on a large deep serving tray( a nice baking sheet will work, with room around it.) Pack the tray with ice and load it with berries, grapes and slices of peaches, nectarines and other delicious fruits that will set off the centerpiece and create a stand out display for your guests. Blackberries, strawberries and raspberries are also great choices for the platter when set into bowls embedded in the ice.

You don’t have to use the ice if you plan to serve the tray immediately upon completion. Another nice touch is dipping sauces in bowls and toothpicks to pierce the fruits.

More tips to create a really nice fruit platter whatever the occasion:

1. Choose a Variety of Fruits: Select a diverse range of fresh fruits that are in season and perfectly ripe. Delicious, juicy, ripe fruits are the star of the show. If they are well presented that’s great but don’t disappoint your guests with flavorless, mushy or underripe fruits.
2. Use a mix of colors, textures, and flavors. Like our patriotic fruit bowl, choose colors that excite the eye and reflect the theme of your event. No theme? Try these popular fruits. Any berries, grapes, melons, pineapple, kiwi, oranges, and mangoes will offer a variety that most guest will enjoy.
3. Prep and Slice the Fruits: Wash and dry the fruits thoroughly. Peel, pit, and remove any inedible parts as necessary. Slice larger fruits like melons and pineapples into easy to handle pieces. For smaller fruits like berries, grapes, or cherries, keep them whole or arrange them in small clusters or dishes.
4. Create a Focal Point: This can make or break your presentation. Choose a large, visually striking fruit or fruits to serve as the centerpiece of your platter. For example, our watermelon fruit bowl is a powerful centerpiece. It is raised as well which sets off the fruits inside it and makes a handy delivery system for finger food, toothpick skewers or as a spoonable mix of lovey fruits for plates. Other ideas for focal points include sliced watermelon, a pineapple crown, or a large cluster of grapes. orange other fruits in a pleasing pattern around your focal point. Here’s how!
5. Arrange the Fruits: Start by placing the larger fruits on the platter, forming a base. Arrange them in an organized or artistic manner, alternating colors and textures. Fill any gaps with smaller fruits, such as berries or sliced citrus, to create a visually pleasing balance.
6. Add Decorative Touches: For even better presentation to attract your guests, add garnishes like mint leaves, edible flowers, or toasted coconut flakes sprinkled over the fruit platter.
7. Consider Dipping Sauces or Dressings: Small bowls of dipping sauces or dressings like yogurt, honey, chocolate sauce, or a fruit dip on the side add flavor, variety and allows guests to personalize their fruit experience.
8. Keep it Fresh: Serve close after assembly if you can to ensure your fruits look their best. It is okay to place the fruit platter in the refrigerator for several hours until ready to serve too. This helps to keep the fruits fresh and crisp. If needed, cover it loosely with plastic wrap or a transparent lid to prevent drying out. Just be sure to use fruits that can hold up well and keep their texture, color and flavor on the platter.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Present your fruit platter at room temperature or slightly chilled. Place small serving tongs or toothpicks nearby for guests to easily serve themselves.

Creativity is the key to a successful fruit platter. Experiment with different fruit combinations, arrangements, garnishes and extras to make it uniquely yours.

Why Put Lime Juice on Fruit? Lime juice is often used on fruits to prevent browning since it contains absorbic acid. This helps prevent fruits from browning or oxidizing. Fruits like apples and pears that tend to brown when exposed to air. Dipping the fruit pieces in Lime juice keeps the colors vibrant.

Lime juice also adds a tangy and refreshing flavor that complements the natural sweetness of fruits.

Tips for making fruit bowls

Tips to Making beautiful and delicious fruit bowls:

1. Choose a Variety of Fruits: Select a diverse range of fruits with different colors, textures, and flavors. This adds visual interest and provides a variety of tastes for your fruit bowl.
2. Use Fresh and Ripe Fruits: Opt for fresh, ripe fruits to ensure optimal flavor and texture. Avoid using overripe or mushy fruits, as they can affect the overall quality of the fruit bowl.
3. Prepare and Cut Fruits Uniformly: Wash the fruits thoroughly and cut them into similar-sized pieces. This allows for consistent presentation and makes it easier to eat.
4. Consider Texture and Balance: Include fruits with different textures, such as juicy, crunchy, and soft. This creates a pleasant contrast and makes the fruit bowl more enjoyable to eat.
5. Add a Citrus Element: Squeeze some fresh lemon or lime juice over the fruit bowl to add a tangy and refreshing flavor. Citrus juice also helps to prevent fruits from browning.
6. Mix Gently: When combining the fruits in the bowl, mix them gently to avoid crushing delicate fruits or creating a mushy texture.
7. Garnish with Fresh Herbs or Nuts: Consider adding a touch of freshness and crunch by garnishing the fruit bowl with fresh herbs like mint or basil leaves. You can also sprinkle some toasted nuts or coconut flakes for added texture and flavor.
8. Consider Seasonal Themes: Tailor your fruit bowl to the season or occasion by incorporating seasonal fruits or using a color scheme that matches the theme. This can make your fruit bowl more visually appealing and festive.
9. Keep it Chilled: If desired, chill the fruit bowl in the refrigerator for some time before serving. This helps to keep the fruits crisp and refreshing.
10. Serve Immediately: It’s best to serve the fruit bowl soon after assembling it to maintain the freshness and vibrant colors of the fruits.

Remember to be creative and have fun with your fruit bowl creation. Experiment with different fruit combinations, textures, and presentation styles to make your fruit bowl a delightful and enjoyable treat.

Carving the Watermelon:

What is the best way to cut a watermelon to slice it horizontally in half for a fruit bowl?

Watermelons for the fruit bowl we are making ar the big ones. They are round and slippery and it’s easy to get the cut off. To cut a watermelon horizontally in half for a fruit bowl, follow these steps:

1. Place the watermelon on a clean cutting board and stabilize it by holding it firmly with one hand.
2. With a sharp knife (or scoring tool like the one we used.), make a horizontal cut across the middle of the watermelon. Apply even pressure and use a sawing (or poking( motion to cut through the rind.
3. Continue cutting all the way around the watermelon, maintaining a steady pace and ensuring that the knife goes through evenly. Take your time to ensure a clean, straight and even cut.
4. Once the cut is complete, you should have two equal halves of the watermelon.
5. To further stabilize the watermelon halves, you can trim a thin slice from the rounded bottom of each half to create a flat surface. This is what we did. This will help the watermelon halves sit securely on a platter or serving dish.
6. Proceed to scoop out the flesh from both halves using a melon baller or a spoon, reserving the scooped-out watermelon for the fruit bowl.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to cut the watermelon horizontally in half. To separate the halves you may have to use a third cut like you see pictured below to get the leverage you need to pop off the top. This creates three pieces. One is the half you need for the fruit bowl. Use all the flesh you need to make the Mellon balls and scoop out the rest of the melon meat for other uses.

Stabilizing The Fruit bowl:

watermelons are round and difficult to stabilize. Once they get full of fruits you don’t want the bowl falling over. I cut a small slice of melon off the bottom to stabilize my fruit bowl.

Here are a few ways to stabilize a wobbly watermelon fruit bowl:

1. Place the watermelon half on a stable cutting board, ensuring it sits flat. The cutting board provides a sturdy base for the watermelon bowl and prevents it from rolling or tipping over.
2. Create a Flat Surface: If the bottom of the watermelon half is uneven, you can carefully trim a thin slice from the bottom to create a flat surface. This helps stabilize the watermelon when placed on a serving platter or table.
3. Nestle It in a Bed of Ice: If you’re serving the watermelon fruit bowl outdoors or in warm conditions, consider placing the watermelon bowl in a larger bowl or platter filled with crushed ice. The ice will help keep the watermelon stable and cool while adding a decorative touch.
4. Use Ramekins or Small Bowls: If you’re concerned about the watermelon half rolling or moving around, you can place small ramekins or bowls underneath the rounded sides of the watermelon half. These will act as supports and help keep the watermelon bowl in place. Camouflage the supports with fruits or other party themed foods, dipping sauce bowls, toothpick plates, herbs or other garnishes.

Remember, the stability of the watermelon fruit bowl can also depend on the size and shape of the watermelon itself. Choose a watermelon that has a flat and stable bottom if possible. Implementing these suggestions should help ensure your watermelon fruit bowl remains steady and secure during serving.

More Delicious Fruity Recipes:

There are so many ways to present and enjoy fruits. Here is just a taste of what you can do with fruits in recipes and party trays.

Check out ALL our Appetizer and Party Food Recipes Here!

• Simple goat Cheese Appetizer with Fig Jam
• Stuffed tomatoes
• Caprese Salad bites
• Roasted Peppers Parmesan
• Veggie Stuffed mushrooms