Everybody knows about pineapples, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, and our beloved avocados, but there’s more tropical goodness where those guys came from. Frozen puréed dragon fruit, which looks like a pink scaly dragon egg in its true form, is becoming more and more popular in grocery stores. It can transform most anything pink, like these yummyWatermelon Doughnuts. Can’t forget about kiwi, either! This tangy fruit with a fuzzy brown exterior is right at home in these Kiwi Spinach Popsicles. Not only is pineapple delicious, but it’s also good for your bodyand tropical fruits are among the most nutrient-dense foods you could eat. We could go on singing their praises. Really, we could.
We can also use them in savory recipes. Even though jackfruit is used in savory recipes, this giant fruit is actually related to the mulberry. If you like curry, you can make thisMango Curryor this Coconut Curry With Cauliflower. Tropical fruits are also great nutrient-dense snacks — just check out these Nutty Tropical Fruit Granola Bars. Is your mouth watering yet? Tropical fruits are in season for only a short period of time, so we should make the best of them while the getting’s good. We hope you’re ready to get startedbecause we have 15 sweet and savory tropical fruit recipes you have to try.
1. Raspberry and Dragon Fruit Mousse Cake
These Raspberry and Dragon Fruit Mousse Cakes are an amazing dessert experience. Melt-in-your-mouth and sweet, with a dark chocolate drizzle, they get their amazing mousse-like texture from cashews and their flavor from fresh, juicy dragon fruit and raspberries. You’ve got to try it to believe it. Healthy and flavorful — what’s not to love here?
2. Passion Fruit, Matcha, and Coconut Layer Cake
There’s something about a cake soaked in liquid that’s always made sense. It adds another dimension and intensity. Yet, it’s not soggy, just super moist and delicious. Now, imagine a cake with tropical flavors, whipped cream, and tea-soaked cake and you get this amazing Passion Fruit, Matcha, and Coconut Layer Cake. This layered tea cake is definitely for grown-up taste buds since matcha is an acquired taste, unless you grew up eating and drinking green tea, but either way, this is definitely a cake worth talking about.
3. Lychee Sorbet
Lychee is a tropical fruit that tastes like grapes, watermelon, and strawberry combined. Now imagine that as an icy sorbet! This Lychee Sorbet is the perfect dessert for summer – sweet, seasonal, and refreshing. The recipe uses canned lychees, but if fresh are available, go for those!
4. BBQ Chickpea Pineapple Pizza
In a pizza rut? You need to try this unique BBQ Chickpea Pineapple Pizza! It has two types of sauce, plenty of chickpeas, a kick from jalapeño, and some juicy pineapple. It’s smoky, spicy, tropical, and sweet flavor will keep your taste buds guessing and your tummy happy.
5. Papaya and Coconut Yogurt Breakfast
Papaya is such a marvelous tropical fruit, making this Papaya and Coconut Yogurt Breakfast a must-try. Full of living enzymes, it is great for digestion and is also full of antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. It is high in fiber and folic acid, it is an anti-inflammatory and also supports the immune system. Teamed up with the coconut yogurt, which is full of gut-friendly bacteria, this is a wonderful combination and prescription for a happy belly.
6. Pitaya Raspberry Chocolate Popsicles
These Pitaya Raspberry Chocolate Popsicles look beautiful and are super simple to make! Once the fruit is frozen into popsicle form, they simply need to be dipped into chocolate. Get creative and add little touches to really treat your taste buds. A dash of vanilla, a pinch of sea salt, a little nut butter, goji berries, or raspberries work great. The choices are endless!
7. Tropical Banana Maca Coconut Bars
Perfect for channeling those warm weather vibes, these Tropical Banana Maca Coconut Bars are healthy, gluten-free, and loaded with bright, fruity flavors. Besides good-for-you fruits, they also have the added health benefits of maca. Snack on one of these bars with a glass of iced passion tea for a truly tropical experience.
8. Chinese 5-Spice Pulled Jackfruit Spring Rolls
These Chinese 5-Spice Pulled Jackfruit Spring Rolls are delicious while eaten fresh, but don’t be scared to store them for a future munching session. Spring rolls are one of those foods that really lets you be creative and play around with fillings and dips — try making yours as colorful as possible! Apart from being delicious and nutritious, they are also pretty easy and quick to make.
9. Raw Mango Cupcakes
Raw dessert made easy! The crust of these Raw Mango Cupcakes is a mix of almonds, sunflower seeds, and Medjool dates. The divinely creamy mango filling is a mix of mango, fresh turmeric, fresh ginger, lime, and creamed coconut. If your mango is very sweet you can omit the maple syrup if you like as it’ll be sweet enough.
10. Frozen Piña Colada Cake
This beautiful Frozen Piña Colada Cake is reminiscent of sipping a chilly drink in a tropical paradise. The creamy coconut milk filling is flavored with sweet, yet tart pineapple and can be served one of two ways. You can serve it thawed so that it’s like a cream cake or serve it frozen for a cake that’s like ice cream. You won’t believe this has an entire zucchini in it. It’s totally undetectable, only adding to the creaminess, so the cake is totally delicious.
11. Tropical Turmeric Smoothie
This Tropical Turmeric Smoothie is like sunshine in a glass. Made from bananas, mango, and orange, its tropical flavors are also boosted with anti-inflammatory turmeric. Top this with shredded coconut and cinnamon for simplicity, or get creative with fresh fruit and coconut whipped cream for a breakfast that’s more like dessert.
12. Jackfruit Carnitas With Pickled Red Onions
Nobody will believe that these Jackfruit Carnitas With Pickled Red Onions are actually made from a tropical fruit. Jackfruit is sautéed with garlic and then simmered in a spicy sauce, allowing it to absorb all of the flavors. This recipe uses canned jackfruit in syrup, so it ends up sweet and spicy at the same time and then it’s topped with tangy quick-pickled red onions. Just remember to let the jackfruit sit overnight — the flavor payoff is worth it.
13. Frosty Passion Fruit Pear Cheesecakes
These Frosty Passion Fruit Pear Cheesecakes are perfect for when that sweet craving hits but you’re looking for something more than empty calories. With a spicy corn crust, chickpea and pear filling, and passion fruit topping, this is a unique dessert in both ingredient and nutrition. This is a freezer treat, not a soft cheesecake, so treat it like an ice cream of sorts!
14. Tropical Mango Coconut Cheesecake
Mango is one of the fruits most representative of summer and good weather. So what better way to enjoy time in the sun than a beautiful Tropical Mango Coconut Cheesecake? This dessert is refreshing, fruity, and sweetened naturally with dates, coconut, and vanilla. Yum!
15. Rich Pineapple Curry
The inspiration for this Rich Pineapple Curry hails from Malaysia. Traditionally served with prawns and made with plenty of oil, this version is oil free and uses tofu (because tofu is boss). Any dish in Malaysia or Indonesia that has the word “Lemak” in it is guaranteed to be rich and delicious. This is no exception.
Looking for more amazing recipes with tropical fruits? Then you need to check out our vegan tropical fruits recipes!
Lead image source: Papaya and Coconut Yogurt Breakfast
