Here's a unique and healthy snack that tastes exactly like summer should taste!
Air Fried Watermelon slices are warm and slightly grilled, topped with feta, mint, and cinnamon, and are a delightful side, salad, or appetizer.
Air Fried Watermelon Recipe
Using the air fryer to cook watermelon slices gives them a grilled, smoky flavor that is just amazing!
And while watermelon is typically served fresh and cool, this easy recipe is best served warm. The mixture of flavors and textures in this dish are just divine!
Air Fried Watermelon slices make a fantastic light meal or appetizer, and are a great vegetarian option.
If you love air frying fruits and veggies, you might also enjoy making Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms, and Air Fryer Zucchini Fries!
Ingredients In Fried Watermelon
Watermelon - Obviously we need watermelon for this recipe, but don't just use any watermelon - choose the tastiest, ripest watermelon you can find!
Olive Oil - Brush olive oil over the watermelon to keep it from sticking to the basket.
Lemon Juice - To enhance the sweet, fresh flavor of melon, lemon juice is the perfect thing! You can also use lime juice.
Cinnamon - After the fried watermelon slices come out of the air fryer, it's time to season them! Cinnamon adds warmth.
Feta Cheese - The salty flavor of feta goes so well with watermelon.
Fresh Mint - Mint is a summery herb that also is wonderful with melon and all types of grilled or air fried fruit.
Balsamic Vinegar or Teriyaki Sauce - Either of these will add a meaty, umami flavor to the fried watermelon. Balsamic glaze can also be used if you have it.
If you have any questions about how to make fried watermelon, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP
How to Make Fried Watermelon in Air Fryer
- Prepare the Watermelon slices by brushing each with olive oil on both sizes. Then drizzle both sides with fresh lemon juice.
- To make cleanup easy, line the bottom of the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Then place the watermelon slices in the basket, in a single layer.
- Air Fry Watermelon for 5 minutes at 400°F/200°C. Then flip it over, and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, or until the melon is heated through and starting to brown on the edges.
- To Serve, transfer the slices to plates. Add crumbled feta cheese, fresh mint, and cinnamon. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and enjoy!
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for air fryer watermelon, please see the recipe below.
Fried Watermelon Recipe Tips
- Seedless watermelon works best for this recipe, but you can use melon with seeds. Just pick them out before cooking!
- You can remove the rind if you like. Leaving it on reminds everyone that they are indeed eating watermelon, but leaving it off will give this recipe more of a "watermelon steak" feeling.
- Be sure to air fry the watermelon in a single layer. If you want to make more watermelon, cook the slices in batches.
- Look for a whole piece of feta, rather than pre-crumbled cheese. The flavor and texture is so much better.
- This dish is perfect for summer, with sweet, savory, and fresh flavors. Serve it as a vegetarian meal, or as a side dish with grilled meat.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Watermelon
This air fried watermelon makes a wonderful light meal, or you can serve it as a side dish with your favorite air fryer proteins.
Try it with Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp, Air Fryer Crab Cakes, or Air Fryer Pork Loin for a healthy and tasty dinner.
FAQs
Yep! That's exactly what we're doing with this recipe. Add fresh watermelon slices right to the air fryer basket. Air Fried watermelon is similar to grilled watermelon, and it's totally delicious.
Any type of fruit that you'd enjoy grilled can be cooked in the air fryer. Try this method with pineapple, peaches, or mangoes. We've also made Fried Oranges in the Air Fryer. They're wonderful for breakfast.
Feel free to add any toppings you like to this fried watermelon salad. Fresh cilantro or parsley are great alternatives to mint.
With the toppings included in this recipe, fried watermelon is a combination of sweet, salty, savory, and umami flavors. It's truly amazing, and you just have to try this recipe to see it for yourself!
Pro Tips
- Use Any Air Fryer: This recipe can be made in an air fryer unit with a basket or an air fryer oven. If you're using an air fryer oven, place your food on the middle rack and select the "air fry" function.
- Check your food as it cooks! Since each air fryer runs differently, sometimes air frying is a trial and error process. When cooking a new recipe, be sure to check on your food often. This will help you avoid over or undercooking, and help you learn your air fryer's specific ways!
More Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes
The air fryer isn't just for making steaks and fried chicken! You can make so many delicious vegetarian meals and snacks with it.
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Okra
- Air Fryer Falafel
- Air Fryer Beyond Burger
- Mexican Loaded Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Mushrooms
Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment AND rating below! It helps other readers!
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Fried Watermelon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices watermelon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- ⅓ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp feta cheese
- 2-3 sprigs of mint
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Brush each slice of watermelon with olive oil on both sides. Then drizzle with lemon juice.
- The air fryer basket can be lined with parchment if you like. Put the watermelon pieces in the basket and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Then flip the watermelon to the other side and fry for another 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the watermelon to plates. Add crumbled feta cheese, mint leaves, and cinnamon. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar before serving.
Notes
- Seedless watermelon works best for this recipe, but you can use melon with seeds. Just pick them out before cooking!
- You can remove the rind if you like. Leaving it on reminds everyone that they are indeed eating watermelon, but leaving it off will give this recipe more of a "watermelon steak" feeling.
- Look for a whole piece of feta, rather than pre-crumbled cheese. The flavor and texture is so much better.
- This dish is perfect for summer, with sweet, savory, and fresh flavors. Serve it as a vegetarian meal or as a side dish with grilled meat.
Nutrition
Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
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