This Chili Fruit Salad with Papaya, Watermelon & Cucumber is a vibrant, refreshing mix of tropical papaya, juicy watermelon and crisp cucumber, brightened with a squeeze of lemon and a hint of chilli. Ready in just 15 minutes, this refreshing fruit salad is light, flavour-packed and perfect for warm-weather meal prep—easy enough for everyday, yet impressive enough for guests.
Ingredients at a Glance for Chili Fruit Salad
Here’s what you’ll need for this chilli-infused fruit salad—simple, fresh and easy to customise:
- Papaya & Watermelon – ripe, colourful and vitamin-rich tropics.
- Cucumber – for crunch and freshness.
- Fresh Red Chilli – mild spice; use less for a gentler kick.
- Lemon Juice – for zing and balance.
- Sea Salt – enhances all the flavours.
- Roasted Peanuts – adds a satisfying, savoury crunch.
- Mint & Coriander – herbaceous freshness.
- Optional: crushed papaya seeds for a peppery, digestive‑friendly twist.
Quick Preparation Steps
Making this Chili Papaya Watermelon Salad is as simple as it gets. Start by chopping the papaya, watermelon and cucumber into bite-sized pieces, and thinly slicing the red chilli. Toss everything together in a large bowl with a splash of lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt. For an optional twist, mix in a little crushed papaya seed for a mild, peppery kick. Finish by folding in freshly chopped mint, coriander and roasted peanuts for crunch and herbaceous flavour. Serve right away or chill briefly—this salad is best enjoyed fresh and cool.
5 Irresistible Reasons to Love This Fruit Salad
- Ultimate summery refreshment – hydrating watermelon and crisp cucumber keep you cool on hot days.
- Super-speedy & no-cook – just a bit of chopping and stirring, done in under half an hour.
- Balancing act of flavours – sweet fruit, zingy citrus, mild chilli and fresh herbs = flavour harmony.
- Nutritious and vibrant – packed with vitamins, antioxidants and protein-packed peanuts.
- Versatile side dish – great alongside grilled meat, as a light lunch, brunch or part of an Asian-inspired spread.
Love this? Try more fresh ideas from the blog—think: a tangy watermelon and feta salad, a colourful strawberry salad with tomatoes, mint & basil, or a Thai‑style watermelon salad with lime and chilli.
Chili Papaya Watermelon Salad with Cucumber & Roasted Peanuts
A quick, easy and healthy Chilli Fruit Salad with Papaya, Watermelon & Cucumber—a colourful, spicy‑sweet salad bursting with flavour, ideal for hot days.
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Ingredients
- 1 large ripe papaya, peeled, deseeded and diced
- 500 g watermelon (seedless or deseeded), cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 mini cucumbers (or ½ large cucumber), halved lengthwise and sliced (approx. 300 g)
- 1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
- juice of 1 lemon (or lime)
- sea salt, to taste
- 60 g roasted unsalted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, finely chopped
Optional:
- 1 tablespoon papaya seeds, crushed (start with ½ tbsp if trying for the first time)
Method
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Prepare the papaya seeds (optional): Rinse and dry the seeds. Crush them using a mortar and pestle or small blender until coarse.
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Combine the base: In a large bowl, mix the papaya, watermelon, cucumber, chilli, lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt.
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Add optional twist: If desired, mix in 1 tablespoon of crushed papaya seeds for a subtle, peppery heat. If you're trying them for the first time, start with 1/2 tablespoon and adjust to taste.
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Add herbs & peanuts: Gently fold in the mint, coriander and peanuts.
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Serve: Best served fresh or slightly chilled. Enjoy!
Notes
For a relaxing atmosphere in the kitchen I recommend my personal Elle Republic: Chilled Out Kitchen Tunes Playlist on Spotify.
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