These vegan summer melon sticks served with lemon poppy seed cherry dip makes an easy gluten-free summer snack, breakfast, or dessert that the whole family will love.
Want something fresh, tangy, and colourful? You NEED to make these summer melon sticks. I know you guys LOVED my Watermelon Fries with coconut lime dip so much that I had to get back to it with an equally sweet and tangy treat. Made with honeydew melon, you’re going to love this easy refreshing snack.
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
If you love my watermelon fries then these summer melon sticks are going to be a smash hit. They’re also…
- Perfect for little ones as fry-shaped foods mean that they can easily grab them and pick up them up.
- Flavourful with the toppings
- Easy homemade sauce
- Refreshing snack
- Naturally gluten-free
- Vegan friendly
Key Ingredients
Honeydew melon — Honeydew melons are packed with healthy goodness from Vitamin C to B6, to K! The summer melons are also naturally sweet and are a kid-favourite!
Frozen cherries — To make life easier, we buy frozen cherries as they come pitted.
Maple syrup — For some added sweetness, I use maple syrup. If you do not need this to be vegan, you can use honey as well. Coconut Sugar is a great substitution as well.
Yogurt — I use coconut yogurt but any non-dairy yogurt will do. Don’t need this to be vegan? Use regular yogurt instead.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Mix together the yogurt, lemon zest, juice, poppy seeds, and maple syrup for the dip.
Step 2: Puree the frozen cherries.
Step 3: Swirl the cherry puree on top of the dip.
Step 4: To serve, top the summer melon sticks with freeze-dried cherry dust, poppy seeds, and lemon zest and serve with the dip.
Expert Tips
To make cut the sticks for this easy summer melon fries, I literally just cut a honeydew melon into strips before cutting them into matchstick-sized sticks (offends and scraps are totally my snacks).
If you want to serve this to your little one without any added sugar from the maple syrup, just pull back a touch on the lemon and add a little extra of the naturally sweet cherry puree to balance things out. This summer melon recipe is the perfect refreshing and safe snack for BLW, for your toddlers, kids, and adults, alike.
Use a blender or food processor to puree the cherries. If you do not have one, allow the frozen cherries to thaw a bit and mash with a fork, spoon, or potato masher.
Recipe FAQs
I’d suggest cutting up the melon into strips a few days in advance but I recommend adding the topping prior to serving. Cut honeydew melon can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and the dipping sauce can be stored separated for up to 5 days as well.
You sure can! Turn this into a whole platter by adding watermelon fries or cut cantaloupe into match sticks sizes.
I recommend using freshly squeezed lemon for the best flavour. Bottled lemon juice sometimes has a bitter aftertaste.
If you don’t have any fresh lemons on you, fresh limes can work in a pinch as well in this summer melon recipe.
More Recipes You Might Like
Want more fruity recipes like these summer melon sticks? Try these reader favourites!
- WATERMELON FRIES WITH COCONUT LIME DIP
- GRILLED WATERMELON AND AVOCADO SALAD
- VEGAN GRILLED PEACHES WITH BLACKBERRY COCONUT CREAM
What are your favourite ways to get your little ones to enjoy more fruit like this summer melon recipe? Leave me a comment below with your thoughts!
Summer Melon Sticks with Lemon Cherry Dip (Easy Vegan Snack)
Ingredients
- ½ large honeydew melon cut into French-fry shapes
Dip
- ¾ cup plain non-dairy yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- 1-2 tsp. maple syrup
- ½ cup frozen cherries thawed
Garnish
- 2 tbsp freeze dried cherries pulverized in a food processor
- ½ tsp poppy seeds
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Mix together the yogurt, lemon zest, juice, poppyseeds and maple syrup for the dip.
- Puree the frozen cherries and swirl them on top of the dip.
- To serve, top the fries with freeze-dried cherry dust, poppyseeds and lemon zest and serve with the dip.
Notes
- To make cut the sticks for this easy summer melon fries, I literally just cut a honeydew melon into strips before cutting them into matchstick-sized sticks (offends and scraps are totally my snacks).
- If you want to serve this to your little one without any added sugar from the maple syrup, just pull back a touch on the lemon and add a little extra of the naturally sweet cherry puree to balance things out. It’s the perfect refreshing and safe snack for BLW, for your toddlers, kids, and adults, alike.
- Use a blender or food processor to puree the cherries. If you do not have one, allow the frozen cherries to thaw a bit and mash with a fork, spoon, or potato masher.
Nutrition
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Judy says
Clearly I did something wrong. And it all looked so healthy and yummy.
My dip is very runny, and I’m not sure how to thicken it up from here?
Abbey Sharp says
Hi Judy, sorry it didn’t work out! If your yogurt is naturally runnier, I’d recommend reducing the amount of lemon juice until the dip is the right thickness for your preference.
Judy says
Well it all looked so great.y dip became runny. I’m not sure how to thinker it up?
Ella says
This looks like a tasty summer treat!
Natalie says
I never had melon fries with dip before. But this is a great idea. I absolutely love that yogurt dip. I need to try this asap.
Abbey Sharp says
Yes girl! You’ll love it
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
What a yummy idea!!! I love honeydew in season and this is such a delish way to enjoy it. So creative!
Abbey Sharp says
Totally. Thanks Julie
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
cutting fruits in different shapes and sizes definitely makes it exciting!
Abbey Sharp says
totally agree
Kelly says
So many people say they can’t find healthy snacks, well, bam, you just proved them wrong. Love this healthy and tasty snack!
Abbey Sharp says
aw thanks love!
Deborah Brooks says
Well aren’t these creative and fun? Perfect for summer treats around the pool
Abbey Sharp says
for sure!
Nicole from Fitful Focus says
This is such a fun idea. It’d be perfect for a summer barbecue.
Abbey Sharp says
Totally. Thanks Nicole