These easy Watermelon Fries with Coconut Lime Dip such a fun and delicious snack that is perfect for the summertime! They’re gluten-free, vegan, and take little to no time to make!
Are you as obsessed with watermelon as I am? I’ve already brought you a watermelon CAKE so today I thought I would whip up something equally fun and playful with watermelon- watermelon fries with coconut lime dip. They’re just like French fries but super healthy. No, you should never have to REPLACE real fries with watermelon fries, but this is great on a hot summer day.
The star of this recipe is Tajin, which is a seasoning blend made of dehydrated lime, chiles, and salt. It originated in Mexico and has quickly gained popularity in North America. Tajin is often paired with fruit or veggies like cucumber, mango, or in our case, watermelon!
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
Other than being the perfect poolside or BBQ recipe during the summer, here are more reasons you’ll love this watermelon fries with coconut lime dip recipe.
- Refreshing snack
- Naturally gluten-free
- Vegan friendly
- Easy to make
- Kid friendly
Key Ingredients
Watermelon – Watermelon is, of course, the star of the show in this recipe! I break down everything you need to know about how to choose a watermelon down below.
Tajin Seasoning – Tajin is a Mexican seasoning made of of very simple ingredients including salt, chili, and lime. Don’t have tajin seasoning? No problem. You can totally swap in salt, chili powder, and lime zest if you already have it on hand. You can also easily find it online.
Coconut Yogurt – I use a non-dairy coconut yogurt to make this recipe vegan. But you can absolutely try out a dairy coconut flavoured yogurt as well.
Lime – Lime zest and juice totally make this recipe come alive and gives it that fresh summer flavour.
Coconut Sugar – This gives the coconut lime dip some extra sweetness to the watermelon fries but it’s optional if you find your watermelon is sweet enough.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: In a bowl, combine yogurt, lime juice and zest and coconut sugar. Set aside.
Step 2: On a plate, scatter watermelon fries and sprinkle Tajin classic seasoning.
Expert Tips
The key to choosing a good watermelon for making watermelon fries is to look for:
- A watermelon that feels heavy for its size (regardless of if it’s big or small).
- A yellow splotch on one side.
- A deep hollow sound when tapped.
To cut the watermelon into fries, you can simply slice the watermelon into rounds, cut off the rind, and then cut the watermelon into the size of fries.
The easiest way to cut a watermelon is by using a serrated knife like a bread knife!
Recipe FAQs
I’d suggest cutting up the watermelon into strips a few days in advance but I recommend adding the seasoning prior to serving. Cut watermelon can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Yes! There is a difference. For this recipe, I recommend using dairy-free yogurt made with a coconut base. However, if you don’t have that available you cant totally experiment with other yogurts as well.
If you don’t have Tajin seasoning, you can make your own by combining 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/4 tsp of chili powder, and lime zest to taste. You can also improvise using any spicy seasoning you have on hand.
For sure! I have never met a toddler who doesn’t love to dip their food and my son is no exception. However, If you are serving this to your kiddo I would suggest holding back on the spice/Tajin seasoning.
More Recipes You Might Like
If you want some more fun summer recipes like this watermelon fries with coconut lime dip recipe, here are some of my favourite healthy summer appetizers
- Honeydew Melon Fries with Lemon Poppyseed Cherry Dip
- Pineapple Chocolate Donuts with Spicy Salty Crust
- Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Lime Sauce
So loves, tell me – have you made watermelon fries? Leave me a comment below with your thoughts!
Watermelon Fries with Coconut Lime Dip | Healthy Summer Snack!
Ingredients
- 1 watermelon rind removed and cut into long fry-like shapes
- 2 tsp Tajin Classic Seasoning
Dip:
- 1 cup coconut yogurt
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar or to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine yogurt, lime juice and zest and coconut sugar. Set aside.
- On a plate, scatter watermelon fries and sprinkle Tajin classic seasoning.
- Serve with dip and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- A watermelon that feels heavy for its size (regardless of if it’s big or small).
- A yellow splotch on one side.
- A deep hollow sound when tapped.
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.
Suzanne says
This looks so good! Just cutting fruits and veggies into that shape makes them disappear faster!
Abbey Sharp says
Totally. Like magic!
Lora says
Hey there. This recipe sounds great, but how is it vegan when it has yogurt in it?
Abbey Sharp says
Its coconut yogurt – dairy free!
Cynthia says
I’m sooo going to try this recipe! I’ve also got another idea you may try for finding awesome watermelon (every time). Walk into the store, see the darkest green watermelon you can find, walk out. It’s that easy. Lol
A watermelon farmer told that secret to me once 4 years ago, NEVER have I EVER had a bad watermelon since ????. Good luck & great recipe!
Abbey Sharp says
ha good to know! Enjoy the recipe 🙂
April says
Where can you get coconut yogurt?
Abbey Sharp says
Hey, a natural food store or the organic aisle of a grocery store
Kelley says
I have *not* made watermelon fries (yet – but I’m going to)! Watermelon is, in my longstanding opinion, the most magical food in the world!
Abbey Sharp says
Agreed! Enjoy love
Pauline Brady says
Is this where I can get the Tajin Seasoning? I have tried my Target and two regular grocery stores and they don’t know what I’m talking about.
Abbey Sharp says
You can get it through my amazon link here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008C98U3K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008C98U3K&linkCode=as2&tag=abbskit09-20&linkId=50fba9d39c3779b82ef2df0b70d50488
Sjbs says
Ive even seen non organic in the purple individual canisters of Greek yogurt.
Melissa says
Silk makes non dairy yogurt (I think it’s coconut). I got mine today at Target.
Abbey Sharp says
amazing!
Chris says
I need these in my life!
Abbey Sharp says
yess! It’s so delicious
Mandy says
I found Oikos greek coconut cream flavored yogurt at walmart
Cat says
Beautiful flavors! Like you, my hubby and I LOVE watermelon with Tajin. I’m just a pale Mexican from Mississippi, and put Tajin & Tabasco on everything. Also like the sound of your lime-coconut flavored yogurt dip. ???? I was wondering if the thinly-cut melon pieces would wilt and turn soupy pretty quickly from osmosis effect of salt-based Tajin? Thanks for sharing this, Miss Abbey.
Cat
Abbey Sharp says
It may not be sturdy enough, but I would try it! Sounds yummy
Abbey Sharp says
It might. But I know I would eat them fast enough before they wilted lol.
Melissa says
Hi! In my family some of us use regular table salt on our melons, some of us don’t. It’s a regular argument! 🙂 But I’m one of the salters and I’ve never had problems with it ruining my watermelon. I couldn’t imagine the taking would either?
I’m sure gonna try it this summer once the watermelons are back in season!
Thanks for the recipe, I can’t wait to try that coconut lime dip! WOW!!
Jay says
American cuisine? Lime, salt and chili pepper on watermelon is Mexican cuisine. Tajin seasoning is owned by a Mexican company. C’mon now. Give credit where credit is due. Your baseline for your creativity is from Mexican cuisine.
Abbey Sharp says
Hey Jay, thanks for catching! I’ll definitely change that.
EJ says
America’s an entire hemisphere. Mexican cuisine is some of the oldest American fare!
Lisa says
At the beginning IT DOES say Cuisine: Mexican…
Credit given.
Carol says
Now you want to know who absolutely loves watermelon? That would be me. So you say you can eat a whole watermelon in a few days with your husband? I can consume a watermelon by myself (my husband does not eat them, he gets indigestion from them-lucky me!) In 4 days! I can eat a quarter of a melon in one sitting. No I am not very big, not nursing I just plain love summer and I love those melons! Bring on those great ideas to enjoy them! I love every one of the!
Abbey Sharp says
Haha this recipe is for you then! Enjoy Carol
Kirsten MacDonell says
Recipe sounds amazing. Instead of tajin (have trouble finding in stores and want to make this today) your alternative of mixing salt and chili powder – what is the ratio of salt to chili powder that you would recommend?
Abbey Sharp says
I recommend 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of chili powder
Linda says
Hi! This sounds wonderful, but i’m not sure what coconut sugar is. Can you pls tell me? Thx
Abbey Sharp says
It’s a sugar produced from the flour of the coconut palm. You can find it in the baking aisle of a grocery store (where you get white/brown sugar)
Shraddha Chaubey says
How cool
Abbey Sharp says
thanks!
Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com says
Yum, this sound so delicious! My kids will love this idea!!
Abbey Sharp says
Yay! So glad
Farrah says
I never would’ve thought to make these, but they look so refreshing! Love this twist on fries! 😀
Abbey Sharp says
So refreshing!
Emily @Sinful Nutrition says
Such a neat idea! Love the idea of that coconut lime dip too!
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks love!
Doreen Cramm says
could you use regular dairy coconut flavored yogurt?
Abbey Sharp says
Definitely!
Carrie A Groff says
Oh my goodness! This sounds so amazingly delicious! I want to have some right now. I’ve never heard of Tajin seasoning but it sounds really yummy.
Abbey Sharp says
You must try it! I wanna put it on EVERYTHING
Deborah Brooks says
What a fun and fabulous idea! Super creative
Abbey Sharp says
Totally!