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Romantic picnic recipes are among our specialties here at Eat Something Sexy. And one of the things we’ve learned over the years that will make a picnic or any romantic occasion memorable is the unexpected.

This recipe for watermelon with chili powder and lime on a stick offers the unexpected in two ways. First of all, if you’ve never tried the combination of watermelon with chili powder and lime, your tastebuds will be in for a new flavor sensation.

Then there’s the presentation. Sure, anyone can pack a container of watermelon wedges. But imagine the surprise of peeling the lid off of that container to reveal little heart-shaped watermelon chili powder “lollipops”? Yes, it’s silly but in an absolutely charming way.

Table of Contents

Using chile and lime with fruit

Chile and watermelon are not an uncommon combination in Mexican and Southeast Asian cuisines. But we don’t use this succulent combo nearly often enough in American cooking.

Adjusting the level of spice

This simple watermelon appetizer/dessert/snack recipe uses just a hint of chile because I enjoy spicy flavors in small doses. But if you’re looking for more heat, adjust the amount of chile to your taste. Just be sure to balance it with the appropriate amount of salt and lime. This refreshing kabob recipe is all about the balance of flavors.

Why you must use fresh lime in making these watermelon skewers

And about the lime juice…I consider fresh lime juice to be the secret to making the recipe for these watermelon chili powder treats come together. The acidity in lime makes a beautiful partner for many fruits. What it does is accentuate the fruit’s natural sweetness. (This use of lime works well not just with watermelon but honeydew, apples, cucumber and many others of our favorite fruits. Even if you don’t plan on adding chili powder, try serving watermelon with lime!)

Incidentally, lime is among our 10 Best Foods for Women, so it brings more to the recipe than an acidic bite!

Special equipment for making chili lime watermelon skewers

To make these skewers you do need some “equipment” you may not have laying around your kitchen. First of all, you will need bamboo skewers. I like the 8-inch skewers for this fruit skewer recipe but the more common 10-inch size also work.

You’ll also need a heart-shaped cookie cutter. The one I use to make the watermelon hearts is about 2 inches. If you don’t already have one, check out this cookie cutter set, which comes in a variety of sizes, (including one big enough to make heart-shaped sandwiches).

Serve these watermelon treats at a romantic picnic or backyard party

This dish is fun for a picnic and the watermelon fruit skewers travel well. It may offer flavors that appeal to party guests of all ages. (These watermelon appetizers also work well as catering skewers if you’re looking for inspiration.) But this refreshing watermelon recipe is most definitely a very appropriate date night recipe.

That’s because watermelon is considered one of the best aphrodisiacs for men. And chile? Well! Body heat-raising chile is among my all-time favorite aphrodisiac ingredients.

And to add to the aphrodisiac qualifications of these fruit skewers, there’s the grapes. A burst of sweetness for the last bite, grapes offer texture and bright flavor. But you may be surprised to learn that grapes are also aphrodisiac.

In other words, this watermelon with chile recipe offers more than just a a burst of sweetness and heat. These watermelon appetizers are the kind of food for bringing some heat to a romantic picnic or summer dinner for two. If you’re needing a jump start in the romance department, rev things up with these refreshing chili watermelon kebobs.

More great watermelon recipes

Watermelon Rum Punch

Watermelon Soup with Jicama Salsa

Grilled Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese

Chili Lime Watermelon Skewers

Print Recipe

These simple, summertime watermelon skewers offer a sweet presentation but pack an aphrodisiac punch.

Course Appetizer, Dessert, Salad

Cuisine American

Dish Type Fruit Salad

Cooking Style Easy, fast, vegan, Vegetarian

Diet and Health gluten-free, Healthy, low fat

Seasonal Father's Day, Fourth of July, Mother's Day, summer

Ingredient watermelon

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 0

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Author Amy Reiley

Ingredients

1/4 of a large watermelon sliced into 3/4” rounds
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp chile powder (if you like a lot of heat, you can try substituting with Aleppo pepper or Cayenne.)
1 lime halved

Special equipment:

heart-shaped cookie cutter approximately 2-inch size
8-inch or 10-inch bamboo skewers

Instructions

Cut out hearts from the watermelon, discarding the rind. Try to space them as closely as possible to use as much of the fruit as you can. The discards can be used in smoothies or fruit salad.
Skewer each heart from the bottom, being careful not to push the skewer all the way through the fruit.
Using a mortar and pestle, combine the chile and salt. (If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can do this is a small bowl with a spoon, pressing the chile powder slightly to release its oils into the salt.)
Just before serving, sprinkle each heart with the chile mixture.
Squeeze 1/2 lime over each heart. Add additional lime to taste.

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Amy Reiley

Eat Something Sexy's Creator & Editor-in-Chief Amy Reiley is the award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks. She has her Master of Arts in Gastronomy, awarded by Le Cordon Bleu and The University of Adelaide.

Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.

Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.

Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.

Watermelon with Chili Powder and Lime Skewers Recipe