How to Make a Watermelon Basket
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Learn how to make a watermelon basket easily in about 10 minutes. It makes a stunning addition that will wow your guests for any party, buffet or holiday celebration, and it’s perfectly healthy too. You can fill it with watermelon balls or any other fresh fruits as you like. Plus video tutorial!
Watermelon baskets are so much fun to make and share with friends, and they need not be too difficult to make.
To make one, start with a large watermelon that’s anywhere from 5-8 pounds for the best look. The general rule is 1 pound of watermelon per serving. Smaller watermelons will work using a small melon baller, and larger ones will be more challenging to cut.
Any variety of watermelon will work. I prefer pink flesh, but yellow-fleshed watermelons will be fine too. In terms of serving arrangements, the simplest is just to fill with watermelon balls, although you can also use fresh fruit (if you have another use for the leftover watermelon!). Plan on serving with toothpicks or dessert forks!
Equipment to Make a Watermelon Basket
To make a watermelon basket, you’ll need two basic tools:
- Serrated Paring Knife: I used a 3.5″ Wusthof Classic, which has a stiff blade and sharp with a good handle to grip while cutting through the watermelon skin. Basically a good investment for any kitchen. A more economical alternative is a Victorinox.
- Rubber Bands: Two large rubber bands will help guide your knife while cutting.
- Melon Baller: You’ll need a simple melon baller to make the beautiful spherical balls to put in the basket. There’s no other easy way to do it.
- Large Bowl: Use a large mixing bowl to store the melon balls before returning them to the watermelon. A pot will work too.
Watch How to Make a Watermelon Basket
How to Make a Watermelon Basket (with Video)
Ingredients
- 1 large watermelon
- mint sprigs, optional
- 1 lime, sliced - optional
Instructions
- Place a large rubber band around the watermelon intersecting the stem. Set aside a large bowl.
- Using a sharp paring knife, Cut along the rubber band leaving a 2-inch gap uncut (this will be the handle).
- Slide the rubber band to intersect the gap in the middle so it's perpendicular.
- Cut from the gap 1-inch from the rubber band halfway down. There should be 4 cuts down in total.
- Next cut across from the halfway-down cuts, cutting all the way to the middle.
- Using your hands, pull out the two large sections of watermelon.
- Carefully cut along the handle at the intersection of red and green, so it's about 3/4-inch / 2cm thick if possible (for strength).
- Using a melon baller, remove balls from the watermelon and place into the bowl. Continue until the is no watermelon flesh left.
- Using a spoon, scrape away any leftover bits of watermelon and juice.
- Put the watermelon balls into the basket and garnish with optional mint. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Please read our nutrition disclaimer.
More fresh fruit hacks:
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This will be perfect for summer when I have the neighbor kids over! Love how cute this is, watermelon is always a great snack
Hi Noelle, Awesome to hear that and thanks for your review. Enjoy! 🙂
👌👌👌😄😄
Hi there, thanks and glad you like it 🙂
Nice to see but I think showing you to cutting towards your hand is an accident waiting to happen.
Hi Sam, Thanks and great point – sometimes it’s unavoidable and you have to move slowly taking appropriate precautions 😉
I love your creativity.
Thanks so much you made my day! 🙂 🙂
OMG … How clever!! Thank you for these amazing tips on carving watermelon and also pineapple. Absolutely love both ideas and will use them. Again, my sincere thanks.
Nana in New Jersey
Hi Joan, Thanks and so glad you like them 🙂