How to Make Delicious Deep-Fried Watermelon

By
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends.
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Updated on 02/20/22
Watermelon
Charlene Collins/Getty Images
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 12 servings

We usually eat watermelon simply cut into triangles. But fried watermelon? Believe it or not, it works and it tastes delicious! It may not be a healthy thirst-quencher, but it is a unique delicacy.

Frying watermelon utilizes the same technique as frying many other types of food. First, the watermelon is dipped into a light batter, then placed in hot oil, and then topped with powdered sugar as a finishing touch. This recipe calls for cutting the watermelon flesh into pieces, but if you'd like it to resemble a carnival snack you can cut into triangles and insert a stick through the rind before coating and frying. Like most fried foods, this is best served immediately while warm and crisp.

Ingredients

  • 6 to 8 pounds watermelon, seedless

  • 3 cups vegetable oil, or canola oil, for deep-frying

  • 1/2 cup cornstarch

  • 2 large egg whites, beaten

  • 2 teaspoons water

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

  • Confectioners' sugar, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise. Cut each half again lengthwise into two pieces. You should have four long triangular-shaped sections. Remove the rinds from each section by running your knife in between the white layer and the red flesh, doing your best to keep the knife level along that line. Discard the rind and cut the watermelon meat into 1-inch-thick slices. Then cut the flesh into roughly 1-inch triangles. (It is not a science, so do not worry if you have odd shapes.)

  2. Heat the oil in a deep-fryer, Dutch oven or wok to 350 F.

  3. In a bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the egg whites and water until combined.

  4. Place the flour in a bowl and set next to the cornstarch mixture near the hot oil. Dredge the watermelon chunks in the flour, then coat with the cornstarch batter. Carefully drop into the oil and deep-fry in batches, without crowding the pan, leaving room in between pieces to properly brown. Cook until the watermelon chunks are golden.

  5. Using a slotted spoon, remove from the oil and drain well on a paper-towel-lined plate. Sprinkle deep-fried watermelon with a dusting of powdered confectioners' sugar and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
259 Calories
13g Fat
36g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 259
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 16%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 13mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 24mg 122%
Calcium 23mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 356mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)