8 Best Refreshing Cantaloupe Recipes

Cantaloupe is a delicious, juicy fruit that can be used in a variety of recipes. From cake to salad, cantaloupe is a surprisingly versatile fruit and very easy to work with.

Cantaloupe is also a great source of vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy addition to any diet. For example, it is a good source of vitamin C, which is important for immunity and skin health. It’s also a good source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps protect against cell damage. Additionally, cantaloupe contains potassium, which is important for maintaining healthy blood pressure and heart function.

They’re one of the most popular fruits in the United States. In fact, they are the fourth most popular fruit, after apples, bananas, and watermelons. Cantaloupes are a sweet melon usually eaten fresh, either alone or in salads, but they can also be used in a number of other dishes, such as soups and smoothies.

If you’re looking for some delicious cantaloupe recipes to try at home in a melon season, look no further! These recipes are all easy to make and full of flavor. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a more elaborate dish, we’ve got you covered.

1. Spiced Cantaloupe Tea Loaf

Cantaloupe cake is a refreshing and summery twist on the classic dessert. Made with fresh ripe melon, this spiced tea loaf is light and fluffy due to the baking powder and baking soda it uses. It’s also got a delicate sweetness that makes it perfect for any occasion. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream, and you have a dessert that is sure to please everyone.

The hints of ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla in this recipe really set it off and ensure that it never lasts for long! If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a few shreds of fresh basil too. As long as you’ve got some loaf pans handy, it should be a breeze to make.

2. Cantaloupe Sorbet

Looking for a way to enjoy cantaloupe other than eating it plain? This Cantaloupe sorbet is the perfect solution! Made with just four ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to make and refreshingly delicious. Serve it as a light dessert or snack on a hot summer day.

The sweetness of cantaloupe makes it a natural choice for a summer sorbet. This Cantaloupe sorbet recipe is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. The result is a refreshing and light dessert that is perfect for a hot summer day.

3. Grilled Cantaloupe

One of our favorite cantaloupe recipes involves grilling it! Grilled cantaloupe is a great way to enjoy the flavors of the fruit while adding a bit of smoky char to it. This is a simple recipe that only requires a few ingredients, and it’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends!

To grill cantaloupe, start by slicing the fruit into thick wedges. Next, preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Then, place the cantaloupe wedges on the grill and cook for about 2 minutes per side or until they are nicely charred.

Remove from the grill and serve immediately. We like to enjoy our grilled cantaloupe with a drizzle of honey or balsamic vinegar. But feel free to get creative and top yours with your favorite fruits, nuts, or seeds! 

4. Cantaloupe Salad

This cantaloupe salad is a perfect easy recipe to brighten up your day and help you stay cool. It is light and refreshing, but still has some substance to it. The cantaloupe is the star of the show, but the other ingredients play an important role as well. The feta cheese adds a nice salty flavor, while the mint and lime juice brightens up the dish. And, of course, the cantaloupe seeds add a bit of crunch.

This salad can be served as a side or main dish, and can be made ahead of time, so it’s perfect for entertaining. Don’t forget some tangy yogurt to go on the side!

5. Cantaloupe Slushy Cocktail

Cantaloupe cocktails are the perfect summer drink! They’re refreshing, light, and full of flavor. Plus, they’re super easy to make. If a cantaloupe smoothie recipe is lacking that alcoholic punch you desire on a sunny day, this recipe is for you.

We love this one that makes clever use of an ice cream maker and is loaded with orange juice, vodka, lime juice, and coconut. All the summer flavors you could possibly ask for, without much sugar at all! Try adding a splash of almond milk if you don’t have any coconut milk to hand.

6. Chilled Cantaloupe Soup

Cantaloupe soup is a delicious chilled soup that is perfect for refreshing yourself in the hot summer. Cantaloupe soup is a great way to use up the ripe ones, regardless of whether you are using fresh or frozen cantaloupe. After I’ve prepared it in a food processor, I like to garnish mine with a little bit of crumbled feta cheese and some chopped fresh mint – it’s a sweet flavor combination you definitely don’t want to miss.

7. Quick Cantaloupe Bread

This Cantaloupe bread is a delicious recipe that is an easy-to-make summertime treat. This quick bread recipe is perfect for using up ripe melon, and the end result is a moist and fragrant loaf with a hint of sweetness. Serve cantaloupe bread sliced and spread with butter, or enjoy it as is. It’s a perfect addition to any breakfast cuisine.

8. Chicken Arugula Melon Salad

This chicken and melon salad is a refreshing, summery dish that’s perfect for a light lunch or picnic. The sweet cantaloupe pairs perfectly with the savory chicken, and the creamy feta adds a nice contrast in texture. I like to add a bit of freshly-chopped mint to mine for an extra bit of flavor. This salad is best served chilled, so be sure to give it plenty of time to cool before you dig in!

Final Word

We hope you’ve enjoyed our collection of cantaloupe recipes. Cantaloupes are such a versatile fruit and can be used in so many different ways, so we hope these easy recipes inspire you to get stuck in. Whether you’re looking for a healthy breakfast option or a refreshing dessert, we’re sure you’ll find something on this list that you’ll love. So go ahead and give one (or all) of these recipes a try and let us know how they turn out!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some healthy cantaloupe dishes?

You can enjoy cantaloupe in various healthy ways, such as in a fruit salad, blended into a smoothie, or simply scooping out balls with a melon baller. Additionally, you can try grilling cantaloupe slices or including them in a Greek salad with feta cheese and cucumber.

How can I enhance the flavor of cantaloupe?

To enhance the flavor of your cantaloupe, try adding a pinch of salt, a drizzle of honey, or a squeeze of lime to the fruit. You can also try pairing cantaloupe with complementary flavors like mint, basil, or prosciutto.

What are some creative cantaloupe salad recipes?

A creative cantaloupe salad could include mixing cantaloupe balls with a combination of other fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi, then tossing them in lemon or lime juice. You can also make a savory cantaloupe salad by combining it with cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, mint, and a light vinaigrette dressing.

Can you recommend any vegan dishes featuring cantaloupe?

Yes, you can create vegan dishes featuring cantaloupe, such as a chilled cantaloupe soup made with almond milk and fresh mint, served as an appetizer. Another option is a cantaloupe-cucumber salad garnished with mixed greens and a lemony tahini dressing.

How can I salvage a not-so-sweet cantaloupe?

If you have a not-so-sweet cantaloupe, don’t worry – you can still salvage it. Try cutting it into cubes and roasting it in the oven, which will help caramelize the natural sugars and bring out the sweetness. Alternatively, blend the cantaloupe into a smoothie with some naturally sweet fruits like strawberries or bananas.

Are there any tasty Indian cantaloupe recipes?

Absolutely! One popular Indian cantaloupe recipe is Kharbooja Lassi, a refreshing and cooling beverage made by blending together cantaloupe, yogurt, sugar, and cardamom. You can also make a cantaloupe raita by combining cubed cantaloupe with yogurt, roasted cumin powder, and a dash of black salt.

Cantaloupe Quick Bread + More Great Recipes

If you have a bumper crop of cantaloupes, you're in luck because you can make this delicious cantaloupe quick bread. Sometimes you can't eat all of the cantaloupes in time before it goes bad. This is also a great way to use cantaloupe that you have frozen. Also, you can use this recipe to use up cantaloupe that wasn't quite as sweet as you like.
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 336 kcal

Ingredients
  

Cantaloupe Quick Bread Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut oil or canola oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract use pure vanilla extract, don't use the imitation stuff
  • 2 cups white granulated sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups ripe cantaloupe pureed
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Glaze Ingredients

  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups sifted powdered sugar confectioner's sugar
  • Milk for making the glaze amounts will vary

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 325° Fahrenheit. Pull out two loaf pans sized 9x5 inches. Lightly grease the pans, then flour them.
  • Using a blender or food processor, puree the cantaloupe. You need enough pureed cantaloupe to make two cups of puree. Puree until all of the chunks are gone, but don't over-puree.
  • Use a large bowl to beat the large eggs, canola oil, pure vanilla extract, white granulated sugar, and pureed cantaloupe.
  • In another large bowl, sift together the salt, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger.
  • Gradually stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture (the cantaloupe mixture). Stir well until the ingredients are fully combined. Don't overwork the cantaloupe bread batter, or it will make the bread tough instead of moist. Just stir until you can no longer see traces of flour.
  • Pour the cantaloupe bread batter into the greased and floured loaf pans.
  • Place the pans in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes. The cantaloupe bread is done when you insert a toothpick into the loaf's center, and the toothpick is clean when you remove it.
  • Use the time that the bread is in the oven to make the glaze for your cantaloupe bread. In a stand mixer or medium-sized bowl using a hand mixer, add the pure vanilla extract to the sifted powdered sugar. One tablespoon at a time, gradually stir in the milk. Your glaze is ready when it becomes thick. Test it by lifting the whisk. The glaze should fall evenly in a stream and form a ribbon before it disappears.
  • Remove the cantaloupe bread loaves from the oven, and place the loaves in the pans on a cooling rack. Allow the loaves to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Remove the loaves from the pans.
  • Place wax paper underneath the cooling racks because your glaze is going to drip on them.
  • Pour the creamy glaze over the loaves while they're still warm. Use the glaze to completely cover the tops of the loaves. The glaze will drip onto the wax paper as it goes down the sides of the loaves.
  • Allow the loaves to cool for an hour before you serve them. Or eat it warm!

Notes

If you have a cantaloupe that isn't as sweet as you like, this recipe is perfect. You get all of the health benefits and flavor of the cantaloupe, while the sugar adds more sweetness.
To bring out the cantaloupe's natural sweetness, you can cut it up into bite-sized pieces. Freeze the pieces on a plate or baking sheet that's been lined with wax paper. Then, place this sheet in the freezer to allow the cantaloupe pieces to freeze. Take the frozen cantaloupe and blend it before continuing with the rest of the recipe.
Don't over-mix the cantaloupe bread batter, or you can end up with bread that's tough instead of moist.
You can add nuts such as pecans or walnuts to this cantaloupe bread. Also, you can use almond extract instead of pure vanilla extract.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcalCarbohydrates: 54gFat: 12g
Keyword Canteloupe Quick Bread, Canteloupe Recipes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Follow Us
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
Cassie Marshall
Follow Us
Latest posts by Cassie Marshall (see all)