This Watermelon Flight is the ultimate way to serve a healthy, creative appetizer or snack platter! We’ve paired sweet, refreshing watermelon with six unique flavor combinations—ranging from spicy-savory to cool-and-sweet. It’s perfect for parties, after school snack, barbecues, or even a light dinner. It’s fun, customizable, and a guaranteed showstopper!

This post is sponsored by the Watermelon Board.

We love that watermelon is available year-round. So no matter when you crave it, you can easily find watermelon at your grocery store. Some of our other favorite watermelon recipes that are great any time of the year are:

• Watermelon Jello Fruit Salad – vibrant, refreshing, and incredibly fun dessert that will be the talk of any party.
• Snackle Box: Watermelon-style – perfect for the family on-the-go!
• Watermelon Cucumber Salad – simple, fun and always delicious.
• Watermelon Margarita Slices – adults will thank you!

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Watermelon Flight

Use these expert tips to ensure your flight is perfectly crisp, cold, and visually stunning:

1. The Prep: Keep It Crisp

• Deep Chill is Key: Ensure the watermelon is completely chilled (40°F or colder) before you start cutting. This is essential for a satisfying, refreshing crunch.
• Cutting for Presentation: Don’t limit yourself to cubes! Use small cookie cutters (stars, circles, hearts) for a visually exciting presentation, especially for holiday or themed parties.
• Prevent Weeping: For any combination that uses salt, lime juice, or vinegar (like Tajín, Caprese, or Spicy Chili-Lime), do not assemble until the very last minute. These ingredients draw water out of the watermelon, causing the cubes to weep and become soggy if left sitting for more than 30 minutes.

2. Assembly & Serving

• Garnish Height: Use tall garnishes like fresh mint or basil sprigs, or place ingredients on toothpicks to add height and dimension, making the flight look more impressive.
• Use the Right Base: For creamy combinations (Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Ricotta), use a tiny spoon or syringe to place the cream base down first on the serving dish, then top with the watermelon. This prevents the watermelon from sliding.
• Temperature Control: Serve the flight platter on a tray lined with ice to maintain the temperature, especially if serving outdoors or at a barbecue.

3. Storage

• Never Store Assembled: Always store the watermelon and all toppings/mix-ins separately.
• Watermelon Storage: Store cut watermelon cubes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of dish should I use for a “flight”?

You can use small shot glasses, mini dessert bowls, ramekins, or section off a large platter with the components grouped together. The key is arranging them side-by-side like a tasting menu.

Can I prepare the Watermelon Flight ahead of time?

It is best to assemble the flight no more than 30 minutes before serving. Ingredients like salt and balsamic glaze can cause the watermelon to weep and become watery if left too long. Prep all dry ingredients (chopping, crumbling) ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until the last minute.

Are there any simple substitutions?

Yes! You can substitute the yogurt with mascarpone cheese in the Parfait, or substitute the feta cheese with Cotija cheese in the Mediterranean Cooler for a different flavor profile.

Ingredients

To create the base for the flight, you will need approximately 8 cups of watermelon, cut into uniform cubes or sticks.

1. Spicy Chili-Lime

• Watermelon cubes
• Fresh Lime Juice
• Tajín seasoning
• Flaky Sea Salt

2. Breakfast Parfait

• Watermelon cubes
• Plain Greek or Regular Yogurt
• Granola
• Chocolate Chips or Chunks

3. Mediterranean Cooler

• Watermelon cubes
• Cucumber (rounds or diced)
• Feta Cheese Crumbles
• Fresh Mint (chopped)

4. Hot Honey Delight

• Watermelon cubes
• Cottage Cheese
• Honey
• Red Pepper Flakes

5. Mexican Avocado Kick

• Watermelon cubes
• Avocado (slices or diced)
• Jalapeño (thinly sliced, seeded for less heat)
• Fresh Cilantro (chopped)

6. Caprese

• Watermelon cubes
• Fresh Mozzarella
• Fresh Basil Leaves (small or chiffonade)
• Balsamic Glaze

Instructions for Building Your Watermelon Flight

Step 1: Prep the Watermelon Base

Cut the watermelon into uniform cubes, sticks, or use a cookie cutter for fun shapes. Place a small pile of the watermelon base into six separate serving dishes, glasses, or sections on a large platter to create the visual “flight.”

Step 2: Assemble the Flight Combinations

1. Chili-Lime: Drizzle lime juice over the watermelon. Sprinkle generously with Tajín and a pinch of flaky sea salt.
2. Breakfast Parfait: Drizzle a spoonful of yogurt over the watermelon. Sprinkle with granola and finish with chocolate chips or chunks.
3. Mediterranean Cooler: Top the watermelon with cucumber and feta crumbles. Garnish with fresh mint.
4. Hot Honey Delight: Spoon cottage cheese over the watermelon. Drizzle generously with honey and finish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
5. Mexican Avocado Kick: Gently layer avocado, a few slivers of jalapeño, and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro over the watermelon.
6. Caprese: Place a mozzarella and a basil leaf on the watermelon. Finish with a light drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Step 3: Serve Immediately

Arrange the six assembled flavor combinations together to showcase the tasting flight. Serve immediately while chilled for the best flavor and texture.

Additional Watermelon Flight Combinations

Try these extra flavor combinations to expand your flight and impress your guests:

1. Ricotta & Honey-Pistachio Crunch:
   • Watermelon Cubes
   • Whipped Ricotta Cheese (or Mascarpone)
   • Chopped Pistachios
   • Drizzle of Honey or Agave
2. Prosciutto & Fig:
   • Watermelon Cubes
   • Thinly Sliced Prosciutto (draped or wrapped)
   • Fig Jam or Balsamic Reduction (a darker, thicker glaze)
   • Fresh Rosemary Sprig
3. Spicy Ginger-Lime Zest:
   • Watermelon Cubes
   • Freshly Grated Ginger
   • Lime Zest
   • Pinch of Cayenne Pepper (optional)
4. Blueberry & Lemon:
   • Watermelon Cubes
   • Fresh Blueberries
   • Fresh Lemon Zest
   • Sprinkle of Powdered Sugar (optional)

Wrapping up your DIY watermelon flight is all about celebrating the versatility of watermelon. Whether you’re leaning into the heat with Tajín and lime or keeping it sophisticated with feta and balsamic, the beauty lies in the experimentation.

So, grab a melon, start slicing, and don’t be afraid to get a little messy with your pairings. After all, the best part of a flight is discovering a flavor combination you never saw coming!

Why We Love The Watermelon Board

The National Watermelon Board is all about sustainability and helping you find ways to make your dollar go further. They love showing you how to use the entire watermelon (including the rind) for zero waste, saving you money in the process. Plus, they love to share all the basics on how to select, store, and serve watermelon. Check out their 8 Surprising Watermelon Flavor Pairings for even more ideas!

To learn more about the National Watermelon Board, check out The Produce Moms Podcast. 

Watermelon Recipes We Love

• Watermelon Yogurt Popsicles
• Spicy Tomato & Watermelon Salad
• Watermelon S’mores
• Grilled Watermelon & Sausage Kabobs
• Chocolate Covered Watermelon Bites
• Vegan Tuna Sashimi