28 Tropical Fruit Recipes that are (Almost) as Good as the Beach

So you can't hop a flight to the Caribbean. At least you can pretend with these recipes for mangoes, pineapples, papayas, and more.

By Rochelle Bilow

January 3, 2016

Image may contain Plant Dish Food Meal Produce and Seasoning

Pineapples! Papayas! Mangoes! Lychee! These juicy, sweet-as-candy fruits make us wish we were soaking up rays on the beach. BRB, booking a plane ticket…

Peden + Munk
1/28
Rice Pudding with Ginger, Amaranth, and Mango
Ginger adds unexpected heat and zing to this coconut rice pudding; the crunchy topping lends a welcome texture contrast.
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Marcus Nilsson
2/28
Green Mango Salad
Done well, this should be crunchy, fresh, spicy, sour, and a little bit funky. Taste as you go and adjust as needed.
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3/28
PG-13 Singapore Sling
We promise you won't miss the booze in this fruit cocktail.
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Kimberley Hasselbrink
4/28
Greek Yogurt with Spiced Pepita and Cashew Crunch and Mango
The pepita and cashew crunch can be made in advance for easy breakfasts.
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5/28
Pineapple-Mint Mojito
Pineapple adds sweetness and a tropical twist to this classic cocktail. Make sure to choose a ripe one: It should be very fragrant, with no soft spots or bruises. Or use fresh precut pineapple.
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Peden + Munk
6/28
Tropical Carrot, Ginger, and Turmeric Smoothie
A pinch of salt makes everything taste better, including savory smoothies.
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7/28
Citrus Salad on Mango Coulis with Cacao Nibs and Toasted Almonds
Toasted almonds add crunch.
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8/28
Surfer's Granola
This energy booster can be served as a snack, or for breakfast with yogurt and any kind of seasonal fresh fruit, but we really love papaya.
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Peden + Munk
9/28
Avocado, Kale, Pineapple, and Coconut Smoothie
Sub spinach for kale if you like.
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Jason Lowe
10/28
Chicken and Green Papaya Salad
The difference between this papaya salad and a Thai-style one comes down to spice and sugar, says chef and author David Tanis. The Vietnamese one is sweeter and less hot. Have all the ingredients assembled, but dress the salad just before serving.
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Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
11/28
Poached Eggs with Mushroom, Tamarillo, and Sage
If you can get tamarillos, great. If not, tomatoes are your best swap.
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Danny Kim
12/28
Pineapple with Toasted Coconut and Pink Peppercorns
Toasting the coconut brings out its nutty flavor.
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13/28
Banana Cream Pie
This is a classic for a reason (the reason is it's delicious).
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Danny Kim
14/28
Papaya with Orange and Lime
To pick a ripe papaya, look for skin that has more yellow-orange-red tones than green. It should yield slightly when gently squeezed.
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Senior Associate Web Editor. When she’s not torturing herself by grinding coffee beans by hand and making her own butter, Rochelle writes about cooking techniques and seasonal eating for bonappetit.com. She comes to BA by way of a small farm in Central New York, where she worked as a farmhand ... Read More