These watermelon sparklers are the perfect festive treat for the 4th of July, combining the fresh, juicy sweetness of watermelon with the tangy burst of blueberries. This fun and simple recipe involves cutting watermelon into star shapes and threading them onto bamboo skewers with blueberries, creating a delightful, patriotic snack.
Not only are these fruit sparklers visually appealing with their vibrant red, white, and blue colors, but they are also a delicious and refreshing option for summer celebrations. We also made a healthy yogurt dipping sauce for the fruit, adding a creamy, zesty twist that perfectly complements the fresh fruit. Ideal for both kids and adults, these fruit sparklers are sure to be a hit at your Independence Day gathering.
Why You Will Love These Fruit Sparklers
- They are a fun, festive, and patriotic treat!
- These watermelon fruit sparklers are perfect for holidays such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day!
- They are also great for summer picnics, barbecues, potlucks, parties, and get-togethers.
- We made a delicious creamy honey lime yogurt dip to serve with the watermelon sparklers.
- These fruit sparklers are easy to make with simple and fresh ingredients.
- This recipe is gluten-free and the yogurt dip can easily be made vegan and dairy-free.
What Are Watermelon Sparklers?
Watermelon sparklers are a fun, festive treat typically enjoyed during summer celebrations, like the 4th of July. They are made by cutting watermelon into stars and adding them to bamboo skewers along with fresh blueberries. They are called watermelon sparklers because they resemble sparklers. These fruit sparklers are a refreshing, healthy snack that adds a burst of excitement to any gathering. Plus, we’ve made a delicious and tangy lime yogurt dip to go with them!
Ingredients Needed
- Watermelon: Cut a seedless watermelon into rounds. Then, use a star-shaped cookie cutter to form the watermelon stars.
- Blueberries: You will also need one pint of fresh blueberries.
- Greek Yogurt: Fat-free Greek yogurt is the base of the yogurt dip.
- Honey: Sweeten the yogurt dip with honey.
- Lime: Add fresh lime juice to the yogurt dip. Also, add some lime zest.
How To Make Watermelon Sparklers
Step 1: Wash and dry the watermelon. After that, slice it into 1-inch thick rounds.
Step 2: Press the star cookie cutter into the watermelon rounds. This will form the watermelon stars.
Step 3: Wash and dry the fresh blueberries. Then, press 4-5 blueberries through each skewer.
After that, top each skewer with a watermelon star.
Step 4: Make the lime yogurt dip. Thoroughly mix the 0-fat Greek yogurt, honey, lime juice, and lime zest in a bowl.
Then, dip the watermelon sparklers in the yogurt dip, serve, and enjoy!
How To Serve
These watermelon sparklers are an incredibly festive treat! Arrange them on a serving platter for a beautiful presentation. Also, add the dip to a bowl. For holidays such as the 4th of July, you can decorate the serving table or platter with patriotic red, white, and blue-themed items.
Expert Tips
- Evenly Slice: Ensure you evenly slice the watermelon into rounds of the same thickness, about 1 inch.
- Same Amount Of Blueberries: Add the same amount of blueberries to each skewer so the sparklers are uniform in presentation. Four or five blueberries are the perfect amount for each skewer.
- Thoroughly Mix The Dip: Mix the yogurt dip so it is creamy and well combined.
- Refrigerate Until Ready To Serve: Chill the watermelon sparklers and yogurt dip in the refrigerator until ready to serve so they stay fresh.
- Ripe Watermelon: Use a ripe watermelon so the watermelon stars have a sweet flavor. Also, use a seedless watermelon so there aren’t any watermelon seeds in the stars.
- Sturdy Skewers: Use sturdy skewers, such as bamboo skewers, that will support the weight of the fruit.
- Leave Room: Ensure you leave room at the end of the skewers so you can hold them. This is why it’s best to add just 4-5 blueberries to each skewer.
Storage Instructions
Enjoy these watermelon sparklers after assembling them. Or, place them on a large plate or tray and cover them with plastic wrap. Then, store them in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Also, store the yogurt dip in an airtight container in the fridge. Serve these watermelon sparklers with the yogurt dip the day you make them. Don’t freeze the yogurt dip or watermelon sparklers. If you have any leftover watermelon, you can use it to make our watermelon feta salad or watermelon granita.
Variations
- Add Tajín: Sprinkle some Tajín over the assembled fruit sparklers for a kick of heat and added flavor.
- Make The Dip Vegan: You can make the dip dairy-free and vegan by using your favorite plant-based yogurt and substituting the honey for a vegan sweetener such as maple syrup or agave.
- Different Shapes: Instead of watermelon stars, you can make different shapes using a different-shaped cookie cutter. For example, for a heart shape instead, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter.
- Yogurt Dip Substitution: Instead of making the yogurt dip, serve the watermelon skewers with your favorite whipped topping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Choose The Best Watermelon?
For these watermelon sparklers, choose a ripe seedless watermelon. For a sweet and ripe watermelon, look for those that are heavy for their size and have a yellow spot on the underside, indicating it ripened on the vine. Also, tap it and listen for a deep, hollow sound.
What If I Don’t Have A Star Cookie Cutter?
If you don’t have a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut the watermelon into the shape of stars with a knife or other shapes, such as cubes. Or, use a different-shaped cookie cutter. The skewers will still be festive with the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue.
Can I Make These Watermelon Sparklers In Advance?
Prepare the watermelon sparklers on the same day you plan to serve them. You can prepare them a few hours in advance if needed. Just store them in the refrigerator so they stay fresh.
More Recipes To Try Next!
- Watermelon Pizza With Balsamic and Feta
- Chocolate Pie With Graham Cracker Crust
- Homemade Blueberry Jam
- Cottage Cheese With Fruit
- Healthy Blueberry Crisp Recipe
- Graham Cracker Icebox Cake
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
Nutrition Facts
12 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories83
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
0.4g
0%
- Saturated Fat 0.1g 0%
- Cholesterol 0mg 0%
- Sodium 6mg 1%
- Potassium 236mg 7%
- Total Carbohydrate
19.9g
7%
- Dietary Fiber 1.6g 4%
- Sugars 15.8g
- Protein 2.3g 4%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.