Watermelon Goat Cheese Appetizer: Easy Summer Party Recipe
This refreshing summer appetizer pairs juicy, chilled watermelon cubes with creamy whipped goat cheese, fresh mint, and a drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing bite that’s both beautiful and easy to make for any party or gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 36 appetizer bites (serves 6-8) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 medium seedless watermelon, chilled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 36 cubes)
- 5 oz (140g) goat cheese, softened
- Fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced
- Honey or balsamic glaze, for drizzling (optional)
- Roasted pistachios or slivered almonds, roughly chopped (optional)
- Flaky sea salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Chill the watermelon in the fridge for at least 2 hours (or 30 minutes in the freezer if short on time).
- Slice the watermelon into 1-inch thick rounds, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Aim for about 36 cubes.
- In a mixing bowl, whip the goat cheese for 1-2 minutes until creamy. Add 1-2 teaspoons of milk or cream if needed for extra smoothness.
- Place about 1 teaspoon of whipped goat cheese on each watermelon cube. Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped for a neater presentation if desired.
- Sprinkle each bite with freshly sliced mint leaves (about 2 leaves per cube, or to taste).
- Drizzle honey or balsamic glaze over each bite. Top with a pinch of flaky sea salt and cracked black pepper. Add chopped pistachios or almonds for crunch if using.
- Arrange the bites on a flat serving platter. Skewer each cube with a toothpick or small skewer for easy serving. Serve immediately for best texture.
Notes
For best results, keep both watermelon and goat cheese cold until assembly. Pat watermelon cubes dry if too watery. Assemble bites just before serving to prevent sogginess. Swap in vegan cheese and agave for a vegan version, or use feta for a saltier flavor. Nuts can be omitted for allergies or replaced with roasted pumpkin seeds.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 appetizer bite
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 2
Keywords: watermelon appetizer, goat cheese, summer party, easy appetizer, finger food, gluten-free, vegetarian, party bites, fresh mint, honey drizzle