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These Chili Lime Watermelon Pops are seriously my favorite afternoon snack. You’ve got so many flavor profiles going on – sweet, salty, spicy, sour, and juicy watermelon. Plus it only takes about 5 minutes to put a whole pretty tray of these watermelon pops together!

How is it nearly September already? Does anyone else feel like Summer has just flown by? We’ve traveled so much lately that weeks just seem to be skipping by in a flash. Before Summer officially ended, I really wanted to share this recipe for Chili Lime Watermelon Pops because it’s so very quintessential summer to me.

Growing up in Central Texas, a lot of my friends had family from Mexico. Many of them were first or second generation Texans, which meant their parents and/or grandparents raised them on traditional Mexican foods. There were many days at school when my table mates would open their lunch boxes and pull out these amazing homemade tamales, enchiladas, sweet breads, and chili lime covered fruit. If I was lucky, sometimes they’d trade with me or share some watermelon. Those were the best lunch days! (Well, that and pizza day in the hot lunch line.) Occasionally, a friend would bring in cups of chili lime watermelon, pineapple, and mango for their birthday celebration. Even the ice cream trucks around our neighborhood sold the little jars of chili lime salt and some sold popsicles and lollipops dipped in the stuff.

It wasn’t until I moved to Colorado for university that I realized that serving fruit like that was a Mexican and Tex-Mex thing and not an everywhere thing. It really should be an everywhere thing because it is seriously SO GOOD! The slight spice of the chili flakes with the salt and dehydrated lime really bring out the sweetness of the watermelon (or pineapple, mango, or even apples.) Mmm! I can’t get enough. Even though I know it sounds strange to some of you, you just have to try it to believe it. And then you’ll be hooked for life!

Traditionally, the fruit is cubed and served in a cup, but I couldn’t resist making some cute little “pops” out of them to make them party-ready. This is such a fun after school treat, lunchbox treat, sports snack, or a quick potluck. It’s also gluten-free, and low sugar, so it’s a good one to keep in your back pocket for friends who may have allergies. I like them chilled in the fridge, but you can also freeze them for a hot day.

One quick note about the chili lime seasoning for these watermelon pops

Tajin Fruit and Snack Seasoning, which is imported from Mexico, can normally be found where Mexican import groceries are sold. Here in Colorado, I’ve seen it at several Wal-Marts, a few of the downtown King Soopers, and often at Asian grocery stores since they import a lot of foods. You can also find it on Amazon (affiliate link) or Trader Joes has a Chili Lime Seasoning Blend that’s fairly similar in flavor. (You won’t know the difference if you’re not nostalgic for the classic Tajin flavor.) You can also try making your own chili lime salt with this recipe.

Chili Lime Watermelon Pops

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Author: Stephanie Powers
Prep Time: 10
Total Time: 10
Yield: 10 1x

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Ingredients

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1 “personal size” watermelon, chilled overnight in the fridge
3 Tablespoons Tajin chili lime salt (see notes in the post for where to purchase and alternatives)
10 popsicle sticks

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Instructions

Slice the watermelon into triangles about 1.5″ thick.
Use a small,sharp knife to carefully pierce a slit the width of the popsicle stick in the middle of the rind on each watermelon slice.
Push a popsicle stick into the bottom of each watermelon slice.
Pour the chili lime salt into a small plate and press one side of each watermelon slice quickly into the salt to give it a light coating. (Feel free to vary this amount to your personal taste. Some people like just a light sprinkle.)
Arrange on a tray and serve immediately. Chill any remaining slices in the fridge.