Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a sweet and mildly flavored fruit that is growing in popularity. With its unique look and taste, many people wonder what foods pair well with dragon fruit. Here are some of the top food pairings and recipes to try with this exotic fruit.
What is dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit comes from several types of cactus species. The most common varieties are the red-skinned dragon fruit with white flesh, and the yellow-skinned dragon fruit with white flesh. The taste is often described as a mild sweetness, similar to a blend between a kiwi and a pear. The texture is soft and creamy, dotted with tiny edible black seeds. In addition to being tasty, dragon fruit contains nutrients like vitamin C, calcium, carotene, and fiber.
Fruits that pair well with dragon fruit
Because of its mild sweetness, dragon fruit pairs nicely with many other fruits. The color and texture contrasts often make for attractive plates and smoothies. Here are some top fruits that complement dragon fruit:
- Mango – The tropical flavors pair well together, often used in smoothie bowls and other blended drinks.
- Pineapple – The sweetness balances out the mild dragon fruit. They are delicious blended or eaten as a fruit salad.
- Kiwi – The tangy kiwi balances the dragon fruit’s creaminess. It’s a great combo for fruit salads.
- Banana – Banana adds creaminess and texture contrast. The two fruits blend wonderfully in smoothies.
- Berries – Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries all add great color contrast and flavor balance with dragon fruit.
- Guava – With its unique tangy flavor, guava complements the mild sweet dragon fruit in things like fruit skewers.
Savory ingredients that enhance dragon fruit
While most people pair dragon fruit with sweet flavors, it can also work well with certain savory pairings. The mild sweetness helps balance out more complex savory flavors. Here are some savory ingredients that enhance dragon fruit:
- Prosciutto – Salty cured ham pairs surprisingly well with fresh dragon fruit, often wrapped around dragon fruit slices.
- Cheeses – Soft cheeses like ricotta, feta and goat cheese complement dragon fruit’s texture and mild flavor.
- Mint – The fresh herb accentuates the tropical essence of dragon fruit. Use mint in salads with dragon fruit or add to drinks.
- Basil – Sweet basil also enhances the tropical flavor. It can be used in both sweet and savory recipes.
- Chile powder or flakes – A little bit of heat from spices like cayenne pepper accentuate dragon fruit’s sweetness.
- Balsamic vinegar – Drizzled over dragon fruit, the tangy sweet vinegar is a tasty match.
Protein foods that work with dragon fruit
Many sources of protein can pair nicely with the mild sweetness of dragon fruit. Here are some of the most common:
- Greek yogurt – Mix diced dragon fruit into plain Greek yogurt for a creamy, protein-packed Dip.
- Ricotta cheese – Combined with dragon fruit, ricotta makes a great breakfast dish or dessert dip.
- Cottage cheese – Blend cottage cheese with pureed dragon fruit to create a tasty snack or breakfast.
- Nuts and seeds – Chopped nuts add crunch and flavor when topped on dragon fruit or blended into drinks. Seeds like chia and hemp are also excellent complements.
- Lean proteins – Chicken, fish, shrimp and tofu can all pair well with sides featuring fresh dragon fruit.
Grains and starches that match dragon fruit
Dragon fruit pairs nicely with a variety of grains, starches and breads. The fruit’s moisture and sweet creaminess provides balance to foods like:
- Oatmeal – Diced dragon fruit over oatmeal is a simple breakfast option. You can also blend dragon fruit into overnight oats.
- Pancakes and waffles – Adding fresh or pureed dragon fruit to batter creates flavorful breakfast items.
- Granola – Sweet dragon fruit mixes wonderfully into many homemade granola recipes.
- Couscous – Savory couscous salads are complemented by the addition of chopped dragon fruit.
- Quinoa – Dragon fruit adds great color, nutrition and flavor when mixed into a quinoa dish.
- Brown rice – The mild sweetness balances out nutty whole grains like brown rice.
Desserts that work with dragon fruit
The naturally sweet dragon fruit is an obvious choice for many desserts. Its creamy texture and beautiful color look great in frozen treats, custards, mousses and more. Here are some tasty ways to use it:
- Smoothies – Dragon fruit has become a popular smoothie addition, creating creaminess without overpowering other flavors.
- Sorbet and ice cream – Dragon fruit puree makes a fantastic sorbet. You can also swirl dragon fruit into ice cream.
- Yogurt – Mixed with yogurt and other fruits, dragon fruit creates a colorful parfait.
- Pudding and custard – Dragon fruit blended into the mix adds flavor, nutrition and color to any custard.
- Tarts – The sliced fruit makes an attractive and tasty topping for tarts and galettes.
- Jellies and marmalade – Cooked into jelly, dragon fruit’s mild sweetness shines through.
- Meringue – Pieces of fresh dragon fruit pair wonderfully with light meringue cookies.
Beverages that match dragon fruit
The mild sweetness and beautiful color also make dragon fruit a star ingredient in many beverages. It can be blended, muddled or used as a garnish in:
- Cocktails – Dragon fruit works well in cocktails, especially vodka and rum drinks.
- Lemonade and limeade – Dragon fruit puree or pieces create unique flavored lemonades and limeades.
- Iced tea – Sliced dragon fruit is a picturesque addition to pitchers of iced tea.
- Sangria – Muddled dragon fruit gives this wine punch a tropical flair.
- Sparkling water – Fresh slices or dragon fruit puree can flavor and color sparkling water.
- Juice – Mix dragon fruit with citrus juices or combine it with other tropical fruit juices.
Savory dragon fruit recipes
While most people associate it with fruit salads and smoothies, dragon fruit can also work well in savory dishes. Here are some savory recipe ideas that highlight its unique flavor:
- Dragon fruit gazpacho – Chilled tomato soup gets creaminess and color from blended dragon fruit.
- Dragon fruit salsa – Diced mango, dragon fruit, red onion, cilantro and jalapeno create a unique salsa.
- Dragon fruit guacamole – Sliced red dragon fruit adds color contrast to traditional guacamole.
- Dragon fruit ceviche – Marinated shrimp or fish get a pop of color and mild sweetness atop dragon fruit slices.
- Dragon fruit salad – Toss it in a savory salad with arugula, feta and a balsamic dressing.
- Dragon fruit sandwiches – Layer it between prosciutto and mozzarella for a creative, sweet-savory sandwich.
Sweet dragon fruit recipes
Playing to its inherent sweet flavor, there are also many fantastic desserts that highlight dragon fruit. Some sweet recipes to try:
- Dragon fruit smoothie – Blend it with yogurt and other fruits for a nutrition-packed breakfast drink.
- Dragon fruit chia pudding – Layer chia pudding and diced dragon fruit to create a colorful parfait.
- Dragon fruit pancake topping – Top your favorite pancake recipe with fresh dragon fruit slices.
- Dragon fruit fruit dip – Puree it with Greek yogurt and lime juice for a cream dip for fruit slices.
- Dragon fruit nice cream – Blend frozen bananas and dragon fruit for a dairy-free “nice cream”.
- Dragon fruit sorbet – Simmer dragon fruit with sugar and lemon juice then freeze into a sweet, vibrantly-hued sorbet.
How to choose and store dragon fruit
Picking ripe, high-quality dragon fruit is important to get the best flavor. Here are some tips for choosing and storing dragon fruit:
- Look for evenly colored, unbruised fruit without brown splotches.
- Choose dragon fruit that feels heavy for its size.
- Ripe fruit will have “scales” that separate easily. Underripe fruit has tightly closed scales.
- Red dragon fruit should have vibrant magenta flesh. White dragon fruit will be white inside.
- You can refrigerate ripe dragon fruit in a plastic bag for up to 5 days.
- Unripe dragon fruit can sit at room temp for a few days until ready to eat.
- Cut halves or slices will keep for a day or two refrigerated.
- You can also freeze pureed dragon fruit for several months.
Nutrition facts for dragon fruit
In addition to its amazing taste and color, dragon fruit is nutritious. Here are some of its top nutrients and health benefits:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 34% daily value |
| Iron | 10% DV |
| Magnesium | 15% DV |
| Antioxidants | Betalains and hydroxycinnamates |
| Fiber | 7 grams per cup |
- High in antioxidants that can protect your cells from damage.
- Nutrients like iron, magnesium and B vitamins support energy levels.
- Fiber helps digestion and may aid in blood sugar control.
- Vitamin C boosts immunity and helps your body absorb iron.
Where to buy dragon fruit
Though dragon fruit is native to Central and South America, it is now grown all over the world in tropical and subtropical regions. Many specialty grocers will carry it when in season, typically June through October in North America. Here are some places to look for this exotic fruit:
- Asian food markets
- Hispanic/Latin food markets
- Natural foods stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts
- Specialty produce shops and fruit stands
- Some large supermarkets like Kroger or Safeway
When dragon fruit is out of season locally, you may still find imported fruit in the frozen section. Canned dragon fruit puree is also available year-round in the Asian foods aisle of many grocery stores.
Dragon fruit powder
Dragon fruit can also be dried and processed into powder. The powder makes an easy way to get dragon fruit’s nutrition and flavor benefits. Simply mix it into:
- Smoothies
- Yogurt
- Oatmeal or chia pudding
- Protein shakes
- Baked goods like protein bars or muffins
- Homemade granola and energy bites
Look for dragon fruit powder online or at nutrition supplement stores. Make sure to buy 100% pure dragon fruit powder with no added sugars or fillers.
Dragon fruit extract
Dragon fruit extract is another way to get all the benefits of this superfruit in an easy concentrated form. The extract contains highly concentrated antioxidants from the flesh and skin of the fruit. Dragon fruit extract can simply be added to:
- Water or juice
- Tea or coffee
- Smoothies
- Baked goods
- Protein shakes and bars
You’ll find dragon fruit extract at health food stores or online. As with the powder, opt for 100% pure extract without any unnecessary additives.
Dragon fruit plant
Want to grow your own dragon fruit? With the right climate, you can grow this exotic cactus at home. Here’s a quick guide to growing dragon fruit plants:
- Needs warm subtropical or tropical climate.
- Plant cuttings or grafted plants instead of seeds.
- Needs fertilizer and well-draining soil.
- Grow on a trellis or post, needs support to climb.
- Needs full sun.
- Water when top several inches of soil are dry.
- Blooms at night, pollinated by bats and moths.
- Fruit ready to harvest when scales separate easily.
With the right climate and care, homegrown dragon fruit is possible. You can often find plants and cuttings at nurseries in tropical regions.
Conclusion
With its vibrant colors, unique texture and mild sweet taste, dragon fruit pairs well with a variety of ingredients. It brings its nutritional benefits and taste to both sweet and savory dishes. Dragon fruit complements fruits, proteins, grains, vegetables and more. It makes a healthy, creative addition to smoothies, salads, yogurt, oatmeal and many cocktails and desserts. Look for this exotic superfruit at specialty markets when in season and experiment with new ways to enjoy it.
