For a healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert you will be craving these Papaya Yogurt Boats all summer. The simple recipe of fresh sweet fruit, creamy protein-packed yogurt, and crunchy granola is all the things! Warning, they are addicting.
Why this Papaya Boat Recipe is Amazing: If you can't get to the islands, this is the next best thing. The easy 3-ingredient recipe is ready in 5 minutes for a quick healthy weekday breakfast.
I have always loved papaya and must buy some fresh every time I visit Hawaii. This last trip I fell in love with the papaya boats served at The Volcano Inn. They were topped with yogurt and fresh coconut.
Breakfast is a great way to start off with something tropical whether a Mango Pineapple Smoothie or a cup of Kona Coffee. Ok, now let's prep!
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Ingredients
This starts with ripe fresh papaya. Whether you have a large one (like I have from Trader Joe's) or two small ones, any size will do.
Next pick your favorite Greek yogurt and granola. I am using some individual Chobani containers from Costco. Plus to pump up the tropical flavors, I am using my new favorite - Passionfruit Granola (also from Trader Joe's).
Here are important notes for some ingredients:
- Papaya - whole fresh fruit, no frozen or one already cut in chunks or pieces. You need a whole fruit to create the "boat-like vessel" shape to top and fill.
- Greek Yogurt - this type has less sugar, more protein, and is thicker.
- Granola - any combination of granola with or without nuts, seeds, dried fruits etc. This addition adds crunch & some whole grain for a balanced meal.
- Optional: other topping ideas include nuts, seeds, honey, & coconut.
This recipe is vegetarian, low-fat, low-calorie, and high in protein.
See the recipe card for full list, quantities, & any substitutions/variations.
How to Make Papaya Yogurt Boats
This is not rocket science. All you need to do is slice up the papaya and add all the yummy toppings.
Here are the easy steps for making papaya boats with yogurt:
- Prep the Papaya
- Add the Toppings
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
1 - Prep the Papaya
Begin by washing and drying the whole papaya. Next slice it horizontally in half and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
If the papaya is large, cut each half into 2 wedges. If you are using 2 smaller papaya, leave each in half.
2 - Top the Papaya
Top each papaya piece with ½ cup of Greek Yogurt and ¼ cup of granola.
This is what it will look like. At this point it is ready or go crazy and add more toppings.
This recipe is 100% customizable. See below in the TIPS section for a bunch of other yummy variations to personalize each papaya boat.
Serving & Storing
Once topped they are ready to eat. You can make each one and plate them individually or place them all on a serving platter for a brunch buffet.
Enjoy these immediately or within an hour (the granola will soften & get soggy). They do not store well overnight or freeze.
What to Serve with Fresh Papaya Boats : I like to serve them with fried SPAM, a Hawaiian favorite. Or simply enjoy with an Iced Vanilla Matcha Latte or Mint Mojito Iced Coffee.
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here's my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, fun stories, recipe history, and more.
- #1 Tip - use fresh ripe papaya for fresh taste. It should be soft enough to spoon it out easily when eating.
- Having a hard time finding papaya, search Asian markets or local farmer's markets between May - September.
- Dairy-free yogurt also works great.
- Other great topping choices include nuts, seeds, dry cereal, dried or chopped fruits, honey or agave, sprinkle of cinnamon,
- Papaya is high in Vitamin C! (plus Vit A & potassium)
- Make this a DIY papaya boat bar, set out the cut fruit with all kinds of topping choices so everyone can make their own.
- Every time I eat this it transports me to the Big Island where I bought this pointing and & had my first bite of this deliciousness.
FAQ
This recipe uses fresh scooped papaya to hold the ingredients into "boats". Chunks of frozen papaya thawed would not have the same pretty aesthetic vibe.
Small papayas need to simply be cut in half and the seeds scooped out. Fill the entire cavity with the topping ingredients instead of a wedge as I have done with my very large papaya.
They are too different fruits. Papaya will have orange flesh and is a tropical fruit from Hawaii, Australia, & Mexico mostly. Paw paw has a light yellow flesh and grown in North America. Some people use the terms to mean the same thing but they are different but can be substituted for one another - Note: papayas are sweeter!
Papaya Yogurt Boats
Ingredients
- 1 large papaya cut into 4 wedges
- 2 cups Greek Yogurt plain, with fruit, etc
- 1 cup granola
Instructions
- Begin by washing, drying, and cutting the papaya in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard them.Cut the papaya halves in half so you have 4 wedges.1 large papaya
- Top each wedge with ½ cup yogurt and spinkle with ¼ cup granola.2 cups Greek Yogurt, 1 cup granola
- Serve and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
More Breakfast Recipes with Fruit
Here are some similar ways to start your day where fresh fruit is the star:
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