23 Best Papaya Recipes to Make at Home

These papaya recipes will brighten any dull day!

They’re juicy, fruity, fresh, and pack quite a tropical punch. Plus, they’re loaded with vitamins and minerals!

20+ Easy Recipes with Papaya to Try

From papaya smoothies to curry, this unique exotic fruit brings a ton of flavor to any meal.

Native to Mexico and Central America, papaya is a must for Latin cuisine. There is also a wide range of Asian countries that cultivate it, too.

Fajitas, salads, and even stir-fry, these papaya recipes will take you on a global journey. 

But be forewarned, these vibrant creations will cause intense papaya cravings. Trust me, you’ll want papaya in everything. 

1. Papaya Boat

Now, this is what I call tropical paradise!

Each papaya half gets stuffed with chia pudding, Greek yogurt, berries, and pistachios. 

If you prefer a type of nut, seed, or fruit over the other, adjust the filling to your taste.     

Eat one of these boats a day, and your body will thank you for it.

2. Vietnamese-Inspired Green Papaya Salad 

This salad puts a spin on a Vietnamese classic. 

It’s a colorful display of unripe papaya, carrots, Persian cucumbers, fresh herbs, and mint in a limey dressing. 

Super fresh, slightly spicy, and umami, it’s sensational. 

In fact, you don’t need anything else to go with this. Although, if you’re ravished, pair it with authentic Vietnamese food.

Oh, and if you’re wondering, “What are Persian cucumbers?” check out my post for more info.

3. Andhra-Style Raw Papaya Curry

Even as a connoisseur of curry, this is a new one for me. 

Andhra Pradesh is a state in Southeastern India where this curry draws its inspiration.

It’s a type of dry curry that mixes cooked papaya with an aromatic spice blend. It’s also one I think every curry lover should try. 

4. No-Bake Papaya Cheesecake

Cheesecake, papaya, and no-bake? Sign me up!

Everything about this cheesecake is extraordinary. 

The cashew coconut cream filling is full of papaya and enhanced with vanilla bean paste.

On top is a dazzling swirl of creamy papaya.

Even the crust is extra special thanks to almonds, oats, dried cranberries, and dates. 

5. Green Papaya Fajitas

Papaya in fajitas? It’s brilliant!

Green papayas taste different than ripe papaya. They’re less sweet and milder. So they’re perfect for fajitas. 

Cook them with chicken breast, bell peppers, onions, and poblano.

For a vegan version, omit the meat and use tofu instead.

6. Coconut Papaya Smoothie

Do you know what time it is? Smoothie time!

Or should I say, coconut papaya smoothie time. 

This tropical vegan smoothie does the body right. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s delectable too.

Morning, afternoon, or evening, this papaya smoothie is a treat any time of day.

7. Papaya Salsa

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with homemade salsas. 

Out of all the ones I’ve tried, this papaya salsa is my new favorite kind.

Fresh, sweet, and spicy, papaya gives it the most unique flavor. 

Try it on burritos, tacos, fajitas, or with chips. From pork to seafood, it pairs well with a wide range of proteins.

8. Papaya Gravlax 

I’m not one to give up smoked salmon. But this vegan gravlax has piqued my curiosity.

Thin papaya slices marinate in apple cider vinegar, lime, syrup, smoked paprika, and juniper seeds. 

The final result has the most intriguing flavor. 

Raw, paleo, and vegan, it’s an alluring appetizer that’s suitable for many diets. 

9. Filipino Green Papaya Relish (Atchara) 

Looking to start making relish at home? Add atchara to the list. 

This Filipino relish consists of unripe papaya, carrots, ginger, garlic, onions, and raisins. 

It packs a bold punch and has the extra little zing your dishes need.

Just remember, a little goes a long way.

10. Tropical Papaya Ice Cream

Beat the summer heat with this five-ingredient ice cream.

Featuring papaya, pineapple, and mango, it’s full of tropical fruits.

Naturally sweetened and dairy-free, this vegan ice cream is healthy and delicious. 

So go on, help yourself to another scoop.

11. Papaya Mango Yellow Rice

Never eat boring rice again thanks to this flavor-packed yellow rice. 

Turmeric gives it a golden glow. Coupled with the curry leaves, red chili, papaya, mango, coconut, and nuts, it has a ton of flavor.

With so much flavor, it makes for a yummy light meal by itself.

Or pair it with a protein of choice for more substance.

12. Satay Papaya Noodles

When it’s sweltering hot, I crave light and fresh clean eating meals like this satay. 

Chicken, prawns, or tofu, pick your protein. 

Add it to the rice noodles with an assortment of fruits and veggies. Then, drizzle the satay sauce on top. 

Red papaya, cucumber, and bean sprouts are just some fresh offerings on the list. 

13. Mexican Papaya Salad

I’ve been crazy for papaya lately, as if you couldn’t tell. And this salad has now become part of my weekly routine.

It’s full of sweet, vibrant, and fresh flavors. More importantly, it’s rife with papaya. 

Coat it with the cilantro lime dressing and munch until your heart’s content. 

It’s a healthy vegan Mexican recipe that needs no meat. 

14. Papaya Chicken

Surprise the family tonight with papaya chicken for dinner. 

A sweet umami chili sauce and aromatic alliums coat the papaya and chicken.

All the ingredients combined create a flavorful sensation.  

It’s better than takeout and only takes 15 minutes. 

15. Papaya Cake with Crumb Topping

This vegan dessert has that wow factor you want with the ingredients you desire. 

Fluffy, bright, and perfectly sweet, it’s bursting with tropical flavors. 

Most cakes get smothered in some form of icing, which can be a distraction. Not this one, though. 

The flaked coconut and papaya crumb topping is even better than frosting!

16. Raw Papaya Stir-Fry 

This is not your traditional savory stir-fry. This is a papaya-forward delight packed with aromatics and spices. 

Garlic, ginger, chilis, turmeric, mango powder, and black mustard seeds are just a few ingredients. 

The list might be long, but it creates a remarkable culinary experience. 

17. Papaya Jam

You’ll want to slather this jam on everything. Biscuits, toast, crostini, sandwiches, you name it. 

Homemade jam made from scratch is so much better than store-bought.

You make it as sweet as you like and it’s preservative-free. 

And this papaya jam has been screaming my name lately!

The only ingredients you need are fresh papayas, sugar, and lemon. It’s easy to make, too.

18. Papaya & Carrot Halwa

Papaya halwa is an Indian dessert. 

It’s typically prepared with papaya, sugar, milk, cardamom, and ghee. And this version comes with carrots, saffron, and almonds as well. 

If you like fruit desserts, Indian fusion desserts, or are even remotely curious, give it a try. Your tastebuds will be delighted when you do.

19. Papaya Cookies

I love chewy chocolate chip cookies as much as the next person. Sometimes, though, I like to shake things up with a new flavor. 

Take these papaya cookies for instance.  

The diced papaya, macadamia nut butter, and macadamia nuts are tropical treats. 

Naturally sweetened and refined flour-free, you can feel good eating these. 

20. Papaya Margarita

Warm weather, happy hour, or lazy Saturdays, I’ll easily find an excuse for a margarita. 

So what’s my latest excuse? Stumbling upon this new margarita recipe!

The addition of Brazilian papaya is extraordinary. It’s my latest cocktail obsession. 

You also won’t find a cloying sweet store-bought mix in this drink. It’s carefully crafted from select ingredients. 

Take a sip and let your troubles melt away. 

21. Curried Tofu Papaya Wraps 

Searching for a new vegan tofu recipe to break up the routine? Then you need to try this wrap.

No-cook and plant-based, these curried wraps are a creative idea for tofu. 

Firm tofu, papaya, green onion, and cilantro meld with Thai red curry. Let it rest for a bite, then wrap. 

Greens, sprouts, or avocado are a few add-ins I recommend. 

22. Raw Papaya Colorful Candied Cubes 

On a sweeter note is this whimsical tutti frutti. It’s a dazzling confection of colorful bite-sized candied fruit. 

At a glance, it looks like multiple types of fruit. In reality, it’s all papaya. 

After undergoing the candied process, you let the papaya rest in food dye. 

Birthdays, holidays, or the occasional Sunday, it’s a super fun treat that the kids will love. 

23. Salmon & Papaya Salad

I could eat this salad every day and never get tired of it. 

Brimming with fresh offerings and succulent salmon, it’s the exact opposite of boring. 

I love how the papaya pairs with the crisp cucumbers and mint. Not to mention the flaky salmon!

Every ingredient manages to complement the other. Together, it’s a party in your mouth.