Although starfruit sounds like something Mario would eat in the Super Mario Brothers games, these starfruit recipes are proof that it’s a real fruit with plenty of real health benefits.
Also known as carambola, starfruit is a waxy-like fruit that’s yellow with green accents or edges.
You can eat both its skin and flesh, and it has a mildly tart flavor that fans of sour fruit love.
There are two sizes; the larger of the two is generally sweeter than the smaller ones.
In addition to having lots of antioxidants, starfruit may also help reduce cholesterol and the risk of fatty liver. It can also help decrease inflammation.
Perhaps more importantly for some, though, it just tastes really good, so whether you’re in it for the health benefits or just like the taste, here are 10 yummy starfruit recipes for you to try.
1. Starfruit and Apple Juice
If you enjoy fruit juice that combines sweetness and tartness, you’ll love this four-ingredient, 10-minute recipe for starfruit and apple juice.
It combines fuji apples, starfruits, Medan oranges, and two tablespoons of honey for a bit of additional sweetness.
It looks like thicker, bubblier orange juice and has a sweetly tart flavor that’s hard not to love.
It’s simple to make and tastes delicious. If you like juice, give it a try!
2. Starfruit Mango Smoothie
As long as you remember to freeze your mango and strawberries ahead of time, this lovely orange smoothie takes only 5 minutes to whip up.
It’s smooth, creamy, cold, and delicious, and the taste is so sweet and candy-like that you’ll swear it couldn’t possibly be good for you.
Actually, though, everything in it is healthy, and there are no added sugars.
All you’ll need to make it is starfruit, mango, strawberries, water, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
It will, of course, have some sugar and carbs from all the fruit, but it’s natural sugar.
The smoothie is also packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, copper, and potassium.
3. Starfruit (Carambola) Upside-Down Cake
This recipe takes the traditional pineapple upside-down cake recipe and substitutes starfruit instead.
It also calls for passion fruit juice, which makes it moist, tender, and sweet.
The basic process for making the cake is the same; simply use your sliced starfruit in place of the pineapples.
Between the starfruit and the passion fruit, the cake has an exotic, tartly sweet taste that everyone I know adores.
Additionally, the naturally star-like shape of the starfruit looks gorgeous on top of the cake once it’s done.
4. Starfruit Dessert
In terms of desserts, it doesn’t get much simpler, healthier, prettier, or more colorful than this dessert featuring sliced kiwis and starfruit, whole raspberries, and a generous Reddi-whip swirl.
If you can slice fruit and add it to a plate with whipped cream, you’ll have this dessert under control!
It’s sweet, tart, and fruity. Plus, whipped cream is always tasty!
5. Starfruit Popsicle
Fruit popsicles are a favorite of mine in the summertime because they’re refreshing, tasty, and unbelievably easy to make.
Starfruit popsicles are no exception.
With nothing more than water, sugar, and starfruit, you can have these popsicles ready for the freezer in 15 minutes or less.
Let them freeze overnight, and you’ll have a tart and tangy treat that everyone, adults and kids alike, will enjoy.
6. Tropical Fruit Salad
If you’re looking for a light, sweet dessert that’s all-natural and not that bad for you, tropical fruit salad is just the thing.
Simply combine pineapples, mango, kiwi, seedless grapes, starfruit, and flaked coconut in a bowl and let them chill for half an hour.
Then toss them with a honey and fresh lime juice mixture to add just a bit more flavor.
You’ll get all the sweet deliciousness of tropical fruit but with just a little something extra, as well.
7. Teriyaki Chicken with Starfruit
So far, I’ve only showcased sweet starfruit recipes, but the fruit adds a wonderful kick to savory dishes, as well.
The chicken in this recipe is juicy and flavorful, thanks to the homemade teriyaki sauce of soy sauce, brown sugar, orange juice, ginger, sesame oil, and garlic.
The scallions add a touch of herby freshness, and the starfruit brings the zest.
Plus, the starfruit adds a touch of elegance and class to the dish’s overall appearance.
8. Starfruit Pineapple Mint Julep
As far as tasty cocktails go, a mint julep is always a big hit, and this tropical version featuring pineapples and starfruit is sweeter and even better than the original.
It’s cool and refreshing, as all mint juleps are, but it has this tartly sweet, slightly tropical flavor to it that adds a whole other layer of yumminess.
Plus, if you take the time to add the beautiful starfruit garnishes, mint leaves, and pineapple chunks, it looks simply stunning.
And I love making a statement with my cocktails!
9. Exotic Fruit Skewers
Fruit skewers are always a fun and easy treat for any occasion, and fruit skewers made exclusively with exotic fruit are even better.
Of course, these are skewers, so you can adjust the ingredients however you like.
Basically, if you can stick a piece of fruit on a skewer, you can use it.
However, if you want to keep to the exotic fruit vibe, I recommend using the fruit the recipe specifies: pineapple, mango, lychee, banana, and starfruit.
You won’t add the clementine to the skewers, but you will drizzle the rest of the fruit with the juice from it. In short, these skewers are delectable.
10. Fruit Smoothie Bowl
Creamy and tasty smoothie bowls are always a great breakfast, brunch, or snack option.
You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy them, especially considering they only take 10 minutes to make.
This one combines several ingredients – almond milk, vanilla yogurt, almond butter, oats, avocado, and plenty of fruit – to make a rich, bold, mostly sweet treat.
The thing I love most about this particular bowl is how it looks!
If you’re looking for a special treat for any patriotic-themed holiday, this red, white, and blue dish – complete with stars, no less! – is the ideal option.