Watermelon Jello Slices are limes filled with watermelon jello to make a cute snack that looks like mini watermelon slices. Kids and adults enjoy this one! They can be made into jello shots if desired.
My First Post!
For my first entry, I decided to post a 'Meghan Original' recipe! Although, it's not exactly a recipe as much as a concept. I was having lunch with my husband Bob at Foodlife in Water Tower Place. Foodlife is a food court on steroids - it has many different stations, but all are somewhat unique and not your typical food court fare. They have stir-fry, soup, Mexican, Italian, comfort food, and even desserts where they serve up freshly prepared crepes. Only someone as picky as me would have to resort to sneaking in baos from Wow Bao in an unmarked bag since nothing at Foodlife sounded good to me on this particular day.
Bob was in line at the salad place, when I noticed that they have miniature desserts for sale, like tiny pieces of carrot cake for just $1. One of the desserts was very intriguing - it was a slice of orange Jello, but it was inside of an orange peel. How cool! I started brainstorming about the possibilities: lime Jello inside a lime, lemon Jello inside a lemon, and then it hit me - watermelon Jello inside a lime so that it looks like a tiny watermelon! Genius! Ok, not quite, but I thought it had the potential to be pretty cute, so I made a prototype to send in to Kraft Food & Family magazine. These are such a cute snack idea for kids!
Love Jello? Check out this Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad and Pineapple Pretzel Salad!
Recipe Details
The first step is to cut the limes in half lengthwise and juice them. The juice will not be used, so you can use the lime juice in a recipe (such as Cilantro Lime Crema, Chicken Street Tacos, Chicken Tostadas with Cilantro Lime Drizzle, or Key Lime Bars). I had to come up with something to do with all the lime juice, so I made some limeade.
Bob and I started thinking of other uses for the lime juice - like if you made these Jello snacks for a party, the lime juice could be used to make caipirinhas or mojitos. Then Bob came up with a brilliant idea for an adult party - make the watermelon Jello snacks into Jello shots by using tequila (or vodka, rum, etc.) and then press coarse/kosher salt on the outside! We haven't tried this, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.
After the limes have been juiced, you'll use kitchen shears to remove the pulp from the inside to make sure they are nice and hollowed out.
Next, it's time to make the jello. I followed the jiggler recipe, but didn't realize that it called for four 3oz. boxes. I had only bought 1. So I used ¼ the amount of boiling water, and they turned out fine. The color of the watermelon Jello is a bit lighter than I imagined, so if you're going for the most authentic looking presentation, I'd suggest using another flavor like cherry. The hot jello liquid is poured into the hollowed limes.
For some, I added brown sprinkles for the watermelon seeds, and the others are "seedless watermelon."
The limes are transferred to the fridge to set for about 3 to 4 hours. They can be served as half limes, or each half can be cut lengthwise again to make little watermelon wedges.
Gluten Free Option
This snack is naturally gluten free!
LOOKING FOR MORE SIDES FOR A PARTY?
Check out my favorite sides and desserts for a picnic or backyard BBQ:
SIDES
Summer Vegetable Pasta
Panzanella Tomato Bread Salad
Potatoes and Onions
Roasted Vegetable Orzo
Parmesan Potatoes
Garlic Bread
BAR DESSERTS
Key Lime Pie Bars
Graham Cracker S’mores Cookie Bars
S’mores Cheesecake Bars
Blueberry Crumb Bars
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Samoa Bars
Seven Layer Bars
📖 Recipe
Watermelon Jello Slices
Equipment
- glass measuring cup
Ingredients
- 2 limes
- 3 ounce package pink or red Jello gelatin (any flavor, watermelon, cherry, strawberry)
- 5 ounces boiling water
- chocolate sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Slice limes lengthwise, and juice them completely.2 limes
- Use kitchen sheers to remove the excess pulp/membranes from the insides of the limes. Invert the lime halves on a paper towel to drain off any moisture, if necessary. Turn halves over and arrange them on a plate so they are ready to be filled. You will have 4 halves if you started with 2 limes.
- In a glass measuring cup, combine the gelatin mix with the boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved, about 3 minutes.3 ounce package pink or red Jello gelatin, 5 ounces boiling water
- Gently pour the Jello into the lime halves. Some may spill onto the plate, but it can easily be cleaned later.
- If adding decoration, like sprinkles, add them now, or press them on after the Jello has set. Carefully transfer plate to refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours or until completely set.chocolate sprinkles
- Slice each half lime lengthwise again to create the look of a watermelon slice.
Natalie Que says
Hi Meghan,
Good luck with the endeavor. I have no doubt you will find it both challenging and rewarding. It seems you've put a lot of thought into it already which is excellent. Your Jello Jiggler snacks are a great idea, I think my kids would die and go to heaven!
Thanks for linking to me, I am flattered and appreciative.
Again, best of luck! I hope you enjoy the blogging world.
Heart,
HG
Eric Olsen says
Great idea! Can't wait to see what else you come up with!
Kathleen says
Yum! I love the chocolate sprinkles for the seeds too - creative and tasty!
Anonymous says
MTM, why have I not had these when you come home????
AS
Jenny says
Hi Meghan,
Great first post! I look forward to see what else cooks in your kitchen!
Anonymous says
https://myjelloamericans.blogspot.com/2010/04/what-melon.html