Papaya boats make a refreshing breakfast or light snack: you use half a papaya as an edible boat and fill the hollow with yoghurt, fresh fruit, granola and nuts. They’re ready in about ten minutes, without an oven or blender. Below you’ll find the ingredients, the steps and a few variations using other tropical fruits, plus how to add a bit of extra protein with a scoop of whey protein powder.
What are tropical papaya boats?
A papaya boat is half a papaya, hollowed out and filled with toppings. The soft, sweet fruit pulp forms the base, while the hollow left by the seeds holds the yoghurt and fruit. You simply cut, scoop and top. That’s all there is to it.
It’s a colourful, summery dish that you can easily adapt to your taste. If you’re having it for breakfast, the yoghurt and optional protein powder make for a more complete meal. As a snack, you can keep the boats smaller by using half a small papaya per person.
Handy tip: the papaya itself acts as a natural bowl, so you need very little extra crockery and you can easily take the boats with you in a container. Half a papaya counts as roughly one portion of fruit, so with a spoonful of yoghurt and some nuts, you’ve got a well-rounded meal.
Ingredients (for 2 boats)
For two boats, use one ripe papaya. A papaya is ripe when the skin is mostly yellow and gives slightly when pressed.
- 1 ripe papaya
- 1 kiwi, sliced
- A handful of blueberries (about 40 g)
- A handful of cherries (approx. 75 g), pitted
- Yoghurt of your choice (e.g. Greek yoghurt or skyr)
- A handful of granola
- 2 tablespoons of almonds, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- Optional: 1 scoop of organic whey protein powder (unflavoured)
How to make papaya boats
- Cut the papaya in half lengthways. Scoop out the black seeds with a spoon. You’ll be left with two halves.
- Stir the yoghurt until smooth. If you want more protein per serving, mix in 1 scoop of whey protein powder until fully combined. Add a splash of water or extra yoghurt if it becomes too thick.
- Divide the yoghurt between the two papaya halves.
- Top with the kiwi, blueberries and cherries.
- Sprinkle the granola, almonds and chia seeds on top.
- Serve straight away, so the granola stays crunchy.
Variations with other tropical fruit
Don’t have any papaya to hand, or fancy something different? The ‘boat’ method works with any firm piece of fruit that can be halved. For example, replace the papaya with half a mango, half a small pineapple or half an avocado for a less sweet version.
- Mango boat: halve a ripe mango, remove the stone and fill the hollow.
- Pineapple: cut a pineapple in half lengthways and remove the hard core.
- Other toppings: passion fruit, pomegranate seeds, strawberries or a spoonful of desiccated coconut.
- Alternative protein powder: go plant-based with vegan protein powder, or use casein (unflavoured) for a thicker texture.
Which protein powder works best with this recipe?
For a neutral flavour, a natural whey protein powder works best: it dissolves smoothly in yoghurt and doesn’t overpower the fruit. If you follow a plant-based diet, choose a vegan protein powder made from peas or fava beans. If you want a thicker, creamier yoghurt, casein is an option. Always choose a variety without unnecessary additives.
You can read more about the differences in our guide to the benefits of protein powder. For more breakfast inspiration, check out our smoothie recipes with protein powder or the forest fruit smoothie bowl.
Frequently asked questions
Are papaya boats high in protein?
Not on their own: the dish consists mainly of fruit, with yoghurt as a base. If you want more protein per serving, stir a scoop of whey protein powder into the yoghurt or choose Greek yoghurt or skyr.
What is protein good for?
Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass. You get it from the yoghurt and, if you add it, from the whey protein powder. You can find out how much protein you need each day in our article on daily protein requirements.
Can I prepare the papaya boats in advance?
It’s best to cut the papaya and the other fruit just before serving, so everything stays fresh. You can, however, prepare the yoghurt mixture in advance and store it, covered, in the fridge. Only add the granola and nuts at the last minute, so they stay crunchy.
What type of protein powder can I use?
A natural whey protein powder blends in well with the yoghurt. If you prefer a plant-based option, choose a vegan protein powder; for a thicker texture, casein is a good choice. Choose a variety without any unnecessary additives.
Fancy giving it a go yourself? Take a look at the organic whey protein powder (unflavoured) or the full range of protein powders.
