I Just Discovered My New Favorite Thing to Do With Watermelon

If you spend time on TikTok or Instagram, you probably feel like you’ve seen it all when it comes to food. Recipes come and go and sometimes go viral, then get recreated and tweaked and shared all over again. It seems like there’s nothing new, but every once in a while, I’m surprised by a truly clever idea. The most recent was this brilliant idea for watermelon sheets. Yep: Watermelon. Sheets. 

Spruce Eats has previously published tutorials for the best way to cut watermelon, and how to slice it into wedges. (Hint: In both methods, it’s helpful to remove the ends of the melon for a sturdy base.) But Instagram recipe developer Lamees AttarBashi, who goes by the handle @cookingwihtlamees, recently posted a video that had me running to Amazon for an XL peeler.

The Secret to Creating Watermelon Sheets 

AttarBashi starts with rectangular blocks of watermelon with the rind removed. Using that large Y-shaped peeler, she slices off very thin sheets of the watermelon and sets them aside. After that, she cuts a brick of feta into strips the same width as the watermelon sheets. She places one piece of feta at the edge of a sheet, adds fresh mint and a drizzle of date syrup, then rolls it up like a miniature, fruity-salty-sweet spring roll. It gets topped with more date syrup, and eaten as a handheld snack. AttarBashi notes that these should be enjoyed right away; otherwise, the moisture will seep out and all your hard work will become soggy. 

It’s All About the Peeler

To make these, having a large enough peeler is crucial. AttarBashi wrote in the caption that she uses one from OXO. (I found it here and here.) She also uses a wavy “crinkle-cut” slicer to create a fun edge on the feta. She doesn’t share which model she likes, although here’s an inexpensive one from Amazon. But the XL peeler is the only real non-negotiable tool in this fun technique. Since watching the video, I have spent a not-small amount of time dreaming up other ways to use watermelon sheets. 

Other Ways to Use Watermelon Sheets

Although I love salty, briny feta, I think the watermelon would really shine when paired with other sweet things for a creative dessert option. Here are my top three ways to use watermelon sheets (and coincidentally, my to-do list for this weekend).

1. Double Up on the Melon: Instead of feta, cut a yellow watermelon into batons, the same size and shape as you would do with the feta. Wrap the yellow watermelon in the red watermelon like the original recipe calls for. Double the melon! Double the juicy sweetness!

2. Switch Up the Dates: I loved AttarBashi’s use of date syrup. But for a chewier texture, chop up pitted Medjool dates, mix them with slivered almonds, shake on a sweet-and-gingery spice blend, then wrap that mix in the sheets.

3. Get Wild With Jell-O: Is layering a gelatin mold with overlapping slices of the watermelon sheets before filling it with lime Jell-O crazy? Or the best idea ever? IDK. I’ll tell you after I give it a whirl.