How to Cut Dragon Fruit

Learn how to cut dragon fruit (pitaya) at home with just a few simple to follow steps. This tropical fruit makes a great healthy snack or sweet addition to fresh fruit smoothies and smoothie bowls. 

Jump to:

• 📋 What is Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)?
• 🛒 How to Choose a Ripe Dragon Fruit
• 🔪 How to Cut Dragon Fruit 
• ❄️ How to Store a Dragonfruit
• 🍽 How to Use Dragon Fruit
• 🔍 FAQs
• 💭 How to Ripen Dragon Fruit Quickly
• 🍴 More Tutorials on Cutting Fresh Produce
• How to Cut Dragon Fruit
• Reviews

📋 What is Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)?

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or strawberry pear, is an exotic fruit from the family Cactaceae and is closely related to the cactus family. There are generally two main types of dragon fruit available to purchase at the grocery store: white-fleshed dragon fruit and red-fleshed dragon fruit. 

White-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) typically has a pink or yellow outer skin with green leaves that look like spikes, influencing the name of the fruit (the dragon fruit pictured in this post). 

Red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis or Hylocereus polyrhizus) also typically has a pink or yellow outer skin, but has red or pink flesh on the inside. These vibrant colors make for a slightly sweeter fruit, though both types of dragon fruit taste very similar. 

Dragon fruit is native to Central America and other warm regions such as the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast Asia and is filled with tons of nutritional benefits. If you'd like to try it yourself, look for it at your local grocery store during the summer seasons. 

1. Sharp chef's knife - One of the most important tools in the kitchen is a sharp knife. It may be counterintuitive, but using a small knife or a dull knife is going to make it more likely that you will cut yourself and have difficulty cutting your produce uniformly. A good chef's knife should glide through whatever you are cutting without resistance and feel comfortable in your hand. 
2. A paring knife - Although you can use a chef's knife, I also recommend investing in a good paring knife. These smaller knives can be helpful for cutting fruits and vegetables, particularly scoring tropical fruits like dragon fruit and removing the flesh from the leather-y peel. 
3. Cutting board - The larger the better! Using a small cutting board is going to make your workspace feel crowded and take you longer to prep.

🛒 How to Choose a Ripe Dragon Fruit

You will know a dragon fruit is ripe when the outer rind is bright pink or red and the dragon fruit skin has a little give to it when squeezed (very similar to a mango or avocado!). The dragon fruit should be easy to slice without much pressure, but not feel too soft and mushy.

🔪 How to Cut Dragon Fruit 

​If you're familiar with cutting fresh mango, learning how to cut dragon fruit is going to be a breeze for you. Better yet, dragon fruit is even easier to cut because it does not have a pit in the center of the fruit. 

Below you'll find 2 of my favorite methods for cutting dragon fruit: 

How to Slice Dragon Fruit

This method is best for snacking on pink dragon fruit and will teach you how to cut this tropical fruit into handheld bites. Perfect for lunchboxes, snacking, or meal prepping fruits to eat on-the-go. 

1. Place the ripe dragon fruit on a clean cutting board and slice it in half lengthwise.
2. Open the fruit, exposing the inner juicy flesh. 
3. Using a large spoon, scoop the flesh out, leaving the outer layer behind. 
4. Place the dragon fruit cut side down on the cutting board and slice into thin slices, as desired.

How to Scoop Dragon Fruit into Bite-Size Pieces

This method can be done simply with a spoon, or with a melon baller. I like to use this method when I want to eat dragon fruit straight out of the rind, or if I want to make a melon baller fruit salad. 

1. Place the ripe dragon fruit on a clean cutting board and slice it in half lengthwise.
2. Open the fruit, exposing the inner juicy flesh.

3. Using a spoon or a melon baller, scoop out the flesh of the dragon fruit.
4. Enjoy immediately as a quick, nutritious snack, or chill until ready to eat!

​How to Cube Dragon Fruit

This method is best for making fruit salads, freezing dragon fruit for dragon fruit smoothie recipes, or snacking on with a fork! 

1. Place the ripe dragon fruit on a clean cutting board and slice it in half lengthwise.
2. Open the fruit, exposing the inner juicy flesh.

3. Using a pairing knife, score the dragon fruit flesh, creating 1-inch cubes. 
4. Using a spoon, scoop out the cut cubes, separating the rind from the dragon fruit flesh. 

❄️ How to Store a Dragonfruit

• How to store whole, uncut dragon fruit: Fresh dragon fruit can be stored at room temperature until ripened. Then once ripe, dragon fruit is best stored in the refrigerator to slow the ripening process and prolong its freshness. Ripe dragon fruit that has been refrigerated will typically last up to 5 days in the fridge and should be enjoyed before it becomes too soft. 
• How to store cut dragon fruit: Cut dragon fruit will spoil considerably faster than whole uncut dragon fruit, but can be stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container or zip top bag in the refrigerator. 
• How to freeze dragon fruit: If you won't be able to enjoy your cut dragon fruit within three days, flash freeze it on a baking sheet in a single layer until solid. Then, store it in a zip top bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

🍽 How to Use Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit is a delicious fruit to eat on its own as a healthy snack, but it can also be used in smoothies, smoothie bowls, tossed in salads, or turned into fruity cocktails or refreshing drinks (like this Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher!).

Or, give one of these 20 Dragon Fruit Recipes a try! 

🔍 FAQs

What are the health benefits of dragon fruit?

Like most fresh fruits, this tropical delicacy is full of health benefits and a fantastic fruit to incorporate in your diet. It's rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, dietary fiber, and can help keep you hydrated during warmer months. 

How do you know when a dragon fruit is ripe? 

You will know a dragon fruit is ripe when the outer rind is bright pink or red and the flesh has a little give to it when squeezed, similar to a mango or avocado. It should be easy to slice without much pressure, but not feel too soft and mushy. 

What does dragon fruit taste like?

Dragon fruit is often described as being sweet and mild tasting. Some people compare the flavor to a combination between kiwi and pear. 

​Are the small black seeds edible?

Yes! The entire inner flesh is edible, black seeds included. Again, this is similar to kiwi's inner seeds that are also edible. 

Why is dragon fruit so expensive? 

Dragon fruit is more expensive because it is not grown in many places and is expensive to ship to places like North America where dragon fruit does not commonly grow. When possible, purchasing frozen dragon fruit can be more affordable and easier to find in off seasons. 

💭 How to Ripen Dragon Fruit Quickly

Have a dragon fruit on hand that you need to ripen as fast as possible? No problem! Place the dragon fruit in a brown paper bag with another fruit, such as a ripe, spotty banana. The banana will release the gas, ethene, and help to ripen the fresh dragon fruit significantly faster. 

If you found this helpful, I'd love to know! Tag @yourhomemadehealthy on Instagram or leave a comment with a rating and some feedback at the bottom of this page!

🍴 More Tutorials on Cutting Fresh Produce

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