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This Is the Best Way to Cut a Watermelon for Snacking

updated Aug 26, 2020
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A halved watermelon sits on a cutting board with a chefs knife.
Credit: Photo: Tara Donne; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell

There are many ways to cut into a watermelon — some smart, and some silly. You can cut it into pizza-like triangles for grilling, or take it from wedges to cubes for adding to salads and freezing for smoothies. If you’re looking to eat watermelon as a snack, though, the very best way to cut it — especially if you’ve got kids around — is into easy-to-hold-and-eat sticks.

The benefits of these snacking sticks of watermelon are a smaller rind for little fingers to hold, more surface area for munching, and less waste. With snacking sticks, even the littlest of eaters can get close to the rind, unlike with those aforementioned pizza like wedges.

Don’t worry, though! You don’t need any special equipment to cut a watermelon into sticks — all you need is a knife, cutting board, and ripe watermelon.

How to Cut Watermelon Sticks

Cutting watermelon sticks is relatively straightforward and will give you a decent yield of snack-sized sticks. First, halve the watermelon across its width and then flip both sides cut-end down. Working with one watermelon half at a time, slice a grid into the watermelon: Make 1-inch slices across the width, turn the watermelon, and cut it into 1-inch slices again. The step-by-step photos below will help guide you too.

Credit: Photo: Tara Donne; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell

1. Cut the watermelon in half widthwise.

Credit: Photo: Tara Donne; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell

2. Working with one half at a time, steady the watermelon by turning it cut-side down on the cutting board and then slice it from right to left in thick, 1-inch slices.

Credit: Photo: Tara Donne; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell

3. Turn the watermelon 180 degrees and repeat slicing thick, 1-inch slices.

Credit: Photo: Tara Donne; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell

4. That’s it! Now you have watermelon sticks for easy snacking.

Do you cut your watermelon like this? Let us know your favorite way in the comments!