Roasted Papaya with Brown Sugar

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Cooking papaya at a high temperature enhances its natural sweetness, making it a tasty side dish or dessert.

Martha Stewart Test Kitchen

Updated on June 5, 2023

Servings:

If you're looking for a unique take on papaya recipes, try roasting the fruit in the oven. The technique will bring out its natural sugars, making way for a delicious caramelized syrup and jammy texture. Brown sugar and ginger are sprinkled on top of the papaya to further deepen the delightful flavor. To balance the sweetness, the dish is served with a bit of cayenne and freshly squeezed lime juice.

Enjoy roasted papaya just as you would roasted squash—chopped and tossed in a warm salad, paired with a protein, or filled with grains and cooked vegetables. You can also serve it with ice cream or yogurt for a tropical-themed dessert.

How to Cut Papaya

To cut papaya, place it on its side on a cutting board. Trim the ends with a sharp knife, if you'd like. Slice the papaya in half, lengthwise, then scoop out the seeds with a spoon.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
2 medium Solo papayas (14 ounces each), halved lengthwise and seeded
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 lime, cut into 4 wedges

Directions

Preheat oven and combine sugar and ginger:

Preheat oven to 450°F. Stir together sugar and ginger in a small bowl.
Prepare papaya halves:

Arrange papaya halves, cut sides up, in a 10-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over halves.
Bake papaya:

Bake the papaya, brushing the edges with melted sugar mixture (it will collect in well of fruit) 2 or 3 times, until mixture is bubbling and papaya edges are beginning to darken, 35 to 40 minutes.
Top with cayenne and serve with lime:

Sprinkle each serving with a pinch of cayenne. Serve with lime wedges.

Cook's Notes

These fruits can be served as a dessert, or as a side dish in place of roasted squash. We like to use Solo papayas for their petite size; if you use Mexican ones, quarter them instead of halving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I omit the sugar?

You can leave out the sugar, but even a small amount is important for making delicious roasted papaya. The ingredient adds flavor and intensifies the caramelization process. If you don't want to use sugar, try drizzling the fruit with maple syrup or agave syrup instead.

What does roasted papaya taste like?

Papaya has a sweet, mild flavor that's similar to melon or mango. Roasting deepens this flavor and adds nutty notes from the caramelization.