BREAKING NEWS YOU GUYS. You can put guava in… well, everything! Have I just been living under a sad, bland, guava-less rock for, like, forever?
Essentially what we have here is the best parts of a strawberry and a pear, with a BONUS thing that isn’t normally a part of fruit – total versatility.
It has a complexity of texture with a delicate, fresh crunch and an almost-meaty-like filling, and it comes together so ridiculously fast – I mean, let’s just go ahead and accept right now that this is a fruit that cannot be enjoyed just once.
1. Guava Empanadas
Empanadas are just the best, right? These little hand pies with their perfectly flaky pastry are always a winner. And while I will always love a good savory filling, you just have to give these sweet guava ones a try. They are too good to miss.
The filling could not be more straightforward. It’s just guava paste and cream cheese! Because the guava paste is so sweet on its own, you don’t even have to add sugar to the cream cheese.
I personally love to blend them together for a filling that feels like a dreamy cheesecake. It is SO GOOD.
2. Tropical Guava Bars
I have some pretty strong feelings about shortbread bars, and let me just say, these are some of the best sweet treats on the planet.
The shortbread itself is so buttery it’s to die for, and it’s the perfect base for so many different flavors. You can add anything from chocolate and caramel to fruit jams and you’ve got a guaranteed hit.
What makes this recipe a total standout is the amazing ratio of guava filling to shortbread. You know how jams can sometimes make the cookie a little dry by soaking in? Not here.
The guava paste just melts and spreads out, then sets back up into this wonderfully thick layer of tropical goodness. And the coconut! It adds this fantastic nutty flavor to every single bite. YES.
3. Guava Paste
You can totally find guava paste at the grocery store most of the time, but if you’re having trouble, I am telling you, you should absolutely make a batch from scratch.
It’s one of those things that seems way more intimidating than it is. With just guava, water, and sugar, you can have this ready to set in less than an hour. It’s a total win.
4. Mini-Lime and Guava Cheesecakes
Cheesecake is always, always a party favorite. And making them mini? They are just so adorable, and I’m pretty sure I never have a single one left over when I serve them.
But just because they’re a classic doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with them! Lemon cheesecake is fine, but why not try something a little more exciting?
This recipe is just an incredible mix of zesty lime and a smooth guava sauce. Not only does it look absolutely beautiful, but it brings a whole new flavor experience that your friends are going to go wild for.
5. Guava BBQ Chicken Thighs
This BBQ sauce recipe might look a little unusual, and that’s because it is. I see you looking at the cocoa powder and raising an eyebrow. Really?
Yes, really! It’s one of those things that’s hard to put into words, but you don’t actually get a chocolate flavor from it.
So why is it in there? Trust me on this one, the cocoa notes bring out the spices in a way that is just next-level. You will definitely notice the difference!
6. Natural Hawaiian Pog Recipe
This completely stunning Hawaiian drink got its name from its three simple ingredients. We’re talking passion fruit, orange, and guava. Once you try this, you might never go back to regular old orange juice again. It’s that good.
You know the kind you can buy at the store is just loaded with sugar and artificial colors. Good news, though! Making your own is incredibly easy.
Using fresh fruit will give you the best results by a long shot, but if you can only find natural juices, you’ll still end up with a fruity drink that’s a total winner. I love making a big pitcher and adding a splash of rum to half of it for later.
7. Guava Chutney
If you’re like me and always reach for the mango chutney first when you’re having Indian food, then you are going to fall hard for this. This recipe has a perfect balance between the sweet notes from the fruit and savory things like garlic and coriander. It just works.
Of course, you can play around with the ingredients if you like things more or less spicy. I personally love keeping the fruit a little chunky, but if you prefer, you can dice it up smaller. The smaller pieces would make this an amazing dipping sauce.
8. Corn Cake With Guava Frosting
Just looking at this cake, you would have no idea there’s cornmeal in the batter. But as soon as you take a bite, you can’t miss it. If you’re a big fan of cornbread with honey, then this one has your name written all over it.
The cake is so surprisingly light and fluffy, and the corn flavor is there but not overpowering. It’s just so good, I swear. And the frosting!
I’ve made this so many times to put on cupcakes and other cakes. I just can’t get enough of that gorgeous, all-natural color.
9. Mantecaditos con Guayaba (Shortbread Almond Cookies with Guava)
These cookies might remind you of those classic Linzer cookies that everyone makes for Christmas, but trust me, these are so much better.
Anyone can throw some raspberry jam into a cookie, right? So why not switch things up and try guava jam for a fun, tropical twist?
You should have no problem finding guava jam in most grocery stores, but making your own is also super straightforward.
10. Guava BBQ Sauce
I love my BBQ sauce to be tangy, a little spicy, and wonderfully sweet. I’m a big fan of honey BBQ, mango, and peach flavors because I think fruit just complements this kind of sauce so well.
If you follow this recipe exactly, you’ll end up with a perfectly thick sauce that is just exploding with flavor.
I’ve used it on everything from pulled pork to chicken, and it gets devoured every single time. If you like your sauce a little on the thinner side, you can just add a splash of water.
And for those of you who love some heat, a teaspoon or two of chili paste would be amazing in this.
11. Agua de Guayaba
Agua de guayaba literally means “guava water.” It’s a super tasty fruit drink that just needs a quick spin in the blender to come together. You don’t want to confuse this with a smoothie, though, as this drink is meant to be quite thin.
I love to add a squeeze of lime juice to mine for an extra bit of citrus. I’ve even tried making it with coconut milk before to get a creamier texture, and it was so delicious.
12. Pineapple-Guava Sweet Bread
Pineapple-guava is actually pretty different from the pink guava you might be used to. This kind has a creamy white flesh and is juicy with a texture that’s almost like a banana. That familiar flavor makes it an absolutely perfect fit for a sweet bread like this one.
The banana taste is there but very subtle, with some lovely tropical notes that make it a really nice change from the usual quick breads.
If you want to really punch up the flavors, try adding some crushed pineapple into the batter. You can even use the pineapple juice to make a simple glaze with powdered sugar to drizzle over the top. A little toasted coconut and lime zest would also be incredible.
13. Romeo and Juliet Bites
Cheddar cheese paired with guava paste is an amazing combination that you’ll see all over Brazil. That salty and sweet blend is used all the time in this adorable little appetizer. The name is meant to show that the two ingredients are just made to be together!
I like to slice the guava paste on the thinner side and spread it over the bread so it’s not such a strong hit of sweetness. I’ve even toasted these little bites before to get the cheese all melty, and let me tell you, it’s worth it.
If you can’t get your hands on the mini-Brazilian bread bites, these are just as good on sliced baguettes. I think the texture of crusty bread is the best for this.
14. Puerto Rican Guava and Cream Cheese Dip
Looking at the ingredient list, you might be thinking there’s no way this dip is going to work.
I get it, cream cheese and garlic are a classic pair, but adding honey and guava? It sounds a little out there. But because the guava isn’t overly sweet, it goes so well with the savory ingredients.
It’s just like how BBQ sauce is made even better with some mango, or how pork chops are heavenly with a bit of applesauce. This velvety dip just works like a dream. You can serve it with chips or breadsticks, or you can even try spreading some in your next sandwich.
15. Mexican Guava Charlotte [Carlota] No-Bake Cake
I kind of think of this as a Mexican version of a Key Lime pie. It has a fantastic cookie base, a filling made with lime and condensed milk, and some cream cheese to give it a cheesecake-like finish.
But it’s really that layer of guava on top that makes this cake so special. That thick, sweet topping just elevates the whole dessert.
Like with most ice-box cakes, the cookies will get soft in the creamy filling, giving you that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture. For a little extra crunch, you can sprinkle some cookie crumbs over the top right before you serve it.
16. Guava Sherbet
Sherbet is a lot like sorbet, but it usually has some dairy in it. Both of them are fruit-based frozen desserts that are surprisingly simple to make right in your own kitchen.
The guava syrup is super important for getting the most flavor out of the fruit, and the puree helps to add thickness and that beautiful color. This recipe is a fantastic starting point for sherbet.
You could so easily switch out the guava for other fruits like mango, pineapple, strawberry, or banana and make a whole variety of homemade frozen desserts.