With a flavor that lands somewhere between a strawberry and a pear, guava is seriously underrated—and once you try it, you’ll wonder why it’s not more popular!
Not only is this tropical fruit absolutely delicious, but it’s also gorgeous. Depending on ripeness and variety, guava can even have hints of mango or grapefruit, making it incredibly versatile in both sweet and savory dishes.
While it’s a staple in Latin American cuisine, it hasn’t quite gotten the attention it deserves in the U.S.—which is a shame, because I’ve never met anyone who didn’t love it!
Check out these 21 sensational guava recipes and get ready to fall in love with this tropical gem!
Contents
21. Quick Guava Jam Recipe with Answers for Frequently Asked Questions
Guava Jam is a sweet, tropical fruit spread made with ripe guavas and sugar, but this version gets an extra boost of flavor from vanilla and lemon.
The lemon juice and zest not only balance the sweetness but also act as a natural pectin and preservative—so no need for store-bought pectin!
Ever since visiting my mom in California and picking those gorgeous pink guavas straight from her tree, I’ve been obsessed with making guava recipes. And this jam? Let’s just say… it’s my jam!
Spread it on toast, swirl it into yogurt, or use it as a filling for pastries—however you enjoy it, this homemade guava jam is pure tropical bliss in a jar!
20. Caramel Bread Pudding with Pecans – Tasty and Easy Guava Recipe
In my Cuban family, pudín de pan (bread pudding) was always Mami’s favorite, but I wanted to put a fresh, delicious spin on it. Enter my Guava Caramel Bread Pudding with Candied Pecans!
Like my guava jam bars, this recipe is a tribute to my roots—but with a modern twist.
Instead of raisins (hard pass!), this bread pudding is made with sweetened condensed milk, crunchy candied pecans, and a luscious homemade guava caramel that steals the show.
It’s hands down one of my favorite guava recipes, and I can’t wait to show you how to make it. Get ready for a dessert that’s rich, gooey, nutty, and bursting with tropical flavor!
19. Use Guava Fruit for BBQ Chicken Wings
I love chicken wings! When I’m not whipping up mojo chicken wings, you’ll definitely catch me making these Guava BBQ Chicken Wings!
Honestly, I don’t know why I don’t make them more often—especially alongside my homemade guava BBQ sauce. That sauce is so good, I could put it on just about anything!
The best part? You’ve got options! Bake them, air fry them, or throw them on the grill—either way, you can’t lose. I’m sharing all three methods below so you can make them exactly how you like.
Get ready for wings that are sticky, sweet, smoky, and totally irresistible!
18. Make Guava Puree at Home
Ready in just 20 minutes, this one-ingredient fresh guava purée is as close as you can get to eating guava straight off the tree! It’s sweet, slightly tart, and velvety smooth—perfect for taking your tropical recipes to the next level.
I love when food is both beautiful and nutritious, and guava checks both boxes. It’s loaded with antioxidants, bursting with flavor, and honestly, so underrated.
There’s just something special about this vibrant, fragrant fruit—it’s tropical magic in its purest form!
17. Homemade Guava Jam Recipe (Step-by-step Instructions)
During guava season, my mom makes homemade Guava Jam every single week. It’s sweet, tropical, and just the right amount of sultry—and it cans beautifully, making it a perfect food gift!
If you’re looking for ways to use guava, jam is a great place to start. Stir it into yogurt, spread it on toast, or drizzle it over a slice of pound cake—this easy guava jam recipe is endlessly versatile.
Here in South Florida, guava season peaks in July and August, and my mom’s guava tree is loaded. But it’s a constant battle—she’s at war with the iguanas, racing to grab the fruit before they do!
And those aren’t the only critters after her prized guavas. Thankfully, she’s figured out some organic farming methods to keep them at bay (I’ll share more details and photos at the end of this post).
Since guavas ripen one at a time, she picks about 8–10 daily during peak season. Over the years, she’s developed a super efficient system for processing them—which, of course, I’ll be sharing with you!
16. Light and Fluffy Corn Cake With Guava Frosting
At first glance, you’d never guess there’s cornmeal in this cake batter—but take one bite, and it’s unmistakable!
If you love cornbread and honey, this cake is made for you.
It’s surprisingly light and fluffy, with just the right hint of corn flavor—subtle, yet totally delicious. Trust me, it just works!
And then there’s the frosting… I’ve made this one so many times, and it’s perfect on everything from cupcakes to classic white cakes. I can’t get enough of its gorgeous color—and the best part? It’s completely natural!
15. Easy to Make at Home Guava Sherbet
Sherbet is a lot like sorbet, but with one key difference—it usually contains dairy, making it extra creamy while still keeping that refreshing fruitiness. Both are fruit-based frozen desserts that are way easier to make at home than you might think!
For this guava sherbet, the guava syrup is the secret to packing in the most flavor, while the purée adds thickness and a beautiful natural color.
This recipe is a fantastic base for homemade sherbet, and the best part? You can easily swap out the guava for mango, pineapple, strawberry, or banana to create a variety of tropical frozen treats.
Once you try it, you’ll want to experiment with every fruit in your kitchen!
14. Tropical Guava Shortbread Bars
What makes this recipe so special is the perfect balance of guava to shortbread.
With regular jams, the filling tends to soak into the cookie or thin out while baking, sometimes leaving it a little dry. But here? The guava paste melts into a smooth, jammy layer, then sets back up into a thick, luscious tropical filling.
And let’s not forget about the coconut! It may seem like a small addition, but you can taste it in every bite. It adds just the right amount of nuttiness to complement the sweet guava, making these bars next-level delicious!
13. Tangy, Spicy, and Sinfully Sweet Guava BBQ Sauce
Honey BBQ, mango, peach—you name it, fruity flavors take this sauce to a whole new level!
Stick to this recipe, and you’ll get a beautifully thick, flavor-packed sauce that’s just the right balance of sweet and smoky.
I’ve slathered it on pulled pork and chicken, and let’s just say—it never lasts long!
Prefer a thinner sauce? Just add a splash of water. And if you’re all about the heat, stir in a teaspoon (or two!) of chili paste for that extra kick. Trust me, this one’s a game-changer!
12. Homemade Guava Paste
You can usually find guava paste at the grocery store, but if you can’t, don’t worry—it’s so easy to make at home!
With just three simple ingredients—guava, water, and sugar—you can whip up a fresh batch in under an hour.
Homemade guava paste has the perfect balance of sweetness and tropical flavor, and trust me, once you make it from scratch, you might never go back to store-bought!
11. Guava Charlotte [Carlota] – Mexican No-Bake Cake
I like to think of this as a Mexican Key Lime Pie, but with an extra special twist!
It starts with a buttery cookie base, followed by a luscious lime and sweetened condensed milk filling. The addition of cream cheese gives it a slightly cheesecake-like richness, making every bite ultra-creamy and dreamy.
But what really takes this cake to the next level? Guava. That thick, sweet layer on top adds a tropical punch that only guava can deliver.
![Mexican Guava Charlotte [Carlota] No-Bake Cake](https://anastasiablogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Mexican-Guava-Charlotte-Carlota-No-Bake-Cake.jpg)
10. Romeo and Juliet Bites with Cheddar Cheese and Guava Paste
Cheddar cheese and guava paste are a match made in heaven—a salty-sweet combo you’ll find everywhere in countries like Brazil.
This duo is often used in these cute little appetizers, and their perfect pairing even inspired the name of the dish!
I like to slice the guava paste a bit thinner and spread it onto the bread for just the right balance of sweetness. And for an extra indulgent touch? I toast the mini-bites until the cheese gets perfectly melty.
Can’t find mini Brazilian cheese bread? No problem! A sliced baguette works just as well, and I personally love the crisp texture of the crusty bread against the soft, gooey filling.
9. Delicious Mini-Lime and Guava Cheesecakes
Cheesecake is always a crowd-pleaser, and when they’re mini, they’re even more irresistible—because let’s be honest, there are never any leftovers!
But just because cheesecake is a classic doesn’t mean you can’t mix things up. Sure, lemon cheesecake is fine… but why not really step outside the box?
This recipe brings together zesty lime and smooth guava sauce for a flavor combo that’s fresh, tropical, and completely next level.
Not only do these little cheesecakes look stunning, but that sweet-tart balance will have everyone coming back for more. Trust me—people will go crazy for them!
8. Puerto Rican Guava and Cream Cheese Dip for Your Sandwich
At first glance, the ingredient list for this dip might make you pause—cream cheese and garlic? Sure. But honey and guava?
Trust me, it works—and it works beautifully.
Since guava isn’t overly sweet, it blends seamlessly with the savory ingredients, creating a velvety, well-balanced dip. Think of it like BBQ sauce with mango or pork chops with applesauce—it’s that perfect sweet-savory magic.
7. Guava Cheese Empanadas
Empanadas are little handheld pies with a flaky, golden crust and a sweet or savory surprise inside.
The filling? Just two simple ingredients—guava paste and cream cheese. No need for extra sugar—the guava brings all the sweetness you need.
I like to blend the two together for a smooth, cheesecake-like filling, but if you prefer little pockets of guava and cream cheese in every bite, you can keep them separate. Either way, these empanadas are pure tropical bliss!
6. Agua de Guayaba with Delicious Fruit Pulp
Agua de guayaba is exactly what it sounds like—guava water! This refreshing, fruity drink comes together in seconds with just a quick blitz in the blender.
Unlike a smoothie, it has a light, thin texture, making it the perfect thirst-quencher on a hot day.
I love adding a splash of lime juice for a bright citrus kick, and for a creamier twist, I’ve even swapped in coconut milk—trust me, it’s delicious!
5. Sweet & Savory Guava Chutney
If you’re the type to always grab the mango chutney when eating Indian food, you’re going to love this!
This recipe strikes the perfect balance between the natural sweetness of fruit and the bold, savory flavors of garlic and coriander.
And the best part? You can totally tweak it to match your spice preference—dial it up or keep it mild!
I like to keep the fruit chunky for a heartier texture, but if you prefer a smoother chutney, go ahead and dice it up.
However you make it, this chutney is a must-try!
4. Healthy Strawberry Guava Smoothie (Packed with Vitamin C)
I’ll admit it—I tend to stick to the classics when it comes to smoothies.
But this recipe? Way too good to pass up. The guava takes the strawberry flavor to the next level, adding subtle hints of pear that make it something special.
And let’s talk about the secret ingredient—frozen mango cubes. Not only do they add natural sweetness, but they also thicken the smoothie without watering it down like ice would.
It’s smooth, refreshing, and bursting with tropical flavor. Trust me, you need this in your smoothie lineup!
3. Make at Home Shortbread Almond Cookies with Pink Guava Jam
At first glance, these cookies might look like your classic Linzer cookies from Christmas… but trust me, they’re so much better!
Sure, raspberry jam is great—but why not switch things up with guava jam for a tropical twist? The sweet, slightly tangy flavor pairs perfectly with the buttery cookie layers, making these an irresistible treat.
You can usually find guava jam in grocery stores, but if you’re feeling adventurous, making your own is super easy. Either way, once you try these, you might never go back to the usual jam-filled cookies again!
2. Creamy and Juicy Pineapple-Guava Sweet Bread
This variety has creamy white flesh that’s juicy, smooth, and almost banana-like in texture.
That subtle banana-like flavor makes it perfect for a naturally sweet and tropical quick bread.
Unlike classic banana bread, this version has lighter, fruitier notes that give it a refreshing twist.
Want to take it to the next level? Try mixing in crushed pineapple for extra tropical goodness and using the juices to make a simple powdered sugar glaze.
For the ultimate finishing touch, sprinkle the top with toasted coconut and lime zest—trust me, it’s divine!
1. Hawaiian POG Recipe with Natural Tropical Fruits
The store-bought versions are usually loaded with sugar and artificial colors, but the good news? Making your own is ridiculously easy!
Fresh fruit is definitely the way to go for the best flavor, but if you can find all-natural juices, you’ll still end up with a fruity, tropical cocktail that can hold its own against a Bahama Mama.
And here’s a little pro tip: I like to make a big batch and stir in a little rum for a grown-up version to enjoy later. You won’t regret it!
Easy Guava Recipes: 20+ Delightful Ways to Make Guava Jam
Discover 21 delightful and easy guava recipes for making delicious guava jam, using pectin for perfect texture.
Ingredients
- Quick Guava Jam Recipe
- Caramel Bread Pudding with Pecans
- Use Guava for BBQ Chicken Wings
- Guava Puree
- Homemade Guava Jam Recipe (Step-by-step Instructions)
- Corn Cake With Guava Frosting
- Guava Sherbet
- Tropical Guava Bars
- Guava BBQ Sauce
- Guava Paste
- Mexican Guava Charlotte [Carlota] No-Bake Cake
- Romeo and Juliet Bites
- Mini-Lime and Guava Cheesecakes
- Puerto Rican Guava and Cream Cheese Dip
- Guava Empanadas
- Agua de Guayaba
- Guava Chutney
- Paleo Strawberry Guava Smoothie (Vegan)
- Mantecaditos con Guayaba (Shortbread Almond Cookies with Guava)
- Pineapple-Guava Sweet Bread
- Natural Hawaiian Pog Recipe
Instructions
- Choose any Guava Recipes from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Guava Recipes and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.