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18 Foods that Go Well with Mango in A Dessert

Mango is a delicious fruit that can be eaten on its own, but what’s even better is when it’s incorporated into desserts!

If you’re looking for some new ingredients to use with mango in your dessert recipe, here are 18 of my favorite options.

what goes well with mango in a dessert

But first, what goes well with mango in a dessert?

You can’t go wrong with mango in a dessert. The most common combination is with cream and chocolate, but you can also try it with bananas, strawberries, or vanilla ice cream. You could even try a tropical-inspired mousse made with coconut milk and pineapple.

Keep scrolling for more ideas!

18 Foods that Go Well with Mango in A Dessert

Mango is a delicious fruit, and it goes well with many different things in a dessert. It is a sweet taste, so it pairs well with other sweet things, such as chocolate or caramel. It also goes well with sour foods like lemon or lime juice. Mango also has a strong flavor, so it can stand up to spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.

mango dessert

However, you can also use the following…

1. Chocolate

Chocolate

I personally love to pair chocolate with mango because the two are complementary in their sweetness, and the bitterness of chocolate balances out the natural sweetness of mango.

I also like to add a little bit of salt to my chocolate if I’m making a mousse or pudding, which helps bring out the flavor even more.

2. Coconut

Coconut flakes

I love pairing mango with coconut because it just feels like summer—and summer is my favorite season!

The sweetness of the mango and coconut together is just so delicious.

You can either use shredded coconut or flakes; both will be great.

Also, if you use shredded coconut, consider adding a little bit of honey or agave nectar to help balance out the flavors.

3. Lime juice

Lime juice

Lime juice works really well with mango because it adds a nice citrusy kick that cuts through all that sweetness and brings out some new flavors in your dessert.

It’s especially good if you’re using a tart variety of mango that’s not as sweet as others might be (like Tommy Atkins).

Just squeeze some lime juice into your dessert when mixing everything together before baking it!

4. Honey

Honey

Honey is a great ingredient to pair with mango because it adds a little bit of sweetness to the dish, but also adds a lot of earthiness and depth.

If you’re making a dessert with mango that’s more on the savory side, like a salsa or chutney, honey is perfect.

It’s also nice to pair honey with other fruits like apples or peaches.

5. Sesame seeds

Sesame seeds

Sesame seeds are delicious on their own, but they can be even better when paired with mango!

They add a nice crunchy texture that complements the softness of the fruit.

You can sprinkle them on top of your dessert or add them to your recipe as an ingredient—whatever works best for you!

6. Vanilla extract

Vanilla extract

Vanilla extract makes everything taste better!

This ingredient goes well with just about any fruit because its flavor profile is so versatile and universally appealing.

You can use vanilla extract in any recipe that calls for cinnamon or nutmeg as well—or even just add it to some plain yogurt for an easy breakfast option!

7. Almond extract

Almond extract

Almond extract can be a great complement to mangoes, especially if you’re adding it to a dessert like ice cream or pudding.

I love the flavor of almonds in general, so when I see a recipe that calls for almond extract, I know it’s going to be good.

8. Nutmeg

Nutmeg

This spice can be overwhelming if you use too much, but I find that just a pinch of nutmeg is all you need to add a spicy warmth and depth to your desserts.

You can also use it to make your own cinnamon-spiced sweetener!

9. Cinnamon sticks

Cinnamon sticks

Cinnamon is another spice that works well with mangoes in desserts—but only if you use it sparingly!

A few cinnamon sticks will add some heat (in a good way) and an intense aroma to your dish.

Try soaking them overnight in water, then adding them to your dish instead of just throwing them in at the end when cooking time is up!

10. Ginger

Ginger

Ginger has a very bright, zingy flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of mango.

If you’re making a dessert with mango as the main ingredient, add some ginger to balance out the sweetness and add some complexity to your dessert.

11. Pineapple

Pineapple

This tropical fruit is also great with mangoes, but you’ll want to be careful not to overdo it on the pineapple as it can overpower the flavor of the mango.

You can always add some pineapple juice into the mix, but I prefer adding fresh slices or chunks of pineapple instead.

12. Cream cheese

Cream Cheese

This ingredient is great for pairing with mango because it brings out its natural sweetness without overpowering it too much.

You can use it in cakes or pies or other baked goods where you want something light but flavorful: cream cheese will bring out all of those beautiful flavors without taking away from how delicious they already are!

13. Yogurt or kefir

Yogurt

I love to use yogurt or kefir in desserts because it adds a tangy, sour taste that pairs beautifully with mango.

You can also use Greek yogurt, which is thicker and has a lower water content than regular yogurt so it will help your dessert set better.

14. Honeydew melon

Honeydew

The honeydew melon is one of my favorite fruits.

The honeydew has a similar flavor profile to the mango: it’s sweet and juicy, but not too heavy.

I like to combine them in a simple sorbet or ice cream recipe.

15. Kiwi

Kiwi

Kiwis are another sweet fruit that pairs well with mangos.

You can put them together in a salad or even just slice them up and eat them together as a snack!

16. Raspberries

Raspberries

I love pairing raspberries with mango in my desserts because they both have a similar texture and are really juicy, so they complement each other really well.

My favorite way to do this is to make a raspberry sorbet (or even better, a raspberry ice cream) and mix it into some mango gelatin.

The result is a light dessert that’s refreshing, sweet, and tangy!

17. Strawberries

Strawberries

I personally love strawberries with mango—when you combine them together, you get something even better than either one by itself.

My favorite way to pair these two ingredients is to make a strawberry-mango salsa and serve it over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for an amazing treat!

18. Watermelon

Watermelon

This one is probably obvious because watermelon goes so well with pretty much anything else in the world!

That’s why I like it so much too!

Whether you’re making a fruit salad or just eating it out of hand (which is probably my favorite way), adding watermelon will make your meal more refreshing and delicious than ever before!

mango dessert

18 Foods that Go Well with Mango in A Dessert

Mango is a delicious and versatile fruit that can be used in many different types of recipes. It's also really fun to play with different ways to cook it, so you'll find yourself coming up with new ideas for dishes all the time!
When choosing ingredients to pair with mango, think about what you want your dessert to taste like. Do you want something sweet? Savory? Fruity? It's important to consider your own tastes when figuring out which foods will go best with mango in order to create a dish that everyone will love.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Chocolate
  • Coconut
  • Lime juice
  • Honey
  • Sesame seeds
  • Vanilla extract
  • Almond extract
  • Nutmeg
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Ginger
  • Pineapple
  • Cream cheese
  • Yogurt or kefir
  • Honeydew melon
  • Kiwi
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Watermelon

Instructions
 

  • Pick your favorite ingredient from this list to use in your dessert.
  • Prepare the rest of your dessert.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword what goes well with mango in a dessert
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Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.