Guava is one of those fruits that stops me in my tracks every single time. Its flavor sits somewhere between a strawberry and a pear, with occasional whispers of mango or grapefruit depending on when you pick it. I've rounded up 17 fresh guava recipes that celebrate this pretty, pink fleshed beauty in every form from drinks to desserts and everything in between.
1. Puerto Rican Guava and Cream Cheese Dip
Glancing at the ingredient list, you might raise an eyebrow. Cream cheese and garlic, okay, but honey and guava?
Trust me on this. The gu
2. Guava BBQ Sauce
I’m all about BBQ sauce that’s tangy, spicy, and almost sinfully sweet. Fruity versions like honey, mango, or peach just make sense to me, they complement the sauce so perfectly.
Follow the recipe as written and you’ll be rewarded with a wonderfully thick, flavor packed sauce. I’ve slathered it on pulled pork and chicken, and every single time it disappears in minutes.
3. Mantecaditos con Guayaba (Shortbread Almond Cookies with Guava)
At first glance, these cookies might remind you of the classic Linzer cookies you bake every holiday season, but I promise they're even better. Raspberry jam is lovely, sure, but swapping in guava jam brings a sunny tropical twist that's just irresistible. You can usually find guava jam right at the grocery store, and if not, making your own is totally doable.
4. Guava Empanadas
Empanadas are those darling little hand pies wrapped in flaky pastry, stuffed with anything from savory meats to sweet fruit. I'll always have a soft spot for spicy pulled pork versions, but these guava filled beauties are absolutely unmissable.
The filling is ridiculously simple: just guava paste and cream cheese. The paste brings so much natural sweetness that you can skip the sugar entirely in the cream cheese.
5. Corn Cake With Guava Frosting
You’d never guess from looking at it that cornmeal is hiding in the batter. One bite, though, and you’ll know.
If cornbread with a drizzle of honey is your thing, you’re going to adore this cake. It’s shockingly light and fluffy, with a gentle corn flavor that’s definitely present but not overpowering. It just works, I swear.
6. Guava BBQ Chicken Thighs
This BBQ sauce might raise an eyebrow when you spot the ingredient list. Cocoa powder?
Yes, really. It’s not about tasting chocolate outright; it’s more like a secret flavor booster.
Those cocoa notes deepen all the spices in a way that’s hard to describe but impossible to miss. One bite and you’ll definitely notice the difference.
7. Mini Lime and Guava Cheesecakes
Cheesecake is always a party hero. The mini versions are beyond cute, and whenever I set them out, the plate comes back completely empty.
So why not play around a little? Lemon is fine, but stepping outside the box is way more fun. This recipe pairs zippy lime with a silky guava sauce for a flavor combo that’s fresh and unforgettable.
8. Guava Paste
Most grocery stores carry guava paste, but if yours doesn’t, I can’t recommend homemade enough. It’s ridiculously easy.
Just guava, water, and sugar simmered down until it’s thick and glossy, then left to set. You’ll have a gorgeous, sweet paste ready in under an hour.
9. Paleo Strawberry Guava Smoothie (Vegan)
I'll be the first to admit I'm a bit of a creature of habit with smoothies. Banana and strawberry, that's my jam.
But this recipe grabbed me and wouldn't let go. The guava lifts the strawberry flavor beautifully, weaving in delicate pear like undertones that make it feel extra special. Frozen mango cubes swoop in to add natural sweetness and a thick, frosty texture, so you don't need any ice watering things down.
10. Guava Chutney
Are you the person who dives straight for the mango chutney whenever Indian food hits the table? Then this guava version is about to become your new obsession.
It balances the fruit's natural sweetness with savory notes of garlic and coriander in the most perfect way. And if you want to dial the heat up or down, it's super flexible.
11. Mexican Guava Charlotte [Carlota] No Bake Cake
I always think of this as a Mexican spin on Key Lime pie. There’s a fantastic cookie crust, a lime and condensed milk filling, and cream cheese brings that cheesecake y vibe.
But the real star is the guava. A thick, sweet layer on top takes everything to a whole new level in a way only guava can. And just like any good icebox cake, the cookies soften into that creamy mixture, giving you a melt in your mouth finish that’s pure heaven.
12. Natural Hawaiian POG
The name tells you everything: passion fruit, orange, and guava come together in this stunning Hawaiian drink. One sip and I promise you'll never look at plain orange juice the same way again. The store bought bottles are usually packed with sugar and artificial colors, but whipping up your own at home is so wonderfully simple.
13. Agua de Guayaba
Agua de guayaba translates simply to guava water, and it's exactly the refreshing treat you need. Just blitz it in the blender for a light, fruity drink that's way thinner than a smoothie. I love squeezing in some lime for a citrusy pop, and every now and then I'll swirl in coconut milk to give it a silkier, creamier feel.
14. Pineapple Guava Sweet Bread
Pineapple guava is a whole different creature from the pink guava you might be picturing. Its flesh is creamy white, incredibly juicy, and tastes almost like a banana.
That gentle banana flavor, with subtle tropical notes, makes it a dream in this sweet bread. It's a welcome change from your usual quick breads and cakes.
15. Guava Sherbet
Sherbet sits somewhere between sorbet and ice cream, usually with a touch of dairy, and it’s shockingly easy to whip up at home. The secret to big guava flavor is in the syrup, which really amps up the fruitiness, while the puree gives it that lovely thick texture and pretty color. This base recipe is a gem, and you can easily swap in mango, pineapple, strawberry, or banana to create a whole lineup of frosty homemade treats.
16. Tropical Guava Bars
Shortbread bars are honestly some of my favorite sweets on the planet. That buttery base is to die for, and it’s a total chameleon, you can top it with jam, caramel, chocolate, you name it.
They’re always a surefire hit. What really gets me about this particular recipe is the perfect balance of guava to that crumbly, buttery shortbread.
17. Romeo and Juliet Bites
Cheddar and guava paste is a legendary duo that pops up all over Brazil. The salty sweet pairing is the whole point of these adorable little bites, named Romeo and Juliet because they’re just meant to be.
I like to slice the guava paste a little thinner and spread it across the bread so the sweetness doesn’t overwhelm you. Sometimes I’ll even toast them just until the cheese gets melty, and trust me, it’s so worth it.
