Prep Tools

Melon Baller

Scoops neat spheres of melon, butter, and sorbet

A small spoon-shaped scoop that carves tidy spheres from melon and other soft fruit for fruit salads and garnishes. It also cores apples, scoops butter curls, and shapes truffles. Press, twist, and lift for a clean ball.

A melon baller is a small spoon-shaped scoop that carves tidy spheres from melon and other soft fruit for fruit salads and garnishes. Beyond melon it cores apples and pears, scoops out butter curls, and shapes truffles or cookie-dough balls. Press, twist a full turn, and lift for a clean, round ball.

Types & varieties

Double-ended baller

Two scoop sizes on one tool for big and small spheres.

Single scoop

One size; simple, often with a comfortable handle.

Vented / non-suction scoop

A tiny hole in the bowl releases suction so the ball pops out cleanly.

Beyond melon

The shape that scoops fruit is just as good at carving out the core of a halved apple or pear, hollowing tomatoes and strawberries for stuffing, and portioning even rounds of truffle ganache, butter, or cookie dough. Press the scoop in fully and rotate a complete turn so the sphere releases in one neat piece.

Core apples, pears, and halved tomatoes
Hollow strawberries for filling
Portion truffles and small dough balls evenly
Scoop butter and soft cheese into pretty curls

Common uses

Scooping melon and fruit into balls for saladsCoring apples, pears, and tomatoesHollowing strawberries and cherry tomatoes to stuffShaping truffles, ganache, and dough into even roundsMaking butter curls and small garnishes

Tips & pitfalls

Press in fully and rotate a complete turn for a clean, round ball.
A vented scoop releases by breaking the suction — handy with very ripe fruit.
Use it to core a halved apple or pear in one neat scoop.
Dip it in warm water to glide through firmer flesh and shape truffles.
Save the scooped-out fruit trimmings for smoothies or compote — don't waste them.