Learn how to make a special Creamy Fruit Salad that tastes like dessert but is still bursting with fresh fruit.
For most of us, making fruit salad should be relatively easy. Merely toss whatever fruits are available into a bowl and mix them up into a sweet cacophony of flavors. It’s a simple and delightful treat, especially for those of us who love fruit. But sometimes a special occasion calls for a special fruit salad. There are also times when fruit lovers, myself included, want to treat ourselves to a fruit salad that goes the extra mile. For those occasions, I always pull out this recipe for creamy fruit salad, which has the ease and flexibility of fruit salad, but feels and tastes a bit more elevated.
The thing that sets this fruit salad apart is that it doesn’t just include fruit. There is honey, Greek yogurt, shredded coconut, and marshmallows added to sweeten the pot—literally. These ingredients add a creamy coating, as well as more texture and flavors than you’ll find in an ordinary fruit salad. It gives this fruit salad the sweetness of a dessert while maintaining the refreshing taste of a fruit salad. It’s truly the best of both worlds.
Fresh is best when choosing fruit
The best advice I can give for this fruit salad is to use fruit that’s as fresh and ripe as possible. The recipe calls for canned pineapple and mandarin oranges, but you can also use fresh versions of these fruits as well. If possible, I suggest staying away from using frozen fruit because it can get mushy and watery after thawing, which would negatively affect the texture of the fruit salad. Finally, it’s also a good idea to cut each fruit into small, bite-sized pieces. This will make the fruit salad easier to eat while also creating more surface area for the fruit to be covered with the creamy topping.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers of creamy fruit salad can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing it, as the fruit will become mushy upon thawing.
Serving suggestions
I find this particular fruit salad to be perfect for picnics, potlucks, and large gatherings. Therefore, I recommend pairing it with other dishes that are also ideal for such occasions. This can include Italian Subs, Fried Cheese Balls and Ranch Potato Salad or perhaps Healthy Potato Salad. I’m also a big fan of making Pasta Salad or Macaroni Salad.
Ingredients
- 1 banana peeled and sliced
- 1 medium apple cored and chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 10-ounce can pineapple chunks drained
- 1 11-ounce can mandarin oranges drained
- 1 cup red grapes halved
- Honey to taste (optional)
- 2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/4 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Place the banana and chopped apple in a large bowl and toss with the lemon juice.
- Add the drained pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, and halved red grapes to the bowl and gently toss to combine.
- If using honey to sweeten the Greek yogurt, first mix the honey and yogurt together; adjust sweetness to taste. Then mix the Greek yogurt, shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows with the fruit until it is evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- After chilling, lightly toss the salad and enjoy.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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