This Fruit Salad is a refreshing and delicious way to enjoy a variety of fresh fruits with a creamy twist. The secret ingredient in this recipe is a box of vanilla instant pudding, which, when combined with the juice from the pineapple, creates a luscious, creamy dressing that coats every piece of fruit.
This salad is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or as a light dessert on a warm day. The beauty of this recipe is its versatility—you can easily add or swap out fruits based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
The key to making this salad extra special is chilling it before serving, which allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. However, if you’re in a hurry, it’s still delicious served immediately. Just be mindful of the bananas, as they can start to brown if left too long.
Ingredients:
- 1 can pineapple chunks, in their own juice
- 1 can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 bunch green grapes, halved
- 2 bananas
- 1 package strawberries, sliced
- 1 small box vanilla instant pudding (Jell-O brand recommended)
- Optional: other fruits of your choice
Directions:
- Mix Pineapple and Pudding: Pour the can of pineapple chunks, including the juice, into a large mixing bowl. Add the vanilla instant pudding mix to the bowl. Stir until the pudding mix is fully dissolved and the mixture becomes creamy.
- Add Mandarin Oranges: Stir in the drained mandarin oranges, making sure they are well coated with the creamy pudding mixture.
- Incorporate Additional Fruits: Add the halved green grapes, sliced strawberries, and any other fruits you choose to include. Gently stir until all the fruit is evenly coated with the pudding mixture.
- Add Bananas: Just before serving, slice the bananas and gently fold them into the salad. This helps to minimize browning.
- Chill and Serve: For best results, refrigerate the salad for a while until it is nicely chilled. This enhances the flavors and gives the salad a refreshing quality. However, you can also serve it immediately if desired.
