Vanilla Fruit Salad

This Fruit Salad is a family favorite with a light and flavorful fruit salad dressing. It’s easy and perfect for snacks, sides and school lunches!

Ready to eat in a matter of minutes, this healthy snack can be easily customized to include your favorite fruits.

In the summer I love light and easy snacks like a Fruit Plate or Watermelon Salsa and this vanilla fruit salad is another great warm weather treat that the girls love!

This fruit salad makes a delicious snack, side dish or dessert. The secret fruit salad dressing is a childhood favorite, and it is a delicious way for adults and children to enjoy an array of fruits.

While my aunt that made this when I was growing up used a can of fruit cocktail, of course. Then she threw in whatever fruit she had on hand and a package of instant vanilla pudding. I couldn’t get enough of it as a kid! This really is a family favorite recipe!

I’ve simplified and upgraded her fruit salad, using fresh fruit and a splash of lemon juice with a hint of the vanilla pudding flavor. It’s light and refreshing but gives you the same sweet vanilla touch that I loved.

This recipe also makes one of the best picnic food ideas, too – so refreshing!

Ingredients

• Fruit – You can use all of your favorite fruits in this recipe. I like to use grapes, apples, pears and strawberries. Feel free to add in melon, blueberries and peaches, use whatever you have in your fridge!
• Lemon Juice – Lemon juice not only adds flavor the finished fruit salad, but it also helps to stop fruit like apples and pears from browning. Use fresh squeezed lemon juice if possible. You can substitute 100% lemon juice if needed.
• Vanilla Pudding Mix – The vanilla mix is stirred into the fruit for a wonderful subtle sweetness. I use a package of instant pudding, but regular works as well.

Fruit Suggestions

The options are endless! You can use all your favorite fruits to customize this amazing fruit salad recipe.

• Strawberries – Select strawberries with beautiful color, no spots or mold. Trim the green off and slice thin.
• Pineapple – Select a ripe pineapple that has a sweet scent. Exterior should be slightly yellow and soft.
• Bananas – Ripe bananas (no green) tossed in citrus to maintain freshness and prevent browning.
• Red Grapes – Firm, plump and beautiful color.
• Green Grapes – Firm, plump with vibrant color.
• Blueberries – The plumper, the sweeter.
• Blackberries – Plump!
• Kiwi – Ripe kiwi that are slightly soft to the touch.
• Mango  – Soft and fragrant.
• Mandarin Oranges – Fresh or canned, drained.
• Apple – Toss in lemon or lime juice first to prevent browning and maintain freshness.
• Pear – Toss in citrus first to prevent browning and maintain freshness.

How To Make

1. Prepare Fruit – Chop fruits, toss bananas, grapes, apples and pear in citrus first and strain.
2. Combine Fruit – Toss in a large bowl to mix thoroughly.
3. Mix – Add in 2 tablespoons vanilla pudding mix.
4. Enjoy!

Fruit Salad Dressing

The natural fruit juices create an amazing dressing. Little is needed to enhance this simple fruit salad. 

Just a couple tablespoons of vanilla pudding mix combined with the natural fruit juices creates a light and refreshing fruit salad dressing.

In lieu of the pudding mix you can substitute 2 Tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

1. Toss fresh cut fruit to release their natural juices.
2. Add vanilla pudding mix and toss.

Can You Make It Ahead Of Time?

You can make it just before serving or a day in advance.

I love to make a big batch of this vanilla fruit salad as it stores really easily. Because of the added lemon juice, the fruits stay wonderfully fresh and vibrant. Once you have made the salad, store in in an airtight container and it will keep well in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. It’s perfect to take with you when you are out and about and have little mouths to feed!

Can I Use Frozen Fruit?

Fresh fruit is always preferred for the best flavor and consistency. It’s a versatile recipe so use what you have on hand and in season fruits.

Make it For a Crowd

Recommended serving size of fruit salad is 4 ounces per person. For a group of 50 you’d use approximately 12 1/2 pounds of fruit. You can use the sliding scale in the recipe card to make as little or as much of this recipe as you need.