The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing Creamy Fruit Salad

Drizzled with a creamy vanilla pudding dressing, this classic recipe for creamy fruit salad is the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish.

Classic Creamy Fruit Salad

This fruit salad recipe is one of my favorites. Drizzled with a creamy vanilla pudding dressing and ready in just a few minutes, it can be easily customized to include your favorite fruits.

It’s the perfect side dish to serve if you’re hosting a Galentine’s Day brunch, baby shower, bridal shower, or even a brunch gathering with your book club friends.

And it pairs perfectly with a variety of breakfast dishes like a savory quiche or a sweet cinnamon-sugar monkey bread.

Ingredients for Classic Creamy Fruit Salad

• 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 can pineapple chunks (20 ounces)
• 1 can mandarin oranges (15 ounces), drained
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

How to Make Classic Creamy Fruit Salad

Start by washing and preparing all the fresh fruit. Drain the juice from the can of mandarin oranges, and mix all the fruit in a large bowl.

Next, drain the juice from the diced pineapple and pour it into a separate small mixing bowl. Whisk in two tablespoons of instant vanilla pudding mix and set the sweet dressing mix aside. (You’ll come back to it in just a moment.)

Now pour the dressing mixture on top of your bowl of fruit and stir gently to combine. Then cover the salad with plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Other Varieties of Fruit You Can Use in Your Salad

One of the best parts of this recipe is that it is completely customizable based on your favorite fruits! The list of fruits noted in the ingredient list above is what I chose to include, but here are a few other types of fruit that can be added to your salad.

• Green Grapes 
• Raspberries 
• Blackberries 
• Kiwis
• Apples
• Pears

Can You Use Frozen Fruit?

Fresh fruit is best for this creamy fruit salad recipe. Frozen fruit can become mushy and watery once it’s thawed so this recipe won’t be as good.

But there is good news! Since this recipe is so versatile you can use whatever fruit you have on hand.

Can You Make Creamy Fruit Salad Ahead of Time?

You can make this simple side dish up to one day in advance. To help keep the salad fresh, I recommend preparing the fruit and the dressing separately.

Wash and slice all the fruit (except the bananas) as needed. Then refrigerate in a covered container. Right before serving add the sliced bananas and toss with the dressing.

Tips To Make The Perfect Fruit Salad

• Use a Variety of Fruit. Just about any fruit will work, so don’t be afraid to mix it up! For the best-tasting salad, be sure to use fresh and in-season fruits.
• Wait to Add Some Fruit. Fruits such as bananas and berries like raspberries and blackberries are best added right before serving to prevent them from becoming too soft.
• Have Fun With It. Use a mix of fruits with different colors and textures. Or try cutting your fruit into different, fun shapes.

And there you have it! My recipe for simple and classic creamy fruit salad. If you try this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and let me know what you think in the comments below!

Enjoy!

Recipe for Classic Creamy Fruit Salad

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