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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Fruit Salad with Pudding

    Published: Feb 6, 2025 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Fruit salad with pudding

    Fruit salad with pudding is an easy dessert loaded with fresh fruit swimming in a sweet and creamy pudding sauce.

    If you are looking for an effortless light dessert or perfect side dish for your next party or special occasion, this great recipe is always a hit! Best of all, this simple fruit salad can also be easily tweaked and customized to fit your tastes.

    Fruit salad with pudding.

    Like a traditional fruit salad, this creamy fruit salad recipe with pudding features a variety of fresh fruit tossed together in a sweet and creamy dressing. The best part is the vanilla pudding-based sauce that combines with the fruit juices to make a sweet and silky coating that really brings the flavor to the next level.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    • Instant vanilla pudding mix - You can substitute your favorite pudding flavor, or you could even use Greek yogurt.
    • Canned pineapple chunks - I recommend using canned pineapple rather than fresh pineapple because you will use the juice to make the pudding. You are able to substitute other canned fruit juices, like cans of fruit cocktail or canned peaches.
    • Jarred maraschino cherries 
    • Ripe bananas
    • Fresh strawberries
    • Blueberries
    • Optional - Coconut flakes can be added for extra texture. Mini marshmallows would go well with the vanilla pudding glaze.

    You can customize this easy fruit salad recipe with your favorite fruits. Green grapes or mandarin oranges would each be good additions. I recommend sticking with canned pineapple tidbits or chunks since you need the juice to mix with the pudding, but the remaining fruit can be customized by substituting 4 cups of your favorite fresh or frozen fruit (thawed).

    Pudding fruit salad.

    How to make it

    To make this delicious fruit salad with pudding recipe, begin by draining the juice from the canned pineapple into a large bowl, then add 2 tablespoons of juice from the maraschino cherry and the instant pudding mix. Whisk everything to combine.

    Tip: It isn't called for in my recipe, but you could also substitute orange juice for more citrus flavor, in place of the cherry juice or in addition to it. Or you can make the pudding according to the package instructions, without juice.

    Next, cut your fruit into bite-sized pieces and add it to the pudding mixture, then gently stir to combine everything.

    You will notice the vanilla pudding fruit salad will seem gritty at first. This is normal. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and after sitting for 30 minutes it will become silky smooth.

    Serving Fruit Salad recipe with Pudding.

    Storing Leftovers

    Leftover pudding fruit salad can be made up to one day in advance and stored in an airtight container, or covered in plastic wrap, in your refrigerator. However, it is best to enjoy fresh because the fruit releases juice as it sits, making the pudding thin and soupy after a couple of days.

    Fruit salad with pudding recipe

    Fruit salad with pudding

    Fruit salad with pudding is an easy dessert loaded with fresh fruit swimming in a sweet and silky pudding-based sauce.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Rest: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 137kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Ingredients

    • 5 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
    • 20 ounce can pineapple chunks
    • 1 cup jarred maraschino cherries (drained)
    • 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
    • 2 bananas (sliced)
    • 1 ½ cups sliced strawberries
    • 1 cup blueberries

    Instructions

    • Drain pineapple juice from the can of pineapples into a bowl along with the dry pudding mix and 2 tablespoons of juice from the maraschino cherries. Whisk everything together until combined.*
    • Add fresh fruit to the bowl and gently stir everything together until the fruit is fully coated with sauce.
    • Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes then enjoy.**

    Notes

    *The pudding powder in the sauce will still be gritty initially, but it will turn silky smooth as it sits.
    **I recommend enjoying this the same day it is made, but you can make it a day in advance. However, the sauce will thin out further as more liquid from the fruit is released and the bananas will soften more.
     
     

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 255mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

    This recipe was originally published here on March 13, 2020.

    More Fruit Desserts

    • Fruit Salad with Yogurt
      Fruit Salad with Yogurt
    • Marshmallow fruit dip
      Marshmallow Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
    • Make Fruit Salad recipe
      How to Make Fruit Salad
    • Apple salad
      Apple Salad with Grapes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Clara

      August 04, 2020 at 9:52 pm

      5 stars
      You are amazing. I enjoy your recipes AND your sense of humor.

      Reply
      • Melanie

        November 06, 2022 at 12:50 am

        How many servings does this recipe make? We're planning for 25-30 for Thanksgiving dinner and this would be an easy and tasty side dish or dessert.

        Reply
    2. Clara

      March 15, 2020 at 6:27 pm

      Good with Apple's also

      Reply
    3. Mac Callaway

      March 13, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      Well, this is just good. Who knew?

      Reply
    5 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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