Inspired by Pina Coladas, my fruit salad with yogurt is loaded with fresh fruit coated in a silky vanilla and coconut yogurt sauce.
My fruit salad recipe isn't meant to replicate a Pina Colada, but my craving for the classic cocktail last week inspired this sweet dish. But heck, if you work in one of those overly oppressive corporate offices that frown on drinking at your desk, just pack this fruit salad and spike it with a good splash of dark rum... Tadaa! Your workday just got better! But you didn't get that tip from me though...
Fruit Salad with Yogurt
My fruit salad with yogurt recipe features a myriad of fresh fruit coated in the exciting flavors of vanilla and coconut. Vanilla yogurt comprises the base of the sauce with a blend of sweetened condensed coconut milk (affiliate link).
The condensed coconut milk is the secret ingredient that really makes this fruit salad off the chart. It not only adds a wonderful coconut flavor to the vanilla, but it makes the yogurt sauce delectably silky, similar to a bavarian cream donut filling!
To complement the coconut flavor in the sauce I sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the fruit salad for flavor and texture. You can buy toasted coconut flakes (affiliate link), or you can use my toasted coconut recipe to make them yourself. It is easy either way.
How to Customize this Fruit Salad with Yogurt Recipe
My fruit salad with yogurt recipe is highly customizable. If you are looking to make this recipe healthier, or simply do not enjoy the flavor of coconut, feel free to omit the condensed coconut milk altogether, same with the toasted coconut flakes. A basic fruit salad of yogurt and fresh fruit is delicious as well!
What Fruit is Best for Fruit Salad
My recipe uses pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, and bananas, but you can use your favorites in addition to these, or in replacement. Fresh raspberries or blackberries would be excellent in this salad. Even melons, such as cantelope or honeydew would be well suited for this particular recipe.
What Yogurt is Best for Fruit Salad
I think the flavor of vanilla mixes particularly well with coconut, which is why I chose vanilla yogurt for this recipe. However, you can use your favorite flavor as a substitution. Personally, I would stay away from plain yogurt unless you plan to doctor it up with other flavors.
Can Fruit Salad be Made in Advance
Personally, I think fruit salad is best when served right away but it can be made in advance as well. The reason I like serving it fresh is because some fruits, like bananas, get mushier as they soak in the sauce. Additionally, juicy fruits like pineapple will leach out liquid, making the fruit salad runnier the next day. However, the flavor of the fruit salad will still be exceptional.
If you decide to make the fruit salad in advance I recommend adding the bananas right before serving. I would also wait on adding the coconut flakes as well because I think they taste best on top of the fruit salad rather than mixed in.
Fruit Recipes
If you are looking for more ways to enjoy fruit, try my apple salad, or my blueberry-loaded refrigerator oatmeal. Otherwise, whip up a strawberry banana milkshake for a decadent treat, or simply slice up some fresh fruit to use with my marshmallow fruit dip.
Fruit Salad with Yogurt
Ingredients
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- ¼ cup sweetened condensed coconut milk
- 20 ounce canned pineapple chunks (juice drained)
- 3 bananas (sliced)
- 1 ½ cup sliced strawberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- ⅓ cup toasted coconut shreds
Instructions
- Mix vanilla yogurt and condensed coconut milk together until well blended.
- Add fruit to a medium bowl and pour over yogurt sauce and gently combine.
- Sprinkle ⅓ cup of toasted coconut over the top, or to taste and serve.
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