Fresh Fruit Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Jump to Recipe

Looking for a light and refreshing salad that's perfect for summertime? Then you need to try our fresh fruit Ambrosia salad! Made with a delicious mix of fresh fruits, this salad is absolutely delicious. Plus, it's super easy to make so you can enjoy it any time of day. This is the ultimate potluck side dish or super easy treat that everyone will beg you to make over and over again!

orange bowl of fruit salad with lime slices on top

Jump to:

Fresh Fruit Ambrosia Salad
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make a Fresh Fruit Ambrosia Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
More No-Bake Recipes
📖 Recipe

Fresh Fruit Ambrosia Salad

Ambrosia salads are a classic, and this recipe is perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. The difference with this version is that it is made entirely with fresh fruits instead of the common canned orange and pineapple you are familiar with seeing.

This salad is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Serve it at your next party or potluck and watch it disappear in minutes! You may even want to make a double batch – it’s that good!

The beauty of this salad is that you can make it your own. If there are fruits that you do not like, leave them out. If there are fruits that you love, add more! The same goes for the toppings. You can use any type of marshmallow that you like or even forego them completely.

If you like this type of salad, then make sure you check out our creamsicle orange salad with vanilla pudding or this delightful and simple orange kiwi fruit salad.

white bowl of ambrosia salad on wood table with black background

Ingredients

5 mandarin oranges
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
¾ cup maraschino cherries
4 cups mini marshmallows
¾ cup heavy cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup sour cream

Note: If you prefer to use Cool Whip instead of homemade whipped cream, you will need to replace the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extra with an 8-ounce container of Cool Whip. Do not use canned whipped cream in this recipe as it will deflate and the result will be unsavory.

dessert glass of ambrosia salad on counter with marshmallows and orange slices with black background

Handy Kitchen Tools

image looking down on top of orange bowl of ambrosia salad on blue table

How to Make a Fresh Fruit Ambrosia Salad

When using fresh fruit, you want to begin by preparing it for mixing with the other ingredients. For this recipe, peel and segment the mandarin oranges. Then, peel and cut the pineapple into bite-sized pieces.

Into a large bowl, you will combine together the oranges, pineapple, maraschino cherries, and marshmallows. Stir so they are combined and then set the bowl aside.

hand pouring pineapple into bowl with orange slices

In a separate large bowl, beat together the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat for 4 to 5 minutes with a hand mixer, until it has formed stiff peaks. This works best and fastest if using a chilled bowl.

Once the whipped cream is ready, stir in the sour cream until combined, but be careful to not over-mix and deflate the whipped cream.

sour cream being added to white bowl of whipped cream

Now, pour the whipped cream mixture into the bowl with the fresh fruit and stir to combine.

If adding coconut, do so and stir until just combined.

blue spatula stirring whipped cream into fruit

Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least one hour before serving.

white bowl of ambrosia salad with cherries and orange slices on top

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Not Use Canned Fruit?

You might have seen ambrosia salads that use canned fruit or canned fruit cocktail. And these are still delicious. However, once you try ambrosia salad using fresh fruit, you will never look at canned fruit salad the same.

Fresh fruit has a much better texture. Each fruit will have its true texture and it is retained when everything is mixed together. All of the fruit will have a bright flavor which often gets lost during the canning process. Both methods are delicious, but we prefer using fresh fruits.

Can I Skip the Coconut?

Coconut adds so much flavor to this recipe but I know that coconut can be a love-it-or-hate-it kind of food. If you do not want to add coconut to the fresh ambrosia salad, you can certainly skip it.

How Long is Ambrosia Salad Good For?

This salad is best when it is eaten within the first few days of being made. After a day or so, the marshmallows will start to break down. The fruit will start to release juice and then the salad will start to become watery. It is best to eat the ambrosia salad within 2 to 3 days of when you prepare it.

To help the fresh ambrosia salad to last the longest, you want to store it properly. Keep it in the refrigerator when it is not being served. Also, make sure it is in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.

What Other Fruits Can Be Added to Ambrosia Salad?

In a traditional ambrosia salad, there are mandarin oranges and pineapples, combined with coconut, marshmallows, and whipped cream.

Cherries are often added to the salad as well. Typically maraschino cherries are used but with the rest of the fresh fruit, you can slice cherries in half, remove the pit and add them.

If you want to stick with the tropical theme, you can add kiwis, mangos, and even bananas. Some other things that can be added include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, or even peaches. And you may even want to add texture with some chopped walnuts or pecans mixed into the salad in place of the coconut shreds.

Is Ambrosia Salad Dessert or a Side Dish?

Growing up, this was often served at potlucks and added as a side dish to a meal, but if we are honest, it is really a dessert. You can serve this for breakfast, dessert, a side to a meal, or even a snack.

If you like this easy recipe and want more beginner recipes to try you might also be interested in my latest cookbook release, The Complete Cookbook for Beginners. Tips, skills, and 101 recipes for the beginner cook to learn from!

close image of ambrosia salad topped with cherries and lime slices

More No-Bake Recipes

I love simple dessert recipes that are no-bake and can easily be added to the menu for something super easy and delicious. Below are some of my favorites, and they can easily fit into your meal plan. Make sure that you bookmark the ideas, print out the recipes, or pin them to Pinterest to make soon!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 6

Fresh Fruit Ambrosia Salad

Make this delicious fresh fruit Ambrosia salad in minutes! A perfect refreshing snack or dessert for potlucks and summer barbecues!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

5 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
¾ cup maraschino cherries
4 cups mini marshmallows
¾ cup heavy cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup sour cream

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together the peeled and segmented mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, maraschino cherries, and mini marshmallows. Set this bowl aside.
In a separate large bowl, mix together the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, beating until stiff peaks have formed.
To the whipped cream, stir in the sour cream until combined, being careful not to over-stir.
Pour the whipped cream into the fruit.
Then add in the coconut shreds and stir until combined well. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.