Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad

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Vanilla pudding fruit salad is a sweet and creamy treat that’s perfect for any occasion. This tasty dessert combines juicy fruits with smooth vanilla pudding for a delightful mix of flavors and textures. You can make this yummy salad in just 15 minutes with a few simple ingredients.

The recipe calls for canned pineapple and mandarin oranges, along with fresh bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and grapes. The vanilla pudding mix is prepared with pineapple juice instead of milk, giving it a fruity twist. You can also add chopped pecans for crunch and lime zest for extra zing if you like. After mixing everything together, chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors blend.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this yummy vanilla pudding fruit salad:

• 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks
• 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges
• 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 large bananas
• 2 cups strawberries
• 1 1⁄2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 1⁄2 cups seedless purple grapes

Don’t forget to save 1 cup of pineapple juice from the can for the pudding mix!

Optional add-ins for extra flavor and crunch:

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• Zest of 1 lime

This recipe makes 8 servings and takes about 15 minutes to prep. Each serving has around 246 calories.

Remember to drain the canned fruits well. Pat the fresh fruits dry after washing to keep your salad from getting watery.

Slice the bananas and strawberries just before adding them to the mix. This keeps them fresh and stops them from turning brown too fast.

Instructions

Drain the pineapple and save 1 cup of juice. Drain the mandarin oranges too. Set the fruit aside.

Mix the pudding powder with the pineapple juice in a bowl. Whisk for 2-3 minutes until it’s thick and smooth.

Prepare the fruit just before adding it. Slice bananas, hull and slice strawberries, and rinse blueberries and grapes. Pat them dry.

Put all the fruit in a big bowl. Add pecans and lime zest if you want.

Pour the pudding over the fruit. Stir gently with a spatula to coat everything. Don’t mash the fruit!

Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors mix together.

Serve your fruit salad cold and enjoy! It’s perfect for a hot day or as a yummy dessert.

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily swap out fruits in this vanilla pudding fruit salad to match your tastes or what’s in season. Here are some yummy options:

• Instead of pineapple: Try canned peaches or fresh mango chunks
• Swap mandarin oranges for: Canned fruit cocktail or fresh clementine segments
• Replace strawberries with: Raspberries or blackberries
• Sub blueberries for: Pomegranate seeds or halved grapes
• Trade grapes for: Sliced kiwi or diced apple

For the pudding mix, you could use:

• Banana cream pudding
• Cheesecake flavored pudding
• White chocolate pudding

Don’t have pecans? Try:

• Sliced almonds
• Chopped walnuts
• Toasted coconut flakes

You can also add fun mix-ins like:
• Mini marshmallows
• Maraschino cherries
• Shredded coconut

Feel free to get creative and make this fruit salad your own! The creamy vanilla pudding base works well with lots of fruit combos.

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this vanilla pudding fruit salad more suitable for people with diabetes, you can try a few simple swaps. Start by using sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix instead of the regular kind. This cuts down on added sugars.

Next, focus on lower glycemic index fruits. Berries are great choices, so keep the strawberries and blueberries. You might want to reduce or skip the grapes, as they’re higher in natural sugars.

Consider these fruit adjustments:

• Keep: Strawberries, blueberries, lime zest
• Reduce: Pineapple, mandarin oranges
• Add: Raspberries, blackberries, or diced melon

For the canned fruits, look for options packed in water or juice rather than syrup. This helps lower the overall sugar content.

You can also boost the fiber by leaving the skin on fruits when possible. The extra fiber helps slow down sugar absorption. The pecans are a good addition too, as nuts provide healthy fats and protein.

Portion control is key. Stick to smaller servings, about 1/2 cup per person. This lets you enjoy the sweet treat while managing your blood sugar levels.

Remember to check with your doctor or dietitian about how this dessert fits into your meal plan. They can give you personalized advice based on your specific health needs.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

To keep your fruit salad fresh, cut the bananas just before serving. This prevents them from browning too quickly.

For extra flavor, try adding a dash of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract to the pudding mixture.

You can make this salad ahead of time. Just leave out the bananas and add them right before serving.

Store your fruit salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for 2-3 days.

If you’re taking this to a potluck, pack the fruit and pudding separately. Mix them together when you arrive to keep everything crisp.

Try using different fruits based on what’s in season. Peaches, kiwis, or melon chunks work great too!

For a lighter version, use sugar-free pudding mix and add more fruit.

To make individual servings, layer the fruit and pudding in small glasses or jars. It looks pretty and is easy to grab and go.

Don’t forget to drain your canned fruit well. Too much liquid can make your salad soggy.