Chilled Fruit Salad
A refreshing chilled fruit salad combining crisp apples, sweet bananas, crunchy celery, walnuts, and coconut, dressed lightly with mayonnaise and lemon juice—perfect for light, fruity gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 c. diced unpeeled red apples ⓘ
- 1 c. diced unpeeled yellow apple ⓘ
- 2 large bananas, peeled and sliced
- 1 c. sliced celery ⓘ
- 1 c. walnut pieces ⓘ
- 1 c. flaked coconut ⓘ
- 1/4 c. mayonnaise or salad dressing ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
- dash of salt ⓘ
- 1/2 c. whipping cream, whipped ⓘ
- romaine lettuce leaves ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine the diced apples, sliced bananas, sliced celery, walnut pieces, and flaked coconut in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, mix mayonnaise or salad dressing with sugar, lemon juice, and a dash of salt.
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and nut mixture and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Gently fold in the whipped cream just before serving for added creaminess.
- Serve chilled, garnished with romaine lettuce leaves if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, substitute the walnuts with pecans or almonds, and consider adding other fruits like grapes or pineapple for variety. If you prefer a lighter dressing, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. Be sure to toss the fruit gently to maintain their shape and texture. This salad pairs beautifully with the refreshing Blueberry Yogurt Shake.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chilled fruit salad as a light dessert or a refreshing side dish at picnics and barbecues. It also makes a great addition to brunch spreads alongside dishes like Mary'S Irish Soda Bread. Garnish with fresh mint for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The whipped cream may lose its volume, so it's best to mix in freshly whipped cream if you plan to keep leftovers. Avoid freezing, as the texture of the fruit may change once thawed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chilled Fruit Salad contains roughly 362 calories, with 4g protein, 62g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (85% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 734mg per serving (32% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this fruit salad in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the fruit salad a few hours in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve to maintain the freshness and texture of the fruit. Once ready to serve, mix in the dressing and whipped cream for optimal taste.
What fruits can I add or substitute?
You can add or substitute a variety of fruits such as pears, berries, or citrus fruits like oranges and mandarins. Just ensure that the fruits have a similar texture and sweetness to maintain the balance of flavors in the salad.
How can I make this salad healthier?
To make this salad healthier, consider reducing the amount of mayonnaise or using a lighter alternative, like Greek yogurt. You can also add more fresh fruits and reduce the sugar to enhance the natural sweetness without compromising flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).