Fruit Peanut Salad
A vibrant, sweet and savory fruit salad with peanut honey dressing, perfect for summer gatherings, brunches, or light desserts, appealing to fruit lovers and those seeking a refreshing treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Blend together honey and peanut butter.
- Gradually stir in yogurt.
- Mix until well blended; chill.
- Pare melons.
- Cut each melon into 3 crosswise slices with jagged edges.
- Remove seeds from melon slices.
- Chill the melon slices.
- Combine orange sections, apples, pineapple, banana, and peanuts in a large bowl.
- Toss gently with half the prepared dressing until fruit is coated.
- Place melon slices in the center of luncheon plates and surround with shredded lettuce.
- Fill the center of each melon slice with 1 cup of fruit mixture.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries.
- Serve with remaining honey-peanut butter mixture separately.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier dressing, consider using Greek yogurt instead of plain yogurt. If you're looking for a nut-free option, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and omit the peanuts. To enhance the flavors, try adding a splash of lime juice to the fruit mixture. This salad can also be made with seasonal fruits for a refreshing twist.
Serving Suggestions
This Fruit Peanut Salad is perfect for lunch or a light dinner, especially on warm days. Serve it alongside grilled chicken or fish for a balanced meal. For a delightful dessert option, consider pairing it with a slice of Green Tomato Chocolate Cake for a unique twist. Garnish with fresh mint for added color and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover fruit salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To maintain the freshness of the melon slices, keep them separate from the fruit mixture until ready to serve. The dressing can also be stored separately and used within a week for best results.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fruit Peanut Salad contains roughly 341 calories, with 8g protein, 53g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (34% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (22% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. It also contributes 6g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the fruit mixture and dressing a few hours in advance. However, it's best to keep the melon slices separate until serving to prevent them from becoming soggy. Assemble the salad just before serving for the freshest taste.
What other fruits can I add to this salad?
You can customize the salad with a variety of fruits. Consider adding berries, grapes, or even diced kiwi for extra color and flavor. Seasonal fruits work well, so feel free to experiment based on what's available.
Is this salad suitable for a vegan diet?
To make this salad vegan, substitute the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar, and use a plant-based yogurt. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan-friendly, making it a great option for those following vegetarian recipes.
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).