Skinnytaste > Recipes > Dessert > Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Ambrosia Fruit Salad

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This Ambrosia Salad recipe is full of fresh fruit, whipped cream, walnuts, and marshmallows – the perfect summer dessert to bring to a potluck!

Ambrosia

Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Ambrosia is a creamy fruit salad traditionally made with pineapple, coconut, fruit cocktail, heavy cream, and walnuts. This lighter version uses mostly fresh fruit, including berries and bananas. I have been craving ambrosia and completely forgot I had created this recipe wayyyy back in 2009. I found the old post and updated the photos. I hope you enjoy it! For more fun ways to serve fruit, try my Tropical Fruit Salad, Fruit Pizza, and Rainbow Fruit Skewers with Yogurt Fruit Dip.

fruit and whipped cream

Why is it called ambrosia salad?

“Ambrosia” is the food of the gods in Greek mythology. Ambrosia salad dates back to the 1800s when fruits like oranges and coconut were exotic and hard to find.

Ambrosia Ingredients:

There are many variations of this salad. I switch mine up by adding lots of fresh fruit. The only canned fruit in my recipe is the mandarin oranges.

  • Fresh pineapple
  • Fresh blueberries
  • Fresh blackberries
  • Fresh strawberries
  • bananas
  • walnuts or pecans
  • canned mandarin oranges, drained
  • sweetened shredded coconut flakes
  • mini marshmallows
  • Tru Whip (or light cool whip)

How to Make Ambrosia

Place the fruit, shredded coconut, and marshmallows in a large bowl and fold in the whipped cream.
Chill for 2 hours before serving to let the flavors meld. When ready to serve, top with nuts.

Make Ahead

This fruit salad is so easy to whip up and perfect for making ahead if you’re having a party. In fact, you have to chill it for at least two hours, but ambrosia will hold in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours just fine.

Variations:

  • If there’s a fruit that you don’t have or like, feel free to omit it and add in more of one of your favorites.
  • Use fresh citrus fruit instead of canned.
  • Add in grapes or peaches.
  • Sub pistachios or pecans for walnuts.
  • Some people add maraschino cherries on top.
  • Try using my Yogurt Whipped Cream instead of Cool Whip.

fruit saladfruit salad in glassesfruit and whipped creamfruit and whipped cream

More Fruit Dessert Recipes You’ll Love:

Skinnytaste Simple promo banner

Ambrosia Salad

5 from 9 votes
6
Cals:163
Protein:1.5
Carbs:26
Fat:7
With a variety of fresh fruit, whipped cream, walnuts, and marshmallows, Ambrosia Fruit Salad is ready in minutes. The perfect summer dessert to bring to your next potluck!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ambrosia
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Yield: 11 servings
Serving Size: 1 cup

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mandarin oranges
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup blackberries
  • 1 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
  • 2 medium bananas, sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 4 tbsp sweetened shredded coconut flakes
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 8 oz Tru Whip Skinny, or Coco Whip Light

Instructions

  • Combine fruit with cream, coconut, and marshmallows.
  • Chill for 2 hours and serve.
  • Top with nuts.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cup, Calories: 163 kcal, Carbohydrates: 26 g, Protein: 1.5 g, Fat: 7 g, Sodium: 13.2 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 14 g

Categories: