This lighter Ambrosia Salad, full of fresh fruit, whipped cream, walnuts, and marshmallows, is the perfect Spring or Summer dessert.
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. For more fun ways to serve fruit, try my Tropical Fruit Salad, Fruit Pizza, and Rainbow Fruit Skewers with Yogurt Fruit Dip.
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!
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.
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.
- Mandarin oranges
- Pineapple
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Walnuts
- Sweetened shredded coconut flakes
- Mini marshmallows
- Cool Whip Lite
How to 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.
- Add in grapes or peaches.
- Sub pistachios or pecans for walnuts.
- Try using Greek yogurt instead of Cool Whip.
More Fruit Dessert Recipes You’ll Love:
- Flaugnarde of Mixed Berries
- 3-Ingredient Baked Bananas
- Red, White and Blueberry Trifle
- Raspberry Yogurt Ice Pops
- Strawberry Romanoff
Ambrosia Salad
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.
Oh my stars, this sounds so cool, light and refreshing for a summer dessert eaten under the stars. Heading to the grocery for the ingredients this week.
Made with 1/2 Cool Whip and 1/2 nonfat Greek yogurt – was delicious, cut sweetness and just a little gentler on points! Skinnytaste recipes are real game-changers… thank you!
I have a question: to make 4 servings how do I measuire 0.36 cup; 0.55 cup; 0.73 cup; 0.18 cup; 1.45 tbsp; 2.91 oz; Thank you.
.3 is 1/3, .5 is 1/2, .73 is 3/4, .18 is 2 tbsp, 1.5 tbsp is 1 1/2 tbsp.
Ambrosia holds a special place in my heart, just like “rolled sandwiches “. Yes, I’m dating myself. In my community, these treats are saved for special occasions like bridal and baby showers. I know I never really felt like I was getting married until I walked into my Grandmothers home, long after she passed on and my Aunts and neighbor ladies had thrown me a surprise shower. When I walked into the kitchen to get lunch I burst into tears when I saw her old farmhouse table once again Kaiden with all these doe ail treats I had treasured from my childhood. Thank you so much for recognizing the value in recipes such as these and keeping them alive in a healthier way. ❤️ And for reminding me of some very happy and treasured memories.
Aww that is really special, thanks for sharing your memories!
Cool Whip? Seriously? Cream is healthier!
It’s trup whip. Non GMO, No high-fructose corn syrup. No preservatives. No hydrogenated oils.
Ambrosia in Brazil is a sweet made of curdled milk boiled in a lot of sugar. I think this version might be tastier.
I am sure it’s very different but that sounds yummy
This hit the spot for a sweet tooth! I omitted the banana ( health reasons) but this was so good. Another winner!
Amazing!
I will try this, you can get kosher marshallows at a health food store near you, or leave them out. I like to use greek yogurt in fruit salads. It is good and healthy for you. I joined WW in Feb. 2014 and I have lost 30 lbs. thanks for the good recipes. I will share them at my WW meetings.
This was wonderful! Great as breakfast too!
ok, I feel like an idiot asking this one… I see that the berries and pineapple are fresh… does that mean the mandarin oranges are canned?? And if so, do I drain them first? I couldn't find fresh in my local market so I'm confused. Thanks.
Shari
yes, the mandarin oranges are canned and drained.
Never tried it with Greek yogurt, let me know how it turns out if you do.
It was great with Greek yogurt