Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad — The easiest fruit salad ever thanks to the addition of vanilla pudding mix! Make it for your next party and watch this crowd-favorite fruit salad disappear! It’s always the simplest recipes that people love the most!
Vanilla Fruit Salad … with Pudding Mix!
I cannot resist the glory of summertime fruit. It’s my favorite time of year. So many amazing, sweet, juicy, wonderful options.
Every now and then my eyes are bigger than my stomach and I find myself with enough fruit on hand to open up my own grocery store.
The answer? Make fruit salad.
This lightly vanilla-kissed fruit salad is the easiest fruit salad ever. The vanilla flavor is light, but adds an extra something special to nature’s finest.
If you’re throwing a Fourth of July party or any event, you can stir the fruit salad together the night before and let the flavors marry. One less thing to do the day of the event, and the salad tastes even better after an overnight stint in the fridge.
If you find yourself with a surplus of fruit such as cherries, raspberries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, cantaloupe, honeydew, or kiwi, just toss everything together.
Your fruit surplus will magically disappear!
Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad Ingredients
To make this fruit salad recipe with vanilla pudding, you’ll need:
- Fruit
- Instant vanilla pudding mix
- Lemon or lime juice (optional)
- Vanilla extract (optional)
- Almond extract (optional)
How to Make Fruit Salad with Vanilla Pudding
Simply sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of instant vanilla pudding mix over a bowl of fruit, stir, and over time the natural fruit juices will moisten the pudding powder. Or you can add a splash of water to help it along.
The pudding mix and fruit juices make a thin coating and it’s so good.
Can the Pudding Mix Be Substituted?
If you don’t have pudding mix in your area or are opposed to it, this probably isn’t the recipe for you.
What Fruit Is Best for Fruit Salad?
The best fruit for fruit salad is whatever you have on hand! This easy fruit salad with vanilla pudding can be made with any variety of fruits you have.
Try using 3 to 4 cups of:
- Cherries
- Raspberries
- Apricots
- Peaches
- Nectarines
- Plums
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Kiwi
Mix and match the fruit as you see fit! Generally speaking, three to four varieties of fruit should do the trick.
Tips for Making Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad
If you’re a citrus fan, you can add a couple tablespoons of lemon or lime juice for a tangier fruit salad. I also find a tiny bit of almond extract tastes excellent.
Adding a splash of vanilla and / or almond extract is totally optional, but it will dial up the delicious vanilla flavor even more.
To keep your pudding mix fruit salad vegan / vegetarian, look for a vegan instant pudding mix. Jell-O brand instant pudding is vegan, but read the label to double check!
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Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 cups fruit, I used 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries, 1 cup grapes, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup pineapple
- 1 to 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix (Jell-O brand is vegan
- about 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice, optional
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- ½ teaspoon almond extract, optional
Instructions
- Add fruit to a large bowl.
- Sprinkle with 1 to 2 tablespoons instant pudding mix powder and toss to combine. Over time, the natural fruit juices moisten the pudding powder. Or help it along with a splash of water.
- Optionally add lemon or lime juice for a tangier fruit salad and toss to combine.
- Optionally add vanilla or almond extract, or both, and toss to combine.
- Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before serving. I prefer to make it and refrigerate overnight because the flavors marry and the coating tastes best.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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More Easy Fruit Salad Recipes:
Tropical Fruit Salad— This tropical fruit salad features fresh fruit that’s tossed in pineapple juice, coconut and almond extracts, and piña colada mix. Don’t worry, this easy fruit salad is non-alcoholic!
Ambrosia Salad — This classic fruit salad is made with pineapple, mandarin oranges, grapes, coconut, and tossed in a light and creamy, tangy-yet-sweet dressing! The EASIEST side dish ever — just add everything to one bowl and stir!
Waldorf Salad — Classic and timeless, apple Waldorf salad is always a crowd favorite especially when apples are in season! It makes a great holiday side dish that your guests will devour thanks to a sweet and creamy dressing that coats a mixture of apples, grapes, celery, walnuts, and more!
Balsamic Watermelon Cucumber Salad — An EASY, healthy, and light salad with watermelon, cucumber, arugula, goat cheese, candied nuts, and drizzled with a homemade balsamic glaze!! A PERFECT summer salad for those days when it’s too hot to cook!!
Originally posted June 30, 2014 and reposted July 22, 2022 with updated text.
I always use frozen mixed fruit and a small can of peaches and add vanilla pudding powder to it and mix, I use a small box, juice from the peaches help mix the pudding in. It is delicious. Linda
great
great
I just made this and it ended up turning into a clumpy mess of fruit and vanilla pudding powder, what did I do wrong?
Sounds like you added too much powder and/or not enough liquid.
I always use frozen mixed fruit and a small can of peaches and add vanilla pudding powder to it and mix, I use a small box, juice from the peaches help mix the pudding in. It is delicious. Linda
That sounds perfect and I am glad this always turns out delicious for you!
I just made this and it ended up turning into a clumpy mess of fruit and vanilla pudding powder, what did I do wrong?
When you are making this, do you add the extracts? If so, what’s your favorite? Do you prefer lemon over lime juice or doesn’t it matter? What has been your favorite mix of fruits?
I add in the extracts and usually opt for lemon over lime juice but it’s whatever you prefer.
I can’t believe how many people have not heard of adding the pudding mix to fruit. My family has been making this for YEARS!!! It is delish! Thanks for sharing with everyone. :)
How long will it keep in frig?
A few days probably, noting that the fruit will release its juices more and more as time passes.
Vanilla pudding mix? I gotta try it! I usually put the Splenda sugar on strawberries only before pour them over other fruits. It was so delicious!!
I hear you with the Splenda and have done that too! The pudding mix just makes it so good :)