This Easy and Healthy Ambrosia Salad is a twist on the classic. This cleaned-up and healthier version is a much better option than the original though, let me tell you why.
Differences Between the Classic Ambrosia Salad and The Easy and Simple Ambrosia Salad
- The classic is made with whip cream and sour cream. This lightened version is made with coconut milk and just a touch of heavy cream.
- While the classic had tons of sugar in it, this one is sweetened with honey. So no refined sugars in this recipe
- This version has all fresh fruits, where the older version had almost all canned fruits in heavy syrup.
- This version uses unsweetened coconut, the classics were sweetened.
- I just skipped the marshmallows in this recipe, they were always a little too sweet with all the canned fruits anyway.
Don't worry though, even with all the changes I made, this salad is still so delicious! I think you will love how quick it is to prepare, how healthy it is, and the best part, how good it is!
Why You Need To Make This Salad
Sure you can throw all the fruit in a bowl and call it good. But there is something about the creamy dressing and coconut that make is so much better.
Ingredients
- Fresh pineapple
- apples
- fresh oranges
- bananas
- coconut
- grapes
- full-fat coconut milk
- unsweetened coconut flakes
- honey
- heavy cream
Notes About The Salad
- This is made with fresh fruits, coconut milk instead of cool whip, and no marshmallows. So, it will not be as sweet as the original. It is still really good, but not that sickening sweet flavor.
- This can easily be made several hours ahead of time. If you do this, make sure and add the bananas right before serving.
- You really can add any fruits you want in here. I added fruits that were as close to the original as possible.
Preparing the Ambrosia Salad
Start this salad by prepping all your fruits. I used fresh pineapple, apples, grapes, bananas, and mandarin oranges. You can use canned fruits if you prefer, but the fresh is so much healthier!
How To Whip Coconut Cream
In place of heavy cream and sour cream, I used full-fat coconut milk. If you have never used coconut milk for cream before, let me explain the process.
Place the whole can in the fridge the night before, don't open it, just put it in the fridge. The next day, when you open the can, the thick cream will be on top.
Scoop this out, and place it in your bowl for mixing. I used a hand mixer, this is the new one I just bought and have loved, but you can also use a whisk or stand mixer if you prefer.
I also added 2 tablespoons of heavy cream as I needed a little more cream for the salad. If you want a dairy-free version, stick to coconut milk. After it comes to stiff peaks, mix in honey or maple syrup for sweetening.
If you aren't opposed, use powdered sugar. I will give those options below.
The Easy and Healthy Ambrosia Salad
That's it. Now, mix it all together! I also used unsweetened coconut as well. So, just to refresh, we have all our cut-up fresh fruits, whipped coconut cream, walnuts, and coconut. Fold carefully with a rubber spatula, you don't want to break up the fruits. I also toasted some coconut and sprinkled it on the top.
FAQ Healthy Ambrosia Salad
It tastes really similar to heavy cream with a coconut undertone. Just make sure it is refrigerated first to make sure the cream is solid and easy to separate. The cool thing is, it whips just like whip cream, making it a great dairy-free option.
Maple syrup works really well. You can also use powdered sugar if you aren't opposed to refined sugars.
yes, of course. I cut them out and replaced them with fresh fruits as I was looking for a healthier recipe. Most canned fruits are really high in added sugars too, so we cut those out with fresh fruits.
Other Salad Ideas
- Green Goddess Pasta Salad
- Fruit and Microgreen Salad
- Asian-Style Sprouted Lentil Slaw
- Strawberry Basil
- Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
- Vegetarian Couscous
- Healthy Carrot Salad
Easy and Healthy Ambrosia Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups assorted fresh fruits I used mandarin oranges, bananas, apples, pineapple, and grapes
- 1 15 ounce can full-fat coconut milk this needs to be chilled overnight
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream This isn't necessary, but I like it. If you are going for a dairy-free version, leave this out. The can of coconut milk will need to be chilled in the fridge overnight.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼-1/2 cup sweetener You can use honey or powdered sugar. Whichever you prefer
- ⅓ cup chopped walnut
- ¼ cup unsweeetened coconut
- ⅓ cup crushed pineapple
Instructions
- Add chopped fruits, walnuts and coconut to a medium-sized bowl. In another bowl add in your coconut cream. This will need to be from chilled coconut milk. Open the can and the cream will have separated itself and is at the top. It is thick and perfect. scoop this out and add it to your bowl with the 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and vanilla. Now, decide which sweetener you want to use. If you are using the powdered sugar, add it in now. If you are using honey, wait until late to add it in. Beat the coconut cream and heavy cream to soft peaks with a hand mixer on high or a whisk. Add in the crushed pineapple. If you are using honey, you will add it at this point. Mix well. Taste the cream. If you want it more sweet, add in more sweetener. Pour it over the the fruits and mix well with a rubber spatula. This salad is best eaten the day it is made, as it has the bananas in it. You can always eat it the next day, just know the bananas will be brown and a little mushy. Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!
Notes
- This is made with fresh fruits, coconut milk instead of cool whip, and no marshmallows. So, it will not be as sweet as the original. It is still really good, but not that sickening sweet flavor.
- This can easily be made several hours ahead of time. If you do this, make sure and add the bananas right before serving.
- You really can add any fruits you want in here. I added fruits that were as close to the original as possible.
Margaret Higgs says
Made today for lunch! Mother always made for holiday times. Nancy and Lou been here for a week, going to George Town for Christmas with his 3 Grand children.
Merry Christmas to all the family. Jiggs doing well. Just spoiled!
Love, Margaret
admin says
It is such a great salad, isn't it! I love these classics remade! Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas Margaret!