Easy And Healthy Ambrosia Salad

This Easy and Healthy Ambrosia Salad is a twist on the classic. I am not sure how you feel about it, but I personally have always loved Ambrosia salad. It is a bit nostalgic for some reason? 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.
• 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 was 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!

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!

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 the coconut milk. After it comes to stiff peaks, mix in honey or maple syrup for sweetening. If you prefer, 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.

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Easy and Healthy Ambrosia Salad

This simple to make salad is so delicious and the perfect snack, dessert, or side dish.

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword ambrosia salad, fruit salad, healthy ambrosia salad

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Author Amy- A Red Spatula

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.
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4-1/2 cup sweetener You can use honey or powdered sugar. Whichever you prefer
• 1/3 cup chopped walnut
• 1/4 cup unsweeetened coconut
• 1/3 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!