Healthy Ambrosia Salad Recipe

This ambrosia salad recipe has been the star of our family potlucks for over twenty years. After perfecting it through countless church dinners and holiday gatherings, I’ve discovered that the secret lies not just in the ingredients, but in the gentle folding technique that keeps every piece of fruit intact while creating that signature creamy texture. Lina calls it “the fluffy fruit bowl,” and honestly, that’s the perfect description for this heavenly dessert that gets its name from the food of the gods.

Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Ambrosia Salad Recipe

This ambrosia salad recipe delivers pure comfort without the guilt. Unlike heavy desserts that leave you feeling sluggish, this refreshing treat satisfies your sweet tooth while keeping things light. The combination of juicy fruits with fluffy marshmallows creates layers of texture that keep every bite interesting, while the creamy base ties everything together perfectly.

What makes this recipe truly special is its forgiving nature. You can prep it hours ahead, and it actually gets better as it sits – the flavors meld together while the marshmallows soften just enough to create that signature texture. Plus, it’s budget-friendly using simple pantry staples and whatever fruits are on sale. No fancy techniques or expensive equipment needed – just honest, straightforward mixing that even Lina can help with.

Ingredients for Ambrosia Salad Recipe

The Fruit Foundation:

• Canned pineapple chunks
• Mandarin oranges
• Fresh grapes
• Maraschino cherries

The Creamy Base:

• Sour cream
• Cool Whip
• Mini marshmallows
• Shredded coconut

Optional Enhancements:

• Chopped pecans
• Fresh strawberries
• Banana slices

See recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Ambrosia Salad Recipe Step By Step

Prep Work:

• Drain all canned fruits thoroughly
• Reserve 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
• Cut grapes in half
• Let dairy ingredients reach room temperature

Creating the Base:

• Gently fold sour cream and Cool Whip together
• Add mini marshmallows
• Mix in shredded coconut
• Let mixture rest 10 minutes

Fruit Assembly:

• Combine all drained fruits
• Toss with reserved pineapple juice
• Add fruit mixture to creamy base
• Fold together with gentle motions

Final Touch:

• Serve chilled in individual bowls
• Refrigerate minimum 2 hours
• Stir gently before serving
• Garnish with extra coconut if desired

Equipment For Ambrosia Salad Recipe

• Large glass mixing bowl
• Rubber spatula
• Sharp paring knife
• Fine-mesh strainer
• Measuring cups

Ambrosia Salad Recipe Variations

Tropical Paradise:

• Add diced mango
• Include kiwi slices
• Use coconut yogurt
• Garnish with toasted coconut

Holiday Cranberry:

• Mix in dried cranberries
• Add chopped walnuts
• Include diced apple
• Finish with cinnamon sprinkle

Southern Pecan:

• Fold in toasted pecans
• Add cream cheese to base
• Include fresh peach pieces
• Drizzle with honey

Chocolate Twist:

• Add mini chocolate chips
• Include chopped brownies
• Use chocolate pudding mix
• Top with whipped cream

Smart Swaps for Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Dairy Alternatives:

• Greek yogurt → Sour cream
• Sugar-free Cool Whip → Regular
• Coconut cream → Dairy cream
• Vegan marshmallows → Regular

Fruit Options:

• Fresh pineapple → Canned chunks
• Orange segments → Mandarin oranges
• Dried cranberries → Maraschino cherries
• Apple pieces → Grapes

Texture Variations:

• Whipped cream → Cool Whip
• Chopped almonds → Pecans
• Toasted coconut → Regular
• Large marshmallows (quartered) → Mini

Storing Your Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Refrigerator Storage (3-4 days):

• Cover tightly with plastic wrap
• Store in original mixing bowl
• Stir gently before serving
• Add fresh fruit if needed

Make-Ahead Tips:

• Prepare base up to 24 hours ahead
• Add delicate fruits just before serving
• Keep bananas separate until last minute
• Refresh with extra Cool Whip if needed

Serving Guidelines:

• Garnish individual portions
• Always serve chilled
• Use chilled serving bowls
• Provide large spoons for easy serving

Why This Ambrosia Salad Recipe Works

From decades of testing and refining, here’s what makes this ambrosia salad recipe consistently successful: This recipe works because it respects the delicate balance between sweet and tart flavors. The sour cream provides just enough tanginess to cut through the natural sugars from the fruits and marshmallows, preventing that cloying sweetness that ruins many fruit salads. Meanwhile, the Cool Whip adds lightness without overwhelming the other ingredients, creating a base that supports rather than masks the fruit flavors.

The technique matters just as much as the ingredients. By draining the fruits thoroughly and reserving some pineapple juice, you control the moisture content precisely. This prevents the dreaded watery bottom that plagues so many versions. The gentle folding method keeps the fruit pieces intact while ensuring even distribution, and the resting time allows the marshmallows to soften just enough to integrate with the cream base without dissolving completely.

How My Sister’s Dish Became a Family Favorite

My sister first brought this ambrosia salad recipe to our family Christmas dinner about fifteen years ago, claiming it was “just something simple” she’d thrown together. But one bite told a different story – this wasn’t just any fruit salad. She’d spent weeks perfecting the ratios after finding our grandmother’s handwritten notes tucked inside an old cookbook. What started as curiosity about a faded recipe card became her mission to recreate those childhood holiday memories.

The real magic happened when she discovered the secret wasn’t just in the ingredients, but in the timing. She learned that letting the marshmallows soften for exactly the right amount of time created that perfect texture we all remembered from childhood. Now, fifteen years later, no family gathering feels complete without her ambrosia salad, and she’s passed the recipe down to Lina , who takes his job as “marshmallow counter” very seriously during our holiday prep sessions.

FAQ

Sweet Memories Made Easy!

Now you have all the secrets to creating perfect Ambrosia Salad Recipe – from ingredient selection to my sister’s timing technique and Great-Aunt Rose’s elegant layering method. This timeless recipe proves that sometimes the simplest combinations create the most memorable desserts.

Ready for more crowd-pleasing classics? Try our Healthy Matcha Cookies Recipe for a unique twist on traditional sweets that brings antioxidant benefits to your dessert table. For something rich and festive, our Easy Moist Fruit Cake Recipe delivers all the holiday flavors without the fuss. Or indulge in our The Best Brownie Cheesecake Recipe that combines two beloved desserts into one show-stopping creation!

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Ambrosia Salad Recipe

A light, fluffy, and creamy Ambrosia Salad Recipe dessert that has been the star of family gatherings for decades. Juicy fruits, marshmallows, and a tangy-sweet cream base create a nostalgic “fluffy fruit bowl” that tastes like the food of the gods.

Ingredients  

1x2x3x?

• 1 can 20 oz Pineapple chunks – Drained, reserve 2 tablespoon juice
• 1 can 15 oz Mandarin oranges – Drained
• 1 cup Grapes – Halved
• 1 jar 10 oz Maraschino cherries – Drained, stems removed
• 1 cup Sour cream – Room temperature
• 1 tub 8 oz Cool Whip – Thawed
• 2 cups Mini marshmallows – White or pastel
• 1 cup Shredded coconut – Sweetened
• ½ cup Chopped pecans – Optional
• 1 cup Fresh strawberries – Sliced optional
• 1 Banana – Sliced just before serving optional

Equipment

• 1 Large mixing bowl (Preferably glass for serving)

• 1 Rubber Spatula (For gentle folding)

• 1 Sharp paring knife (For cutting fruit)

• 1 Fine mesh strainer (For draining canned fruit)

• 1set Measuring cups (Standard)

Method 

1. Drain, cut, and prepare fruits

2. Make creamy base with sour cream, Cool Whip, marshmallows, and coconut

3. Toss fruits with pineapple juice

4. Fold fruit into creamy mixture

5. Chill salad, stir gently, and garnish before serving

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 80mgPotassium: 240mgFiber: 3gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 60mgIron: -1mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.