This Banana Pudding Fruit Salad is simple, fresh, and a fun spin on traditional fruit salad. Featuring sweet banana pudding tossed with fresh fruit, this recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as an easy side dish!
Banana Pudding Fruit Salad
If fruit salads are your jam, then this fruit salad with pudding will be your new favorite dish.
This pudding salad takes a fun twist on the classic dish:
- Fresh fruit, like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, and ripe bananas
- Coated with sweet, instant banana pudding with a hint of lime juice
- Light, sweet, and simple for parties or get-togethers
And easy to make! But you knew that was coming, right? This jello pudding fruit salad is a toss ‘n go recipe. Whatever fruit you have on-hand (canned works as well), some pudding mix, and lime juice. Easy-peasy and oh-so delicious.
Unlike other dessert salads and fluff recipes, this one doesn’t use cool whip, cream cheese, or vanilla pudding mix. Instead, an instant banana pudding mixture is used, which results in a subtle, banana cream pie type flavor.
This is the best fruit salad with instant pudding and I’m officially hooked!
The pudding mixture comes from instant pudding mix and a touch of lime juice. If you don’t have any limes, lemon juice, pineapple juice, or even orange juice, can be used. So easy to customize and perfect for just about anytime. It also makes delicious leftovers and would be perfect for the kiddos.
What is Traditional Banana Pudding?
Typically, banana pudding usually consists of vanilla pudding with chunks of fresh bananas, along with Nilla Wafers or shortbread cookies.
There are many variations, but we’re keeping it simple with this fresh fruit salad.
How is This Different than a Fluff Salad?
A fluff salad usually includes cool whip, marshmallows, and fruit, such as maraschino cherries, pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, pistachios, etc.
Ingredients in Banana Pudding Fruit Salad:
- Lime zest and juice
- Instant banana pudding mix
- Fruit: Fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, pineapple, and bananas
How to Make Banana Pudding with Fruit:
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In a small bowl, zest the lime and set aside.
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In a large bowl, add juice from zested lime, along with banana pudding mix. Stir well to combine. The mixture will be thick, but will thin once added to other fruit.
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Add all fruit to the large bowl and stir gently to combine, ensuring each piece is coated in pudding mix. Add lime zest and stir again.
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Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Add sliced bananas to bowl and stir. Garnish with lime wedges and fresh mint, if desired.
How Do You Keep the Bananas From Turning Brown?
I like to add the sliced bananas to the salad just before serving so they don’t brown too quickly.
Can I Skip the Lime Juice in This Recipe?
If you’re not a fan of limes, you can use the juice from a lemon or even orange juice instead.
Can I Use Canned Fruit?
Absolutely! Any type of fruit will work in this recipe.
Can I Use a Different Instant Pudding?
You sure can! Vanilla, white chocolate, or even cheesecake instant pudding would be just as delicious.
How Long Will This Last?
This easy fruit salad recipe is best eaten within the same day, as the fruit may become soggy. However, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Can I Make This Instant Pudding Fruit Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can cut and store the fruit in a large bowl up to 24 hours in advance. However, do not add the pudding mix until an hour or so before serving. Letting the fruit sit too long with the pudding mix will break down the fruit and cause it to become soggy. It’s also best not to add the banana slices until just before serving, otherwise they will brown and turn mushy.
What to Serve with This Banana Pudding Fruit Salad:
- I like to serve this fruit salad as an easy side dish or breakfast.
- Spoon this over some Greek yogurt for a tasty snack.
- It’s also delicious on top of pound cake, ice cream, waffles, or pancakes!
Looking For More Fruit Recipes? I’ve Got You Covered!
- Easy Banana Cobbler
- Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puffs
- Fresh Apple Cake
- Cherry Pie Bars
- Strawberry Pound Cake
Banana Pudding Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lime (can also use lemon)
- 2 tablespoons instant banana pudding mix
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 1-2 fresh peaches, cut into chunks (can also use canned peaches)
- 1 can (15 ounce) pineapple chunks (drained)
- 2 ripe bananas (sliced and added just before serving so bananas don't brown too quickly)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, zest the lime and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add juice from zested lime, along with banana pudding mix. Stir well to combine. The mixture will be thick but will thin once added to other fruit.
- Add all fruit to the large bowl and stir gently to combine, ensuring each piece is coated in pudding mix. Add lime zest and stir again.
- Refridgerate for 30 minutes. Add sliced bananas to bowl and stir. Garnish with lime wedges and fresh mint, if desired.
Notes
- Lemon or orange juice can be used in place of lime juice.
- Any type of fresh or canned fruit can be used in this recipe, as long as it equals roughly 8 cups of fruit. If using more than that, more pudding mix and juice will be needed to coat the fruit.
- Fruit salad will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- See my tips and tricks for making this Banana Pudding Fruit Salad above the recipe box.
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