Description
Sunshine Salad is a bright, refreshing, and easy-to-make fruit dessert featuring pineapple, bananas, and Mandarin oranges coated in sugar-free vanilla pudding mix. Perfect for a quick, healthy treat or a light side dish, this chilled salad combines tropical flavors with a creamy texture that delights the taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 1 fresh pineapple (cored and cut into chunks)
- 1 can (15 oz) Mandarin oranges in light syrup
- 2 bananas (peeled and sliced)
Dressing
- 1 box (4-serving size) Jell-O sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix
Instructions
- Combine the fruits: In a large mixing bowl, add the pineapple chunks, sliced bananas, and Mandarin oranges along with the syrup from the can to ensure sweetness and moisture.
- Add pudding mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry Jell-O sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix over the combined fruits, making sure not to mix it with milk as usual.
- Coat the fruit: Gently stir the fruit mixture to evenly coat all the fruit pieces with the pudding powder, allowing it to cling without clumping.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least one hour. This resting time allows the pudding powder to hydrate and create a creamy texture around the fruit.
Notes
- Use fresh ripe pineapple for the best flavor and sweetness.
- For a creamier texture, some variations add a small amount of milk or whipped topping, but this recipe uses dry pudding mix only.
- Ensure the pudding mix is sugar-free to keep the salad light and reduce added sugars.
- Salad is best served chilled and consumed within 24 hours for optimal freshness.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh mint leaves or shredded coconut for additional flavor and presentation.
