Fruit salad is always a classic summertime dessert that has withstood the test of time.
Fruit salad is delicious, light, refreshing, easy to make, and a healthy way to end a meal. However, it can also be lackluster and uninspiring.
But when it comes to serving up fruit salad in style, what should you pair it with to create an unforgettable dessert experience? That’s the big question that pops up immediately in your head! Right?
That’s why I have arranged this list of 15 incredible foods you can serve with your fruit salad for dessert to make it more exciting. From savory cheeses to crunchy nuts, these toppings will bring out the best in any fruit salad.
In short- what to serve with fruit salad for dessert Ice Cream, Sorbet, Yogurt, Cream Cheese, Whipped Cream, Meringue Topping, Nuts or Seeds, Chia Pudding, Yogurt Parfait, Dark Chocolate, Granola, Nut butter, Mint, Shortbread Cookies, Chocolate Sauce, Pound Cake, Crumbled Biscuits, Coconut Flakes, Honey, Cinnamon, Caramel Sauce, Cheese, Chocolate Chips, Maple Syrup, Balsamic Vinegar, Pomegranate Seeds, Orange Juice, Cardamom Powder, Crushed Ginger & Honeycomb Bits, Graham Cracker.
The Ultimate Guide To Serving Fruit Salad For Dessert with 30 Different options
1. Vanilla Ice Cream
One of my all-time favorite and most convenient way to change a simple fruit salad into a unique delectable dessert is just by adding regular Vanilla ice cream.
Yes, you heard it right…
Ice cream is always a welcomed addition when serving up fresh fruits for dessert!! Both offer cooling effects while still allowing all other flavors from other additions to shine through…it’s truly heavenly!!
Fruit and ice cream go together like peanut butter and jelly. Ice cream helps add a creamy texture and sweetness to the dish, making it even more enjoyable.
Bonus: Although here I add Vanilla ice cream, you can go with any ice cream you want. Also, vegan ice cream goes as well.
Tips: Try adding some coffee or caramel ice cream into the mix for an extra special touch.
2. Sorbet
Sorbet is the second-best option. I highly recommend giving it a try.
Sorbet is a refreshing and light dessert than ice cream that pairs well with fresh fruit. Try making your own using seasonal fruits for a fun twist.
The best part is that Sorbet has no dairy products, so vegans don’t have to worry about choices. You can also make your own homemade sorbet using frozen fruit puree and simple syrup!
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3. Simple Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent addition to any fruit salad because it adds an extra layer of creaminess and tanginess without being too rich or heavy.
Choose from plain Greek yogurt or flavored varieties like coconut or honey (or both!), or vegan yogurt means plant-based yogurt like coconut yogurt for something extra special every time!
4. Cream Cheese
For something a little different, try pairing your fruit salad with cream cheese. This will give the dish an indulgent flavor that will be sure to please everyone at the table.
Plus, most people have cream cheese on hand, so this is an easy option!
5. Whipped Cream
Whipped cream is always a crowd-pleaser; try topping each bowl of fruity goodness off with this deliciously light topping for something truly decadent!
Whipped Cream has light yet flavorful additions that will take your dish to the next level. Whipped cream adds a creamy richness, while meringue adds a subtle nutty taste that pairs well with many fruits like bananas and strawberries.
Or, TRY. Coconut Whipped Cream
Coconut whipped cream is a vegan alternative to traditional whipped cream and pairs well with fruit salad.
Simply refrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk overnight, scoop out the thickened cream, and beat with a mixer until fluffy.
6. Meringue Topping
Meringue is light, fluffy, and oh-so-sweet; what is a better way to top off your fresh fruit salad?
Plus, if you make it yourself at home, you can customize its flavor by adding sugar or extracts like vanilla or almond for something truly unique!
7. Nuts or Seeds
Nuts and seeds are an ideal accompaniment to any fruit salad because they provide a welcome crunch and protein to any dessert—and they’re especially good in fruit salads!
Try adding some chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, or whatever else you have on hand for an extra layer of texture and flavor in every bite. Just be sure not to overdo it—a little goes a long way!
All toppings add protein and healthy fats that can help keep you feeling full longer.
8. Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is a healthy and trendy dessert that’s easy to make. Mix chia seeds with coconut milk or almond milk and let it keep in the fridge overnight to thicken. Serve with fresh fruit on top or mix in with the pudding.
9. Yogurt Parfait
Yogurt parfaits are a classic dessert option that can be made more trendy by using Greek yogurt, adding superfoods like goji berries or acai, or topping with homemade granola or nuts.
10. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a healthier dessert option that’s also on-trend. A small serving of dark chocolate can be a decadent and on-trend addition to your fruit salad.
Look for high-quality dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa solids. Pair it with fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries for a sweet and satisfying end to your meal.
11. Granola
A crunchy topping like granola can add texture and nutty flavor to your fruit salad. Simply sprinkle over individual servings of your favorite fruity concoction for something truly decadent every time!
Look for a granola that’s low in added sugars and high in whole grains and nuts. It adds carbs for energy, and it has a satisfying crunch that will make your dessert stand out from the rest.
12. Nut butter
Whether it’s almond butter, cashew butter, or peanut butter, a dollop of nut butter can add richness and protein to your fruit salad.
Just be sure to choose a brand that’s free of added sugars and oils.
13. Mint Leaves
A few sprigs of fresh mint can be a refreshing addition to your fruit salad.
Mint leaves add zing and color—plus they look pretty, too; simply place them on top before serving up this amazing dessert masterpiece!
Fresh mint leaves not only smell amazing but also have unique properties that help aid digestion after eating heavy meals – so why not sprinkle some on top of your freshly made fruit salad?
14. Shortbread Cookies
Pairing shortbread cookies with your fruit salad gives you the perfect ratio of sweet and savory flavors.
The crumbly texture of the cookies contrasts nicely with the creamy texture of the fruit salad, creating a delectable mix that everyone will love.
15. Chocolate Sauce
Adding chocolate sauce to your fruit salad takes it from ordinary to extraordinary in seconds! Drizzle it generously over each serving for an indulgent treat.
16. Pound Cake
Pound cake is a great way to add some richness and texture to your fruity dessert.
Cut it into cubes and sprinkle over individual servings for added crunch and sweetness.
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17. Crumbled Biscuits
Crumbled biscuits are a great addition to any fruit salad; they provide a crunchy texture and sweet flavor!
Top each serving off with some crushed graham crackers or ginger snaps for an extra special touch that everyone will love!
18. Coconut Flakes
Coconut flakes are an excellent way to add some tropical flair to your fruit salad without overpowering its natural flavors.
They are sweet yet subtly nutty in flavor, which makes them perfect for pairing with fruity desserts like fruit salads.
Toast them lightly before sprinkling over individual servings for an added crunch that will take your dessert up a notch (or two!)
19. Honey
Honey adds sweetness and complexity; drizzle some over each bowl before serving up this delightful treat!
20. Cinnamon
Dusting your fruit with cinnamon is a great way to bring out its natural sweetness without having to use added sugar or sweeteners such as honey or agave nectar (though those are both tasty options, too!).
Cinnamon pairs perfectly with apples and pears, in particular; sprinkle some on top before serving up this yummy delight!
Cinnamon also has health benefits, such as aiding digestion and reducing inflammation, so it’s definitely worth adding to the mix!
21. Caramel Sauce
Caramel sauce makes everything better—especially desserts like this one! Try drizzling some over each bowlful before serving up this heavenly dish!
22. Cheese
Whether you opt for crumbled feta or cubes of cheddar, adding cheese to your fruit salad is an ideal way to add flavor and texture.
The richness of the cheese complements the sweetness of the fruit perfectly.
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23. Chocolate Chips
Who says chocolate chips don’t belong in a fruit salad? Adding some dark chocolate chips can give your dessert an extra boost of sweetness while still allowing the natural flavors of the fruits to shine through.
24. Maple Syrup
If you’re looking for something with more indulgence than honey or agave nectar, then maple syrup is an excellent choice when serving up a sweet-tasting fruit salad!
Just drizzle some over top before serving up – yum!
25. Balsamic Vinegar
Although balsamic vinegar might seem like an unlikely choice when it comes to topping off a fruity dessert – trust me when I say it works wonders!
It adds just enough tanginess and depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with most fruits’ natural sweetness – try it out next time!
26. Pomegranate Seeds
Pomegranate seeds are one of my favorite additions when I’m whipping up a quick bowl of fresh fruits for dessert – their tangy flavor complements almost anything in the bowl and gives each bite just enough zing! Plus, they look pretty too.
27. Orange Juice/Lemon Juice
A bit of orange juice or lemon juice will take any regular bowl of mixed fruits from boring to fabulous in no time at all!
And since both contain high levels of Vitamin C (which helps boost immunity), they make healthy additions too.
28. Cardamom Powder
Cardamom powder adds an exotic twist (and heavenly aroma) when sprinkled over any type of fruity dish – plus, cardamom helps improve circulation, which makes it even better! Trust me on this one.
29. Crushed Ginger & Honeycomb Bits
This combo sounds odd, but believe me when I say these two ingredients combined create magical flavors perfect for topping off fruity desserts!
The ginger brings warmth while the honeycomb adds subtle sweetness & crunchiness all at once – what’s not to love?
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30. Graham Cracker Crumbs/Cereal Bits (Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes especially!)
– Last but definitely not least
No matter what type of cereal/cracker bits you decide on here, all will pair nicely with any kind of fruity dessert due to their sweet & crunchy qualities.
Take Away from April On Pairing Foods with Fruit Salad for Dessert
Fruit salads make wonderful desserts, but they don’t have to be plain or boring. There are plenty of creative ways that you can dress them up so that they become memorable dishes everyone will enjoy eating again and again.
From savory cheeses like feta or cheddar all the way through meringue, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, creamy vanilla ice cream, or sorbet, these 30 incredible foods will transform any ordinary bowlful into something special that’s sure please even the pickiest eaters at your table!
So go ahead— experiment away until you find just the right concoction; —the possibilities really are endless when it comes to finding accompaniments that take these desserts from ordinary to extraordinary in seconds flat!
Whether it’s or something else entirely —you can guarantee that whatever food you choose will make all the difference come dinnertime when everyone’s taste buds get tantalized by these incredibly flavorsome combinations served alongside delicious fresh fruits. Bon Appétit!!
Is fruit a good dessert after dinner?
Fruit can be an excellent option for a healthy alternative to traditional desserts. Fruits are packed with nutrients and fiber that can help contribute to a balanced diet.
By incorporating fruits into your meals, you can increase the nutrient content of your diet while still enjoying some delicious desserts.
Furthermore, many fruits contain natural sugars that make them taste sweet and satisfying without adding extra calories or processed sugars found in most store-bought desserts.
When selecting fruit for dessert, it is important to consider what is in season and try to stick with locally-grown produce when possible.
Additionally, pairing fruits with toppings such as nuts, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon can make them feel more indulgent while still remaining healthy and nutritious.
From my point of view, fruit can be a great dessert option after dinner if you are looking for something that is healthy and delicious.
Experimenting with different kinds of fruits and toppings will help create satisfying desserts that are both tasty and nutritious.
FAQs
Is fruit salad a starter or dessert?
Fruit salad can be served as either a starter or a dessert, depending on the ingredients that are included.
If it contains savory ingredients like herbs and vegetables, then it could be served as an appetizer.
On the other hand, if it contains precious items such as fruits, yogurt, and nuts, then it could be enjoyed as a dessert.
It is also possible to make a combination of both sweet and savory flavors in one fruit salad dish to create something unique and delicious.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to serve a fruit salad as a starter or dessert depends on individual taste preferences. Regardless of how you choose to enjoy your fruit salad, it is sure to tantalize your taste buds