Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Honey Dressing – This vibrant mix of pineapple and apples brings just the right balance of tart and sweet, while mellow grapes and bananas add a refreshing contrast. A sprinkle of coconut gives it a bit of texture, and the warmed honey with a dash of cinnamon ties everything together for a simple yet irresistible treat. Whether you’re serving it as a healthy side dish or enjoying it as the perfect snack, this fruit salad is sure to hit the spot!
Mindy’s Recipe Snapshot
Method: No cooking required!
Key Ingredients: Apple, banana, grapes, pineapple, honey and cinnamon.
Ease: Such an easy fruit salad recipe!
Top Tip: If not serving the entire salad at once, add fresh banana right before serving to keep it from browning.
This post was originally published in June 2016 and updated in February 2025 to include a measurable amount of grapes (changing from 1/4 lb to 1 cup) and to add fresh, new photos.
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Who doesn’t love a delicious and simple fruit salad? This refreshing dish is perfect for any special occasion where a healthy option is a must. Whether you’re hosting a baby shower, enjoying brunch with friends, gathering with family, or firing up the grill for a barbecue, this colorful salad is sure to brighten the table! This particular fruit salad recipe is great because these fruits are available any time of the year, so you can enjoy it even in the winter!
Ingredients
See recipe card for exact amounts.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Grapes: I like green grapes for their flavor and contrasting color, but you can certainly use black, purple, or red grapes.
- Apples: We like red delicious apples for this recipe, use your favorite. Not sure what kind to use? There’s a great article at US Apple that gives the rundown on different types of apples.
- Pineapple with Juice: I use canned pineapple since the juice goes into the dressing. Fresh pineapple works too, but you’ll need to juice some of it or substitute with fresh lime juice or fresh lemon juice instead.
- Banana: This adds a ton of flavor and texture to our fruit salad.
- Coconut: I use a little bit of sweetened flaked coconut for added texture and flavor.
- Honey: This pairs well with the flavors of the fruit, adding a touch of natural sweetness.
- Cinnamon: A nice addition to the dressing, bringing warmth and depth of flavor.
How to make Fruit Salad with Honey Cinnamon Dressing
- Drain the pineapple, reserving the juice.
- Core the apples and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Slice one large banana.
- If serving to small children, cut the grapes into quarters. Otherwise, you can leave them whole.
- In a large bowl, mix the apples, banana, grapes, pineapple, and shredded coconut.
- Warm the honey in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or until slightly runny. Stir in the reserved pineapple juice and a dash of cinnamon until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and gently stir to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Safety Note: Whole grapes can be a choking hazard for young children, especially those under 4 years old. To make them safer, slice grapes lengthwise into quarters before serving, and always supervise little ones while they eat.
Tips
- Quick Prep Tip: To keep the apples and banana from browning too quickly, work efficiently when chopping them and add them to the bowl as you go. Once all the fruit is prepped, toss the salad with the dressing as soon as possible to help preserve the fresh color and flavor.
- Storage Tip: For best results, this fruit salad is best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator without the banana, as it tends to brown quickly. Keep in mind that apples not fully coated in the dressing may also brown slightly over time. Stir before serving, and for the freshest taste, add a freshly sliced banana just before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! However, for the freshest taste and best texture, it’s best to prepare it close to serving time. If making ahead, store it in the fridge without the banana and add freshly sliced banana just before serving.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Keep in mind that the apples may brown slightly, and the texture of the fruit may soften over time.
Absolutely! This recipe is versatile—feel free to swap in your favorite fruits, such as fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries, mandarin oranges or pomegranate seeds. Just be mindful that some fruits release more juice, which may slightly change the consistency of the salad.
If you prefer a different sweetener, you can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar for a similar flavor. If you need a sugar-free option, try a little stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
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Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Honey Dressing
Ingredients
For the fruit salad
- 2 medium apples
- 1 large banana
- 1 cup seedless grapes
- 1 can pineapple chunks, juice reserved 20 ounces
- 2 tbsp shredded coconut
For the dressing
- 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp honey warmed
- Dash of ground cinnamon
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Instructions
- Drain the pineapple, reserving the juice.1 can pineapple chunks, juice reserved
- Core the apples and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Slice one large banana. If serving to small children, cut the grapes into quarters. Otherwise, you can leave them whole.
- In a large bowl, mix the apples, banana, grapes, pineapple, and shredded coconut.2 medium apples, 1 large banana, 1 cup seedless grapes, 2 tbsp shredded coconut
- Warm the honey in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or until slightly runny. Stir in the reserved pineapple juice and a dash of cinnamon until well combined.1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice, 2 tbsp honey, Dash of ground cinnamon
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and gently stir to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Fruit salads are always a favorite and healthier than so many other snacks. I do wish the bananas would last longer than they do when I use them.
Me too! That is a bummer. Thanks for stopping by!
You’re welcome!
Thank you very much!