I love how this Salad bursts with bright, tropical flavors and comes together in just minutes. It’s made with fresh pineapple, bananas, mandarin oranges, and a creamy sugar-free vanilla Jello pudding—perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light dessert.
Why I’ll Love This Recipe
I can whip this up in under 15 minutes for 6 people, using wholesome ingredients. It’s low in Weight Watchers Points (2 Points Plus per serving) thanks to sugar-free pudding, and the mix of textures—juicy pineapple, tender bananas, and light creamy dressing—makes it refreshingly delicious.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
• Fresh pineapple, cored and cut into chunks
• 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges in light syrup
• 2 bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1 box (4-serving size) sugar-free vanilla instant pudding
directions
- In a large bowl, combine pineapple chunks, drained mandarin oranges, and sliced bananas.
- Sprinkle the sugar-free vanilla instant pudding over the fruit.
- Gently toss everything until the fruit is well coated with the creamy pudding mix.
- Serve immediately, or chill for about 10 minutes to let flavors meld.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep time: ~15 minutes
- Cook time: none
- Total time: ~15 minutes
Variations
- I sometimes swap sugar-free vanilla pudding with sugar-free cheesecake or banana cream pudding for a richer flavor.
- A splash of freshly squeezed lime juice adds brightness and helps prevent bananas from browning.
- For a bit of crunch, I’ll sprinkle chopped walnuts or shredded coconut on top just before serving.
storage/reheating
- I store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- I skip this one from warming—it’s best served chilled or at room temperature soon after assembling.
FAQs
What can I use instead of sugar-free vanilla pudding?
I recommend either sugar-free cheesecake or banana cream instant pudding. They add flavor variety and still keep it low in calories and Weight Watchers points.
Can I prep this salad ahead of time?
I don’t advise prepping more than a few hours ahead—bananas tend to brown and the fruit might get too soft. For best texture, assemble close to serving time.
Is it gluten-free?
Yes! It’s gluten-free as long as I use a certified gluten-free sugar-free pudding mix.
Can I add other fruits?
Absolutely—I’ll often include chopped strawberries, grapes, or diced apples. Just be mindful of added moisture and sweetness amounts.
How can I make it more filling?
To make it more substantial, I sometimes stir in a dollop of light whipped topping or Greek yogurt. That gives extra protein and creaminess!
Conclusion
I’m always excited to share this easy-to-make Sunshine Salad because it’s vibrant, wholesome, and ideal for any occasion. Its quick prep, adaptability, and low-calorie creamy twist make it a favorite in my recipe collection. Enjoy!
Here’s the revised article without references or citations:
Sunshine Salad
Short description
I love how this Salad bursts with bright, tropical flavors and comes together in just minutes. It’s made with fresh pineapple, bananas, mandarin oranges, and a creamy sugar-free vanilla Jello pudding—perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light dessert.
Why I’ll Love This Recipe
I can whip this up in under 15 minutes for 6 people, using wholesome ingredients. It’s low in Weight Watchers Points (2 Points Plus per serving) thanks to sugar-free pudding, and the mix of textures—juicy pineapple, tender bananas, and light creamy dressing—makes it refreshingly delicious.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
• Fresh pineapple, cored and cut into chunks
• 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges in light syrup
• 2 bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1 box (4-serving size) sugar-free vanilla instant pudding
directions
- In a large bowl, combine pineapple chunks, drained mandarin oranges, and sliced bananas.
- Sprinkle the sugar-free vanilla instant pudding over the fruit.
- Gently toss everything until the fruit is well coated with the creamy pudding mix.
- Serve immediately, or chill for about 10 minutes to let flavors meld.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep time: ~15 minutes
- Cook time: none
- Total time: ~15 minutes
Variations
- I sometimes swap sugar-free vanilla pudding with sugar-free cheesecake or banana cream pudding for a richer flavor.
- A splash of freshly squeezed lime juice adds brightness and helps prevent bananas from browning.
- For a bit of crunch, I’ll sprinkle chopped walnuts or shredded coconut on top just before serving.
storage/reheating
- I store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- I skip this one from warming—it’s best served chilled or at room temperature soon after assembling.
FAQs
What can I use instead of sugar-free vanilla pudding?
I recommend either sugar-free cheesecake or banana cream instant pudding. They add flavor variety and still keep it low in calories and Weight Watchers points.
Can I prep this salad ahead of time?
I don’t advise prepping more than a few hours ahead—bananas tend to brown and the fruit might get too soft. For best texture, assemble close to serving time.
Is it gluten-free?
Yes! It’s gluten-free as long as I use a certified gluten-free sugar-free pudding mix.
Can I add other fruits?
Absolutely—I’ll often include chopped strawberries, grapes, or diced apples. Just be mindful of added moisture and sweetness amounts.
How can I make it more filling?
To make it more substantial, I sometimes stir in a dollop of light whipped topping or Greek yogurt. That gives extra protein and creaminess!
Conclusion
I’m always excited to share this easy-to-make Sunshine Salad because it’s vibrant, wholesome, and ideal for any occasion. Its quick prep, adaptability, and low-calorie creamy twist make it a favorite in my recipe collection. Enjoy!
Print
Sunshine Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A vibrant and creamy tropical fruit salad made with pineapple, bananas, mandarin oranges, and sugar-free vanilla pudding. Perfect for a refreshing dessert or potluck dish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh pineapple, cored and cut into chunks
- 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges in light syrup, drained
- 2 bananas, peeled and sliced
- 1 box (4-serving size) sugar-free vanilla instant pudding
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine pineapple chunks, drained mandarin oranges, and sliced bananas.
- Sprinkle the sugar-free vanilla instant pudding over the fruit.
- Gently toss everything until the fruit is well coated with the creamy pudding mix.
- Serve immediately, or chill for about 10 minutes to let flavors meld.
Notes
- Use lime juice to keep bananas from browning and to add brightness.
- Try sugar-free cheesecake or banana cream pudding for flavor variety.
- Add chopped walnuts or shredded coconut for texture.
- Best served fresh or within 2 days when refrigerated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg