Cheesecake Fruit Salad

Cheesecake fruit salad brings together the sweet, tangy flavors of cheesecake with heaps of fresh fruit and a dusting of crushed graham crackers. Reminiscent of a deconstructed cheesecake, this fluffy fruit cheesecake salad is perfect for making the most of seasonal fruits. We use a medley of bananas, peaches, strawberries and blueberries and toss them in cheesecake instant pudding, yogurt and whipped topping. But there are endless fruit combinations that would taste equally irresistible.

One of our favorite fruit salad recipes, this treat doubles as a creamy no-bake fruit dessert and a sweet side dish for the picnic table. From Memorial Day weekend through the dog days of summer, our cheesecake fruit salad recipe can brush shoulders with the likes of honey chipotle ribs, tangy baked beans and fiesta red potatoes. A potluck staple and a must-have for barbecues, this is fruit salad at its absolute best.

Cheesecake Fruit Salad Ingredients

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• Pudding mix: Cheesecake-flavored instant pudding mix brings creamy, subtle tanginess to this fruit cheesecake salad.
• Yogurt: We recommend vanilla or strawberry yogurt, but they’re only starting points. Experiment with other flavors, especially if you switch up the fruits in this recipe.
• Whipped topping: Thaw a tub of frozen whipped topping before incorporating it into the yogurt mixture. Need a whipped topping substitute? Try using regular whipped cream.
• Fruit: Our cheesecake fruit salad recipe calls for a mixture of bananas, peaches, strawberries and blueberries. But the only limit to which fruits you can use is what’s available in your local grocery store. Fresh is always best—save frozen fruit for recipes like blueberry crumble pie or spiced peach puffs.
• Graham cracker crumbs: Rather than being used for a crust, these honey-and-cinnamon-laced crackers become the perfect topping.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the pudding mix and yogurt

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In a large bowl, beat the cheesecake pudding mix and yogurt on medium speed until incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to low, and beat in the whipped topping until fluffy.

Step 2: Add in the fruit

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Gently fold in the bananas, peaches, strawberries and blueberries.

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Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over the top.

Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. If desired, garnish with additional fruit and graham cracker crumbs.

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Cheesecake Fruit Salad Variations

• Replace the graham cracker crumbs: Cookie crumbs are a genius substitute. Try Oreos, shortbread, gingersnaps or digestive biscuits.
• Make a berry cheesecake fruit salad: In the height of summer, the all-berry version of this easy, no-bake dessert really hits the spot. It’s one of our favorite ways to take advantage of all that ripe fruit.
• Try a tropical cheesecake fruit salad: Give your fruit cheesecake salad a tropical twist with pineapple, mango, papaya, mandarins and passion fruit. Pick up a tropical-flavored yogurt, like Key lime or lemon.

How to Store Cheesecake Fruit Salad

If you’re serving this cheesecake fruit salad recipe within an hour or two, it can be kept in the bowl used to mix it. Wrap the bowl tightly in storage wrap and store it in the fridge. For longer storage, transfer the fruit cheesecake salad to an airtight container.

How long does cheesecake fruit salad last?

When properly stored, cheesecake fruit salad should last up to two days in the fridge. Any longer and the fruit may become soft and soggy.

Cheesecake Fruit Salad Tips

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Can you cut fruit for cheesecake fruit salad ahead of time?

Fruits like strawberries, pineapples, cherries, mangos and melons are stellar candidates for prepping in advance. However, some fruits (like apples and bananas) will oxidize once cut, so they’re best prepared right before assembling the fruit salad.

There are a few tricks to keep fruits like bananas and apples from browning. Acidic juices like lemon, orange and pineapple juice slow down oxidation, but they’ll slightly alter the flavor of your cheesecake fruit salad recipe. Another trick is to dissolve 2 tablespoons honey in 1 cup water, then soak the fruit in the mixture for a few minutes. This method imparts a lovely honeyed note to the fruit that’s absolutely dynamite.

Can you use cream cheese for cheesecake fruit salad?

You can swap in cream cheese for the instant pudding mix. Beat 8 ounces cream cheese until whipped and airy. Then, beat in 1/4 cup sugar until dissolved, adjusting the sweetness as needed.

What can you serve with cheesecake fruit salad?

Enjoy this easy no-bake summer dessert as a side for a host of terrific dishes. Fire up the barbecue and serve cheesecake fruit salad alongside dishes like barbecue chicken sandwiches, grilled sausages with summer vegetables, mac and cheese, and spiced grilled corn. As a dessert, cheesecake fruit salad is stellar solo, or try drizzling it with a little chocolate syrup to really take it over the top.