Crunchy Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad (Easy & Refreshing!)

This Crunchy Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad is a simple yet incredibly delicious way to enjoy a mix of fresh fruits! It features a colorful medley of strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, and pineapple, all tossed with wonderfully crunchy, homemade sugared walnuts. I absolutely love the textural contrast in this salad - the juicy fruit paired with the sweet, crisp nuts is just perfect. This Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad is easy to make, refreshing, and ideal for brunches, potlucks, or as a light dessert, especially delightful as we enjoy the fresh flavors of spring here on April 11, 2025!

Why You'll Love This Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad

• Refreshing and Fruity: A beautiful combination of juicy, sweet fruits.
• Crunchy Sugared Walnuts: The homemade sugared walnuts add an irresistible sweet crunch.
• Easy to Make: Simple steps for candying the nuts and tossing the salad.
• Visually Appealing: The colorful mix of fruits makes this salad look vibrant and inviting.
• Versatile: Great as a side dish, light dessert, or brunch item.

Ingredients for Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad

Here's what you'll need to make this refreshing fruit salad. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Sugared Walnuts

• Coarsely chopped walnuts (Nuts)
• Water (Liquid)
• White sugar (Sweetener)

Fruit Salad

• Chopped strawberries (Fruit)
• Red grapes (Fruit)
• Bite-size cantaloupe (Melon/Fruit)
• Fresh pineapple chunks (Fruit)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love the fruit combination in this Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad, but feel free to customize it:

• Different Fruits: Add or substitute other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, mango, or honeydew melon.
• Different Nuts: Use sugared pecans or almonds instead of walnuts.
• Add Mint: Toss the fruit salad with some finely chopped fresh mint for extra freshness.
• Add Citrus: Squeeze a little fresh lime or orange juice over the fruit before tossing.
• Make it Creamy: Serve with a side of yogurt dip or fold in some whipped topping for a dessert-style salad (similar to Ambrosia, but with sugared nuts!).

How to Make Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad

Let me show you how easy it is to make this delightful Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad:

Make the Sugared Walnuts

1. First, I preheat my oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
2. In a small bowl, I combine the water and white sugar. I stir in the coarsely chopped walnuts, making sure to coat them evenly.
3. I cover a baking sheet with a non-stick baking mat or aluminum foil sprayed well with cooking spray. This prevents the sugary nuts from sticking badly!
4. I pour the sugar-coated walnuts onto the prepared baking sheet and spread them out in a single layer.
5. I bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
6. I remove them from the oven. While they are cooling on the baking sheet, I stir them once or twice. This helps prevent them from sticking together in one large clump as the sugar hardens.
7. I allow the sugared walnuts to cool completely on the baking sheet.

Prep Fruit

1. While the walnuts cool, I prepare my fruit: wash and chop the strawberries, halve the grapes (if large), and cut the cantaloupe and pineapple into bite-sized pieces.

Combine and Serve

1. In a large bowl, I combine all the chopped fruit.
2. I add the completely cooled sugared walnuts.
3. I toss gently to combine.
4. Serve immediately.

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Fruit Salad

Here are my secrets for making this Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad truly exceptional:

• Use Fresh Fruit: While canned pineapple can work, using fresh, ripe fruit provides the best flavor and texture.
• Cool Walnuts Completely: Ensure the sugared walnuts are 100% cool and hardened before adding them to the fruit salad, otherwise, they can become sticky or melt slightly.
• Stir Cooling Walnuts: Gently stirring the walnuts as they cool prevents them from forming one giant cluster.
• Coarsely Chop Walnuts: Leaving the walnuts in larger pieces provides a more satisfying crunch.
• Serve Immediately: This salad is best served shortly after tossing the fruit and nuts together to maintain the crunch of the walnuts.

How to Serve

This Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad is perfect served:

• As a Brunch Side: A refreshing and colorful addition to any brunch spread.
• For Potlucks and Picnics: An easy and popular dish to share.
• As a Light Dessert: A healthier alternative to heavy desserts.
• With Yogurt: Serve alongside or topped with plain or vanilla yogurt.
• As a Side Dish: A great accompaniment to grilled chicken or pork.

Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Make Ahead and Storage

• Sugared Walnuts: Can be made several days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature once completely cool.
• Fruit: You can chop the firmer fruits (like melon and pineapple) a day ahead. Add softer fruits like strawberries just before assembling.
• Assembled Salad: This salad is best assembled just before serving to keep the walnuts crunchy. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, but the walnuts will soften over time.

FAQs about Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad

• Can I use different nuts?
  • Absolutely! Sugared pecans or almonds would also be delicious in this salad.
• Can I use frozen fruit?
  • Fresh fruit is highly recommended for the best texture. If using frozen fruit, thaw it completely and drain any excess liquid very well before adding to the salad. The texture will be softer.
• How do I prevent the walnuts from sticking together after baking?
  • Spreading them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and stirring them gently a couple of times as they cool usually prevents major clumping.

Enjoy this refreshing, crunchy, and easy-to-make Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad! It's a perfect way to enjoy fresh fruit.

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