Sunrise Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut Chia Cream
Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut Chia Cream will transport you to paradise with this fruit salad recipe. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, snack or dessert, just layer some of your favorite tropical fruits and a creamy topping for a fun, pretty, and healthy fruit salad.
Sunrise Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut Chia Cream
Late April – we should be shedding the sweatshirts for light jackets, packing away the gloves and hats, maybe capris are making an appearance, and it’s time to get in an extra pedicure or two because yes, it’s sandals and flip flops season, right? Umm, no. And guys, it’s not like I live in Wisconsin or Minnesota. I’m in Maryland. I was actually feeling bad about not going to The Bug’s 9 am tee ball game Saturday morning until The Hubby texted me that it was snowing at the ball field.
In April. In late April. In Maryland. What?!?!
You guys, I am so over this. The boys had off of school on Friday, and I thought we would take a walk to the park down the road, except that that gorgeous clear, blue sky belied the fact that it was in the low forties with crazy winds whipping through the neighborhood. I swear I live in the windiest place ever. I have never experienced such winds on a daily basis. So yes, the best word to describe April – blustery.
That’s just not right.
Remember last weekend when I mentioned that were were free this weekend and I was looking forward to picnicking with my kiddos. Yeah, not exactly. I mean, we are going to make the best of it, but sun and fun are not on the menu.
But you know what is in the menu? Something to transport me to the tropics, at least in my well-insulated and heated house. Something like this…
Tropical Sunrise Fruit Salad with Coconut Chia Cream was so much fun to make and eat! I took a few of my favorite tropical fruits that had colors that reminded me of a sunrise in paradise. Or sunset, I suppose, but when I think fruit salad, I think sunrise. Sunset is more likely to bring to mind pina coladas or strawberry daiquiris. Or combine them for a lava flow. But I digress…
You can certainly change up the fruit to whatever you have available or what looks best in the store, and you don’t have to layer it. My boys just mixed it all up and were perfectly happy. But the layers just look pretty, Whatever you do, though, don’t skip the lightly-sweetened coconut chia cream. It takes just an extra couple of minutes, much less than it takes to chop all of the fruit, and it’s really what transforms a fairly basic fruit salad into something special. The light coconut flavor gives this a totally tropical island vibe, and by adding the chia, you get a creamy, luxurious texture. Even The Hubby, who is typically anti-chia, said I have to make more recipes using the coconut chia cream!
One other little tip – besides the fact that it just made sense from the color progression, by putting the bananas on the bottom and then letting the juices of the pineapple and oranges flow down onto them, it helps keep them from turning brown.
So whether you are planning your Mother’s Day brunch menu, want a healthy dessert, or are just trying to pretend that your days are filled with sun, sand, and surf, you need to make this!
What is your favorite tropical fruit?
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Tropical Sunrise Fruit Salad with Coconut Chia Cream
Ingredients
- 13 oz light coconut milk
- 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar honey, or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 large bananas
- 2 cups chopped pineapple
- 2 mangoes chopped
- 2 large oranges
- 2 cups chopped strawberries
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the coconut milk, powdered sugar or honey, vanilla, and chia seeds, and set aside in the refrigerator for at least a half hour (you can do this before you start cutting the fruit, or even the night before).
- Divide the chopped banana between eight glasses or bowls. Follow with the pineapple, mango, oranges, and strawberries.
- Divide the coconut chia cream between the eight dishes, gently laying on top of the fruit.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Can be prepared the night before.
Nutrition
Here are some more tropical treats…
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And the rest of the #SundaySupper menu from paradise…
Tidbits and Pupus
- Chicken and Lemongrass Sugarcane Skewers by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Coconut crusted Tofu with Spicy Mango Cucumber Topping by Soni’s Food
- Larp (Laos chicken salad) by Caroline’s Cooking
Breakfast
- Midwest Style Loco Moco by Our Good Life
Companions
- Caribbean Black Beans with Rice by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Condiments and Sauces
- Mango Jam by Brunch with Joy
- Thai Sweet Chili Sauce by Magnolia Days
Coolers
- Cilantro Margarita by An Appealing Plan
- Coconut Mojito by Flour On My Face
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cocktail by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Strawberry Lava Flow by Nosh My Way
Main Event
- Bali Spicy Grilled Fish – Ikan Bakar Jimbaran by Food Lust People Love
- Crockpot Hawaiian Pulled Pork by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Grilled Jerk Shrimp Roll with Tropical Fruit Slaw by Food Done Light
- Grilled Swordfish with Pineapple Salsa by Cooking Chat
- Kalua Pig by Palatable Pastime
- Mango Barbecued Pork Chops by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Mango Lime Fajitas by Curious Cuisiniere
- Pineapple Pork by Basic N Delicious
- Pineapple, Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza by Family Foodie
- Catibias o Cativias (Dominican Yucca Empanadas) by The Petit Gourmet
- Shrimp Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Slow Cooker Kalua Pork Tacos by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Tropical Chicken Burgers by Momma’s Meals
- Whole Roasted Bream with a Ginger-Tamarind Sauce by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Delectable Delights
- Coconut Mounds Bars by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Tropical Sunshine Cake by Lifestyle Food Artistry
- Double Ginger Cookies by Pies and Plots
- Majarete Ice Cream by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Mini Mango Cheesecakes by The Freshman Cook
- Pineapple Blueberry Ooey Gooey Cake by Recipes Food and Cooking
- Pumpkin-Coconut Biscotti by What Smells So Good?
- Tropical Fruit Salad by The Redhead Baker
- Tropical Layered Poke Cake by Daily Dish Recipes
- Ube Panna Cotta by The Joyful Foodie
- Whole Wheat Mango Coconut Bars by Peanut Butter and Peppers
Wine Pairings
- The Best Wines to Pair with Tropical Food #SundaySupper by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
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Bobbi from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen says
You should come visit Washington. We have been having a TON of sun (if you can believe that). Bring some of this awesome fruit salad with you
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Well, I’ll be close going to Indulge in Portland in a few weeks.
Joy | The Joyful Foodie says
Coconut chia cream (though we call it pudding) is one of my favorite snacks! I love the idea of using it to top a fruit salad. Plus, the colors here are gorgeous and remind me of summer. I hope spring comes soon for you!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Yes, that’s why I called it cream – kind of like a healthy whipped cream alternative! Thanks!
Martin Redmond says
Wow! Great looking dish Brianne! We’ve recently “discovered” chia seeds and have been consuming it almost daily. You coconut cream sounds so tasty! Thanks for an idea for another use chia seeds!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
They are surprisingly versatile!
Sarah says
Love the looks of this fruit salad, it would be great for breakfast!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Yes, we had it both with breakfast for dinner and the rest the next day for actual breakfast.
Christie says
The fruit salad looks so pretty in the glass. I love the coconut milk! What a great way to top it off
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
It really added a little extra touch of the tropics.
Shaina says
I don’t think you can get more tropical than mango, pineapple and coconut! YUM!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Agreed!
Sue says
Love all the fruit—so tropical!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
Beautiful, it really does look like a sunrise!
We could also call it a sunset and have a healthy dessert. 😉
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I thought the same thing. You think anyone would notice if I posted it again with a new name? 😉
Valerie Cathell Clark says
This would be my dessert! It looks wonderful! I love chia and wouldn’t have thought of using it in the cream, but now I’m trying it!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I love the coconut chia cream!
Liz says
I just bought my first chia seeds ever! This recipe looks like the perfect place to start—delicious!!!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I love the chia coconut cream! I have to make more recipes with it!!
Gaila says
This looks so good! I love all the fruit in there also! chia seeds are great!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks! I loved that addition to make a standard fruit salad more interesting.
Soni says
Love the vibrant colors and the chia just completes it beautifullyLovely recipe and my kids would love these for sure 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Definitely a kid-pleaser!
Laura Dembowski says
Chias are such a cool, versatile ingredient. Love all the fruit in here. Can I have two please?
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
They are! And yes, you may!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
It has been just miserable in MIchigan too. I cannot wait for Spring to spring!!! What a great use of the chia seeds. Thanks for sharing.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Come on, spring!!
Renee says
This would definitely brighten up the start of any day! Sorry you are having snow is April. Come visit Georgia because the weather is incredible this time of year.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I need to go South!!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I’m ready for warmer weather here too, Brianne! Your salad may be just the thing to hold me over until it gets here!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
It definitely brightens the day!