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Colorful winter fruit salad with seasonal fruits like citrus and pomegranate.

Winter Fruit Salad

A refreshing Winter Fruit Salad featuring crisp apples, juicy mandarins, and a creamy yogurt-and-poppy-seed dressing, perfect for a cozy winter day.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Essentials
  • 2 pieces apples, cored and diced Crisp, slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn work well.
  • 6 pieces mandarins, peeled and segmented Small clementines can also be used.
  • 2 pieces bananas, peeled and sliced Use slightly firm bananas to avoid mushiness.
  • 5 pieces kiwis, peeled and diced Adds a soft tartness and pretty green color.
  • 1 cup pomegranate arils Brightly colored and naturally gluten-free.
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt Choose your favorite brand with only dairy ingredients.
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds For a subtle nutty crunch.
  • 2 tablespoons honey Local or mild-flavored honey is best.
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice Freshly squeezed is recommended.
Optional Add-ons
  • 1/2 cup mixed nuts, chopped Walnuts or almonds work beautifully.
  • 1 cup berries, sliced (strawberries or blueberries) Adds extra color and sweetness.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon For added warmth.
  • 5 pieces fresh mint leaves, torn For brightness.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Wash and dry the apples, then core and dice them into bite-sized cubes.
  2. Peel the mandarins and separate the segments, checking for any seeds.
  3. Slice the bananas into rounds and peel and dice the kiwis.
  4. Gently pull the pomegranate arils from the fruit or use pre-packed arils if preferred; keep everything in one large bowl for now.
Making the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, poppy seeds, honey, and orange juice until smooth.
  2. Taste and adjust the sweetness or tanginess as desired.
Combining the Salad
  1. Pour the dressing over the fruit and gently fold together with a large spoon or spatula.
  2. Take care not to mash the bananas or kiwis; you want everything lightly coated.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
  2. If adding nuts or berries, toss them in just before serving.

Notes

Taste as you go, adjusting flavors to your preference. For pre-preparation, store dressing and softer fruit separately until serving.