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Enjoy a single serving of Ambrosia Salad with a healthier twist on the classic Southern favorite. This delightful dish is filled with juicy pineapple, mandarin oranges, shredded coconut, and a touch of sweetness from miniature marshmallows. Made with Greek yogurt instead of the traditional creamy ingredients, it’s a light and refreshing version that’s perfect for any Ambrosia fan!
This Ambrosia recipe is simple to make and absolutely delicious. It pairs wonderfully with dishes like a juicy ham steak, savory Chicken Cordon Bleu, a light crustless spinach quiche, or tender pork tenderloin. You can also enjoy it anytime as a sweet and refreshing dessert!
If you love salads that can pass as desserts, you’ll love our Pineapple Lime Jello Salad that we serve at Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This Ambrosia Salad comes together in just minutes. While I recommend letting it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour to enhance the flavors, it’s just as delicious if enjoyed right away.
- Customizable: This recipe uses canned fruit for convenience, but fresh fruit works beautifully if you prefer. You can mix and match your favorite fruits—pineapple, cherries, mandarin oranges, and pecans are my go-to combination, but feel free to add any fruits or nuts you love.
- Easily Scaled: This recipe makes one generous serving, but if you’d like more, simply double the ingredient amounts to make a larger batch.
- Delicious and Nostalgic: Ambrosia Salad is making a well-deserved comeback! It’s a dish I remember from holiday dinners growing up, where it was always a favorite at the table. Its sweet, creamy flavor never goes out of style.
Explore more of our Single Serving Salad recipes!
Ambrosia is a classic Southern dessert that has been loved for generations. The name “ambrosia,” meaning “food of the gods” in Greek mythology, perfectly describes this sweet and refreshing dish. Traditionally made with oranges, pineapple, coconut, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream, this single serving version uses Greek yogurt for a lighter twist and adds crunchy pecans for extra texture. The marshmallows stay, of course—they’re an essential part of what makes ambrosia so special!
This recipe is perfect for when you want a dessert that’s simple, sweet, and satisfying. It’s a delightful combination of fruit and a creamy dressing that’s lighter but just as flavorful as the original.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this ambrosia salad recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
If you have fond memories of this dish, chances are your family has a go-to recipe with specific must-have ingredients. Here are the key ingredients that have always been a staple in my family’s version of ambrosia:
- Fruit: I use canned pineapple tidbits and mandarin oranges for convenience, but feel free to use fresh fruit if you prefer. This recipe is easy to customize—try adding fresh grapes, chopped apples, or peaches for variety. Just make sure the fruit is well-drained if using canned.
- Maraschino Cherries: Four maraschino cherries are perfect for this recipe. Slice them in halves or thirds to ensure you get a bit of cherry in every bite. Don’t forget to remove the stems first!
- Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows are a must in ambrosia salad. You can use classic white marshmallows or multi-colored flavored ones for a fun twist. If you have leftovers, try them in a single serving S’mores Dip or in a small batch of Rice Krispie Treats.
- Coconut: Shredded coconut adds great texture and flavor. I usually use sweetened coconut, but unsweetened works too if that’s your preference. Leftovers are perfect for making a rich Coconut Cream Pie recipe!
- Pecans: Chopped pecans or walnuts add just the right amount of crunch and balance the sweetness of the salad.
- Yogurt: I prefer vanilla Greek yogurt for a creamy, slightly tangy base. You can also use sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, or whipped cream if you’d like. Each option gives the salad a slightly different flavor and texture.
Recipe Variations
Looking to put a twist on your ambrosia? The classic recipe is always a favorite, but these variations add a fun and flavorful spin:
- Tropical Ambrosia: Swap out some of the traditional fruits for tropical ones like mango, papaya, or kiwi. Finish with a sprinkle of toasted coconut for a touch of island-inspired flavor.
- Ambrosia Parfait: Create a layered dessert by alternating ambrosia with granola or crushed butter cookies in a small glass or parfait cup. It’s a simple way to make your ambrosia feel extra special.
- Boozy Ambrosia: Add a grown-up twist by mixing in a splash of coconut rum or your favorite fruit-flavored liqueur. This variation is perfect for a fun dessert to enjoy after dinner.
How To Make Ambrosia For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make a single serve ambrosia salad. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the pineapple, oranges, coconut, cherries, marshmallows, and pecans. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
- Gently fold the yogurt into the fruit and nut mixture until fully incorporated.
For the best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour or overnight before serving.
Expert Tips
- Drain the Fruit Well: Make sure to drain the canned pineapple tidbits and mandarin oranges thoroughly. Removing as much juice as possible helps keep the salad fluffy and prevents it from becoming watery.
- Stir Gently: Mandarin oranges are delicate, so mix the ingredients slowly and gently to keep the fruit intact and looking its best.
- Chill Before Serving: While ambrosia can be enjoyed right after it’s made, I recommend refrigerating it for at least an hour. This allows the flavors to meld and makes the salad even more delicious.
- Skip the Nuts if You Prefer: If you’d rather not include nuts, simply leave them out. The salad will still taste amazing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Fresh pineapple and mandarin oranges work beautifully. Just make sure to peel, chop, and drain any excess liquid before using.
Yes, you can skip the marshmallows if you prefer a less sweet salad. However, they are a traditional ingredient in ambrosia and add a fun, soft texture.
Yes, you can! Many traditional ambrosia recipes use whipped cream, and it works well here too. While I love the lighter flavor and texture of Greek yogurt in this single serving recipe, you’re welcome to substitute it with whipped cream if that’s your preference.
Ambrosia can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. It’s best enjoyed within the first day or two for the freshest taste.
You can easily double or triple the ingredients to make a larger batch for multiple servings.
Yes! You can make it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir before serving.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this ambrosia recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this small batch ambrosia salad recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Ambrosia For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup canned pineapple tidbits -drained
- ¼ cup canned mandarin oranges -drained
- ¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 4 maraschino cherries -sliced
- ¼ cup mini marshmallows (about 25 mini marshmallows)
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- ⅓ cup vanilla Greek yogurt (3 ounces)
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the pineapple, oranges, coconut, cherries, marshmallows, and pecans. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
- Gently fold the yogurt into the fruit and nut mixture until fully incorporated.
- For the best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour or overnight before serving.
Notes
- Drain the Fruit Well: Make sure to drain the canned pineapple tidbits and mandarin oranges thoroughly. Removing as much juice as possible helps keep the salad fluffy and prevents it from becoming watery.
- Stir Gently: Mandarin oranges are delicate, so mix the ingredients slowly and gently to keep the fruit intact and looking its best.
- Chill Before Serving: While ambrosia can be enjoyed right after it’s made, I recommend refrigerating it for at least an hour. This allows the flavors to meld and makes the salad even more delicious.
- Skip the Nuts if You Prefer: If you’d rather not include nuts, simply leave them out. The salad will still taste amazing!
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This brought back memories of when my Mom first introduced this dish to our family. We would enjoy it for special occasions. I’m elated to make this on a small scale. The Greek yogurt is a nice touch. I don’t think my adult palate would care much for the sweeter traditional version.
One commenter said she use toasted coconut flavored yogurt. I loved the idea, so I added a little toasted coconut flavoring. It elevated a wonderful recipe to something amazing. Next time I will toast the coconut for a more complex flavor profile.
Thanks for another winner Joanie!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I’m thrilled to hear that the recipe brought back such fond memories for you. The addition of toasted coconut flavoring sounds delicious, and toasting the coconut next time will definitely add a lovely complexity. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe—thanks for your kind words!
I make this often, and it is the perfect amount for my husband and myself. I use individual serving cups of the pineapple and oranges, as well as Great Value Light Greek Toasted Coconut Vanilla Non-fat Yogurt (80 calories per 5.3 oz. serving), and it is delicious. My husband, who ‘has and would never eat yogurt’ eats this without hesitation, and doesn’t know the difference!! lol
We are empty nesters, so I enjoy making your recipes in a scaled down version to reduce waste and endless leftovers.
Delicious! I used frozen pineapple and a fresh mandarin orange, and sour cream instead of the yogurt. One recipe was the perfect amount for my husband me. I served with ham and scalloped potatoes (also from this site), sans cheese.
Love your recipes Joanie!
Can’t wait to try this. Sometimes I buy the individual fruit cups & they will be perfect for this.
Great idea!
Can regular yogurt be used in place of Greek yogurt?
Yes, although I prefer the thicker consistency of Greek yogurt in this recipe.
Great recipe.
Thank you!!