Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad

Move over fruit salad, this Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad is a creamy, sweet, and festive treat that leaves other fruit salads feeling flat. Made with juicy pineapple, mandarin oranges, and strawberries, this tropical fruit salad is like summer in a bowl. It’s perfect for everything from dessert, a simple side dish, or dare I say, even breakfast?!

I’ve been making this delicious Cheesecake Fruit Salad for years. It comes together quickly with just a few simple ingredients and is an amazing no bake dessert option. 

The simple addition of softened cream cheese and a pudding packet make this tropical fruit salad like no fruit salad you’ve had before. And you’ll never want another plain fruit salad again.

Refreshing, tasty, and easily customizable, it’s the perfect option for potlucks, picnics, or an easy dessert or side dish. This creamy cheesecake fruit salad is like summer on a spoon.

Why You’ll Love this Tropical Cheesecake salad

• This is a no bake recipe that uses fresh, seasonal ingredients you can easily prep ahead of time.
• This salad is refreshing and tasty and is easily customizable to suit your personal tastes.
• Everything from a great potluck salad to a BBQ side or dessert for summer parties. 

Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad Ingredients

This recipe only requires 2 common ingredients and lots of fresh fruit.

• Cream cheese –  softened to room temperature 
• Instant cheesecake or vanilla pudding – I use a 3.4 oz package
• Pineapple juice – from the can of pineapple below
• Strawberries – hulled and sliced or quartered
• Seedless grapes – green or red grapes will work
• Mandarin oranges – drain and reserve liquid if using fresh pineapple
• Pineapple chunks – canned pineapple works best because you can reserve the juice. But you can also use fresh and a small can of pineapple juice or the reserved liquid from the mandarin oranges..
• Kiwis – peeled and sliced 
• Banana – sliced (save this for last to prevent browning)

Equipment Needed To Make This Recipe

• Large bowl
• Electric mixer
• Strainer
• Sharp knife

Substitutions & Alterations

• You can add in other fruits or substitute any fruits you like. Mango or papaya are both wonderful additions. Pitted cherries or blueberries are great too!
• You can add toasted coconut flakes, mini marshmallows, or chopped macadamia nuts for extra tropical feel.
• You can use blended cottage cheese or Greek yogurt as a sub for the cream cheese.

How to Make Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad

This cheesecake fruit salad recipe couldn’t be simpler to make.

1. Whip the cream cheese until fluffy. 
2. Add the pudding mix and pineapple juice and beat until smooth. 
3. Add strawberries, grapes, mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, kiwis and bananas.
4. Toss and serve.

Time Saving Tips & Tricks

• You can prep the fruit ahead of time but wait until just before serving to combine it with the rest of the ingredients.
• Be sure to drain the canned fruit well to avoid a watery salad. 
• If using fresh pineapple, slice it over a pie plate or shallow bowl to conserve as much juice as possible. Combine with the liquid from the canned mandarin oranges if needed to equal the recipe amount needed.
• Pat the fruit a little with some paper towels to absorb excess juice before adding to the cream cheese and pudding mixture.

How to Serve Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad

This simple fruit salad makes as great a side dish as it does a dessert. And I can personally attest to how good it is for breakfast!

Serve it on its own or as a side dish with some tasty Pulled Pork Sliders or these Spicy Chicken Wraps. This is also fun to put into clear containers for individual salads for a party. 

How to Store Leftover Fruit Salad

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because the fruit will release water, I recommend a container with a drain. 

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the ingredients several hours in advance, but for best texture, stir in the fruit just before serving to keep it fresh and juicy.

What fruits work best in this salad?

Pineapple, mandarin oranges, strawberries, and bananas work best, but you can add ripe mango, papaya or cherries too.

How do I keep the bananas from browning?

Browning is caused by oxidation – that is, exposure to air. Toss sliced bananas in a little lemon or pineapple juice before mixing them into the salad. The acidity from the fruit juice helps prevent browning.

More Easy Fruit Salad Recipes

Easy Grape Salad

Classic Ambrosia Salad

Easy Fruit Salad

Orange Fluff Salad

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