Mandarin Fruit Salad Recipe

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Mandarin fruit salad is an excellent choice for a nourishing and exciting snack for your family. It’s colorful, naturally sweet, and full of textures that children love to explore. Best of all, it’s quick to prepare and easy to pair with other cheese cubes and whole wheat crackers for a complete snack!

Why Children Love It

This vibrant salad isn’t just a nutritious choice—it’s a playful invitation for children to discover exciting new tastes and textures. With its rainbow of crisp veggies and bursts of juicy fruit, it catches the eye and sparks curiosity. Creamy avocado lends a smooth, unexpected richness, while the zesty mandarin-honey dressing adds a sweet-tangy finish that delights young taste buds. It’s a delicious adventure disguised as a healthy meal.

Nutritional Benefits

Vitamin C from Mandarins and Pears

Supports immune health and helps the body absorb iron.

Healthy Fats from Avocado,

Essential for brain development and keeping little tummies full longer.

Hydration and Fiber from Cucumber and Pears

Aids digestion and keeps energy levels steady.

Meal Pattern Contribution

1/2 cup provides 1/8 cup total vegetable (1/8 cup other vegetable), 1/4 cup fruit

The Child Lane Nutrition Program, a CACFP-hosted program that supports 500+ Family Child Care Home Providers in Los Angeles County and Orange County, scaled this mandarin fruit salad to 8 servings.

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Mandarin Fruit Salad Recipe

Yield: 8 – ( ½ cup per serving)

Prep time: 15 min

Total time: 25 min

Printable PDF:

Mandarin Fruit Salad.pdf

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Ingredients

Mandarins, canned | 2 cups

Pears, fresh | 2 cups

Avocado, fresh | ½ cup

Cucumber, fresh | ½ cup

Italian dressing | ¼ cup

Mandarin, juice | ¼ cup

Honey | ½ Tbsp

Directions

1. Rinse pears, avocados, and cucumbers. Core and dice pears and avocados ½ inch ½-inch-thick cubes, then place in a large bowl. Peel and dice the cucumber, then put it in the bowl.

2. Open the can of mandarin oranges and reserve 1/4 cup of the mandarin juice. Strain the remaining liquid and place the mandarin oranges in the bowl with the diced mixed fruit.

Dressing

1. In a medium bowl, whisk Italian dressing, mandarin juice, and honey together until completely combined.

2. Add dressing to the mixed fruit and gently toss until the fruit is coated evenly. Cover and place in the fridge until it is ready to serve.

Note: Pair with whole wheat crackers or cubed cheese to make it a complete snack.

Special Diet Information

Age group 1-5 years old. Children under 1 years old do not serve honey. Remove or substitute the sweetener.