• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Savory Nothings logo

  • Recipe Index
    • Easy Dinner Recipes
      • Slow Cooker
      • One Pot Meals
      • Quick Meals
      • Instant Pot
    • Side Dishes
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Small Meals
  • Dinner Ideas
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Easter
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • About
  • Subscribe
×

Home / Recipes / Small Meals / Fruit Salad / Creamy Poppy Seed Fruit Salad Dressing

Creamy Poppy Seed Fruit Salad Dressing

30 mins
| Leave a Comment | Jump to Recipe 03/21/18 | Updated: 05/03/20 | by Nora

This Creamy Poppy Seed Fruit Salad Dressing is the single best thing you’ll be putting on your fruit salad. Careful – you might just want to eat it by the spoonful, that’s how crazy delicious this is!

Pouring creamy poppy seed fruit salad dressing over fruit salad.

Whenever I share a creamy anything recipe here on the blog, I have to stress that I can’t stand whipped cream or cream-laden dishes.

Sure, a spoonful of freshly made whipped cream on ice cream, spread into a thin layer so it freezes? A few tablespoons to refine a sauce? I’ll take that. Any other way, stay away from me.

I’ve always been like this. I didn’t eat ice cream as a kid (gasp, I know) and refused to eat anything cooked with cream. I’ve gotten a little bit better about it with old age (kidding, I know I’m still a spring chicken, but at least let me feel old, haha). But I still refuse to add large amounts of cream or whipped cream to anything, let alone a fruit salad!

I’ve already said in my Creamy Fruit Salad Dressing that I’ve learned to make fruit salad the healthy way as I’ve gotten to this stage of old-age wisdom inhabiting every inch of my body. Let me have my moment.

This one is actually the same dressing, just with poppy seeds added. But it is such a nice touch, I thought it deserved its own post.

The creaminess here comes from Greek yogurt, but it’s more of a custard-texture. If you want a yogurt-y dressing, I recommend my Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad Dressing!

Creamy poppy seed fruit salad dressing in a small weck jar.

What I love most about this Creamy Fruit Salad Dressing:

  • It’s naturally sweet. Orange juice and honey add more than enough natural sweetness to this dressing! If you’re looking for a less sweet dressing, you can even decrease the amount of honey called for in the recipe!
  • It’s custardy without any packaged ingredients. My husband DRINKS this dressing, because he loves it so much. It turns out like a really fresh and fruity custard without frozen whipped topping, instant pudding mix or any other nasties.
  • It’s allergy-friendly. The recipe is naturally gluten-free. You can also easily make it dairy free by using a non-dairy yogurt and vegan if using maple syrup in place of the honey.

I’m just going to add the same warning here as I do with all my yogurt-based fruit salad dressings: It’s not something you’ll want to use on fresh pineapple, kiwi or papaya. Canned fruit is OK!

These kinds of fresh fruit contain enzymes that will start splitting up the yoghurt, which results in a bitter, metallic taste. Consider yourself warned.

This is really a very simple recipe, let me just give you a quick overview:

How to make creamy poppy seed fruit salad dressing:

  1. Whisk juice, honey, cornstarch and vanilla together in a small sauce pan until smooth (important, otherwise you’ll have lumps).
  2. Bring to a boil, then simmer for a minute, whisking constantly. Always keep whisking to get a smooth custard!
  3. Take the thickened syrup off the heat and cool to room temperature. This works out faster of you transfer it to a clean bowl.
  4. Whisk in the Greek yogurt and poppy seeds. Chill until you need it.
  5. Eat by the spoonful, then make a second batch because nothing is left for the actual fruit salad.

Spooning creamy poppy seed fruit salad dressing from a small weck jar.

This is one of our all-time favorite fruit salad dressings. It reminds me of the first warm days of spring, and it’s just perfect for Easter or Mother’s Day.

And not only does it taste like the freshest custard you’ll ever taste, it’s also made from all-natural ingredients that will leave you feeling light and fresh. No whipped cream food coma after this in your fruit salad. Win win win!

P.S: If you want a non-creamy dressing for your fruit salad, I’ve got a regular Poppy Seed Fruit Salad Dressing, too!

Get the printable recipe for this creamy poppy seed fruit salad dressing:

Printable Recipe Card
Creamy poppy seed fruit salad dressing in a small weck jar.
Save Recipe Saved!

Creamy Poppy Seed Fruit Salad Dressing

This Creamy Poppy Seed Fruit Salad Dressing is the single best thing you'll be putting on your fruit salad. Careful - you might just want to eat it by the spoonful, that's how crazy delicious this is!
Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings
made it? tap the stars to add your rating!
No ratings yet
Print Add Review

Recipe details

Prep 5 mins
Cook 5 mins
Cooling time 20 mins
Total 30 mins
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1-2 teaspoons poppy seeds

Instructions
 

  • Mix the syrup: Whisk together the orange juice, vanilla extract, honey and cornstarch in a small saucepan until smooth and there are no more dry patches of cornstarch.
  • Cook the syrup: Keep whisking and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 minutes or until thickened to a medium syrup consistency, whisking constantly to avoid any lumps.
  • Cool the syrup: Take the syrup off the heat. For a shorter cooling time, pour it into a bowl. Cool to room temperature, whisk every so often to avoid a skin from forming.
  • Finish the dressing: Whisk the Greek yogurt and poppy seeds into the cooled syrup. Chill in the fridge until ready to use.
Want to save this recipe?Create an account for free to start your personal recipe box. Save any recipe by tapping the heart in the bottom right corner.
Join Now

Notes

I suggest not using this on fresh kiwi, pineapple or papaya (canned is fine!). The enzymes in the fresh fruit will break up the yogurt and turn it bitter and metallic.

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 9mgPotassium: 82mgSugar: 13gVitamin A: 95IUVitamin C: 20.7mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 0.2mg
Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Dressing
Cuisine: American

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings
About Nora 
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me!   Learn more.

Reader Interactions

Woman in a black jumpsuit, serving a plate of teriyaki meatballs and coleslaw.

< Previous Post

Creamy Fruit Salad Dressing in a small weck jar.

Next Post >

Add a Review or Ask a Question Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Made this recipe? Rate it:




Primary Sidebar

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings

welcome to

logo for the Savory Nothings brand

Hi, I'm Nora! I wasn't always a good cook, but then I fell in love with a professional chef and learned my way around the kitchen. Now I share all my secrets to effortlessly great food here on my blog, bite-sized for home cooks just like me and you.

More about me →

Easter Recipes

  • close up photo of glazed carrots with parsley
    Perfect Glazed Carrots
  • overhead view of strawberry rhubarb pie with dish towel and fresh fruit next to it
    Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
  • frontal view of sliced lemon loaf cake
    Glazed Lemon Loaf Cake
  • overhead view of roasted carrots on foil lined pan
    Honey Roasted Carrots

see all >

Popular

  • overhead close up view of garlic parmesan oven fried chicken piece on black pan
    Garlic Parmesan Crispy Oven Fried Chicken
  • overhead view of three oven baked chicken breasts in white casserole dish
    Oven Baked Chicken Breast
  • overhead close up photo of a piece of oven fried chicken on a black sheet pan
    Crispy Oven Fried Chicken
  • overhead close up photo of chocolate chip baked oats
    TikTok Baked Oats: 6 Ways!
  • white bowl with rigatoni bolognese
    One Pot Rigatoni Bolognese
  • chicken tacos on wooden platter
    Southwestern Crockpot Chicken Tacos
  • casserole dish with shepherd's pie
    Homemade Shepherd’s Pie
  • close up photo of a sliced banana bread
    Whole Wheat Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread

Trending on Pinterest

  • Balsamic Chicken Marinade
  • Swedish Meatballs
  • Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
  • Instant Pot Pot Roast
  • Homemade Salisbury Steak
  • About
  • Contact

Footer

Footer

Follow Along













Recipes

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sides
Dessert
Appetizers

Instant Pot
Slow Cooker
One Pot
Casseroles
Ground Beef
Chicken

Featured On

different logos of publications Savory Nothings' content has been featured on

↑ back to top

About | Contact | Work with Us

Copyright Savory Nothings © 2023

Made with lots of love and spices ♥︎
PRIVACY POLICY | ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT |
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Yummly
  • Mix