Panera Bread Fruit Salad Recipe

This Panera Bread Fruit Salad Recipe is inspired by the vibrant side dish found in the cafe’s chilled display. It is a fresh and naturally sweet recipe, which calls for a medley of seasonal melons and grapes. It’s a healthy, foolproof recipe, ready in about 15 minutes.

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Panera Bread Fruit Salad Recipe Ingredients

• 1/2 small cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, and cubed
• 1/2 small honeydew melon, peeled, seeded, and cubed
• 1/2 fresh pineapple, cored and cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 cup seedless red grapes, washed and stems removed
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (seasonal)
• optional: 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice and a tiny pinch of salt to enhance sweetness

How To Make Panera Bread Fruit Salad

1. Prepare the melons: Start with your cantaloupe and honeydew. Slice them in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut the melons into wedges, remove the rinds, and then dice the flesh into uniform one-inch cubes. Having consistent sizes is the secret to a professional-looking fruit salad where you get a bit of everything in each spoonful.
2. Core and chunk the pineapple: Cut the top and bottom off your fresh pineapple, then slice off the outer skin. Quarter the pineapple lengthwise and remove the tough core from the center. Chop the remaining fruit into chunks that match the size of your melon pieces. Using fresh pineapple rather than canned is essential for that signature Panera “snap.”
3. Wash and prep the berries: Remove the stems from your red grapes and give them a thorough rinse under cold water. If you are adding strawberries, hull them and slice them in half or quarters depending on their size.
4. Combine the fruit: In a large glass bowl, gently toss the cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes together. If you want to brighten the flavors, you can drizzle a teaspoon of fresh lime juice over the top. This acts as a natural preservative and keeps the fruit looking vibrant.
5. Chill and set: While you can serve this immediately, the fruit salad is much more refreshing after chilling in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the juices to slightly meld without the fruit becoming mushy.
6. Serve: Give the bowl a light toss right before serving to redistribute any natural juices that have settled at the bottom. Ladle into individual bowls as a healthy side for a lunch or breakfast.

Recipe Tips

• How to choose a ripe cantaloupe: Look for a melon that feels heavy for its size and has a sweet, floral aroma at the stem end. The “netting” on the skin should be thick and raised.
• Why uniform cutting is vital: When all the fruit is the same size, it is much easier to eat and looks more like the version you would see in a professional bakery case.
• How to keep it fresh: If you are making this ahead of time, keep the grapes and melons together, but add the strawberries and pineapple just before serving to prevent their juices from bleeding into the other fruit.
• Can I use a dressing: Panera keeps theirs simple and natural, but a small drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of fresh mint can elevate the dish for a special brunch.

What To Serve With Panera Bread Fruit Salad?

This Panera Bread Fruit Salad Recipe is a fresh, naturally sweet side dish that needs a savory or starchy pairing! A bowl of Panera-style Broccoli Cheddar Soup or a Chipotle Chicken Avocado Sandwich is the quintessential choice for a classic “Pick Two” lunch. For a balanced meal, a toasted Cinnamon Crunch Bagel or a serving of Steel Cut Oatmeal adds a lovely texture that pairs perfectly with the juicy fruit! A hot cup of Coffee or a glass of Iced Green Tea pairs wonderfully with the light, refreshing notes of the melon.

How To Store Panera Bread Fruit Salad

• Refrigerate: Store the fruit salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. After this point, the melon can start to lose its firmness.
• Drain excess liquid: If you store it overnight, you may find some liquid at the bottom of the container. Simply drain this off before serving to keep the fruit from becoming soggy.
• Avoid Freezing: Do not freeze fresh fruit salad, as the high water content in the melons will cause them to turn mushy and lose their structure upon thawing.

Panera Bread Fruit Salad Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 70 (per 1 cup serving)
• Total Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 15mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 18g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 1g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

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