Chick-fil-A Fruit Cup Copycat Recipe
This Chick-fil-A Fruit Cup Copycat Recipe features a vibrant mix of fresh and canned fruits, including red and green apples, mandarin orange slices, strawberries, and blueberries, all tossed with a hint of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Perfect for a refreshing snack or a light dessert, this fruit cup captures the sweet and tangy flavors of the popular Chick-fil-A side dish in a homemade version that's easy to prepare and serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings (1 cup each) or 16 servings (1/2 cup each)
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Fruits
- 2 cups Red Delicious apple, cubed
- 2 cups Granny Smith apple, cubed
- 15 ounce can mandarin orange slices, drained
- 2 1/3 cups strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 15 strawberries)
- 1 1/4 cups blueberries, rinsed
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 1/2 cup white vinegar (for soaking strawberries)
- 2 1/2 cups water (for soaking strawberries)
Instructions
- Juice the Lemon: Roll the lemon on the counter to soften it, then cut it in half. Use a citrus press or reamer to squeeze out the juice, straining out any seeds. You should have about 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
- Prep Apples: Wash and dry the Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples. Cut each apple into quarters, remove the core, then cut each quarter in half lengthwise to make 8 slices and then each slice into 3 bite-sized pieces. Toss the apple pieces in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Clean Strawberries: Soak the strawberries in a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 1/2 cups water for a few minutes to clean them thoroughly. Alternatively, soak them in 2 cups warm water with 2 teaspoons of salt.
- Prep Strawberries: Drain the soaked strawberries on paper towels. Remove stems and leaves by pushing a wide plastic straw through the top of each strawberry downwards. Quarter the strawberries lengthwise.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the fruits 1 to 4 hours before serving. Place the prepared fruit in separate covered bowls and refrigerate. Note that strawberries may become mushy if prepped too early, so add them last.
- Assemble: Just before serving, combine the red and green apple pieces in a large bowl. Gently add the prepared strawberries, mandarin orange slices, and blueberries. Toss gently to mix all fruits evenly.
- Serve: Transfer the mixed fruit to a large platter or individual bowls. Using a platter, this recipe serves 16 people with 1/2 cup portions. For eight servings, serve in individual bowls with 1 cup portions each.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning and to add a refreshing tang.
- Soaking strawberries in vinegar or saltwater helps to clean them thoroughly and extend freshness.
- Prepare fruits in advance but add strawberries last to avoid mushiness.
- Drain canned mandarin oranges well to avoid excess juice diluting the fruit cup.
- This recipe is highly customizable — feel free to substitute or add other fruits as desired.
