The what salad? Yes, you read that right—frog eye salad! This yummy side dish is akin to other fascinating fruit salads (looking at you, ambrosia!) that are so sweet, delicious and beautiful, they teeter on the edge of dessert.
Our frog eye salad is made with teeny, tiny pasta noodles that are tossed in a gorgeous pineapple custard dressing and folded into chunks of marshmallows, pineapple, mandarin oranges and shredded coconut. It’s a fluffy and fruity side salad that’s packed with flavor and fun.
What is frog eye salad?
Frog eye salad is an old-school side dish featuring pasta, marshmallows, mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, shredded coconut and a whipped topping. They’re all tossed together in a homemade pineapple custard dressing, creating a creamy, fluffy treat with bites of sweetness. It’s a refreshing dish that’s best eaten well chilled.
Frog eye salad gets its namesake from very tiny, circular pasta noodles—acini di pepe—that are said to resemble frog eyes.
Ingredients for Frog Eye Salad
- Acini di pepe pasta: These tiny pasta shapes can be easily found in most grocery stores. See our tips below for substitutes.
- Canned mandarin oranges: Little segments of sweet mandarin oranges add pops of bursting brightness to this frog eye salad, not to mention a vibrant orange hue.
- Canned pineapple: Pineapple imparts a tropical sweetness that pairs perfectly with the oranges and coconut.
- Miniature marshmallows: We prefer the mini size so they’re easier to eat. If you only have large marshmallows, cut them up into bite-sized pieces before tossing with the other ingredients.
- Shredded coconut: Be sure to reach for sweetened (and not unsweetened) shredded coconut at the grocery store.
- Whipped topping: A premade whipped topping like Cool Whip makes assembling this frog eye salad recipe easy-peasy.
Directions
Step 1: Create the custard dressing
In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar, flour and salt. Gradually pour in the pineapple juice, whisking constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly.
Carefully slip in a small amount of the hot mixture into the bowl of lightly beaten eggs, whisking constantly. Pour the hot egg mixture into the saucepan, whisking constantly. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, and cook and whisk for two minutes longer. Remove the mixture from the heat. Gently whisk in the lemon juice.
Step 2: Allow to cool
Transfer the hot mixture to a large bowl. Cool the mixture to room temperature without stirring. Cover the surface of the custard dressing with waxed paper, and refrigerate until cooled.
Step 3: Cook the pasta
Cook the pasta according to the package’s directions. Drain the pasta, and immediately rinse it under cold water. Place the pasta in a very large bowl.
Step 4: Add the mix-ins
Fold the oranges, pineapple, marshmallows, coconut and dressing into the bowl with the pasta. Fold in the whipped topping until evenly incorporated.
Step 5: Chill
Cover the bowl, and refrigerate the frog eye salad until chilled. If desired, garnish with cherries.
Recipe Variations
- Add a bit of crunch: Sprinkle in chopped nuts like almonds, hazelnuts or macadamia nuts for an added dimension of crunch. We recommend you toast the nuts beforehand to bring out their nutty sweetness.
- Slice in other fruit: Sturdy fruits like strawberries and bananas can add color and extra sweetness to the frog eye salad. Avoid easily breakable fruits like raspberries and blueberries. They might not hold their shape very well when tossed with the other ingredients, making their colors run everywhere.
- Use colorful marshmallows: Ramp up the fun even more with colorful mini marshmallows!
How to Store Frog Eye Salad
Store frog eye salad leftovers in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to three days.
Can you freeze frog eye salad?
No, you cannot freeze frog eye salad. Since the dressing is custard based, it will not freeze well.
Frog Eye Salad Tips
Can you use other types of pasta in frog eye salad?
Yes, you can use other types of pasta in frog eye salad. This recipe calls for acini di pepe, which are very tiny balls of pasta. If you don’t have acini di pepe on hand, you can use pastina, which is a small, star-shaped pasta. Orzo is also a good substitute, but it requires a little longer cooking time.
Can you use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping to make frog eye salad?
Definitely! You can make whipped cream from scratch in place of the store-bought whipped topping if you like.
How do you serve frog eye salad?
To serve frog eye salad, spoon individual servings into bowls or parfait glasses, or prepare the fruit salad in a large glass trifle bowl and let guests scoop for themselves. For extra flair, garnish the salad with stemmed maraschino cherries, mandarin oranges or piped whipped cream.
