Xanthan Gum Free Apple-Ginger Fruit Salad Cups
Fresh fruit, warm spice, and a little citrus zing come together in a dish that's as pretty to look at as it is to eat. Hollowed apple halves stand in as edible serving bowls, filled with a colorful mix of diced apples, pear, blueberries, and strawberries — all tossed in a bright dressing of lime juice, raw honey, freshly grated ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, and lime zest. That dressing is the real star: no thickeners, no stabilizers, just real ingredients whisked together until smooth. For anyone navigating a sensitivity to xanthan gum, this kind of recipe is a breath of fresh air — every single component is naturally free of the stuff, with zero substitutions needed. A short rest lets the flavors meld and coaxes a little natural juice out of the fruit, making every spoonful taste even more alive. A scatter of fresh mint over the top adds a cool, herby finish that pulls the whole thing together. These cups are ideal for a brunch spread, a light dessert, or any time you want something that feels special without a lot of fuss.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the apple cups
- 4 medium apples (such as honeycrisp or fuji), for the cups
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime), for brushing cups
For the fruit salad
- 2 medium apples (such as granny smith or pink lady), diced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 medium ripe pear, diced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
For the dressing
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tbsp raw honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tsp lime zest
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Halve 4 apples crosswise (through the equator, not stem to base) to create 8 cup-shaped halves. Use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the core and enough flesh to form a shallow bowl, leaving a wall about 1/2 inch thick. Brush the cut surfaces and interior of each cup with 1 tbsp lime juice to prevent browning, then set aside on a serving platter.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 tbsp lime juice, honey, grated ginger, ground Ceylon cinnamon, and lime zest until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is smooth.
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