Frog eye salad and ambrosia salad fruit-based, creamy salads, with sweet, fluffy textures and vibrant colors. They each include fruit and a whipped topping to create their delightful taste, however they are different.  

One striking feature that makes these sweet salad distinct is the inclusion of pasta in frog eye salad, which is not found in ambrosia salad. 

In this post, we learn more about the differences between these two salads. 

What is Frog Eye Salad? 

Frog eye salad is a unique dessert that combines fruit, pasta, and creamy goodness. The salad gets its quirky name from the small, round pasta called acini di pepe, which looks like tiny “frog eyes” when cooked. The pasta is combined with whipped topping, pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, and sometimes mini marshmallows.

To add richness, a mixture of eggs, sugar, and flour is often cooked into a custard, which is then folded into the salad, giving it a smooth and creamy consistency. This salad is sweet, light, and has a slightly chewy texture from the pasta, making it a fun addition to any meal. 

What is Ambrosia Salad? 

Ambrosia salad is a classic fruit-based dessert that is popular in many parts of the United States, particularly in the South. It traditionally contains a mix of fruits like oranges, pineapples, cherries, and sometimes bananas or grapes. In addition to the fruit, shredded coconut and mini marshmallows are often mixed in.

What makes ambrosia salad stand out is its creamy, fluffy texture, achieved by folding in whipped cream, sour cream, or yogurt. Unlike frog eye salad, there’s no pasta involved, which keeps the texture smooth and light.

Ambrosia salad is known for being sweet and tangy, with the citrus fruits adding a refreshing bite to each spoonful. 

Difference Between Frog Eye Salad and Ambrosia Salad 

Ingredients 

The most noticeable difference between frog eye salad and ambrosia salad is the use of pasta. Frog eye salad includes acini di pepe pasta, which gives it a unique texture and appearance, while ambrosia salad is entirely fruit-based, with no grains or pasta involved.

Additionally, frog eye salad often incorporates a custard made with eggs and sugar, making it richer in flavor. Ambrosia salad, on the other hand, relies on whipped cream or sour cream for its creaminess. 

Texture 

Texture is another key difference. Frog eye salad has a more complex texture due to the small pasta pearls, which provide a slight chewiness against the soft fruit. The pasta gives it more body and a bit of bite.

On the other hand, ambrosia salad is smoother and fluffier, as it lacks any chewy components like pasta. The marshmallows and whipped cream in ambrosia make it feel light and airy on the palate. 

Flavor 

When it comes to flavor, frog eye salad has a sweet, slightly rich flavor because of the custard base, which combines well with the tropical fruit flavors.

Ambrosia salad is lighter and more refreshing, with a bright, tangy sweetness from the citrus fruits and the creamy dressing.

While both salads are sweet, ambrosia tends to have a more citrus-forward flavor, whereas frog eye salad has a richer and more custard-like taste.