We are all about easy, simple recipes that are always a hit with friends and family and these cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips never fail to impress, especially when you use them to scoop up a mouthful of fresh fruit! Some other super easy crowd-pleasers like this are these fun 2-ingredient Lemon Sticks or Raspberry Pretzel Salad.
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips
When the weather starts to warm up and it’s strawberry picking season, it’s time to break out the food chopper and make a batch of fruit salsa! It’s great for summer parties, picnics, and backyard barbecues. Fruit salsa always garners rave reviews at baby showers and bridal showers, no matter the time of year. It makes a great appetizer or snack, especially if you are lounging around poolside or watching the kids enjoy the sprinklers in the backyard. Or serve it as a dessert for something that isn’t too heavy! You can even avoid heating up the kitchen with your oven by purchasing cinnamon chips from the store if you want. I don’t remember the first time I had this fresh fruit salsa, but it has been around for years! I think maybe it got its start or at least gained popularity at those Pampered Chef parties that people used to host. It makes sense since it would be an easy recipe to show off a food chopper or pizza cutter. This is essentially just fruit salad made with a smaller dice and scooped up with crispy cinnamon sugar coated chips instead of being eaten with a spoon, but somehow it’s magic and eyes light up when you present it.
What is in this fruit salsa recipe?
Keep in mind that this list is just a jumping off point. You can use whatever fruit is in season and looks best at the farmer’s market or store. When peaches and cherries are available, they are two of my favorite fruits to use in fruit salsa. I always like to include the apples though for a little bit of crunch. The key to delicious fruit salsa is to chop the fruit evenly and small so you get a taste of each in every bite.
Strawberries: Wash the strawberries and slice off the green tops before dicing the strawberries into small pieces. Apples: You can use any apple you like, although ones that are firm and crisp hold up best. We like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Envy apples best for this recipe. Raspberries: These are soft enough and small enough that you don’t really need to chop them at all as they will break down a bit just by stirring the salsa ingredients together. Blueberries: Depending on how large your blueberries are, you might need to chop them a bit with a food chopper or food processor (affiliate link) just so they are easier to scoop up with your cinnamon chips. Peach or mango: When I can’t find fresh peaches in season, mangoes are my go-to backup. Fruit preserves: I find that adding fruit preserves provides enough of a glaze and sweetness that I usually don’t need to add any extra sugar, unless my berries are on the tart side. Apricot, cherry, strawberry, or peach preserves are my favorite choices, although you can use any you like. Lemon or lime juice: I like to squeeze half a lemon or lime over the diced apples to keep them from browning.
Cinnamon Chip Ingredients
These chips are amazing all on their own, so you just might want to make a double batch so you have plenty. Because trust me, people will be hanging out around these chips and dip and before you know it, they will be gone. They only require 4 ingredients and we almost always have them on hand.
Tortillas: You want soft taco-sized flour tortillas so the chips are just the right size. Or go the extra mile and make your own homemade tortillas! You could even use soft pitas for a thicker chip, although they will take longer to bake to get them crunchy enough to hold up to the fruit salsa. Butter or cooking spray: Either option works, although we like the buttery flavor best. Whichever you choose, coat both sides by brushing or spraying the tortillas to help them crisp up in the oven. Sugar: A sprinkle of sugar makes these chips nice and sweet with a bit of a crunch to them. Cinnamon: This lovely warm spice perfectly compliments the fresh fruit of the salsa.
How to make Cinnamon Chips
Cinnamon Chips Substitute
If you want to skip making the cinnamon chips, some other great options are cinnamon sugar pita chips, graham crackers (especially cinnamon grahams), or Nilla Wafers.
How to make Fruit Salsa
Fruit Salsa Recipe with Cinnamon Chips tips and tricks
Use a food chopper or food processor (affiliate link) to help cut up the fruit. You want very tiny pieces of fruit so they fit on a chip. Just be careful not to go overboard or the salsa will turn extra liquidy. You don’t need to worry about flipping the chips over partway through baking in the oven. They will crisp up just fine on their own. Brush the tortillas on one side with melted butter first, then stack them to cut into wedges. Not only does this cut down on time and mess, but the underside of the tortillas end up getting buttered from stacking on top of the other buttered tortillas without having to flip them over and butter both sides. If your fruit isn’t as sweet, you may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, but I recommend waiting and tasting the salsa first to see. A squeeze of lemon or lime juice helps prevent the fruit from browning.
How to store Cinnamon Chips
Can the cinnamon chips be made ahead of time?
You can make the tortilla chips 4-5 days in advance and store them in an airtight bag on the counter until you are ready to serve. Although be warned, if your family knows they are there, they won’t make it that long.
Storing Fruit Salad
I don’t recommend making the fruit salsa more than 2-3 hours before you plan to serve it for best results.
How long does fruit salad last?
It’s definitely still good for 2-3 days if kept in the fridge (I even let my kids have leftovers for breakfast the next day), but the fruit will start to break down and release more juice the longer it sits.
Can you freeze this fruit salad recipe?
Yes, you can freeze fruit salsa. Cover it in an air tight container and place in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. It will be juicier than when it is freshly made, but it’s still tasty!
How to serve Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips
If you have leftovers or don’t want to serve this on chips, you could also spoon the deliciously syrupy fruit salsa over plain or vanilla yogurt or ice cream. The fruit salsa would also be delicious over pound cake or angel food cake with whipped cream. You could even serve it over a brick of softened cream cheese, just like this Cranberry Salsa.
More Recipes Like This
Easy Fresh Fruit Pizza Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Poppy Seed Dressing Creamy Grape Salad Authentic French Fruit Tart (with Video!) Raspberry Pretzel Salad Fruit Salad with Marshmallows and Whipped Cream
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