Viral Frog Eye Salad Old Fashioned Vintage Recipe

This Frog Eye Salad is a sweet and creamy vintage recipe with juicy pineapple, mandarin oranges, fluffy marshmallows, coconut, and tiny pasta. It’s a fun Southern favorite with plenty of tropical flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.

Viral Frog Eye Salad

I’ve always had a soft spot for vintage recipes, which is one reason I’ve loved bringing a little bit of that old-fashioned charm into my vintage kitchen remodel.

There’s just something special about giving classic recipes a place in our modern kitchens.

Frog Eye Salad is a vintage retro recipe that’s been showing up all over social media lately, and it’s easy to see why with it’s fun name and ingredients.

Don’t let the name fool you! There are no actual frog eyes in this salad. The little pieces of acini de pepe pasta just happen to look like frog’s eyes.

It may be going viral today, but this is a recipe that has been loved for generations.

I love seeing these vintage recipes carrying on into modern times. What was once tucked away in an old church cookbook or handwritten recipe box can now go viral online and find a whole new crowd.

Why You’ll Love Frog Eye Salad

Easy to Make: This easy recipe comes together with simple ingredients and doesn’t take much time.
Perfect for Gatherings: It’s a great choice for family gatherings, potlucks, holiday dinners, and family reunions.
Vintage Favorite: This vintage retro recipe is an old-school favorite that brings back plenty of sweet memories.

Ingredients for Frog Eye Salad

• Acini de Pepe Pasta: The tiny pasta pearls are what give this vintage salad its quirky name.
• Pineapple Tidbits: Adds sweet, juicy bites throughout the salad. Be sure to drain the can and reserve the fruit juice for later.
• Crushed Pineapple: Crushed pineapple adds even more tropical flavors and sweetness.
• Mandarin Oranges: Gives this sweet salad little bursts of bright citrus flavor.
• Vanilla Pudding: Helps makes the dessert salad thick, smooth, and creamy.
• Sugar: A little sugar adds extra sweetness to the pudding mixture.
• Whole Milk: Creates a custard like filling with the pudding.
• Cool Whip: Makes the dessert light, fluffy, and creamy.
• Mini Marshmallows: They add soft, chewy bites to the salad.
• Shredded Sweetened Coconut: Gives some texture and even more tropical flavors.
• Maraschino Cherries: Add maraschino cherries on top for the finishing touch.

How to Make Frog Eye Salad

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add your acini de pepe pasta and cook according to the package directions until tender. You want the small pasta cooked but not mushy. Drain it, rinse with cold water, and set it aside to cool.

Mix the Fruit: In a large bowl, add the pineapple tidbits, crushed pineapple, and mandarin oranges. Add the shredded coconut and mini marshmallows. Gently stir everything together until it’s well combined.

Make the Pudding Mixture: In a separate bowl, add the vanilla pudding, sugar, reserved cup of pineapple juice, and milk. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined. Place it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes so it can thicken up.

Fold in the Cool Whip: Once the pudding mixture has chilled, gently fold in the Cool Whip.

Combine Everything: Pour the cool whip into the bowl with your fruit mixture. Add the cooled cooked pasta and gently stir everything together. You want the pasta, fruit, marshmallows, and coconut spread evenly throughout the salad.

Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Let your frog eyed salad chill for at least four hours. For the best flavor, let it chill overnight.

Add the Cherries and Serve: Right before serving, top your dessert salad with the cherries if desired. The red maraschino cherries add a pretty pop of color.

Ways to Serve

• At Family Gatherings: Serve it as a sweet side dish at family reunions, potlucks, and get-togethers.
• With Holiday Dinner: It makes a fun addition to Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special holiday meal.
• Alongside a Main Dish: Serve a scoop of frog eye salad with ham, chicken, turkey, or pulled pork.
• As a Dessert: Since it’s sweet and creamy, you can serve it as a simple dessert salad after dinner.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover frog eye salad in an airtight container or cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Keep it refrigerated and enjoy it within 3 to 4 days for the best taste and texture.

Give it a gentle stir before serving. The pasta and fruit may release a little liquid as the salad sits, but that’s perfectly normal.

More Fun Old-Fashioned Recipes

• Classic Watergate Salad – Mom’s Old Fashioned Recipe
• Old-Fashioned Cabbage Casserole
• Classic Southern Cracker Salad
• Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pecan Pie (Heritage Recipe)