These Rainbow Fruit Cups are the easiest way to add a pop of color (and nutrition!) to any party or lunchbox. Layered with fresh, vibrant fruit, they’re fun to make, totally customizable, and kid-approved. Whether you’re prepping for a birthday, picnic, or just trying to get your picky eater to love fruit, this recipe is a win.

Try serving these adorable fresh fruit cups with Coconut Whipped cream or my super simple 2 Ingredient Fruit Dip! You can even upgrade to a fruit tray with this simple Rainbow Shaped Fruit Display!

glass filled with layers of colorful fruit and topped with whipped cream

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Healthy party snack: Colorful, naturally sweet, and perfect for kids and adults alike.
Make-ahead fruit salad: Prep it in advance and keep it fresh in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
School lunch fruit ideas: Pre-portioned, mess-free, and easy to toss into lunchboxes.
Simple snack prep: Minimal ingredients, no fuss, and totally customizable with what you have on hand.

These Rainbow Fruit Cups are as fun to eat as they are to look at. Fresh, colorful, and loaded with natural sweetness. They come together in minutes and are the perfect no-fuss snack or side for parties, lunches, or casual get-togethers.

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Layer your favorite fruits for a pop of color in every bite, then top with whipped cream or Cool Whip for an extra treat. Whether you’re feeding kids or a crowd, this easy recipe is always a hit.

Jesseca’s Recipe Review

These Rainbow Fruit Cups are a total go-to in my house. Bright, fresh, and ridiculously easy to throw together. I love how they feel like a treat but are secretly just fruit. Whether it’s a party, school lunch, or a quick snack, these never last long. Bonus: they look way fancier than the effort it takes to make them.

Tip from Jesseca:

Use clear plastic cups for serving. It’s the easiest way to show off the colorful layers and makes clean-up a breeze.

fresh fruit spread across a wooden cutting board

Individual Fruit Cups for a Party

To achieve that rainbow look, I was strategic with my fruit choices. Below are the options we used for these rainbow fruit parfaits as well as substitution options for your healthy snack.

Blackberries– Ripe blackberries pair beautifully with the other fruit in this recipe, but you could also substitute blueberries.
Green Grapes– Bold, bright, delicious, and a fan favorite. Green grapes are perfect for adults and kids alike. Just make sure you slice them in 1/4’s to keep little ones from choking.
Oranges– We love love love clementines when they are in season, but also are known to stay stocked on canned mandarin oranges. They are slightly sweet and are a fruit salad staple, in my opinion.
Strawberries– The red in your rainbow! Strawberries are a great addition because they add a wonderful sweetness and pop of vibrant color.
Pineapple– FRESH is best, but that is not always available. In that case, feel free to substitute with canned.
Whipped cream or cool whip – This ingredient is completely optional, but can give you a touch of sweetness when needed. You can even find sugar free versions at most grocers.

Other fruit options:

Now that you have a breakdown of our go-to flavors for this simple fruit salad, let’s talk about some other great add-ins! The fruit below were not used in our mixture but have made an appearance in the recipe since we originally made it.

Blueberries– Often times we find these in the grocery store and swap them out for the blackberries.
Apples– Tart apples provide a fun pop of flavor while the sweeter honey crisp variety blends well with the existing profiles!
Cantaloupe– When in season, cantaloupe adds orange color and delicious flavor.
Honeydew– More green for your salad!
Watermelon– Not our favorite, it tends to be watery, but loved by all little kids.

whipped cream being sprayed onto the top of a cup of layered fruit

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

These Fruit Cups are make-ahead friendly with just a little prep know-how. Here’s how to store them for maximum freshness:

Make ahead: You can prep and layer the fruit up to 24 hours in advance. Store the cups covered in the fridge to keep everything fresh and chilled.
Skip the whipped topping (for now): If you’re using whipped cream or Cool Whip, wait to add it until right before serving to avoid melting or deflating.
Tossed version: If serving in a large bowl, add delicate fruits like blackberries and strawberries last to prevent them from getting mushy.
Storage: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, but texture is best on day one.

Quick to prep and easy to store. These cups are a low-effort, high-impact option for any event.

Tips for Success

Use similar-sized pieces: Chop fruits like strawberries, pineapple, and kiwi into bite-sized chunks so everything layers evenly and is easy to eat.
Dry fruit before layering: Pat fruit dry with paper towels to keep moisture from pooling at the bottom of the cups—nobody likes soggy fruit.
Layer by color for impact: Start with the heaviest or boldest colors (pineapple, strawberries) at the bottom and work your way up for the prettiest rainbow effect.
Chill before serving: Pop them in the fridge for 30 minutes to keep the fruit crisp and refreshing, especially on warm days.
Serve with a dip: Whipped cream or Cool Whip is classic, but vanilla yogurt or a honey-lime drizzle also makes a great pairing.
Make ahead smart: Assemble up to a few hours ahead, but save whipped topping for just before serving to keep it fluffy.

close up of a cup of fruit with blackberries, grapes, pineapple, oranges, and strawberries

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4.67 from 3 votes