Our Pineapple Fluff is a light and creamy dessert that combines the tropical flavors of pineapple with a fluffy texture that melts in your mouth. Best of all, this fluff salad is a 5-minute dessert or side dish recipe!
Easy Pineapple Fluff
Our Pineapple Fluff salad is an old-fashioned favorite that takes just 5 minutes to make by mixing fruit, instant pudding, mini marshmallows, pecans, and coconut flakes and folding it all together with whipped topping.
A pineapple fluff with Jello pudding is made all in one bowl, so cleanup is a breeze; plus it uses canned pineapple, a container of Cool Whip, and a packet of pudding to keep the prep work to a minimum.
This delicious no-cook classic combines a cool and creamy base with tender pieces of pineapple, crunchy pecans, and soft marshmallows; it’s filled with the best sweet, tart, and fluffy flavors and textures in every fruity bite.
This pineapple cool whip dessert salad could be the easiest way to make a mixture of fruit, nuts, marshmallows, and pudding. Fold it with fluffy “dressing,” and then place it on the picnic table as a welcome addition to any menu.
Other Delicious Fluff Recipes
What is fluff? Is it a side dish or a dessert? Is it a fruit dip or a cheesecake salad? Regardless of how you showcase your recipe, each rendition offers the same comforting sentiment: it has a silky sweet, cream-based “dressing,” that’s mixed with soft mini marshmallows and juicy fruit.
Why We Love This Pineapple Fluff Dessert Recipe
- Quick and easy to make in 5 minutes.
- Uses a handful of simple ingredients.
- Simple no-cook recipe made in a single bowl.
- Flexible and forgiving recipe that you can customize to your tastes.
- No-bake recipes are great for warm weather so the oven won’t heat up your house.
- Perfectly portable side dish or dessert to bring to summer parties, picnics, backyard barbecues, and potlucks.
Pineapple Fluff Ingredients
- Crushed pineapple
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: I used JELLO Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix but feel free to use your favorite brand. Make sure you are not getting the “Cook & Serve” pudding.
- Pineapple chunks
- Mini marshmallows: I used plain white mini marshmallows, but you can use the multicolored ones for some extra color and flavor.
- Chopped pecans
- Sweetened shredded coconut flakes: Toasted coconut will also work well.
- Whipped topping: I used Cool Whip for this recipe.
Substitutions and Additions
- Prepare Without Pecans: Feel free to use walnuts, almonds, or pistachios instead of pecans. You can even make your fluff with pretzel pieces (like my Pineapple Pretzel Salad)!
- Pick Your Pudding: Feel free to use your favorite flavor of pudding mix for a fun flavor swap. I love the taste of vanilla pudding in this recipe, but pistachio, lemon, cheesecake, or even white chocolate would taste delicious too.
- Include Other Fruit: You can add other fruit in the mix including mandarin oranges, peaches, pears, grapes, or strawberries.
Recommended Tools
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula
How to Make Pineapple Fluff
- Make The Fruit Mixture: Stir together the crushed pineapple and pudding mix until the pineapple juice and pudding starts to thicken. Mix in the pineapple chunks, marshmallows, pecans, and coconut flakes.
- Fold In The Fluff: Fold in the whipped topping until combined.
- Chill: Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Serve: Top with more marshmallows, pecans, coconut, or maraschino cherries, if desired, and serve chilled. Enjoy!
Tips For Making The Perfect Pineapple Fluff
- If you have trouble finding crushed pineapple, you can buy an extra can of pineapple chunks and chop up the chunks into small pieces. Just remember to reserve the juice.
- You can use fresh pineapple chunks instead of canned pineapple if you prefer.
- You can add or omit or add more marshmallows, coconut, or pecans according to your taste.
- Feel free to use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping. I don’t recommend canned whipped cream because the consistency is too runny.
How to Store Pineapple Fluff
- To Store: Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also store it in a large Tupperware container. If the juice starts to separate, give the fluff a quick stir.
- To Freeze: Store in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Please note that the texture of the marshmallows may change during the thawing process. I think this dessert is best when made fresh.
More Easy Fluff Salad Recipes
Other Easy Dessert Salads
- Watergate Salad (Pistachio Salad)
- Ambrosia Salad
- Snickers Salad
- Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad
- Oreo Fluff
Pineapple Fluff
Ingredients
- 20 ounces can of crushed pineapple undrained
- 3.4 ounces box of instant vanilla pudding mix
- 20 ounces can of pineapple chunks drained
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
- 8 ounces container of whipped topping thawed
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the crushed pineapple and vanilla instant pudding and stir until the pineapple juice and pudding starts to thicken.
- Add the pineapple chunks, marshmallows, pecans, and coconut flakes, and mix with a spatula.
- Fold in the thawed whipped topping until everything is evenly combined.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also store it in a large Tupperware container. If the juice starts to separate, give the fluff a quick stir.
- To Freeze: Store in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Please note that the texture of the marshmallows may change during the thawing process. I think this dessert is best when made fresh.
- If you have trouble finding crushed pineapple, you can buy an extra can of pineapple chunks and chop up the chunks into small pieces. Just remember to reserve the juice.
- You can use fresh pineapple chunks instead of canned pineapple if you prefer.
- You can add or omit or add more marshmallows, coconut, or pecans according to your taste.
- Feel free to use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping. I don’t recommend canned whipped cream because the consistency is too runny.
Hi Jenn,
I love your recipes, all the ones I especially like include Whipped Topping. I live in Australia, Whipped Topping is not available here. What can I substitute it with?
Looking forward to your advise
Regards,
Carol
Hi Carol, In Australia I think it is known as thickened cream. You can also make your own whipped cream by using this recipe https://princesspinkygirl.com/homemade-whipped-cream/ – hope this helps!
A lot of flash back recipes