Pineapple Fluff
Get ready for this Pineapple Fluff to become your most requested recipe for potlucks! Similar to orange fluff, it’s a delicious blend of pineapple chunks, coconut cream, marshmallows, and coconut flakes. It’s seriously addicting and so easy to make!
I love a good “salad” that satisfies my sweet tooth. They are kind of like a fruit salad but even sweeter! They always hit the spot and are perfect for pot lucks and parties. A few of my favorite recipes are Very Berry Cheesecake Salad, this Oreo Fluff Dessert Salad, and this amazing Strawberry Cheesecake Salad.
Pineapple Fluff Salad
If you have ever tried an orange creamsicle salad, this pineapple fluff salad is a lot like that! It’s loaded with bright and bold flavors, covered in layers of fluff like marshmallows, vanilla pudding, and whipped cream. There is definitely more fluff than fruit, so I definitely wouldn’t call this a “fruit salad”. I love dessert salads because they are a quick and easy dish that everyone loves!
One of my favorite salad’s to bring to a potluck is my ambrosia salad. Sometimes I’ll switch it up and bring a frog eye salad, but honestly the name is a little unappealing to people (even though it’s amazingly delicious!). This pineapple fluff salad is the perfect treat to share with friends and family. You don’t have to cook anything, and it’s a tempting dessert that has you coming back for seconds. It’s really light in your stomach too so it’s perfect to eat after a bbq dinner.
Ingredients
Pineapple fluff is full of tropical flavors and is such a refreshing side dish or dessert! You can add a lot more ingredients than what I have listed here. I often add mandarin oranges and pretzels for a little extra flavor and texture. You can use fresh pineapple instead of canned if you prefer. There are so many ways to make this dish, but I love this method because you don’t have to heat up your oven, and you don’t have to worry about cooking anything on the stove. I use instant vanilla pudding which makes this recipe so quick and easy. You can find the measurements below in the recipe card.
Vanilla Pudding Mix: This makes a really nice creamy almost coconut cream pie like flavor.
Cream of Coconut: This mixes with the pudding for maximum flavor.
Crushed Pineapple: You want all the pineapple juice too, so don’t drain the can.
Whipped Topping: You can use cool whip or make your own fresh homemade whipped cream.
Mini Marshmallows: I love mini marshmallows in this salad, that’s part of what gives it the “fluff”.
Shredded Coconut: I like to use sweetened shredded coconut.
Macadamia Nuts: These nuts are so creamy and buttery, they taste amazing mixed in.
Maraschino Cherries: This is optional, but I think they add a lovely pop of flavor!
Pineapple Fluff Recipe
This pineapple fluff is a quick and easy dish when you don’t want to bake dessert. It’s so simple and fresh, and it will leave your sweet tooth totally satisfied. I make it all the time for potlucks and I always come home with an empty dish. This is such a simple recipe, I think you are going to love it!
Mix and Chill: In a large bowl add the pudding mix, cream of coconut, and crushed pineapple. Then stir until combined. Then cover and chill for 30-40 minutes.
Fold in Cream and Nuts: Fold the whipped topping into the chilled pineapple mixture. Fold in the marshmallows, shredded coconut, macadamia nuts and cherries, if desired.
Chill: Chill until ready to serve.
Tips for Making Pineapple Fluff
Pineapple fluff is an instant hit! It’s everyone’s favorite and is great served as a side or dessert. Here are a few tips for making this dish.
Use Different Nuts: Macadamia nuts can be pricy. If you want to use a different nut, I recommend pecans or walnuts. You can toast them or even caramelize them for more flavor and texture. You could also use slivered almonds.
Add Rum Extract: If you want your pineapple fluff salad to taste a little more like a piña colada, I recommend adding a little bit of rum extract! You can add it in when you are mixing the pudding and cream of coconut.
Adding Cream Cheese: I absolutely love cream cheese. I think it goes great in almost every dessert, and it’s amazing in this one! You can add as much cream cheese as you want along with the pudding when you are making this dish.
Storing Leftovers
Because pineapple fluff is a whipped dessert, it is best eaten fresh. You can store it for up to two days, but the longer it sits in the fridge the more the whipped cream will fall flat and it will become runnier and less fluffy.
In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days. It is best if eaten fresh.