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If you need a quick side dish or dessert for your summer gatherings, our Pina Colada Fluff Salad checks every box. It’s light, creamy, fruity, and a delicious choice when you’re craving a sweet treat but want to avoid turning on the oven.
Made with 6 simple ingredients, this sweet salad recipe features that classic Pina colada flavor from the pineapple and coconut, but without the alcohol. This simple, no-bake dessert comes together in minutes and can be made ahead of time.
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
When it comes to family gatherings, old-school fluff salad is what I am bringing every.single. time. Not only are the recipes easy to prepare and total crowd pleasers, I always bring home an empty bowl.
If you love fluff salads and vintage recipes as much as I do, be sure to try my Ambrosia Salad or this pink version of Strawberry Fluff Salad with Jell-o.
Another one of my favorite old-school desserts is my Mom’s Acini de Pepe Fruit Salad. Since it has pasta in it, the salad isn’t overly sweet and goes great with any meal.
What are fluff salads?
The base of these sweet, creamy fruit salads is typically made with whipped topping and a box of pudding mix or Jell-o. Depending on the recipe, additional ingredients are added like fruits, nuts or marshmallows. They’re super easy to make, can be served as a side dish or light dessert and popular at Midwest gatherings like potlucks, cookouts, and holidays.
Pina Colada Fluff Ingredients Needed
- Instant coconut cream pudding mix: Does double duty by adding a rich coconut flavor and it thickens the salad.
- Pineapple tidbits with juice: Adds texture and tropical sweetness and the juice activates the pudding mix.
- Whipped topping: Makes the salad light and fluffy.
- Mini marshmallows: Help create the “fluff” texture as they soften up in the fridge.
- Shredded coconut: Brings more coconut flavor and adds a little chewiness.
- Chopped walnuts: For crunch and texture.
- Maraschino cherries: These are an optional garnish that adds a pop of color to the dish.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Pineapple Fluff Salad
Drain the pineapple juice into a large bowl, then stir it into the instant pudding mix until it thickens.
Fold in the Cool Whip using a spatula. Don’t overmix the salad.
Then fold in the pineapple, coconut, nuts, and marshmallows.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
Just before serving top with additional Cool Whip and whole maraschino cherries if desired.
Tips for Making Cool Whip Pina Colada Fluff Salad
- Make sure you save the pineapple juice – it adds additional flavor and the liquid helps the pudding mix thicken.
- Use a light hand to fold in the whipped topping to avoid the salad flattening out.
- For more coconut flavor, sprinkle extra shredded coconut on top before serving.
- Fluff salads will firm up the longer they chill.
Recipe Substitutions & Variations
- Swap pudding flavors: Try vanilla or cheesecake pudding mix if you can’t find the coconut cream kind. You can also add a splash of coconut extract for flavor.
- Change the nuts: Swap macadamia nuts for the walnuts to up the tropical flavors. You can even leave the nuts out entirely if preferred.
- Make it lighter: Light whipped topping and sugar-free pudding mix can be used in this recipe.
What to Serve with Tropical Fluff Salad
This tropical marshmallow fruit salad goes well with most summertime meals like grilled chicken, burgers, or pulled pork. We serve it as a side dish, so it fits right in next to the pasta salads, fruit trays, and veggie plates at potlucks.
Can I make Pina colada fluff dessert ahead of time?
Yes. You can make it the night before – just keep it chilled until serving.
How to Store Leftover Dessert Salad
It keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, when stored in an airtight container. If stored longer than that, the marshmallows break down and the fruit becomes very soft.
Can I freeze fluff salad?
No. We don’t recommend freezing because it ruins the texture and makes it watery when you thaw it out.
Can I use pineapple chunks instead of tidbits?
Yes, but the texture will be a little different. The chunks create larger bites and don’t blend as evenly as the tidbits. If using them, chop the chunks into smaller pieces and make sure the fruit is in juice, not syrup.
Can I drain the pineapple first?
Yes, just make sure to save the juice so you can mix it with the pudding mix.
Why did my fluff salad get so thick?
If it’s too thick after chilling, just fold in a spoonful or two of extra whipped topping until it loosens to the texture you prefer.
I cannot wait for you to try this pina colada dessert recipe! Not only does it give all of the island vibes, it’s so simple to make and a must-have during the summer season!
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Easy Pina Colada Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 2 20-ounce cans pineapple tidbits in juice
- 2 3.4 ounce boxes instant coconut cream pudding mix
- 8 ounces Cool Whip whipped topping
- 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows
- 1 ½ cups shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- Maraschino cherries, optional for topping
Instructions
- Drain the cans of pineapple, reserving the juice.2 20-ounce cans pineapple tidbits in juice
- Combine the pudding mix with the reserved pineapple juice in a large mixing bowl and stir until it thickens and there are no streaks of pudding powder.2 3.4 ounce boxes instant coconut cream pudding mix
- Gently fold in the whipped topping, making sure not to overmix.8 ounces Cool Whip whipped topping
- Fold in the mini marshmallows, coconut, pineapple tidbits and chopped nuts.10 ounce bag mini marshmallows, 1 ½ cups shredded coconut, 1 cup chopped walnuts
- Store in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours before serving, allowing the salad to set up and the marshmallows to soften.
- When ready to serve, top with additional whipped cream and maraschino cherries if desired.Maraschino cherries
Notes
- Sugar free pudding mix works in this recipe.
- Remember to get pineapple in juice and not in syrup to avoid making the salad overly sweet.
- Light or low-fat Cool Whip can be used. You can also make it with fresh whipped cream – but keep in mind the salad will only keep for 1-2 days before the whipped cream starts breaking down.
- Don’t skip the chill time – it allows the salad to thicken, marshmallows to soften and the flavors to blend together.
- Salad can be made a day ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The marshmallows become mushy and the fruit starts breaking down if you store it longer.
- Makes approximately (10) 3/4-cup servings.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
