Easy Pineapple Fluff Recipe

Pineapple Fluff is an easy, tropical dessert made with Cool Whip, instant pudding mix, pineapple, marshmallows and coconut. It’s always a hit at potlucks and summer cookouts.

I love an easy no-bake dessert, and this Pineapple Fluff salad is such a good one.

In fact, we may like it even more than my Jell-O Mandarin Orange Salad!

Made with crushed pineapple, marshmallows, cream cheese, instant pudding mix, whipped topping and sweetened coconut flakes, Pineapple Fluff is a classic tropical dessert that has been popular for decades.

There’s a reason why old school desserts like Pineapple Fluff, Cherry Yum Yum and Peach Trifle Icebox Cake keep showing up at family reunions and potlucks. They’re tried and true classics.

Pineapple Fluff takes only about 10 minutes to make. It’s a great dessert to take to a potluck or cookout or a backyard luau. Because of the tropical flavors and light, airy texture, it’s particularly popular in the summer months. But I’ve found that it’s welcome on the dessert table year round.

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You can scroll to the end of this post for the full recipe and ingredient list. But you may want to keep reading for more tips on how to make the perfect Pineapple Fluff dessert.

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To Make pineapple fluff, You Will Need:

• Cream cheese  – You can use full-fat or reduced fat cream cheese for the recipe. If you substitute non-fat cream cheese, the finished recipe may not be as creamy or as fluffy.
• Pineapple – I like to use canned, crushed pineapple when I’m making a Jell-O fluff salad, but you can use pineapple tidbits if that’s all you can find. I don’t recommend using pineapple chunks, as the pieces are too large. I recommend pineapple in its own juice, not in heavy syrup.
• Instant pudding – My recipe calls for vanilla instant pudding, but you could substitute other flavors, such as coconut cream, cheesecake or even banana cream. Make sure you’re using instant pudding mix and not cook-and-serve. You can use sugar-free pudding, if you like.
• Mini marshmallows – Make sure the marshmallows are soft and fresh. They give additional sweetness to the Pineapple Fluff, but you can omit them if you don’t like the texture or flavor.
• Coconut  – Sweetened, shredded coconut adds flavor, sweetness and texture to the recipe. You can omit it if you like or use unsweetened coconut.
• Cool Whip – Use a cup of thawed, frozen whipped topping to give this dessert an extra fluffy, airy texture. Do not substitute canned whipped cream for this recipe.
• Milk – We always have nonfat milk in the fridge, so that’s what I normally use in this recipe, but whole milk, 1 percent or 2 percent milk would also work. I have not tried this recipe using non-dairy milk.

How to Make The Hawaiian-Inspired Dessert

1. Make sure to set out the cream cheese to soften and the Cool Whip to thaw before beginning this recipe.
2. Drain the crushed pineapple in a colander or mesh sieve to remove excess liquid.
3. Using an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese with 1/2 cup of milk until smooth.
4. Add the instant pudding mix and the remaining milk and beat slowly until combined.
5. Add the Cool Whip and blend until fluffy.
6. Fold in the drained, crushed pineapple, marshmallows and coconut.
7. For best results, refrigerate for several hours before serving.

Pineapple Dessert Recipe Video

Variations

In addition to being quick and easy to make, a fluff recipe can be easily customized and changed to fit your taste preferences.

As I mentioned previously, you can use coconut cream or cheesecake pudding mix instead of vanilla.

You can make pineapple fluff without marshmallows and coconut if you don’t like the texture.

You can also add in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or macadamia nuts to give the dessert some crunch.

Add a teaspooon of rum extract to give Pineapple Fluff a pina colada flavor.

Pineapple Fluff with Pretzels

Some people like to make pineapple fluff with pretzels mixed in for a sweet-salty crunch. To try this variation, mix together 1 cup of crushed pretzels, 1/2 cup melted butter and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Bake in a glass baking dish or lined sheet pan at 400 degrees for 7 minutes, then cool completely. Just before serving, mix the sweetened pretzel pieces into the pineapple fluff, reserving some to sprinkle over the top.

Frequently Asked QUESTIONS

More Easy Dessert Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe for Pineapple Fluff, try one of these other yummy, quick and easy desserts.

• Mandarin Orange Salad
• Cherry Yum Yum
• Peach Trifle Icebox Cake
• Chocolate Turtles Pecan Cookie Dip
• Blueberry JELL-O Pretzel Salad
• Funfetti Cake Dip

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