Pineapple Fluff Recipe

Pineapple Fluff is the most incredible fluffy and creamy treat you will ever have. It is made with pineapple, coconut, and crunchy pecans coated in a luxurious vanilla cream sauce. If you love pineapple, this delicious treat gives you all the pineapple flavor without weighing you down. I used whipped topping to make this dish lighter, and it only counts as three Weight Watchers points!

So, where did pineapple fluff originate? There is no clear evidence to show where it came from or when it started but we do know that it is a traditional American side dish or dessert that everyone seems to have heard of. Because it is so easy to make and tastes so delicious, you will see it at many of your family gatherings or potluck dinners. Also, it is Weight Watchers friendly, which is a bonus.

Also known as pineapple fluff salad, this light, and fluffy pineapple dessert is easy to make and fun to eat.  It is loaded with flavor and different textures in every spoonful. Pineapples, cherries, pecans, coconut, it looks simple, but the complexity of the flavors is invigorating to say the least. And with such common ingredients many people already have.

It is perfect for potluck dinners, picnics, and family barbecues as well. Everyone loves this stuff. Just keep it as cool as possible because it will start melting after about an hour. This is an inexpensive dessert for big meals with extended families or birthday celebrations, too. Set a big bowl of this out instead of ice cream, and let everyone help themselves.

For another creamy no-bake dessert, try my Red, White, and Blue cheesecake salad made with strawberry yogurt and cheesecake pudding mix. Another delicious fruit dessert – berry cheesecake salad with blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries! Peach cheesecake salad is another easy recipe made with cheesecake pudding mix and yogurt.

Why you will love this recipe

• So many flavors: Pineapples, lime, cherries, coconuts, and pecans to name a few.
• It is so easy: No special skills or tools needed, no turning on the oven, this is an easy, fool-proof recipe anyone can make.
• It freezes well: Make extra, and freeze the leftovers for later.
• Good for parties: Inexpensive to make, perfect for when you have big gatherings and need a tasty dessert!

What you’ll need to make pineapple fluff

Special items

• Stand mixer – For mixing. 
• Bowls
• Cooking utensils

Ingredients

• Instant vanilla pudding – This is a key ingredient in here, it makes the texture of this dessert a bit thicker, richer, and adds a nice vanilla flavor.
• Cream cheese – Softened to room temperature, I prefer to use full-fat.
• Crushed pineapple – Do not drain. Use the juice too, the pudding mix will absorb the juice.
• Mini marshmallows – For added texture and chewiness.
• Sweetened shredded coconut flakes – Also adds some chewiness and extra sweetness.
• Chopped pecans – I love the crunchiness and flavor.
• Lime zest – Zest the lime at home for the best flavor.
• Lime juice – Same here. Don’t use the store-bought stuff.
• Heavy cream – For the thickest, creamiest taste and texture.
• Powdered sugar – Absorbs moisture to help the whipped cream hold its shape. 
• Maraschino cherries – For garnish.

How to make Pineapple fluff from scratch?

1. Mix: First, combine the crushed pineapple (including the juice) and dry pudding mix in a large bowl before stirring in the pecans, coconut flakes, and marshmallows.
2. Make stiff ribbon-like peaks: After, in the bowl of your stand fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the powdered sugar, lime zest and juice, and whipped cream until you have stiff peaks. 
3. Beat cream cheese: Then, in another big bowl, stir together cream cheese with an electric mixer before adding it to the cream topping mixture. 
4. Chill: Next, gently fold the cream mixture into the fluff mixture and cover the bowl with plastic wrap before you chill for at least two hours in the fridge.
5. Top and serve: Finally, top with maraschino cherries, pineapple chunks, and more whipped cream or Cool Whip to serve. 

Expert tip

Making it easy

Of course, I like to make things from scratch. It is what I do. But I know not everyone can do that all the time. Even I cut corners once in a while when I have to. There is no reason why someone should have to make their own whipped cream if they would rather use Cool Whip or the stuff in the can. That stuff works just fine. And it saves a lot of time and work. 

Actually, those not making their own whipped cream do not have to worry about letting their pineapple fluff chill for two hours. It would probably still taste a lot better if it was chilled for at least 30 minutes so everything has a chance to meld together. Like any recipe, the ingredients need time to properly soak into each other, especially wet ingredients with dry ingredients like the pudding and pineapples with the nuts and coconut.

In the end, it is up to the person making the dish to decide how it will be made, so if you decide it does not need to chill or meld, go ahead and eat it right away. It will still be delicious either way, I’m sure.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Toasted coconut: For an even more delicious flavor, toast the coconut before adding it.
• Other citrus: Instead of lime, try lemon or orange zest and juice.
• Different nuts: Pecans are great but so are macadamia nuts, walnuts, slivered almonds, and chopped peanuts.
• No nuts: Instead of nuts, use seeds for crunchiness like sesame seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, or poppy seeds.
• Other pudding: Instead of vanilla, a different flavor such as lime or pineapple would make this intense.
• Fresh pineapple: You can also use fresh pineapple, but you will need to add about 1/2 cup of pineapple juice as well. 
• Cottage cheese: Substitute half of the heavy cream with cottage cheese for a healthier and heartier delicious dish. 
• Pretzel mixture: Mix pretzels instead of nuts but wait to stir them in until right before serving or they will get soggy. 
• Coconut cream: Use coconut cream pudding mix instead of vanilla pudding for a more tropical flavor. 
• Add extracts: In fact, you can also use coconut extract or rum extract in your easy pineapple fluff for more tropical flavors. 
• Pink fluff: Turn it into pink fluff by adding cherry pie filling or a few drops of pink food coloring. 

How to serve:

Pineapple fluff is the perfect dessert for those hot summer days at the pool, backyard BBQs, or when a craving for something sweet and tangy hits. 

• This would be a delicious dessert served after you enjoyed my trocpical instant pot pineapple chicken. This dump-and-cook recipe only takes 30 minutes to make.
• Another scrumptious main meal for you Hawaiian themed dinner is this slow-cooker pineapple pork loin.
• For a nice side dish, this pineapple cucumber salad is incredible with homemade chili maple lime dressing.
• All of these dishes would go great with pineapple fluff served along a tray of appetizers that include chips and pineapple salsa.
• This is simply amazing on top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 
• You can also use this pineapple fluff as a dip for fruit, veggies, or vanilla wafers. 
• Don’t forget the pineapple lemonade, mojitos, and margaritas to drink.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between fruit fluff and marshmallow fluff?

Fruit fluff is a dessert that mixes instant pudding, mini marshmallows, whipped cream, and canned fruit, like this pineapple fluff recipe. It is served as a fruit dessert or side dish. Marshmallow fluff, also known as marshmallow cream, is a spreadable confection made from melted marshmallows. It is often used as a dip, spread, or frosting on cakes and other desserts.

Why is my pineapple fluff watery?

It could be that the pineapples had too much juice. Maybe drain some of the juice away, and it will be better. Then again, I have always used all of the juice from the can. Try chilling the fluff longer and see if that helps. If not, it may help to add some gelatin or cornstarch slurry to thicken it up. If you have more vanilla pudding, add some more of that, a little at a time, until it is thick enough.

How can I stabilize my whipped cream?

If the whipped cream is not doing its job right, add one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of whipped cream and whip it until the peaks are firmer. A mixture of half a teaspoon of gelatin and half a teaspoon of cold water in the whipped cream can also help it hold its shape even in humid or hot weather. Another idea is to add a half teaspoon of cream of tartar per cup of heavy cream. Another idea is adding powdered milk to give the cream a little more body.

Can I add booze to this recipe?

If alcohol is added to this recipe, it would be an adult-only recipe because it is not being cooked. A bit of rum or flavored liquor would be fine for anyone over 21, though. If you want to add the boozy flavor without the alcohol, try extracts. Amaretto, strawberry cream, brandy, or butter rum would be tasty.

How can I make my own crushed pineapple tidbits from fresh pineapple?

First, chop your pineapple into cubes or chunks of about one inch. Then, add them to your blender or food processor and set them to chop for 30 seconds. Continue to pulse and chop until the pineapple pieces are the size and texture you are looking for. If you do not have a blender or food processor, use your hand mixer. 

How to store leftovers:

• Store: Refrigerate fluff in an airtight container for up to three days. 
• Freeze: Actually, not only can you freeze this pineapple fluff, but you can also eat it frozen. In fact, frozen pineapple fluff is a thing! Just put it in a freezer-safe container with an airtight cover and it will stay fresh for one month. 
• Thaw: Thaw for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. 

 More no-bake recipes:

Recipe tips:

• In a hurry? Use Cool Whip or canned whipped cream.
• For a healthier dish, use cottage cheese instead of marshmallows.
• Another way to cut calories is to use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese.
• Be careful adding booze to this recipe. Since it is not cooked, it cannot be served to children or pregnant women.
• Stabilize whipped cream with cornstarch, gelatin, cream of tartar, or powdered milk.
• For watery fluff, chill it longer or add cornstarch, vanilla pudding, or gelatin.