Fruit Fluff (aka Fruit Salad) is a staple in my house. Canned fruit is mixed together with instant pudding, whipped topping and mini marshmallows for a delicious sweet side dish! (pictures updated November 2020)
Fruit Fluff brings me back.
My mom grew up on a farm in Sibley, Iowa where fresh, homemade farm food was made daily. Grandma Den Beste was a whiz in the kitchen making everything from sloppy joe’s, to cinnamon rolls, to corn casserole, to potato salad to…to…it goes on and on. She also has the BIGGEST sweet tooth. I mean we are talking dessert after every meal and with coffee during the day. I wonder why I like coffee and sweets so much?
So fruit fluff has become a staple in our house. We typically make it every year for the holidays. Every bite reminds me of home and I just adore that cozy comforting feeling I get when I devour it. It also tastes like heaven.
I love making this side dish with my kids – definitely a recipe they can easily help with!
A few notes about this recipe:
- make sure to drain the fruit very well…even pat it dry with a paper towel.
- You can use different types of canned fruit or even fresh fruit if you want.
- Cover with a tight fitting lid and this will last a few days in the refrigerator. If you use fresh fruit stay away from apples and bananas unless you’re serving right away, otherwise they will turn brown.
What brings you back to the good ol’ days?
- 1 30 ounce can fruit cocktail, drain juice in a bowl
- 1 20 ounce can pineapple chunks, drain juice in the same bowl as the fruit cocktail
- 1 15 ounce can mandarin oranges, drain in a bowl
- 1 3.9 oz instant vanilla pudding
- 8 ounces whipped topping (like cool whip), thawed
- half bag of mini marshmallows (you can use more if you would like)
- Maraschino cherries for color and garnish (optional)
- Drain canned fruit (make sure to drain it well!) into a bowl reserving ¾ cup of juice. Discard the rest of the juice. In a large bowl, whisk together the ¾ cup juice and instant vanilla pudding for two minutes - will be thick. Fold in cool whip then add drained fruit and marshmallows and mix. Finally. Cover tightly and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Everything will thicken as it chills.
Source: Stuck on Sweet
I have made this salad several times this summer. Every single time with many compliments. So fast, quick and easy. This fruit fluff is refreshing and so tasty. Keep the ingredients in your pantry for a last minute dish.
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
I make it almost the same way but I don’t put the pudding mix and I put 1 can Mandarin oranges and 1 can of Chucks pineapple and pecans and favorable marshmallows
yum!
Jessica Erin I made this for a Church function. They loved it. Thanks for the great recipe!
so glad! you’re welcome!
I made this today for our 4th of July dinner. It turned out exactly like the picture. I was kind of surprised that there was no ratings for it. It was definatley good although it wasn’t “fluffy”. I think when I make it next time I’ll try it without the juice.
Is the fruit “in its own juice” or “heavy syrup “?
It doesn’t matter. Just make sure you drain it very well!
I’ve never made this, so I probably shouldn’t make the suggestion, but I think the fruit “in its own juice” would make a better consistency.
Can this be made a day ahead then just add marshmallows in the morning?
yes!
This is my favorite!! I’m enjoying a little bowl of it right now =) aaah magical!!
me too!
Thank you Jessica Erin, i am going to make friut salad but , by reading the comments i already get my answer. Thank you again. #easyAndAffordable!
You’re welcome~
Are you supposed to make the instant pudding before or just keep it dry? I think I messed it up…
Hi JoAnna – you’re supposed to mix the dry pudding with the juice from the fruit cocktail and pineapple. Drain the mandarin orange juice – you don’t need it. Add the rest of the ingredients and gently stir then chill in refrigerator.
Ive been searching for this recipe! I lost it a couple years ago ! I either put chopped walnuts or coconut on top (cant remember) or both? It was a hit at a family gathering!
yum! Both would be great!
I was thinking of adding fresh berries to this delicious salad just wondering if they will work in it?
yes!
Hello, my name is Teresa Goodrich, and I want to make a fruit salad, but the only things I have to put in it is ,:cream cheese, cool whip, coconut, 1can of fruit cocktail, mini marshmallows and pecans, is that enough to make the salad ?? Please get back with me ASAP. thank you very much.
That should be fine – use all the juices from the canned fruit cocktail. The only thing is it might be a little thick. If it is, you can add some juice to it – like apple juice or even orange juice.
How thick does the pudding mix have to be it’s not getting really thick
It doesn’t have to extremely thick – it will thicken as it sets in the refrigerator and it will get absorbed by the marshmallows, too!
What size pudding?
3.9 oz packet. I updated the recipe as well, thank you and enjoy!
Can a diabetic eat this?
Hi Edward – unfortunately I am not sure – there is sugar in it but you could purchase sugar free or low sugar ingredients to help!
Excited to try this recipe! How far in advance can you make the salad? Can you make it a day in advance or would you recommend making the same day as serving?
Hi Brie! It’s a great recipe and you will love it! You could make it the day before but I would prepare it a few hours before and keep it in the fridge to make sure it’s fresh! However, we have it as leftovers the next day and it’s still very good!
This was like eating fluffy magic!!! Made this yesterday for our Christmas Day guests. Big hit! Looking forward to diving into the leftovers soon. Thank you!
SO glad you liked it Brie! It’s one of our favorite side dishes for holiday season!
What kind of juice gets mixed with the pudding? Can you get 2 cups from the canned fruit when it’s drained?
Hi Debbie! You use the juice from the pineapple and fruit cocktail and it should be about 2 cups. Enjoy!
Mine turned out runny! 🙁
Didn’t think I’d be able to screw this up, but I did!
In memory of our mom, I wanted to make her salad for our family gathering, but her recipe card was kind of sketchy, so after a search I picked yours to go by. Thank you!
Judy – You are very welcome! I am so glad that I could help! I hope you enjoy it and happy holidays!
Nice recipes. Thank you.
As a kid, I think I would have thought this looked scary, but now reading the ingredients I would love it! Definitely a fruit salad dessert. haha
You’re too funny! It’s incredibly tasty and addicting which is why I only make it a few times a year.
Yummy!! 🙂 Love this easy fun recipe.
Love this recipe. Thank you.