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Fruit Fluff (aka Fruit Salad)

September 10, 2013

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.

Fruit Fluff - also known as fruit salad. This is the best side dish for the holidays! #stuckonsweet #sidedish #recipe #holidays

 

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?

Fruit Fluff Salad Ingredients. So easy!

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:

  1. make sure to drain the fruit very well…even pat it dry with a paper towel.
  2. You can use different types of canned fruit or even fresh fruit if you want. 
  3. 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. 

Fruit Fluff - one of my families favorite dishes to make for the holidays!

What brings you back to the good ol’ days?

 
 
Fruit Fluff (aka Fruit Salad)
 
Save Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
2 hours
Total time
2 hours 5 mins
 
Fruit Fluff (aka Fruit Salad) Author: Jessica from www.stuckonsweet.com Prep time: 10 mins Total time: 10 mins Serves: 8 Fruit Fluff Recipe Type : Side Dish Author: Jessica from www.stuckonsweet.com Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 2 hours Total time: 2 hours 5 mins Serves: 6-8
Stuckonsweet.com: Jessica from www.stuckonsweet.com
Recipe type: Side dish
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients
  • 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)
Instructions
  1. 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.
Notes
This can be made with other canned fruits or you can add grapes, oranges, cherries, etc. Apples and bananas will turn brown over time. This can also be made the day before you serve it - we eat it as leftovers and it's still really good. The marshmallows do soften after it sits awhile but they are really good like that! If you want the marshmallows to be firmer, add marshmallows before you serve.
3.4.3177

Source: Stuck on Sweet

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45 Comments
Filed Under: Desserts, Salads, Side Dishes

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Comments

  1. Heather Arnold

    September 9, 2019 at 6:06 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      September 15, 2019 at 1:13 pm

      Thanks! Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  2. nancy arriaga

    October 20, 2018 at 2:59 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      October 21, 2018 at 12:12 pm

      yum!

      Reply
  3. Atara Black

    September 23, 2018 at 6:26 am

    Jessica Erin I made this for a Church function. They loved it. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      September 23, 2018 at 8:19 pm

      so glad! you’re welcome!

      Reply
      • Nancy

        July 4, 2020 at 5:41 pm

        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.

        Reply
  4. Rhonda o.

    July 12, 2018 at 12:33 pm

    Is the fruit “in its own juice” or “heavy syrup “?

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      July 16, 2018 at 11:28 am

      It doesn’t matter. Just make sure you drain it very well!

      Reply
      • Candis L Wiste

        February 5, 2022 at 4:55 pm

        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.

        Reply
  5. Kate

    March 31, 2018 at 1:12 pm

    Can this be made a day ahead then just add marshmallows in the morning?

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      March 31, 2018 at 1:14 pm

      yes!

      Reply
  6. Maria ♡

    March 25, 2018 at 4:00 pm

    This is my favorite!! I’m enjoying a little bowl of it right now =) aaah magical!!

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      March 27, 2018 at 6:36 am

      me too!

      Reply
  7. Lasha-WiL.

    November 24, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      November 25, 2017 at 1:43 pm

      You’re welcome~

      Reply
  8. JoAnna Jackson

    November 23, 2017 at 10:40 am

    Are you supposed to make the instant pudding before or just keep it dry? I think I messed it up…

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      November 23, 2017 at 12:33 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Michele Odom

        January 12, 2019 at 8:01 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • Jessica Erin

          January 16, 2019 at 10:56 am

          yum! Both would be great!

          Reply
          • Aaron Vallie

            April 9, 2019 at 2:11 pm

            I was thinking of adding fresh berries to this delicious salad just wondering if they will work in it?

          • Jessica Erin

            April 10, 2019 at 6:35 am

            yes!

  9. Teresa Goodrich

    October 16, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      October 17, 2017 at 10:38 am

      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.

      Reply
  10. craig meyers

    July 28, 2017 at 12:05 pm

    How thick does the pudding mix have to be it’s not getting really thick

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      August 1, 2017 at 12:50 pm

      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!

      Reply
  11. Georgia

    August 2, 2016 at 8:58 am

    What size pudding?

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      August 2, 2016 at 10:06 am

      3.9 oz packet. I updated the recipe as well, thank you and enjoy!

      Reply
  12. Edward cox

    December 25, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    Can a diabetic eat this?

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      December 26, 2015 at 11:29 am

      Hi Edward – unfortunately I am not sure – there is sugar in it but you could purchase sugar free or low sugar ingredients to help!

      Reply
  13. Brie

    December 24, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      December 25, 2015 at 9:10 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Brie

        December 26, 2015 at 12:06 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • Jessica Erin

          December 28, 2015 at 6:58 pm

          SO glad you liked it Brie! It’s one of our favorite side dishes for holiday season!

          Reply
  14. Debbie

    December 17, 2015 at 4:19 am

    What kind of juice gets mixed with the pudding? Can you get 2 cups from the canned fruit when it’s drained?

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      December 17, 2015 at 7:55 pm

      Hi Debbie! You use the juice from the pineapple and fruit cocktail and it should be about 2 cups. Enjoy!

      Reply
  15. Katie

    April 8, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    Mine turned out runny! 🙁
    Didn’t think I’d be able to screw this up, but I did!

    Reply
  16. Judy

    December 22, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      December 22, 2013 at 9:05 pm

      Judy – You are very welcome! I am so glad that I could help! I hope you enjoy it and happy holidays!

      Reply
  17. Liz

    October 17, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Nice recipes. Thank you.

    Reply
  18. Kelli H (Made in Sonoma)

    September 15, 2013 at 5:32 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Jessica Erin

      September 15, 2013 at 6:14 pm

      You’re too funny! It’s incredibly tasty and addicting which is why I only make it a few times a year.

      Reply
  19. Julia

    September 10, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    Yummy!! 🙂 Love this easy fun recipe.

    Reply
  20. Liz

    September 10, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    Love this recipe. Thank you.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. What Kind Of Fruit Goes In A Fruit Salad | Informantion says:
    December 9, 2015 at 6:33 pm

    […] Fruit Fluff (aka Fruit Salad) – Stuck On Sweet – Fruit Fluff brings me back. … to potato salad to…to…it goes on and on. … but her recipe card was kind of sketchy, … […]

    Reply

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I'm Jessica Erin and I am the recipe developer, photographer, and writer behind stuckonsweet.com! You will find a little of everything including healthy meals, comfort food, and my favorite - sweets. So stay awhile...I hope you're hungry!

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