If you’re looking for the perfect make-ahead dessert for summer gatherings, this Tropical Fruit Fluff Salad is a must-try! It’s cool, creamy, and bursting with bright, fruity flavors thanks to a mix of fresh and canned fruit. The lemon pudding adds a tangy twist that balances out the sweetness of the fruit and marshmallows, while shredded coconut ties it all together with tropical flair.
This is one of those simple recipes that comes together in minutes but looks (and tastes) like you put in way more effort. Just chill it for a couple of hours, and you’ll have a refreshing, crowd-pleasing treat ready to serve.
Whether you’re bringing it to a summer BBQ, holiday potluck, or just craving a light and fruity dessert, this fluff salad is always a hit.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick & Easy: Only 10 minutes of prep!
Make-Ahead Friendly: Chill it before serving so the flavors can develop.
Tropical Twist: A mix of pineapple, mango, kiwi, berries, and coconut for a fresh island-inspired flavor.
Crowd-Pleaser: Sweet, creamy, and colorful, making it a perfect potluck dessert.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this fluffy fruit salad:
Instant lemon pudding mix: Provides a creamy, tangy base that balances the sweetness of the fruit.
Pineapple tidbits: The juice thickens the pudding while the fruit adds tropical sweetness.
Cool Whip: Keeps the mixture light and fluffy. You can also use homemade whipped cream if you prefer.
Mandarin oranges: Adds a juicy citrus burst. Be sure to drain them so the salad doesn’t get watery.
Kiwis: Fresh, tangy, and bright green for extra color.
Mango: Adds tropical sweetness and soft texture. Here’s a quick guide on how to cut a mango easily if you’re not sure where to start.
Strawberries: Juicy, sweet, and colorful.
Blueberries: Little bursts of freshness throughout.
Shredded coconut: Ties the salad together with tropical flair.
Mini marshmallows: Softens as the salad chills, adding sweetness and fun texture.
Step-By-Step Instructions
This tropical fluff salad comes together in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Prepare the pudding base. Drain the juice from the canned pineapple into a large mixing bowl (set the pineapple chunks aside for later). Whisk the pudding mix into the juice until it thickens.
Step 2: Fold in the whipped topping. Gently fold Cool Whip into the pudding mixture until combined. Avoid overmixing—you want to keep it fluffy.
Step 3: Add the fruit and extras. Stir in the reserved pineapple, mandarin oranges, kiwi, mango, strawberries, blueberries, shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows. Mix until everything is coated in the creamy pudding mixture.
Step 4: Chill and serve. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This allows the marshmallows to soften and the flavors to blend together.
Tips for the Best Tropical Fruit Fluff Salad
Don’t skip the chill time – Two hours in the fridge helps the marshmallows soften and lets the pudding base thicken for the perfect texture.
Drain the oranges well – Extra liquid will make the salad watery. Press them gently with paper towels if needed.
Use ripe but firm fruit – Overripe fruit will release too much juice. Choose mangoes, kiwis, and strawberries that are sweet but still hold their shape.
Fold gently – When combining the Cool Whip with the pudding, fold instead of stirring to keep the base light and fluffy.
Try flavor swaps – Lemon pudding gives this a tangy twist, but vanilla or cheesecake pudding mix also works if you want something milder.
Make it your own – Add extra tropical fruits like papaya, passionfruit, or even bananas just before serving.
Storage
Because this recipe uses fresh fruit, it’s best enjoyed the same day it’s made. If needed, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stir before serving again, as juices may settle at the bottom. Freezing is not recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Lemon pudding adds a tangy kick, but you can swap it for vanilla, cheesecake, or even coconut pudding for a different twist.
I don’t recommend frozen fruit because it releases too much liquid as it thaws, which can make the salad watery. Stick to fresh or canned fruit.
If you love this tropical twist, be sure to try my other fluff salad favorites too! This Classic Cherry Fluff Salad is a retro-inspired treat that’s always a hit at family gatherings, and my Easy Orange Fluff Salad with Jello is light, citrusy, and perfect for potlucks. Each one is quick to prepare and guaranteed to please a crowd.
📖 Recipe
Tropical Fruit Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 3.4 ounce box instant lemon pudding mix
- 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits or chunks with juice
- 8 ounce tub Cool Whip
- 15 ounce can mandarin oranges drained well
- 1 mango peeled and diced
- 3 kiwis peeled and diced
- 1 ½ cup fresh strawberries sliced
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 ½ cup shredded coconut
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the lemon pudding mix into the juice from the canned pineapple until it thickens. Set pineapple pieces aside.3.4 ounce box instant lemon pudding mix, 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits
- Gently fold Cool Whip into the pudding mixture until smooth and fluffy.8 ounce tub Cool Whip
- Stir in pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, kiwi, mango, strawberries, blueberries, coconut, and marshmallows. Mix well to coat.15 ounce can mandarin oranges, 3 kiwis, 1 ½ cup fresh strawberries, 1 cup fresh blueberries, 1 ½ cup shredded coconut, 4 cups mini marshmallows, 1 mango
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Stir again before enjoying.
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content may vary based on brands of ingredients used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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