Description
This Banana Split Fluff Salad is a light, creamy, and fruity dessert that combines banana cream pudding, fresh and canned fruits, marshmallows, nuts, and whipped topping. It’s a nostalgic and crowd-pleasing no-bake salad that’s perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or a simple sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Mix
- 1 (3.4 ounces) box banana cream instant pudding
Fruit and Mix-ins
- 1 (20 ounces) can crushed pineapple with juice
- 1 (10 ounces) jar maraschino cherries (without stems), drained and halved
- 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 bananas, halved and sliced
Sweets
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- ½ cup miniature chocolate chips
Dairy
- 1 (8 ounces) container whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
- Mix the Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the banana cream instant pudding with the crushed pineapple including the juice. Stir well until the pudding mix is fully incorporated and the mixture begins to thicken.
- Add the Mix-Ins: Add the maraschino cherries, diced strawberries, miniature marshmallows, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, and sliced bananas to the bowl. Stir gently until everything is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Fold in the Whipped Topping: Gently fold in half of the whipped topping until evenly mixed to maintain lightness. Then add the remaining whipped topping and fold again until fully combined. Avoid overmixing to preserve the fluffy texture.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up nicely.
- Serve and Enjoy: Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. Optionally garnish with extra chocolate chips, nuts, or cherries. Serve chilled and enjoy this delightful treat.
Notes
- Make It Healthier: Substitute the whipped topping with Greek yogurt or a lighter whipped topping alternative.
- Add More Fruit: Include other tropical fruits such as mango or mandarin oranges for extra flavor.
- Nut-Free Option: Omit nuts if allergic or replace with sunflower seeds for crunch.
- Use Fresh Whipped Cream: Whip heavy cream with vanilla and sugar for a homemade whipped topping.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Add melted chocolate or caramel sauce on top for indulgence.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Avoid freezing as texture will degrade.
- Prevent Banana Browning: Toss sliced bananas in lemon juice before adding to salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: banana split fluff salad, banana cream pudding dessert, no bake fruit salad, fluff salad, easy dessert, summer dessert
