Pineapple Pretzel Salad
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This pineapple pretzel salad is a sweet and salty side dish recipe made with crushed pretzels, cream cheese, Cool Whip, and pineapple.
Often called pineapple fluff, it has a light, creamy texture that makes it perfect for holidays, potlucks, or family dinners.
The caramelized pretzels folded into a pineapple cream filling make this recipe stand out, and once you see how easy it is to put together, you’ll want it in your dessert rotation.
What You’ll Need to Make It
- 1 stick (½ cup) butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 ½ cups crushed pretzels
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cans (20 oz each) crushed pineapple, well drained
- 1 small tub (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
How to Make Pineapple Pretzel Salad
Step 1: Drain the pineapple the right way
Pour crushed pineapple into a coffee filter set inside a colander and let it sit over a bowl. Press down with another bowl to squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This step keeps the filling fluffy instead of watery.
Step 2: Bake the crunchy pretzels
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix melted butter, ½ cup sugar, and crushed pretzels. Spread evenly on the pan and bake for 7 minutes.
The sugar will caramelize into a light coating. Let the mixture cool completely before breaking into clusters. Warm pretzels will soften the cream layer.
Step 3: Whip up the creamy filling
Beat softened cream cheese with the remaining ½ cup sugar until smooth.
Stir in drained pineapple, then gently fold in the whipped topping until fluffy.
Step 4: Put it all together
Set aside about 2 tablespoons of pretzel clusters for garnish. Fold the rest of them into the pineapple cream mixture, spoon everything into a serving dish, and top with the reserved pretzels as a topping. Serve!
NOTE: For the crunchiest texture, fold in pretzels just before serving. If you plan to make this ahead of time, keep the pretzel clusters and pineapple mixture separate until just before serving.
Tips to Keep It Creamy and Crunchy
- Make ahead: Prepare the cream mixture and pretzel crunch separately up to a day in advance. Combine them right before serving.
- Serving idea: Spoon into a trifle dish or individual cups for parties. We do this for other recipes like Homemade Banana Pudding.
- Flavor twist: Add a handful of toasted coconut or chopped pecans for extra texture.
More Fluff Recipes You’ll Love
If you love this pineapple pretzel salad as a sweet side dish, try these other creamy, fruity recipes:
- Cranberry Fluff Salad — tart, creamy, and perfect for holiday tables
- Apple Pie Fluff Salad — like eating apple pie in salad form, with cinnamon and apples
- Orange Dreamsicle Fluff Salad — citrusy, sweet, creamy
- Watergate Salad — pudding, pistachios, pineapple. This is a holiday and retro favorite and if you have any leftover pineapple from this recipe, a great way to use that up.
Pineapple Pretzel Salad (Pineapple Fluff)
Equipment
- Colander and coffee filter (for draining pineapple)
- hand mixer
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter melted (equal to 1/2 cup)
- 1 cup granulated sugar this will be divided
- 1 ½ cups crushed pretzels
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 40 oz crushed pineapple well drained
- 8 oz. Cool Whip Whipped Topping thawed
Instructions
- Place crushed pineapple in a coffee filter set inside a colander and let it drain over a bowl. Press another bowl on top to squeeze out excess liquid. This step prevents the filling from becoming watery.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, ½ cup sugar, and crushed pretzels. Spread evenly on the baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes. Let cool completely, then break into clusters.
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with the remaining ½ cup sugar until smooth. Stir in drained pineapple, then fold in whipped topping until fluffy.
- Reserve 2 tablespoons of pretzel clusters for garnish. Fold the remaining pretzels into the pineapple cream mixture. Spoon into a serving bowl and top with reserved pretzels.
- NOTE: For the crunchiest texture, fold in pretzels just before serving. If making ahead, store pretzels and filling separately until ready to combine.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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