Pineapple Pretzel Fluff (The Best Sweet & Salty Dessert)

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Welcome a cherished family favorite into your home with our beloved Pineapple Pretzel Fluff recipe! This fluffy pineapple salad isn’t just a nostalgic classic; it’s also incredibly easy to make and a dream for entertaining, as you can make it ahead and simply combine before serving. Is it a salad or a dessert? You might hear this called Pineapple Pretzel Salad, but since it’s loaded with cream cheese, Cool Whip, and sugar, we definitely treat it as a sweet treat! Whether you’re looking for a quick pineapple dessert for a party or a surprising sweet side, its combination of crushed pineapple and crunchy pretzels is always a guaranteed hit.

Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Pretzel Fluff

The Perfect Combo: It hits that addictive “sweet and salty” craving with the sugary pretzel crunch and the creamy fruit filling.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can (and should!) make the pretzel crunch and the cream cheese mixture a day in advance.
Dessert or Side Dish? Like many classic “fluff” salads, it’s sweet enough for dessert but often served right alongside the main course at holidays!

Here’s What You Will Need:

1 cup of crushed pretzels
1/2 cup of butter
1 cup of sugar
1-8 oz package of cream cheese
1-20 oz can of crushed pineapple
1-12 oz container of cool whip

The Ultimate Make-Ahead Dessert for Any Party

Pineapple Pretzel Fluff Cleveland Cooking

Drain It Right: Preventing Runny Fluff

A big part of this recipe, of course, is the pineapple! The crushed pineapple needs to be drained of as much liquid as possible. We have found that if you do not do this the pineapple pretzel fluff recipe may be runny.

Make-Ahead Tips for Your Pineapple Fluff

This is a great make ahead dessert recipe. You can make this dish ahead and it is a huge time saver! Our usual process is to make the pretzel crunch first. We make it and let it cool. We then break it up and place it in a tupperware container or a ziplock.The pretzel crunch is great on its own! While the pretzel crunch is cooking we make the fluff. It comes together quickly! Just mix the cream cheese and 1/2 the sugar until creamy. Then fold in the cool whip and pineapple.

The cool whip/pineapple combination goes into a tupperware container and needs to be refrigerated. It does stay fluffy in the fridge. You can take the pretzel crunch and the fluff and combine them before you serve. This pineapple pretzel fluff recipe is requested a ton at family get togethers. I hope your friends and family enjoy it! I know mine do!

Serving Your Delicious Pineapple Pretzel Fluff

If you are looking for a new twist on this recipe try my strawberry pistachio fluff. Just as easy to make as the pineapple fluff! We served it a few times at Easter when we made the spiced baked ham recipe. The sweet pineapple and ham go well together. We have had guests eat it as a dessert or as a side with their main course.

FAQ’s

Can I make pineapple pretzel fluff ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the pretzel crunch and fluff separately, refrigerate them, and combine just before serving.

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Canned crushed pineapple is recommended because it has a softer texture and is easier to drain.

How do I prevent the fluff from getting runny?

Make sure to drain the crushed pineapple thoroughly before mixing it into the fluff.

Can I use other fruits besides pineapple?

Absolutely! Try strawberries, blueberries, or a combination for a fun twist.

Try my watermelon, cucumber, and feta salad as another great sweet side dish!