{"id":44626,"date":"2022-12-31T15:23:50","date_gmt":"2022-12-31T20:23:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondflourblog.com\/?p=44626"},"modified":"2025-01-10T08:07:06","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T13:07:06","slug":"banana-split-fluff-salad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondflourblog.com\/banana-split-fluff-salad\/","title":{"rendered":"Banana Split Fluff Salad"},"content":{"rendered":"

Marshmallow Salad is always fun - this Banana Split Fluff Salad takes it to a whole other level. Easy to make, doesn't melt like ice cream!<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A little while ago, I posted my new recipe for Pina Colada Fluff Salad<\/a> - an easy recipe for a fluffy fruit salad that was the result of not being able to get any pistachio pudding to make \u201cgreen fluff\u201d - my husband\u2019s Watergate salad recipe, AKA \u201cPistachio Salad\u201d or \u201cPistachio Delight\u201d<\/p>\n

That creamy salad is not only a crowd favorite in general in his homeland - it\u2019s an American classic - it\u2019s pretty central to his childhood memories of holiday dinners and family gatherings. <\/p>\n

He thinks it\u2019s basically \u201cfood of the gods\u201d (Well, I guess it IS a form of an ambrosia fruit salad), so I try to make it for his American Thanksgiving dinner.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a simple dessert - Pudding mix, creamy cool whip, sweet pineapple, and fun mini marshmallows - that whips up in just minutes. <\/p>\n

Beyond our Thanksgiving tradition, it\u2019s a popular no bake dessert recipe in general, and a great addition to almost any holiday meal, or regular family dinner.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s as appropriate to serve as an Easter recipe as it is to serve at Christmas dinner, a summer barbeque, baby showers, or basically any special occasion.<\/p><\/div>\n

Anyway, finding myself with a lack of the proper pudding for his favourite creamy fruit salad got me thinking of different ways of creating new fluffy salads, using different fruit and flavouring items.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, using pudding flavours that are readily available to us, here in Canada!<\/p>\n

One of the ideas I was most excited to see through to fruition was an ambrosia salad recipe based on a banana split theme.<\/p>\n

Initially, this came up when listing off types of pudding we should have available - banana cream being one. <\/p>\n

As it turns out, though... that\u2019s ANOTHER one that\u2019s hard to come by here!<\/p>\n

Oh well. As it turns out, when designing this simple dessert recipe, I decided that vanilla pudding mix was a better option anyway.<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Designing This Easy Fluff Salad<\/h4>\n

After all, banana splits have bananas, but don\u2019t tend to be made with banana ice cream!<\/p>\n

So, I chose a vanilla pudding base, and added vanilla extract to boost that flavour, making it closer to that of ice cream.<\/p>\n

I kept the Cool Whip and crushed pineapple of the OG sweet salad, and added additional sweet fruit in the form of fresh banana and strawberry slices. <\/p>\n

Toss in some mini chocolate chips and chopped peanuts, and you\u2019ll have an easy dessert salad that is PERFECT for a backyard BBQ - even your most picky eaters will love it.<\/p>\n

Toss it in a pretty bowl, and it\u2019s a great last minute sweet side dish or delicious dessert for even a fancier occasion.<\/p>\n

Whatever occasion you serve it for, it\u2019s a great recipe and sure to become a family favorite!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Banana<\/p>\n

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Ingredients<\/h2>\n

This recipe uses really simple ingredients that should be available in most grocery stores. A few notes for you:<\/p>\n

Instant Pudding Mix<\/h4>\n

Although this recipe started out by thinking up things I could do with the Banana Cream Instant Pudding Mix, I ended up basing it with instant vanilla pudding mix.<\/p>\n

Banana splits aren\u2019t generally made with banana flavoured pudding, after all!<\/p>\n

White Mini Marshmallows<\/h4>\n

You can\u2019t have a marshmallow salad with miniature marshmallows, after all!<\/p>\n

I recommend using plain marshmallows, rather than the fruit flavored colorful marshmallows. <\/p>\n

Regular mini marshmallows provide a more neutral flavour base, letting the other flavours in this old-fashioned marshmallow fruit salad shine!<\/p><\/div>\n

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Fruit<\/h4>\n

This recipe uses both canned and fresh fruits.<\/p>\n

As far as the fresh fruit goes, I use both fresh strawberries and bananas. <\/p>\n

I had considered using frozen strawberries or strawberry pie filling, but ended up deciding against it.<\/p>\n

IMHO, there were too many variables involved with frozen \/ filling (like added sugar amounts), and fresh berries tend to be more available, anyway.<\/p>\n

I toss the banana slices with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning.<\/p>\n

You won\u2019t taste the lemon, so long as you drain off the excess, rather than mixing it into the fluffy salad base.<\/p><\/div>\n

As for the canned fruit, I use crushed pineapple.<\/p>\n

Pineapple tidbits - or chopped up pineapple chunks - may also work, but I\u2019m just used to using crushed pineapple, from making my husband\u2019s pistachio fluff salad. <\/p>\n

Didn\u2019t want to deviate TOO far from tradition, after all!<\/p>\n

I wouldn\u2019t recommend using fresh pineapple, as I\u2019m assuming it would completely break down the marshmallows. <\/p>\n

Canned pineapple has been cooked, rendering the bromelain enzyme inactive. That enzyme breaks down the protein structure of gelatin - which is why you can\u2019t use it in Jello.<\/p>\n

(Or Papaya, for that matter. Different enzyme - papain - same deal. The more you know!)<\/p>\n

Anyway, marshmallows utilize gelatin, so that\u2019s why I haven\u2019t even bothered with fresh pineapple in any of my fruit fluff recipes.<\/p>\n

Finally, I like to have some maraschino cherries on hand, for garnish!<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Cool Whip<\/h4>\n

As I mentioned in the Pina Colada Marshmallow Salad<\/a> post, there\u2019s a bit of size difference when it comes to whipped topping sold in Canada vs the USA.<\/p>\n

If in the USA, use an 8 oz tub. If in Canada, use a 1 L container.<\/p>\n

Either way, thaw it in the fridge for a bit before using, for best results.\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Everything Else<\/h4>\n

Rounding out this recipe, you will need:<\/p>\n

Chopped Peanuts<\/a>
\nMilk Chocolate Chips<\/a>
\nPure Vanilla Extract<\/a>
\nLemon Juice
\nSalt<\/p>\n

Not really anything to add here.<\/p>\n

Well, maybe that you may wonder about using vanilla extract when you\u2019re already using vanilla pudding.<\/p>\n

Vanilla pudding doesn\u2019t taste like vanilla ice cream - adding vanilla extract boosts that flavour, and definitely makes the final fruit salad recipe taste more like an actual banana split.\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Banana<\/p>\n

\n

How to Make Banana Split Fluff Salad<\/h2>\n

The full recipe follows in the recipe card at the end of this post, here is a pictorial walk through with step-by-step photos.<\/i><\/p>\n

In a large bowl, whisk together the pineapple, pudding mix, vanilla extract, and salt..<\/p>\n

Add the chopped peanuts and mini marshmallows, stir well to combine.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Scoop the Cool Whip into the bowl, Use a rubber spatula to break up any clumps and fully combine it into the pineapple mixture.<\/p>\n

Fold in the mini marshmallows until evenly distributed.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.<\/p>\n

Before serving, peel and slice the bananas. Place in a bowl, toss with lemon juice to fully coat the banana slices.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the banana slices to the bowl of marshmallow salad, leaving excess lemon juice behind. <\/p>\n

Add the strawberry slices to the mixture, gently fold to combine.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Serve right away, or cover and chill until use. <\/p>\n

Leftover salad is best stored in an airtight container and served within 3 days or so.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

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More Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes!<\/h2>\n

Looking for even more fantastic gluten-free desserts that *everyone* will love? Look no further!<\/p>\n

Chocolate Fondue<\/a>
\nDeviled Strawberries<\/a>
\nEasy Gluten Free Brownies<\/a>
\nGluten-Free Brandied Apple Crisp<\/a>
\nGluten Free Butter Tart Bars <\/a>
\nGluten-Free Buttertarts <\/a>
\nGluten Free Doughnut Holes<\/a>
\nGluten-Free Earl Grey Pie <\/a>
\nGluten Free Fruitcake <\/a>
\nGluten-Free Lemon Bars<\/a>
\nGluten Free Maple Pumpkin Pie <\/a>
\nGluten-Free Nanaimo Bar Brownies <\/a>
\nGluten Free Puffed Rice Bars <\/a>
\nGluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Mini Doughnuts <\/a>
\nGluten Free Raspberry Bars<\/a>
\nGluten-Free Schmoo Torte <\/a>
\nGluten Free Sticky Toffee Pudding<\/a>
\nPina Colada Fluff Salad<\/a><\/p>\n

Also, be sure to check out our collection of Gluten Free Cookie Recipes!<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\"Banana<\/p>\n