Banana split fluff salad – A creamy, fruity dessert blend of bananas, pineapple, cherries, and marshmallows for a nostalgic, sweet treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No baking required: Comes together quickly with zero oven time
Classic banana split flavor: Bananas, cherries, pineapple, chocolate, and nuts in every bite

Crowd favorite: Makes a large batch—perfect for gatherings
Kid-friendly: Sweet, colorful, and filled with fun textures
Creamy and fluffy: Light and smooth with pops of crunch and chew

Ready in minutes: Just mix and chill
Versatile: Easily modified with your favorite add-ins
Summer perfect: Refreshing and cool, great for warm weather events

Make-ahead friendly: Gets better as it chills
Dessert or side dish: Works as a light dessert or a sweet side at BBQs

Ingredients

1 (3.4 oz) box instant banana pudding mix

1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip, thawed
1 cup mini marshmallows

½ cup finely chopped walnuts, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
¼ cup mini chocolate chips, plus 1 tablespoon for garnish
2 ripe bananas, sliced

1 (10 oz) jar maraschino cherries, halved and patted dry

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry banana pudding mix and the entire can of crushed pineapple with its juice. Stir until the pudding mix is fully dissolved and the mixture begins to thicken
Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip until the mixture is smooth and well combined

Add the mini marshmallows, ½ cup chopped walnuts, ¼ cup mini chocolate chips, sliced bananas, and halved maraschino cherries. Stir gently to incorporate all ingredients evenly
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to set
Before serving, garnish the top with the reserved 2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts and 1 tablespoon of mini chocolate chips

Servings And Timing

Servings: 16
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Calories: Approx. 137 kcal per serving

Variations

Tropical twist: Add shredded coconut or swap banana pudding for coconut or pineapple flavor

Chocolate lover’s version: Use chocolate pudding instead and increase the mini chocolate chips
Nut-free: Omit walnuts or replace with crushed pretzels or granola for crunch
Fresh fruit upgrade: Add chopped strawberries or blueberries for a berry spin

Ice cream style: Scoop into individual bowls and top with extra whipped cream and sprinkles

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Freezing: Not recommended, as the texture will change and bananas may become mushy

Make-ahead: Can be prepared up to one day in advance; add garnish right before serving
Reheating: Not applicable—serve chilled

FAQs

Can I Use Fresh Pineapple Instead Of Canned?

Canned crushed pineapple with juice is best for dissolving the pudding, but you can puree fresh pineapple with a bit of juice if needed

Do I Have To Use Cool Whip?

Cool Whip helps maintain the fluffy texture, but you can substitute with stabilized whipped cream

Will The Bananas Turn Brown?

They may brown slightly over time, so it’s best to serve within a day of mixing

Can I Make This Dessert Ahead Of Time?

Yes, make it up to 24 hours in advance—just wait to garnish until serving

Is This Gluten-Free?

Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but check the labels to be sure

Can I Use A Different Pudding Flavor?

Yes! Vanilla, chocolate, or coconut pudding also work well

What Can I Substitute For Marshmallows?

You can leave them out or use chopped angel food cake or mini vanilla wafers for a similar texture

Is This Salad Meant To Be A Side Or A Dessert?

It can be both! It’s often served as a dessert salad, especially at potlucks

Can I Add Fresh Strawberries Or Other Fruit?

Yes, fresh berries or chopped fruit add flavor and color—just be sure to pat them dry

Can I Double The Recipe?

Yes, this recipe easily scales up for larger crowds

Conclusion

Banana Split Fluff Salad is a fun, no-bake treat that brings the joy of a classic banana split into a spoonable, sharable dessert. With creamy pudding, sweet fruit, and a hint of crunch, it’s the perfect addition to your next party, picnic, or backyard barbecue. Easy to make and even easier to love, it’s bound to become a go-to favorite all summer long.

Fruity & Fun Pairings for Banana Split Fluff Salad

Whether you’re prepping for a picnic or a sweet snack board, these delightful recipes pair perfectly with your Banana Split Fluff Salad:

Double the fruity fun with this refreshing Fruit Salad With Honey Lime Dressing—a zesty and colorful complement.

Keep it nostalgic and creamy with the crowd-pleasing Classic Watergate Salad, another potluck favorite.
Indulge in more no-bake ease with decadent No-Bake Biscoff Nutella Dream Bars—rich, easy, and totally dreamy.
Balance the fluff with a fruity, cool treat like the Strawberry Dole Whip Recipe for tropical vibes.

End your spread with retro sweetness in Strawberry Cheesecake Banana Pudding Delight—a Southern-style finale.

Banana Split Fluff Salad

Author: Chef Clara

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 16 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A no-bake, creamy dessert salad that captures all the nostalgic flavors of a classic banana split—perfect for potlucks, picnics, or summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

1 (3.4 oz) box instant banana pudding mix
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple (do not drain)

1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip, thawed
1 cup mini marshmallows
½ cup finely chopped walnuts, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish

¼ cup mini chocolate chips, plus 1 tablespoon for garnish
2 ripe bananas, sliced
1 (10 oz) jar maraschino cherries, halved and patted dry

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Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry banana pudding mix and the entire can of crushed pineapple with its juice. Stir until the pudding mix is fully dissolved and the mixture begins to thicken.
Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add the mini marshmallows, ½ cup chopped walnuts, ¼ cup mini chocolate chips, sliced bananas, and halved maraschino cherries. Stir gently to incorporate all ingredients evenly.

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to set.
Before serving, garnish the top with the reserved 2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts and 1 tablespoon of mini chocolate chips.

Notes

For extra flavor, drizzle with chocolate syrup or top with whipped cream before serving.

Use firm but ripe bananas to prevent mushiness.
This dessert is best served the same day for optimal texture.
Substitute vanilla pudding if banana flavor is too strong.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert

Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving

Calories: 137
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 95mg

Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g

Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 19g
Fiber: 1g

Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 2mg