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Creamy Fruit Salad with Cool Whip: Quick 5-Ingredient Recipe

This fruit salad is creamy from the Cool Whip and instant pudding. Made with pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, and fruit cocktail, it comes together in about five minutes and chills quickly for a refreshing side or light dessert.

Cool and refreshing on a hot day, this simple recipe is easy to prepare and enjoyable for potlucks, picnics, or family dinners.

A light dressing of pudding and Cool Whip coated fruit in a salad with a light dressing on a pastel napkin on a wooden counter.

Recipe For Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

Whether you need a cooling summer side or a light dessert any time of year, this Cool Whip fruit salad is a reliable, crowd-pleasing recipe.

This version uses canned fruit and a creamy pudding base. For a more classic mix without the creamy dressing, consider a plain fruit salad—both are great to have in your recipe collection.

We tested the salad with instant vanilla and instant lemon pudding. If you like a brighter citrus note, use lemon pudding; vanilla offers a milder, more universally appealing flavor.

Light, creamy and fruity salad with Cool Whip in a white bowl with a silver spoon on a pastel napkin.

This salad is similar in components to frozen fruit salads but has a milder, creamier flavor than tangier ambrosia-style salads. It’s versatile and easy to adapt with different fruits.

Ingredients Needed

  • Pineapple tidbits – one large (20-ounce) can with juice; the juice helps the instant pudding set. Crushed pineapple can be used instead.
  • Instant pudding – a 3-ounce box of vanilla is the base we prefer; lemon pudding is a good alternative for a brighter flavor.
  • Fruit cocktail – a 15-ounce can, drained. Fresh fruit (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups) such as chopped strawberries, bananas, or grapes can be substituted.
  • Mandarin oranges – a 15-ounce can, drained.
  • Cool Whip – 8 ounces, thawed, folded in at the end to create the creamy texture.
Ingredients to make fruit salad are instant vanilla pudding, pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, Cool Whip and fruit cocktail on a wooden counter top.

Using Fresh Fruit

For a fresh-fruit variation, replace the canned fruit cocktail with 1 1/2 cups of fresh chopped strawberries, bananas, or grapes. If using bananas, add them just before serving to avoid browning.

Step By Step Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the instant pudding mix into the entire can of pineapple, including the juice, until combined.

Chill the pineapple-pudding mixture for about 15 minutes so the pudding can set.

Drain the fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges, then fold them into the chilled pineapple-pudding mixture.

Instant vanilla pudding setting up in pineapple tidbits with natural juice in a white mixing bowl.
White mixing bowl of pineapple set up in pudding with a can of fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges poured on top.

Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip until the mixture is uniform. Cover and chill until ready to serve—chilling helps the flavors meld and the texture firm up.

Overhead view of a serving dish of fruit salad with Cool Whip and pudding on a pastel napkin.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • For fastest chilling, spread the salad in a 13x9x2-inch pan.
  • Both instant vanilla and instant lemon pudding work well—choose based on your flavor preference.
  • Optional: sprinkle up to 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts on top for crunch.
  • If adding fresh strawberries or banana slices, fold them in just before serving to keep them bright and fresh.
  • Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Creamy and Delicious Recipes

  • No Bake Cheesecake for a Crowd
  • Creamy Banana Pudding
  • Creamy Italian Chicken and Pasta Skillet
  • Cucumber Mayo Salad
  • Pineapple Cottage Cheese Salad
  • Mocha Pudding Cake
Close up cherry, pineapple tidbit, grape and other fruit cocktail ingredients coated with creamy vanilla pudding mixture heaped up in a white bowl.
4.50 from 2 votes

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

Created by Jennifer Osterholt
Servings: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill time 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Creamy from the Cool Whip and pudding, this fruit salad using fruit cocktail, pineapple and mandarin oranges can be mixed up in just five minutes.

Ingredients

  • 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits undrained
  • 3 ounce box instant vanilla pudding or lemon pudding
  • 15 ounce can fruit cocktail drained
  • 15 ounce can mandarin oranges drained
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip defrosted

Instructions

  • In a medium mixing bowl stir together pineapple with juice and the instant pudding. Chill for 15 minutes.
  • Drain fruit cocktail and oranges. Add to pineapple mixture and stir well.
  • Fold in Cool Whip, chill until ready to serve, then enjoy.

Notes

  • Chills fastest in a 13x9x2-inch pan.
  • Instant vanilla and instant lemon pudding both work well.
  • Optional: sprinkle up to 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top for added texture.
  • Tastes great with fresh strawberry or banana slices folded in just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 122kcalCarbohydrates: 29g

“Plowing Through Life” is not a dietitian or nutrition professional. Any nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary depending on products used. If precise nutrition information is important, use a dedicated nutrition calculator.

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