Strawberry Fluff Salad is a fun, fruity twist on Watergate Salad – fluffy, deliciously light and full of strawberries and pineapple!
I love a good old-fashioned fluff salad, and this strawberry cheesecake version is our newest favorite! It’s creamy, fluffy, and bursting with strawberry flavor and a hint of cheesecake—perfect for parties, potlucks, or anytime you need an easy, make-ahead treat.
My mom’s Watergate salad inspired this Strawberry Fluff Salad. It’s so good that she requested I make it for her upcoming retirement party. I’ll make it for more than just that – it is the best side dish for any gathering. The kids love it, and the adults do, too!
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I’ve got a soft spot for retro recipes, and strawberry fluff salad hits all the nostalgic notes. With pudding, jello, marshmallows, pineapple, coconut, and fresh strawberries, it tastes just like the classic fluff salads from my childhood—I can never stop at just one scoop!
It’s also a great make-ahead recipe, something I love all year, especially during the summer when we need something to share almost weekly. Fluff salads are always a hit – a crowd-pleaser, for sure.
Maybe you’re like me and grew up with these fun side dishes. If so, prepare for a trip down memory lane! If you’re new to dessert salads, you’re in for a treat – this strawberry cheesecake fluff salad recipe might win your heart.
Recipe Tips and Variations
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Salad
Place the whipped topping in a large mixing bowl.
Sprinkle the dry pudding mix over the top.
Sprinkle the dry jello mix over the top.
Beat the mixture until fully combined.
Add the marshmallows.
Add the drained crushed pineapple.
Sprinkle the coconut flakes over the top.
Add the chopped strawberries and then stir until combined.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the salad for at least one hour before serving it.
I usually make this recipe a day in advance of serving it. This allows it time to set up fully. At the very least, give it at least an hour to chill before eating it.
If you make it and want to serve it immediately, you will notice it’s a little grainy. That’s because the pudding and jello mixes haven’t fully dissolved. Giving it some time to chill will eliminate this problem.
Can you use frozen strawberries?
Fresh strawberries work best in this strawberry fluff recipe. They hold their shape better.
If frozen strawberries are all you have, you can use them, but I recommend thawing them first and draining them well so they don’t water down your fluff.
Strawberry cheesecake fluff is like a pretty pink cloud on a plate! Make this one soon, friends. You’re going to love the flavors, texture, and how easy it is to make.
More Great Side Dishes with Fruit
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Strawberry Fluff Salad
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 3.4 ounces cheesecake instant pudding
- 1 Tbsp strawberry jello powder
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple juice drained and squeezed out
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries chopped
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl add Cool Whip, pudding mix, and Jello powder and beat until fully combined.
- Add crushed pineapple and beat again until well combined.
- Stir in marshmallows, coconut, and strawberries.
- Cover and chill for at least an hour or until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
Totally need to make this for my next picnic!
Looks beyond delicious! You definitely got me on this!
The strawberry flavor makes this salad irresistible! It’s so yummy!
A sweet and fluffy side salad my family totally loved! Definitely making again
I will make this fluff for my niece Graduation party. Along with the Pistachio sala I can’t go to a family get together without talking the Pistachio salad. Now I will also make n take the Strawberry cheesecake fluff. They will love this as well. Thanks for sharing this.
This is the perfect summer fruit salad! We loved it.
What can you sub for coconut? Family allergies
I could just leave it out, you could easily sub it for crushed almonds, pistachios, or pecans. The coconut is really just used for texture.
Thank you!
What could I substitute for the pineapple? My allergy is citris and citric acid.
I would finely chop up some green apples, that would be a great substitute.
This is such a delicious dessert! I love the strawberry flavor combined with that cool, creamy texture.
My kids beg me to make this all the time! Thanks for the easy recipe!
One of my favorite picnic treats! I am so excited to try it!
Yum! Who can resist this amazingly delicious strawberry dessert! The best!
I haven’t had this salad in forever!! Now I need to make it
Looks impossible to resist! You had me on this!
A light and airy side salad that my family adored! Definitely going to make again.
Wow this stuff was really tasty. Thanks!
Can’t get enough of the strawberry and pineapple combo!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love this recipe – Fluffy and delicious. My family is asking for me to make it again soon!
This is so good! Can’t wait to make this again!
It is so good! I’m definitely making this again!
This is literally the perfect dessert and I love the strawberries!
I love this! It’s super yummy and perfect for bringing to a potluck or summer picnic.
I made the Strawberry Fluff Salad for a picnic, and it was a hit! It’s the perfect combination of creamy and fruity, and so refreshing. It was very easy to make, and I appreciated the flexibility with ingredients.
This is THE “go-to” side dish for so many meals – you can’t go wrong with strawberry and cheesecake. LOVE IT!
So easy and so yummy! We love making this for the holidays or for summer potlucks. It’s always a hit!