Banana Split Fluff Salad
Oh my goodness, you are going to love this recipe! It takes all the yummy flavors of a classic banana split sundae and turns them into a super easy, creamy salad.
Seriously, this banana split fluff salad is my go-to for every party and potluck. It’s a “dump and go” wonder that brings back so many happy memories.
You just mix everything together in one bowl, and poof, you have a dessert that everyone, from kids to grandparents, will go bananas for. It’s sweet, fruity, and just plain fun!
Why You’ll Love Banana Split Fluff Salad
I’m telling you, you’re going to fall in love with this salad because it’s so quick and tastes just like a banana split!
- Super Fast: You can whip this up in just a few minutes flat.
- Party Perfect: Bring this to your next get-together, and I promise it’ll be a huge hit.
- No Oven Needed: Keep your kitchen cool with this simple no-bake treat.
- Fun for Kids: Your little ones will have a blast helping you mix this together.
- Sweet and Versatile: It’s great as a side dish or as the main dessert.
If you love fluff salads as much as I do, you should totally check out my Orange Fluff Salad, Blueberry Fluff Salad, or tasty Raspberry Fluff Salad!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s grab what you’ll need from the pantry for this fluff salad. For the exact amounts, just peek at the recipe card down below.
- Whipped Topping: This is what makes your salad so light and fluffy.
- Cherry Pie Filling: It gives you that sweet and tangy cherry topping flavor.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This makes everything extra rich, creamy, and sweet.
- Sour Cream: I know it sounds odd, but this adds a little tang to cut the sweetness.
- Mini Marshmallows: These add that fun, soft, and chewy texture we all love.
- Pineapple Chunks: They bring a sweet, juicy, and tropical taste to the party.
- Bananas: You can’t have a banana split without fresh, yummy bananas!
- Walnuts: These add the perfect nutty crunch to every single bite.
How to Make Banana Split Fluff Salad
Okay, this is the fun part, and it’s a piece of cake! You basically just stir, chill, and serve this yummy dessert.
Step 1: Make the Creamy Base
In your big mixing bowl, stir the 4 cups whipped topping, cherry pie filling, ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk, and ½ cup sour cream until it’s all creamy and smooth.
Step 2: Fold in the Mix-Ins
Now, gently fold in the 2 cups mini marshmallows, 2 cups pineapple chunks, 2 large sliced bananas, 1 cup chopped walnuts, ¾ cup maraschino cherries, and ¼ cup mini chocolate chips. Mix until just combined!
Step 3: Chill Before Serving
Cover your bowl with some plastic wrap and let it hang out in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This little rest helps all the yummy flavors get to know each other.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Right before you’re ready to serve, you can drizzle 2 tablespoons chocolate sundae syrup right over the top. Then, dig in and ENJOY!!!
Tips for the Best Banana Split Fluff Salad
Want to know my secrets for making this salad AMAZING? Here are a few little tips I’ve picked up along the way.
- Let It Chill: Don’t skip the chilling step! It really makes a big difference in the flavor.
- Thaw It Out: Make sure your whipped topping is all thawed out so your salad is nice and smooth.
- Be Gentle: Fold the ingredients in gently. You want to keep all that light, fluffy air in there.
- Bananas Last: I always add my bananas right at the end so they stay fresh and don’t get brown.
- Drain the Pineapple: Give your pineapple a good drain so your salad doesn’t get watery.
- Toast Your Nuts: Toasting the walnuts first gives them an extra delicious, nutty flavor.
Variations and Substitutions
Don’t be afraid to mix things up! This recipe is super flexible, so you can totally make it your own. Here are some fun ideas.
- Switch Up the Nuts: Try pecans or even peanuts instead of walnuts for a different crunch.
- Add More Berries: Fresh strawberries would be a fantastic addition.
- Go Chocolate-Crazy: Throw in some extra mini chocolate chips. Why not?
- Try Pudding Mix: A little bit of instant vanilla pudding mix will make the base even creamier.
- Add Coconut: I love adding toasted coconut for a little tropical twist.
- Graham Cracker Crust: Mix in some crushed graham crackers for a fun, pie-like texture.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
If you want to get a jump on things, you totally can. You can make this salad a day ahead of time, but I’d wait to add the bananas until right before you serve so they stay nice and pretty.
If you have any leftovers, just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll be good for about three days. The marshmallows might get a little softer, but it will still be delicious. I wouldn’t recommend freezing this one, as it changes the texture.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Definitely! Just chop it up into small pieces. Fresh pineapple would be delicious in this.
How do I keep the bananas from browning?
A little trick is to toss the banana slices in a tiny bit of lemon juice before you add them in.
What to serve with Banana Split Fluff Salad?
I love it all by itself, but it’s also great with Nilla wafers for dipping. It’s perfect for a BBQ!
Can I add other pie fillings?
Of course! Strawberry pie filling would be an amazing swap and would taste just as great.
How can I make this salad more colorful?
For extra fun, try using rainbow mini marshmallows or toss some colorful sprinkles on top before you serve it.
Can I leave out the nuts?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of nuts or have an allergy, just leave them out. It’ll still be delicious.
Banana Split Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups whipped topping thawed
- 1 can (21 ounce) cherry pie filling
- ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
- 2 large bananas peeled and sliced
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
- ¾ cup maraschino cherries
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons chocolate sundae syrup for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Creamy Base: In a big bowl, stir your whipped topping, cherry pie filling, sweetened condensed milk, and sour cream all together.
- Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in your mini marshmallows, pineapple chunks, sliced bananas, walnuts, maraschino cherries, and mini chocolate chips.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps make it extra yummy.
- Garnish and Serve: Drizzle with chocolate sundae syrup if you want, and then serve it up cold. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes really helps the flavors pop!
- I always add the bananas right before serving so they don’t turn brown.
- Make sure you drain your pineapple really well so the salad stays creamy.
- Toasting the walnuts first gives them an awesome flavor and crunch.
- You can store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for a few days.
