Pistachio ambrosia salad

Pistachio ambrosia salad is such an easy dessert to make since it doesn’t require any baking at all. And honestly, it takes only 5 minutes to put together. It makes the perfect dessert for any big gathering. What I love most is you can easily make this dairy-free by using dairy-free whipped cream. I didn’t make this one dairy free since the family I was giving it to eat dairy, but the recipe will come out the same regardless of which whipped cream you use! 

You can also get creative by using different fruits or nuts. I usually like to add pistachios to the mixture, but I only had the ones with the shells on and didn’t have the patience to de-shell them so I used walnuts.

The creamy and nutty flavor of the pistachio pudding adds a unique touch to the dish, while the fruits add a burst of sweetness and tanginess. The marshmallows provide a light and airy texture that makes every bite feel like a heavenly treat.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Storage of ambrosia salad
• Pro Tip
• Equipment
• FAQ
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Ingredients

• Instant pistachio pudding mix 
• Thawed cool whip
• Crushed pineapple
• Mandarin oranges
• Jar stemless maraschino cherries
• Singing Dog Vanilla alcohol-free vanilla extract 
• Mini marshmallows 
• Chopped walnuts
• Shredded coconut 

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

• In a very large glass bowl, stir together both pudding mixes, and the crushed pineapple along with the juice of the pineapple. The mixture will begin to turn green and thicken. 
• Fold both tubs of whipped cream into your pistachio pudding mixture. Using a rubber spatula, combine these two very well. 
• Add in your oranges, cherries, marshmallows, vanilla, walnuts, and coconut. Stir again until all combined well. 
• Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. You want the ambrosia salad to be thoroughly cold before serving. 

Pistachio ambrosia fruit salad is a classic dessert. Creamy pistachio pudding mixed with whipped cream, mandarin, oranges, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, coconut, maraschino cherries, and crushed walnuts. Everything gets mixed into a satisfying dessert that is perfect for a crowd. The prep for this pistachio ambrosia salad only takes five minutes, and no oven is needed! 

Pistachio ambrosia salad has so many other names, like pistachio fluff, pistachio delight, and Watergate salad. The list is endless, but all have the same amazing flavor. 

Storage of ambrosia salad

This salad will remain good for up to three days in the refrigerator as long as you keep it covered. 

Pro Tip

Chill the ingredients before mixing: Chill the fruits, marshmallows, and whipped cream or whipped topping in the refrigerator for a few hours before. This will help the salad set become more flavorful.

Don't overmix: When you're mixing the ingredients together, be gentle and don't overmix.

Equipment

Rubber spatula and bowls: These are the main tools you will need. Spatula has a rubber or silicone head attached to a handle, and is used for stirring and scraping ingredients.

FAQ

Can I freeze fruit salad?

Fruit salad is not recommended for freezing as the texture and quality of the fruits may be compromised.

Can I make fruit salad ahead of time?

Yes, fruit salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

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📖 Recipe