Pistachio Fluff

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Light, bright, and oh-so-sweet, pistachio fluff can be eaten as a dessert, a side dish, or even as a snack on its own.

Southern Living Pistachio Fluff in a bowl to serve with two servings scooped out nearby
Credit:

Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
6

Pistachio fluff goes by many other names: Watergate salad, pistachio salad, pineapple pistachio delight, green fluff, or even the decidedly somber moniker, funeral salad. By any name, it’s an airy and nostalgia-triggering delight and an iconic American potluck classic.

Learn how to make pistachio fluff. Served as a sweet side dish on holiday tables across the South (and beyond), this sentimental recipe is super easy to make. All you need are six ingredients and 10 minutes of active prep time.

What Is A Fluff?

Pistachio fluff, which is sometimes called Watergate Salad, is a sweet salad-like dish commonly served as dessert or a side dish at potlucks and holidays. Whipped topping, pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped nuts come together to create this light and fluffy American dish that's beloved by home cooks even outside of the South. 

Pistachio Fluff Ingredients

To make pistachio fluff, you’ll need just six readily available ingredients:

  • Crushed pineapple in juice: You need the juice of the canned pineapple to get the best flavor, so fresh wouldn't work.
  • Pistachio instant pudding and pie filling: Pistachio pudding is obviously needed for pistachio fluff, but you can actually use any flavor you like.
  • Frozen whipped topping: Provides the creamy, airy texture for the fluff.
  • Miniature marshmallows: Classic and sweet for the just-right texture and flavor.
  • Unsalted raw pistachios: The contrast of the nutty pistachios with the sweet fluff is necessary.
  • Maraschino cherries: For the extra dose of nostalgia.

How To Make Pistachio Fluff

  1. Start by stirring the crushed pineapple and pudding and pie filling to combine. Let the mixture stand for five minutes before adding the whipped topping and stirring to combine.
  2. Then fold in the marshmallows, cover, and chill.
  3. When ready to serve, stir the mixture again to fluff it up. (You can fluff it up with more whipped topping if needed at this stage.)
  4. Garnish with more whipped topping, chopped pistachios, and maraschino cherries.

What Does Pistachio Fluff Taste Like?

This dish is sweet, fluffy, and very nut-forward; even the pudding mix contains actual pieces of chopped nuts. Chopped pistachios on top provide a nice crunch and some texture, along with the maraschino cherries and whipped topping.

Refrigerating it for (at least) two hours before fluffing and serving ensures the Jell-O sets nicely, and greatly changes the texture from loose and airy to fluffy and thick. 

Why Is Pistachio Salad Called Watergate Salad?

Among the many names for this dish is Watergate salad; it is said that a chef at the famous Watergate Hotel invented the dish and served it at weekend brunch. The recipe dates back to the mid-1970s, when the Jell-O brand first debuted its line of pistachio pudding mix.

Ways To Serve Pistachio Fluff

Pistachio fluff is a sweet and delightful dish served all on its own. But it’s often served during festive holiday meals, where it plays nicely on a plate filled with other sides, too.

Southern Living Pistachio Fluff in a bowl ready to serve with bowls of cherries and pistachios beside
Credit:

Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

More Salads and Sides

Editorial contributions by Alesandra Dubin.

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Ingredients

  • 1 (15-oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

  • 1 (3.4-oz.) pkg. pistachio instant pudding and pie filling (such as JELL-O)

  • 1 (8-oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed and divided

  • 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

  • 1/3 cup chopped unsalted raw pistachios

  • Whole red maraschino cherries

Directions

  1. Combine ingredients:

    In a large bowl, stir crushed pineapple and pudding and pie filling with a silicone spatula until well combined.

    Southern Living Pistachio Fluff mixing the pineapple and the pudding mix together
    Credit:

    Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

    Let stand 5 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups whipped topping, and stir gently to combine.

    Southern Living Pistachio Fluff after adding the whipped topping
    Credit:

    Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

    Fold in marshmallows. Cover, and chill at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.

    Southern Living Pistachio Fluff after adding the marshmallows
    Credit:

    Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

  2. Fluff salad before serving:

    When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator, and stir to “fluff” mixture.

    Southern Living Pistachio Fluff after removing from the fridge
    Credit:

    Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

    Garnish with remaining whipped topping, chopped pistachios, and maraschino cherries. Serve cold.

    Southern Living Pistachio Fluff garnished with pistachios and cherries
    Credit:

    Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Additional reporting by Alesandra Dubin

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