Tropical Jello Pretzel Salad made with a pineapple coconut cream mixture & mandarin orange jello, all atop a buttery pretzel crust!
This Jello pretzel salad recipe has a wonderful texture and loaded with enticing tropical flavors. The pretzels in this layered Jello recipe taste similar to chopped pecans and provides a lovely balance of texture with the crunchy base.
Tropical Jello Pretzel Salad Ingredients
For the Pretzel Crust you will need:
-Pretzels: You need 2 cups of crushed pretzels for the base of the crust.
-Butter: Using ¾ cup melted butter will help to bind the pretzel crust together and give a nice rich flavor too.
-Sugar: You will need 3 TBSP granulated sugar for a bit of added sweetness.
For the fluffy Jello salad filling you will need:
-Pineapple: For this recipe you need a 20-oz can crushed pineapple, make note to NOT drain the can. We want all the delicious juice.
-Pudding mix: Using a 3-oz box Coconut Cream pudding mix will give us that amazing tropical flavor for this salad.
-Whipped topping: You will need an 8-oz tub whipped topping to make this Jello salad extra creamy and delightful.
For the topping you will need:
-Jello mix: Using a 3-oz box orange Jello will be a perfect pairing with the rest of the tropical flavors.
-Water: To dissolve your Jello mix you will need 1 cup boiling water.
-Mandarin oranges: You will need three 11-oz cans of mandarin oranges (drained), to add some texture to this salad.
How to Store a Jello Salad
You’ll want to store this jello salad in an airtight container, or at the very least, with the pan covered in a tight layer of plastic wrap.
TROPICAL JELLO PRETZEL SALAD RECIPE
Ingredients
Pretzel crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- ¾ cup melted butter
- 3 TBSP sugar
Pineapple Coconut Filling
- 20 oz crushed pineapple NOT drained!
- 3 oz Coconut Cream pudding mix
- 8 oz whipped topping
Jello topping
- 3 oz orange Jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 33 oz mandarin oranges three 11 oz cans, drained
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Then, spray a 9×13 pan with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
- Put the pretzels in a ziplock bag, use a rolling pin crush them into small pieces.
- Combine the crushed pretzels, sugar and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter & gently stir everything to combine.
- Spread the pretzel mixture out evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the pretzel crust for 10 minutes. Let it cool completely while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- Pour in the entire can of crushed pineapple (with juice) into a medium sized bowl. Sprinkle the dry coconut pudding mix on top and stir until completely incorporated. After that, fold in the whipped topping and stir until well combined.
- Spread the mixture over the cooled pretzel crust in the 9×13 pan, making sure that the mixture reaches all of the edges. Set the pan in the fridge to keep it cool while you make the Jello.
- In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of boiling water with the box of orange Jello mix. Stir it until the Jello is completely dissolved. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to cool slightly. Then, pour the Jello mixture on top of the pineapple-whipped topping making sure to cover it completely.
- Arrange the mandarin orange slices so that they cover the entire surface of the salad. Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 3-4 hours, until the salad is completely cooled and set. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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How long does it take for Jello Salad to set?
This Tropical Jello Salad should take about 3 to 4 hours to fully set, but allowing the dish to set overnight in the fridge is a great way to make sure that it is completely perfect before serving. It also gives the flavors longer to develop.
Can I switch up the fruit and Jello flavors in this salad?
You bet you can, experimenting with this salad can be a lot of fun! To keep the tropical flavor theme you can switch up the Jello flavor for mango, melon fusion, or even the tropical fusion blend would be fantastic! For the fruit on top you can swap out the mandarin oranges for kiwi, fresh mangos, or even simple bananas would taste amazing. Whatever your favorite Jello flavor is and your preferred fruit, really you can’t go wrong with this versatile recipe.
Can You Freeze Jello Salad?
It’s not recommended to freeze a Jello salad as the textures will change.
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If you like Jello salad with pineapple , you are going to love this Tropical Jello Pretzel Salad Recipe. It is a flavorful explosion of coconut, pineapple, and mandarin oranges with a delightful crunch.
Deanna J Mullenbach says
My husband hates pineapple but loves coconut cream any suggestions for substitute for the pineapple?
Jessica says
You could use mandarin oranges, pears or diced peaches in place of the pineapple!
Chuck Hess says
Great dish. Everywhere I take it, everyone wants the recipe. Wish I could print out your recipe. I can’t find anywhere to click on “Print Recipe”.
Alison says
At the top of the page below the recipe title and social media buttons there is a button that says print recipe, click that and it should pull right up for you to send to your printer!
Sherri says
This is so good, refreshing, and comforting. It’s like being on a tropical island!
norma L salas says
I don’t like coconut pudding , what can use instead. Please answer me by website. I can not remember my password on my email. Thank you Norma
Jessica says
You can use vanilla or banana pudding instead! I hope you enjoy it!
Marilynn says
Is it pudding or jello
Jessica says
I use both in this recipe!
JOY says
THe coconut pudding should be cooked first according Tto the directions on the box. P
Jessica says
No, please don’t cook the pudding, lol! It’s for a salad!
Patty says
Making it to take to a dinner this weekend camping, instant or regular pudding mix??
Jessica says
Either works!!
karen says
I dissolved the jello but the package calls for 2 cups of water (one boiled and one cold) Was this left out. I used 2 cups, hopes it turns out okay.
Jessica says
My recipe states in 3 different places that you use 1 cup of boiling water for the jello layer. : )
carol hawley says
could I use graham wafer crumbs instead of the pretzels? could you please e-mail me with your answer? thanking you so much
Nellie says
I think graham cracker crumbs would work wonderfully in this recipe!
Denise says
Instant pudding mix or cook and serve?
Nellie says
Instant pudding!
JENNIFER BURKETT says
I made this for a wedding and a Christmas party. Everyone loved it and is asking for the recipe.
Alison says
I’m happy to hear this was a hit for you, your friends and family Jennifer!
Natalie says
Made this for the super bowl and everyone loved it! Delicious!
I followed the recipe exactly as written but, after adding one box of orange jello, I felt like it wasn’t enough (super thin layer) and I combined another box with another 1 cup boiling water and that was the perfect amount per square! So, I think from now on I will make with two boxes of jello for the top layer. Otherwise, this was SO good! Thanks for sharing!
Alison says
Natalie, I’m so glad you could enjoy this for the game! And thanks for sharing what you changed!
Chari Pilcher says
Your recipes look good!
Alison says
Thank you Chari! Hope you try some!
Jennie Gomez says
I will be making this , need to know if I can use instant coconut cream pudding? Please advise.
Thank you,
Jennie
Jessica says
Yes, that’s perfect!
Bona Miller says
It tasted good; however, it would have been nice to know if the pudding should have been the instant type. I purchased the regular and it did not set at all. When I poured the Jello on top it mixed in with the pudding/pineapple/cool whip mixture. Also it did not say whether the jello was supposed to be sugar free or not. Little details make a big difference in how a recipe turns out.
Nicole says
sorry to hear your first attempt didn’t turn out quite right, but at least it tasted good 🙂
Lorraine says
What can I use instead of coconut cream instant pudding. It is not available in any stores in this area.
Jessica says
You can always use vanilla! That or cheesecake. Add a teaspoon of coconut extract to give it some coconut flavor.