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.
Jan says
There’s barely enough jello to cover the creamy layer. I really had to stretch it. I think I would double the orange jello mixture next time.
Jessica says
I’ve found most people like the smaller layer of jello, but you’re welcome to double it! With just 1 box it covers the top at about 1/3″ thick and it’s just a nice addition.
Gina says
If using the larger box of gelatin, guessing you doubled the boiling water? Just want to make sure I don’t mess this up cuz I can’t wait to try it!
Jessica says
I would! Just make sure your pan will be big enough to accommodate it- you can see my 9×13 is pretty full!
Ben says
I like all of the flavors in this dish except for coconut. Can you suggest another flavor of pudding mix?
Nellie says
I think banana pudding would be a great substitute!
Judy says
Use the cream cheese one that’s in the strawberry pretzel recipe
I use whipped cream instead of cool whip
And
Cream cheese powder sugar vanilla
Mixed together
Jessica says
Hi Judy! Yes, the version you described is the more traditional version. It’s delicious too! With this tropical version I added more fruit and lightened up the texture. Try it, I think you’ll like it!
Nana says
I did not have 3 cans of mandarin oranges on hand so used one with the remainder filled in with pineapple chunks. or tidbits. The tidbit size worked best. I would have loved to have used banana slices but I was afraid they would turn too dark. I was not at the store but am thinking for future attempts kiwi slices might be good.
Jessica says
Great ideas!!
Cindii says
I don’t care for coconut so I’m going to use FRENCH VANILLA PUDDING.
Jessica says
Great idea!
Barbara Malone says
Made this for coffee hour after church today — everyone gobbled it up! It was delicious; I will definitely make it again 🙂 I couldn’t find the coconut pudding. Used vanilla instant pudding instead and it was fine. And I arranged the orange slices before pouring on the Jello. Always loved the strawberry one — this one’s even better! Thanks for a new “family favorite!”
Jessica says
So glad everyone liked it Barbara!!
Carolyn says
Jello will not gel with Kiwi. You might add after jello gets firm.
Kerry Walter says
Tried this yesterday but the jello did not set up on top of the cool whip layer. It sunk down in it. What did I do wrong?
Jessica says
Did you stir the dry pudding mix/ pineapple combo in with the cool whip layer? That actually makes the Cool Whip layer much thicker. Also, you need to be sure to spread the Cool Whip layer to all the edges, making sure there are no holes, or the jello liquid will seep thru.
Susan says
Has anyone tried this with sugar free jello?
Pat says
Is the pudding instant or regular or doesn’t make a difference
Jessica says
I use instant pudding in all of my recipes.
Betty Will says
I served this today at a women’s Bible study. All four of the ladies requested the recipe. Not too sweet and it is so light and tasty. And the possibilities would be endless……served with other flavored jellos and fruit.
Jessica says
So glad to hear everyone enjoyed it!!
Pam says
The sugar free pudding is 1oz. But it makes the servings as regular pudding. Did not know if the ounces mattered in the equation
Jessica says
Pam- it just is used as a thickening agent and adds flavor- so I’m guessing it will be just fine to use the sugar free version!
Tonya Large says
I loved this recipe, as I love tropical flavors. I have made it with cream cheese in the creamy mixture which makes it a little heavier as in the strawberry version. I also used the So Delicious brand coconut whipped topping instead of cool whip. It has a great coconut flavor which goes well with the recipe. I also like it with the bigger box of jello. One is not enough for my liking. I also placed the orange segments on the creamy layer before I poured the jello on.
connie weikel says
In the hello mix Do u add one cup of cold water to it or just the one cup of hot water?
Jessica says
Nope- you just mix the 1 cup of boiling water to it, along with the oranges. It’s a bit different than making just the regular box of jello because you’re trying to have it set up on a layer of pudding/ whipped topping.
lori says
do u think peaches would work , but then what should i use for jello. thank you
Nellie says
I believe I’ve seen peach jello so if you can find that, the peaches would probably work great!
Diana Fisher says
Do you use instant pudding mix or pie filling mix.
Jessica says
Just use the dry pudding mix… did you use pie filling instead? I’m curious as to why you rated the recipe low?
Norma Daniels says
Would like to make this do you use instant puffing mix or cooked pudding mix
Nellie says
I use instant pudding in this recipe.
Jess says
Do you think cooked pudding mix would work? I can’t find instant around here.
Myrna says
Can I use a different flavor jello on top and different fruit? I really don’t care for orange flavor and mandarin oranges. Thank you.
Jessica says
Of course! I think it’d be great with Strawberry or Raspberry Jello with corresponding fruit- strawberries, bananas, etc.!
Patsy-Lee Hadix says
When Im making anything that uses canned fruit, I drain the juice into a glass measuring cup and add just enough water to make 1 cup. It just creates a little bit more flavor to the jello,in this case I will use the Mandarin orange juices to make my 1 cup boiling water for my jello. I make a lot of jello with fruits in it so Im always using the juice.
This recipe sounds good and the ingredients are on my shopping list.
Jessica says
Such a GREAT IDEA!! Love it- thank you!