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.
Yvonne says
Doesn’t say if pudding is cook & serve or instant?
Jessica says
Instant pudding mix!
Leigh says
I want to make this in individual cups to serve at a shower. Could I make the crust and bake it then just sprinkle it in my glass cup and fill with the pudding mixture then jello topping?
Jessica says
That sounds amazing!!
aimee @ like mother like daughter says
I love raspberry jello salad! I can’t wait to try this tropical version!
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
I’ve never had a Jello pretzel salad! I love the flavors in this so much!
Emma says
My sister can’t eat pinapple can i use Mandarin oranges instead of pineapple? Would I use all the liquid from the Mandarin oranges?
Jessica says
Of course! I’d drain the water off slightly and use 3 small cans.
Ruth Burkett says
I love strawberry pretzel salad.i can’t wait to try this.how can I use cream cheese in this
Kathy says
Such a great recipe! Love the flavor combo..refreshing and not too sweet.
Jenn L says
YESSSS! I’ve been looking for a good Jello Pretzel Salad to try and you totally have me sold with the flavors here! Already obsessed with this recipe!
Jessica says
I hope you like it Jenn!
Jennifer says
The perfect blend of salty and sweet! A great spring dessert!
Jessica says
Thanks Jennifer!
Heidi says
Thank you for sharing this great recipe! I made this for Easter. WOW! It was our first taste of the pretzel & Jello combo. I followed the directions exactly and it was the star of our dinner. Just flat out delicious. If you can obtain the ingredients, I suggest you try it as written before tinkering around with perfection. I did learn it is very important to make the center layer as flat as possible. I thought I had, but when I added the Jello layer there was one small island sticking up. I was able to flatten it but it left a little cloudiness in that spot. Thanks again.
Jessica says
I’m SO glad you and your family enjoyed my tropical jello salad recipe Heidi! 🙂
Moreen Frenette says
WHERE CAN WE BUY THE COCONUT PUDDING.
Jessica says
I have the best luck finding this at big box stores like Super Target or Walmart. 🙂 If you can’t find it, just use vanilla!
joyce says
yes – my question – the store only has the cooked coconut pudding ? will this work ? I can’t wait to try this !!
Jessica says
I think it would work just fine Joyce!
Annie says
I made this over the weekend. I used French vanilla pudding, because I am not a fan of coconut. I used the exact measurements in the recipe and it was perfect. The worst part of this recipe is that it is very hard to stop eating just one piece. ????????
Jessica says
Ha! Love it Annie. I’m so glad you liked it… sorry about the whole not being able to stop eating it part!
carol bittner says
This is definetly a keeper!!! Have made it twice this week (and it’s only Wednesday). lol We really like it and am serving it tomorrow to guests for lunch. Thank you. I’m planning to use more of your recipes; quick & easy; my style.
Jessica says
I’m thrilled to hear everyone enjoyed it Carol! Yep, we love quick and easy too! 🙂
ruth A, bird says
Has anyone figured out the calories on this dessert?
Judy says
I am using cook and serve cause that’s what I have. We will see what happens. I didn’t cook it.
Sofia says
Hello, great recipe! Question does it have to be instant coconut? I searched everywhere store in Ontario cannot find that flavour!
Can I use coconut pudding?
Thanks
Jessica says
You use use either instant or cooked pudding mix- they have the same effect! You don’t actually use pudding in this recipe- you use the dry pudding mix.
Tayler Ross says
I made this for a pot luck over the weekend and it was gobbled up so quick! Thanks so much for sharing!
Marge says
I am testing this recipe today as I would like to use it for Easter. I am planning on adding cream cheese to the filling layer and hope it turns out fantastic! Will report the results.
Alison says
Yes let us know how yours turns out!
Judie says
Help!! Ready to make, but did you use pineapple in syrup or it’s own juice???
Usually make the strawberry version, anxious to try this version!! Thanks!!
Jessica says
You use the pineapple juice already in the can- not pineapple syrup. Just pour the whole can in! 😉 Enjoy! It’s one of my favorites!
Lauren S says
I don’t think this recipe is complete. There needs to be 2 packages of gelatin and 2 cups of water. One cup of water is not nearly enough to completely cover the top of this dish
Jessica says
Nope! Just 1 package of jello. Did you try it? It works, I assure you! The oranges on top take up a lot of surface space and the jello fills in around it.