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Creamy Pineapple Walnut Salad

creamy pineapple walnut salad - featured image
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A sweet and nutty salad featuring pineapple, toasted walnuts, and mini marshmallows in a fluffy creamy dressing. Perfect for potlucks, holiday dinners, or a quick snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (or canned, drained well)
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (toasted lightly)
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Optional: 1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened or sweetened)

Instructions

  1. Toast the walnuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add 3/4 cup chopped walnuts and toast, stirring frequently, for about 4-5 minutes or until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Prepare pineapple: If using fresh pineapple, chop into bite-sized chunks, aiming for about 1 cup. If using canned, drain thoroughly and pat dry with a paper towel to avoid excess moisture.
  3. Mix the creamy dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and slightly fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Add main ingredients: Gently fold in the pineapple chunks, toasted walnuts, and 1 cup mini marshmallows into the creamy dressing. If using shredded coconut, stir that in here too.
  5. Chill the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld and marshmallows soften.
  6. Final touches: Before serving, gently stir the salad to redistribute any liquid. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed by adding more sugar or a splash of pineapple juice.

Notes

Toast walnuts to enhance flavor and crunch. Drain pineapple thoroughly to avoid watery salad. Chill at least 1 hour for best texture. For dairy-free, use coconut yogurt and vegan mayo with vegan marshmallows. Adjust sugar to taste after chilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: pineapple salad, walnut salad, creamy salad, fluffy salad, holiday salad, potluck recipe, easy salad

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/creamy-pineapple-walnut-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-fluffy-texture/