Erin’s Recipe Rundown
Texture: Creamy whipped topping, fluffy marshmallows, and crunchy pomegranate seeds!
Taste: Deliciously sweet, with perfectly sweet-tart pomegranate flavor.
Ease: So easy to make! Great beginners recipe.
Top Tips: Drain crushed pineapple as much as possible for the best texture. Buy a pre-seeded pomegranate to save time!
Would I make this again? Hands-down yes! This is a must-have at every holiday dinner!
xoxo erin
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without Dairy-Free Cranberry Fluff! This has become one of my family’s very favorite holiday treats over the years. It is so easy to make and totally steals the show at every holiday gathering.
The tart-sweet cranberries, marshmallows that become little sponges, and the crunch of pomegranate seeds make this the best fruit salad around.
Check out more gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes!
Table of Contents
- Erin’s Recipe Rundown
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Dairy-Free Cranberry Fluff
- Storage/Make-Ahead Instructions
- Can this cranberry fluff be made vegan?
- Can you use frozen cranberries instead of fresh ones?
- Can you make this cranberry fluff recipe ahead of time?
- More Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Sides
- Dairy-Free Cranberry Fluff Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make this dairy-free cranberry fluff. See the recipe card below for exact measurements
- Cranberries: This recipe turns out best with fresh cranberries, but you can use frozen instead if in a pinch. Just be sure to thaw them completely and drain liquid before blending.
- Pomegranate seeds: There are lots of ways to seed a pomegranate. I prefer cutting in half, holding it side down over a bowl, and tapping the back with a wooden spoon to release seeds. You can also skip this step by buying pomegranate seeds (rather than a whole pomegranate) at the grocery store.
- Mini marshmallows: I use good old Kraft marshmallows for this recipe. They have great texture and soak up the sweetness of the crushed pineapple, sugar, and cranberries just wonderfully! You can also use this brand to keep it vegan.
- Whipped topping: So Delicious Cocowhip is my favorite non-dairy whipped topping. In my opinion it has the best texture and flavor! But you could use another brand (like Truwhip Vegan) if preferred. You could also Cool Whip if you’re not avoiding dairy — or make this Thanksgiving Fruit Salad (not dairy-free).
How to Make Dairy-Free Cranberry Fluff
Here’s an overview of how to make this cranberry fluff. You can jump to the recipe for the full instructions!
- Blend cranberries: Combine cranberries and sugar in a blender until smooth.
- Drain pineapple: Drain crushed pineapple in a colander, pressing on the fruit to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Fold in Coco Whip and marshmallows: Mix pineapple with cranberries. Gently fold in the Cocowhip and marshmallows. Pour into a serving dish and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight. Top with pomegranate seeds when ready to serve. Enjoy!
Serve this alongside smoked turkey breast.
Storage/Make-Ahead Instructions
- To store: Store leftover cranberry fluff in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. I don’t recommend freezing cranberry fluff — it becomes grainy when thawed.
- To make ahead: This is the perfect make-ahead side dish to help minimize stress on Thanksgiving day. Since the fluff needs to chill at least 6 hours, you can make one day in advance, then pull out of the fridge just before serving.
Can this cranberry fluff be made vegan?
Yes! To make this recipe vegan, just use vegan marshmallows (like Dandies) instead of regular mini marshmallows. All other ingredients in the recipe are naturally dairy-free and plant-based.
Can you use frozen cranberries instead of fresh ones?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries if fresh ones aren’t available. Just make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before blending them with sugar.
Can you make this cranberry fluff recipe ahead of time?
Yes, this recipe is perfect for making ahead! The cranberry fluff needs to set for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight. You can prepare it the day before and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
More Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Sides
- Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes
- Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese
- Dairy-Free Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Dairy-Free Potato Soup
- Dairy-Free Coconut Cream Pie
- Dairy-Free Banana Cream Pie
Dairy-Free Cranberry Fluff
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the cranberries and sugar in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Drain the crushed pineapple in a colander, pressing on the fruit to extract as much liquid as possible. Add the cranberry mixture, crushed pineapple and mix to combine. Gently fold in the cocowhip and marshmallows.
- Pour the mixture into a serving dish. Let sit for at least 6 hours and up to overnight. Top with pomegranate seeds. Enjoy!
Notes
- To store: Store leftover cranberry fluff in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. I don’t recommend freezing cranberry fluff — it becomes grainy when thawed.
- To make ahead: This is the perfect make-ahead side dish to help minimize stress on Thanksgiving day. Since the fluff needs to chill at least 6 hours, you can make one day in advance, then pull out of the fridge just before serving.
- To make vegan: Use vegan dandies marshmallows.
Does this work with whipped heavy cream? (dairy)
Hi Tracey, the closest dairy equivalent to the Cocowhip would be Cool Whip. You could try using your own homemade whipped cream in this, but we haven’t tested it out ourselves. We hope you enjoy the recipe!
Just wondering if you tried it with homemade (heavy cream) whipped cream as I was wondering myself!
This has been a favorite in out house for a few years! Recently So Delicious changed their ingredients and have added pea protein to many products including coco whip. Total bummer resulting in myself and my son in tears the night before Thanksgiving as this was the only item he had requested. Along with a dairy allergy he is also allergic to pea. Do you have any suggestions for a coco whip substitute? He is allergic to dairy egg wheat pea peanut and sesame. Thanks!
If you haven’t found a sub yet, make your own! I’ve made the coconut one and one with Aquafaba (drained canned chickpea water). They both work great! You have to whip it for 4-5 minutes though and then put it in the freezer before attempting this recipe. But it works great 😉
What is cocowhip? Is it chocolate cool whip?
This is such a DELICIOUS side. Sometimes I eat it at the dinner and for dessert. It’s just THAT good! Plus, the beautiful color makes it seem so festive for Christmas.
How far in advance can this be made?
This can be made a day in advance!
just wondering, what is the point of having it sit? lovely recipe! thanks for sharing
Can you suggest a sub for the crushed pineapple? As much as I love pineapple, I’m intolerant to it as well as dairy & gluten.
Thanks!
Hi Laura! I can’t think of anything that would work in place of crushed pineapple. There is nothing quite like for this recipe. Wish I could be of more help – sorry about that!
Hi Laura, I recently became Dairy free & was searching for new recipes to fit my life style!! I will actually combine them with my old recipes!! My old Cranberry Fluff recipe Does Not call for pineapple!! My Grandma & I Always used Golden Delicious Apples!! I realize that this is years late but I hope this Helps someone!! It is Also Scrumptious!! Have a GREAT DAY!!
Hooray! I’m so glad the recipe is helpful for you. Adding apple sounds delicious!
I will definitely make this for our Christmas. My two Grandsons love Cranberry Salad. This will be a real compliment to the ham loaf. The Brownie Truffles sound wonderful too. I have gluten sensitivity & allergies to grains , So glad to find your site.
I’m so happy the recipes have been helpful! Hope you love this at Christmas!
I want to make this but Im not sure where to find coco whip? Any suggestions would be appreciated! (I am so excited to try this! )
Hi Michele! I buy So Delicious Cocowhip at my local healthfood store in the frozen section. Where I live I buy it at Sprouts – but I know all Whole Foods have it! I hope this helps!
Such a wonderful combination of fruit flavors and color.
I really love this recipe. It’s a fun and festive substitute for cranberry sauce, I think. Do you know what vegan marshmallows are made of? It’s not soy, is it?
Hi Lisa! Here is the link to the vegan marshmallows – I think they are made with tapioca and soy. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G9C7A2Y/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=meanieats04-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00G9C7A2Y&linkId=36d59ba02e870b1b5c533e3b0ea25833
Great timing! Love this for the holidays!
I love that you Veganized this 🙂
This is so beautiful! Very festive!
Most marshmallows are not vegan. If you’re going to represent this recipe as vegan, you should specify use of a vegan marshmallow product in the ingredient list
Yes I thought of that! I always get worried calling things vegan – but want people with food allergies to know this is egg/dairy free. I’ve specified Dandies marshmallows which are vegan in the recipe, post and video. Thanks!