This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Orange Fluff Salad is a nostalgic recipe that never goes out of style! It’s the ultimate make-ahead dessert that you can throw together in under 10 minutes. Everyone loves this sweet and creamy dessert salad packed with juicy mandarin oranges and fluffy marshmallows.
And if you are a dessert salad lover, then you also need to try my Ambrosia Salad, Cranberry Fluff, and Snickers Salad.
Why you’ll love this easy orange fluff salad recipe!
Orange fluff salad has been around for decades, and if you haven’t tried it yet, it is about time you do. It is pure fun in a bowl and a true classic!
I remember my grandma putting orange fluff jello salad on the table at almost every family party, and the bowl was always scraped clean by the end of the meal. My family still devours every bite when I serve up this creamy, fruity, classic masterpiece!
✅ Incredibly easy to make: Only 5-minutes of prep! Just mix and chill. That’s it!
✅ So much flavor: It’s creamy, fruity, and full of texture thanks to the mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple. The flavor is like an orange creamsicle with a fruity pop of pineapple.
✅ Crowd favorite: This simple recipe is a family favorite for holidays, potlucks, or other family gatherings.
⭐️ READER REVIEW ⭐️ : “Made this Orange Fluff last week and loved it! I will be making it again soon! I live alone and thought this recipe makes a lot, but it was so delicious it was soon gone!” – Erma
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need
This recipe comes together with a handful of ingredients you can buy at your local grocery store!
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
A few simple ingredients mixed together, and this dessert salad is ready to go! Here is what you will need:
- Frozen whipped topping – Use a thawed whipped topping like Cool Whip. Whipped cream will not work for this recipe!
- Orange gelatin mix – Use powdered orange Jell-O mix. Sugar-free Jell-O mix will also work!
- Full-fat cottage cheese – Small or large curd will work.
- Mandarin oranges, drained – You can use no-sugar-added oranges if you want to cut back on the sweetness of the dessert salad.
- Crushed pineapple, drained – Whole canned pineapple will work. Just be sure to chop it into pieces before adding it to the salad.
- Mini marshmallows – Large marshmallows are fine, but cut them into pieces before adding them to the dish.
Variations
Want to change this orange fluff recipe up a bit? These are a few of my favorite recipe tweaks:
- Feel free to omit the cottage cheese. The fruit salad won’t be quite as fluffy, but it still tastes great.
- Sometimes I like to add slivered almonds into the mix for a bit of crunch.
- Swap the orange jello mix with any jello mix you like best. Lemon and lime are delicious while strawberry Jello will make the salad a pretty pink color.
How to Make Orange Fluff Salad
Orange fluff salad is one of the easiest things to make. Here is how to put it all together in just two simple steps in under 10 minutes:
- Add the thawed whipped topping and orange gelatin powder to a large bowl, and use a rubber spatula or large spoon to stir to combine.
- Add the cottage cheese, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and miniature marshmallows to the bowl. Gently fold until the orange jello fluff is well combined. Serve right away or chill.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store this delicious jello salad in the fridge until you are ready to serve, or up to 3 to 4 days.
Expert Tip
I do not recommend freezing mandarin orange fluff salad as it becomes soggy and separated when thawed. To ensure the creamy texture and freshest flavor, prepare it fresh. Since it’s such an easy recipe, making it quickly is never a problem!
FAQs
Fluff salad, sometimes called “fluff,” “Jell-O fluff,” or “dessert salad”, is a nostalgic, no-bake treat that is light, creamy, and sweet (not a traditional green salad at all!). Popular versions like orange, strawberry, and pistachio fluff are made with simple ingredients like Jell-O mix, instant pudding, whipped topping, mini marshmallows, and canned fruit like pineapple or mandarin oranges.
The orange gelatin and the canned mandarin orange slices are what give orange fluff salad its delicious orange flavor and its pretty, pastel orange color.
Plain Greek Yogurt is best for making orange fluff salad with yogurt. It is naturally lower in sugar and adds a rich creaminess and a slight tang that balances the sweetness of the salad. I like to use cottage cheese rather than yogurt, but both work well!
Cool Whip is what gives Orange Fluff dessert its light and fluffy texture. The cottage cheese also adds a creamy feel to the dessert while the Jello is what helps hold the whole thing together.
More Delicious Dessert Salads You Will Love
All Recipes
Snickers Salad
Side Dishes
Grape Salad
All Recipes
Ambrosia Salad
Quick & Easy Desserts
Cranberry Jello Salad
💌 Love easy dessert recipes? Join my newsletter and get my Top 10 Reader-Favorite Recipes eBook FREE! Sign up here.
Need help with this recipe?
Click the buttons below to summarize it, adjust for diets, swap ingredients, or ask your own questions!
Orange Fluff Salad
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 3 ounces jello orange gelatin mix
- 16 ounces full-fat cottage cheese, small or large curd
- 14 ounces mandarin oranges, drained
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Combine the thawed whipped topping and orange gelatin powder together in a large bowl and stir until combined.8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed, 3 ounces jello orange gelatin mix
- Add in the cottage cheese, mandarin oranges, pineapple and mini marshmallows and gently fold in until mixture is combined.16 ounces full-fat cottage cheese, small or large curd, 14 ounces mandarin oranges, drained, 20 ounces crushed pineapple, drained, 1 cup mini marshmallows
- Enjoy right away or chill covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
We have made this salad many, many times. It is also a popular meal when we take meals for covered dish or provide meals for the family when there is a death or sickness. I love your recipe.
Made this Orange Fluff last week and loved it! I will be making it again soon! I live alone and thought this recipe makes a lot, but it was so delicious it was soon gone!
I’ve been making this for some years now using chopped up Circus Peanuts in place of the marshmallows. My family loves it this way.
Oh we will have to try your version! Thank you for sharing, Marietta! 😊