This Orange Fluff Salad is light, refreshing, and oh-so-sweet! Featuring mandarin oranges, pineapple, cottage cheese, and Cool Whip, this dessert salad is quick, easy, and perfect for summer.
The Best Orange Fluff Jello Salad Recipe
Like Snickers Salad and Grape Salad, Orange Fluff Salad is one of my favorite old-fashioned recipes. The fruit flavor always takes me straight to memories of family gatherings and backyard BBQs. Featuring juicy mandarin oranges, pineapple, cottage cheese, and a few other simple ingredients, this is a great recipe that’s always a family favorite.
Who would have thought that the ingredients in this orange creamsicle fluff would create the perfect texture and taste? Just thinking about this simple heavenly orange dessert brings a smile to my face.
Since this simple dessert salad recipe has only three easy steps, there’s no time like now to get it done! I like to actually prep this salad a day in advance so I can pop it in the fridge to let the flavors merge and chill.
(Check out this Cranberry Cream Cheese Dessert for another creamy and light dessert option!)
Recipe Ingredients
To print: see recipe card below
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping – Use a thawed whipped topping like Cool Whip. Whipped cream will not work for this recipe!
- 3 ounces orange gelatin mix – Use powdered jello mix. Sugar-free jello mix will also work!
- 16 ounces full-fat cottage cheese – Small or large curd will work.
- 1 (14 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained – Whole canned pineapple will work. Just be sure to chop it into pieces before adding it to the salad.
- 1 cup mini marshmallows – Large marshmallows are fine, but cut them into pieces before adding them to the dish.
Variations
- Feel free to omit the cottage cheese. The fruit salad won’t be quite as fluffy, but it still tastes great.
- Add slivered almonds into the mix for a bit of crunch.
- Swap the orange jello mix with any jello mix you like best.
Directions for How to Make Orange Fluff Salad
- Combine: Add the thawed whipped topping and orange gelatin powder to a large bowl, and stir to combine.
- Add: Add the cottage cheese, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and miniature marshmallows to the bowl. Gently fold until the orange jello fluff is well combined.
- Serve: Enjoy right away, or transfer the dish to the fridge to chill before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This orange fluff salad makes for a wonderful dessert or side dish at barbecues, cookouts, and family gatherings. Try pairing it with main courses like:
- Grilled Chicken Kabobs
- Easy Grilled BBQ Chicken
- Easy Marinated Grilled Chicken Tenders
- All-American Burgers
- Cheeseburger Sliders
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. I don’t recommend freezing this orange fluff salad recipe, as it tends to become soggy or liquidy!
Quick Tip
Be careful to fold the ingredients gently, just tossing to combine. Otherwise, the salad will deflate and become soggy, and we don’t want that!
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.
Notes
Nutrition
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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! 😊
Easy recipe to follow, thank you.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Denise!
My mother and then myself has made this for years using the fruit marshmallows and without the oranges.
It is one of my favorite fruit salads. I am going to make it like this the next time but with the fruity marshmallows.
We would love to know how it goes for you, Bridgett! We hope you enjoy!
Made this for the first time. It was a hit!
Will definitely make it again.
Thank you, Lou! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!
This is a recipe that is in my family as well! We always called it “Orange Stuff” as kids, and the name has stuck. At some point my mom stopped adding the marshmallows and so I never did either when I made it for my kids. My favorite way to do it now is as “Pink Stuff” by switching out the orange jello for strawberry (or raspberry) and adding fresh strawberries (or raspberries) with along with the other fruits. This is always a favorite at holidays, BBQs and potlucks.
Love those variations! Thank you for sharing, Kristi! 😊
How many does this recipe serve?
I am having 15 for thanksgiving.
Hi! It serves about 12. 😊
Yummmmm
Can I make this the day before serving?
Yes! The oranges will likely release some moisture. So, it’s best to give it a good stir before serving.
This is a favorite treat in our house, we use no sugar added or sugar free and leave out the marshmallows to make it diabetic friendly. I also double the oranges. Today I added finely chopped walnut and unsweetened coconut.
Those sound like tasty swaps! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Tami!
Looks Delicious. I will try this recipe..
We hope you enjoy, Janet!
I made this for our Labor Day bbq at our clubhouse but I made a double batch but instead of using 32oz of cottage cheese I used the large container (24oz), and it was a hit. Almost nothing left.
We’re so glad it was a success, Dan!
Love the taste but omitted the mini marshmallows. Turned out great, nice refreshing summer snack!!!
A somewhat similar salad/dessert is with vanilla ice cream, frozen orange juice concentrate, mandarin oranges & orange Jell-O. The ice cream gives it a “creamsicle likeness” & the undiluted orange juice concentrate is so delightful for orange flavor & texture. Heat 1 C. of juice from the oranges; stir in large Orange Jell-O to dissolve. Cool; stir in 2 C. (pint) of Vanilla Ice Cream & small can of frozen orange juice concentrate, & drained mandarin oranges. Chill before serving.
I add vanilla pudding, and all the juices, this is the most asked for dish when we have get together, can’t get enough of it, yumm.
I was considering leaving out the cottage cheese. if I add vanilla pudding would I need extra liquid?
Hi Cheryl love your idea with the vanilla Pudding. Can you give me exact recipe. Thank you Joey
I add vanilla pudding, and all the juices, this is the most asked for dish when we have get together, can’t get enough of it, yumm.
This recipe is awesome. My husband ate it in Two days. He loved it and it’s super simple to make. Love it 💕
We love this easy and delicious salad. I make it often and it never lasts long because it is eaten up fast!
We love this fun orange fluff salad. It doesn’t last long in this house it is so good.
So quick and easy to make which is why I make it often.
This recipe is excellent! I love it in the summer-so cool and refreshing.
If someone is bothered by hot, humid weather and doesn’t eat much, this is a great recipe for them. Thank you for providing it.
This is a staple for all of our family cookouts! We make ours without the pineapple or marshmallows, but when I saw the pin I could taste it. I love this stuff!