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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
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Ambrosia Salad
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Cranberry Jello Salad
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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.
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!