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This cool and creamy orange fluff salad is a classic no-bake dessert full of bright, tangy flavor! Orange Jello, vanilla pudding, and Cool Whip get tossed with juicy mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and fluffy mini marshmallows for an old fashioned treat everyone loves.
This mandarin orange fluff salad is sweet, tangy, cool, and creamy all at once. The flavor always reminds me of a Creamsicle or an Orange Julius. It is also delightfully retro. Most of the ingredients come from a box or a can, so you can stir it together in about 10 minutes and let the fridge do the rest.
Old fashioned orange fluff is one of those recipes that shows up at every holiday table and potluck for a reason. It works as a sweet side dish next to ham or turkey, or as a light dessert after a big meal. I make it most around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it is just as welcome at Easter, summer BBQs, and neighborhood get-togethers. It is also easy to double when you are feeding a crowd!
Erin’s Notes
- Just 6 simple ingredients. Orange Jello, instant vanilla pudding, Cool Whip, mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and mini marshmallows. Everything is budget-friendly and easy to find.
- No baking required. It takes about 10 minutes of hands-on time. The fridge does the rest.
- Cool, creamy, and fruity. The orange base is light and refreshing, with bursts of juicy fruit and soft marshmallows in every bite.
- Made with vanilla pudding. Many old fashioned orange fluff recipes use cottage cheese. I like instant vanilla pudding because it makes the fluff extra rich, creamy, and sweet.
- Great for a crowd. It is easy to double for holidays and potlucks.
What is Orange Fluff Salad?
Orange fluff salad is a classic dessert salad, sometimes called orange Jello salad or orange marshmallow salad. It is made with orange Jello and a creamy base of pudding and Cool Whip, then loaded with mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and mini marshmallows. It gets the name “fluff” from its light, airy texture, thanks to all that whipped topping.
Even though it is called a salad, it is really a sweet treat. You will find it on the side dish table at holidays and potlucks just as often as the dessert table. Like [LINK: Snicker salad and Strawberry Fluff, it is one of those old-timey recipes you just KNOW will be good.
Ingredient Notes
- Orange Jello – Just the powder. You aren’t actually making the Jello recipe on the box.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding – Instant vanilla pudding mix makes this dessert ultra creamy. Be sure to use instant, not cook-and-serve.
- Cool Whip – Thaw it in the fridge before you start. You can also use [LINK: homemade stabilized whipped cream.
- Mandarin Oranges – Canned mandarin oranges, drained well.
- Crushed Pineapple – Canned crushed pineapple, drained well.
- Mini Marshmallows – For that classic fluffy texture. Mini marshmallows mix in much more evenly than large ones.
Orange Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 3 oz orange jello mix
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 3.4 oz vanilla instant pudding mix
- 8 oz Cool Whip, see note
- 20 oz crushed pineapple, drained
- 30 oz mandarin oranges, drained
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together orange jello with boiling water for about 2 minutes until everything is completely dissolved. Add in the cold water and mix. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes.3 oz orange jello mix, 1 cup boiling water, ½ cup cold water
- After 30 minutes, remove from the fridge and whisk in the instant pudding mix until smooth and creamy. Place back in the fridge for 15 minutes.3.4 oz vanilla instant pudding mix
- After 15 minutes, add the Cool Whip, crushed pineapple, and mandarin oranges. Mix until everything is combined.8 oz Cool Whip, 20 oz crushed pineapple, 30 oz mandarin oranges
- Add marshmallows and gently mix until evenly blended.2 cups mini marshmallows
- Store in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- In place of Cool Whip, use homemade stabilized whipped cream.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Orange Fluff Salad
- Dissolve the Jello. In a large bowl, whisk the orange Jello powder with 1 cup boiling water for about 2 minutes, until it is completely dissolved. Stir in ½ cup cold water, then place the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Whisk in the pudding. After 30 minutes, take the bowl out of the fridge and whisk in the instant vanilla pudding mix until smooth and creamy. Return it to the fridge for 15 minutes.
- Add the Cool Whip and fruit. Add the Cool Whip, drained crushed pineapple, and drained mandarin oranges. Mix until everything is combined.
- Fold in the marshmallows. Add the mini marshmallows and gently mix until evenly blended.
- Chill. Refrigerate the orange fluff for at least 2 hours before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Drain the fruit really well. Extra juice from the pineapple and mandarin oranges is the number one reason fluff turns runny. Let the fruit sit in a strainer for a few minutes, and press lightly on the crushed pineapple.
- Fully dissolve the Jello. Whisk for the full 2 minutes so you don’t end up with grainy bits in the finished salad.
- Don’t skip the chill times. The 30-minute and 15-minute chills help the base thicken so it holds up once the Cool Whip and fruit go in.
- Fold gently. Mix just until combined once the Cool Whip goes in so the fluff stays light and airy.
- Use a big bowl. This recipe makes a lot. If you double it, use a very large mixing bowl, or even a stock pot, so you have room to stir.
- Stir before serving. The fruit can release a little liquid as it sits, so give it a quick stir right before it hits the table.
Recipe Variations
- Use cottage cheese. For the traditional old fashioned version, swap cottage cheese in place of the instant vanilla pudding. It is a little tangier and less sweet.
- Try another Jello flavor. Raspberry and strawberry Jello both work great.
- Add cherries. Maraschino cherries stirred in or on top add a pretty pop of color.
- Make it ambrosia-style. Stir in shredded coconut and chopped pecans for extra texture and a nutty crunch.
Ways to Serve Orange Jello Salad
This orange fluff salad is an easy dessert that you can serve for any occasion, any time of the year. It’s cool and refreshing in the summer as a sweet finish or easy side dish at a BBQ. Follow up a meal of grilled chicken and coleslaw with a big bowl of fluff, and watch it vanish from the dessert table! It’s just as fun to make as a holiday dessert, whether it’s Christmas or Easter. We also love serving this orange fluff as a dip with graham crackers, nilla wafers, or cookies.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Fridge. Store leftover orange fluff in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The canned fruit releases moisture the longer it sits, so stir it before serving.
- Freezer. I don’t recommend freezing orange fluff salad. The texture turns watery and separated once it thaws.
- Make Ahead. You can prepare your orange fluff salad a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. I recommend giving it a good stir again before serving.
Simply double every ingredient. A single batch makes about 8 servings, so a double batch makes about 16. Because it makes so much, mix it in a very large mixing bowl or even a stock pot so you have room to stir everything together.
Most of the time, it is because the canned fruit wasn’t drained well enough. Drain the pineapple and mandarin oranges thoroughly, and be sure to give the base its full chill time before adding the Cool Whip.
YUMMO! I made this for dessert last night, and it’s every bit as good as the fluff my mom used to make. LOVE it.
Tastes just like what I remember Grandma making for all our potlucks. So good!
I’m a big fan of orange fluff. This one was soooooo good!
So glad I gave this recipe a try! I really like it! Perfect easy to make dessert!
I made the Orange Fluff Salad for a family gathering, and it was a smash hit! It brought back so many nostalgic memories, and everyone loved the light, fruity taste.
This Orange Fluff Salad, and it was great! Super easy to make, perfect for gatherings, and everyone loves it. Works well as a dessert or a side dish. A real favorite!
Hi Erin
I’m going to use your orange fluff recipe, but I need to make it for 20 people
How it’s the recipe tweaked?