This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
After spending 2 weeks perfecting 5 different fluff salad recipes, I consider myself a fluff salad expert! Orange fluff salad has been in my family for generations, but my version is now upgraded with the perfect ingredient ratios and process.
This orange fluff salad is made with juicy mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, fluffy mini marshmallows, orange jello mix, vanilla pudding mix, and cool whip. The result is a delicious jello salad that is the perfect side dish for family gatherings.
The best way I can describe this delicious side dish is that it tastes like a citrus-packed orange creamsicle fluff.
With such a simple recipe and irresistible taste, it’s no wonder that this recipe has stood the test of time and continues to make its way to family gatherings year after year. It’s super quick and easy to make, so in no time, you’ll have a bright and cheerful dish that can serve a lot of people.
Why You’ll Love This Orange Fluff Salad
- Refreshing and flavorful
- Minimal Ingredients
- Just 20 minutes to make
- Perfectly orange flavor
- No cottage cheese in this recipe
Orange Fluff Ingredients
Grab the detailed list of ingredients for this orange fluff jello salad recipe, plus the step-by-step instructions in the recipe card below.
- Orange jello mix
- Boiling water
- Cold water
- Dry instant vanilla pudding mix
- Cool whip
- Mini marshmallows
- Canned Mandarin oranges: Drained very well
- Canned crushed pineapple: Drained very well
How to make Orange Jello Salad
This orange fluff recipe is an easy recipe that anyone can make! Follow the simple directions below, and you’ll have a crowd favorite to take to your next get-together! Keep scrolling for the full recipe in the recipe card below.
- Make orange jello. In a large bowl combine the orange jello mix and boiling water, whisk until dissolved. Pour in the cold water, whisk to combine. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Add vanilla pudding. Remove the bowl from the fridge and whisk in the instant vanilla pudding, scraping down the sides to incorporate everything. Return the bowl to the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Add cool whip. Remove the bowl from the fridge and fold in the cool whip.
- Add remaining ingredients. Add in the mini marshmallows, well drained mandarin oranges, and well drained crushed pineapple. Fold gently to combine.
- Chill. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. This allows the mixture to thicken and for the marshmallows to soften.
Tips for the Best Orange Fluff Salad
- Making this recipe for a large crowd? Just double the recipe if you plan on taking this fluffy salad recipe to a special occasion like a holiday cookout or other get-together.
- Leave time to chill. Don’t skip the refrigeration for two hours after you put this great recipe together. It makes all the difference in the consistency and flavor.
- For best results, make sure to fold in the ingredients gently. You can easily deflate the fluff out of this orange dessert recipe if you mix it too vigorously.
Substitutions & Variations
- Sugar-Free: You can use sugar-free jello, pudding, and cool whip to reduce the sugar content of this marshmallow fruit salad.
- Add-Ins: Add your favorites to customize this fruity dessert salad: Nuts, maraschino cherries, and other toppings you love would make a great addition to this salad.
- Make it strawberry fluff: If you’re not a fan of sweet mandarin oranges and pineapple, make this recipe with a different jello flavor. You can use your favorite flavor of jello and the corresponding canned fruit or fresh fruit when canned is not available.
Storing and Freezing Suggestions
Store this Orange Fluff Salad recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. This recipe can be frozen and will keep for up to three months. Just be aware that the consistency after you thaw this orange jello fluff may be different than when it’s made fresh. The flavor should be just the same!
More From The First Year
Tap stars to rate!
Mandarin Orange Fluff Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 oz box orange jello mix
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding
- 8 oz cool whip
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- two 15 oz cans mandarin oranges, drained very well
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained very well
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine the orange jello mix and boiling water, whisk until dissolved. Pour in the cold water, whisk to combine. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the fridge and whisk in the instant vanilla pudding mix, scraping down the sides to incorporate everything. Return the bowl to the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the fridge and fold in the cool whip.
- Add in the mini marshmallows, well drained mandarin oranges, and well drained crushed pineapple. Fold gently to combine.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. This allows the mixture to thicken and for the marshmallows to soften.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Please more lactose free recipes
My husband recently was diagnosed as having diabetes. I changed everything to sugar free and it still came out perfect and tastes great. Thank you for reminding me of this classic summer favorite.
This is my first time making this salad. It is delicious. I used sugar free jello, pudding and cool whip. I will definitely make this again. Can’t wait to see what my family thinks about it
Can you make it ahead of time, overnight in the fridge? I’d like to make it for a lunch function for church.
Yes, you can prepare ahead of time!
I especially love this version of orange fluff with the vanilla instant pudding in it. A change from the cottage cheese texture in other similar recipes. Thank you for sharing.
Love the recipe is very good and thank you for giving the information of what size box of jello and instant putting to get none of the other recipes gave the information
Would you leave out the pineapple if you were doing the strawberry version????
I have a strawberry version here: https://thefirstyearblog.com/strawberry-fluff/
This orange fluff was very good, although I used sugar free in the pudding, jello & cool whip. I ate every day.
Can I use banana cream pudding?
Kinda hard to understand, says to make jello but then to add pudding, doesn’t say dry mix or pudding that’s made? And video doesn’t show either so kinda confused. It would make sense for already made pudding into the jello but it tells you how to make jello and not the pudding? Just would like to know for sure!
You add the box of instant pudding mix – do not make the pudding according to the box.
Do ypu just add the powder from the pudding or do you make the pudding?
Just the powder!