Orange Fluff Salad Recipe | Made with Jello

ByAnn Drake May 3, 2018May 27, 2023

Delicious and refreshing Orange Fluff Salad Recipe that’s quick & easy. An orange jello salad that can double as a dessert!

This orange fluff salad recipe is one of those go-to dishes that is so refreshing and actually does double-duty because it can be served as a salad or a dessert. In fact…it is so good you will find yourself sneaking a helping or two when no one is looking!

A Refreshing Orange Jello Salad

This orange jello salad recipe goes together very quickly, and lasts in the refrigerator for several days.
It does not separate or lose its texture.
Another great thing about this orange fluff salad is that it makes a generous amount. When I was finished folding it all together, my Kitchenaid mixing bowl was almost full. It definitely makes enough to feed a crowd.

orange fluff jello recipe in trifle bowl

Orange Fluff Jello Dessert

Delicious and refreshing orange fluff Jello dessert recipe that's quick & easy. Makes the perfect dessert, but is light enough to serve as a salad.

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4.67 from 9 votes

Servings: 12 servings

Author: Ann Drake

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

refrigeration time 1

Total Time 1 20

Ingredients

1 4.6 oz. box Cook and Serve Vanilla Pudding
1 0.6 oz. box sugar free orange Jello
2 cups water
1 8 oz. reduced fat Cool Whip
3 cups mini marshmallows
20 oz. can pineapple tidbits partially drained
15 oz. can mandarin oranges partially drained

Instructions

Mix together pudding, jello, and water in a sauce pan over medium heat.
Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute.
Remove from heat and pour into the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl.
Refrigerate one hour.
Remove from refrigerator, and beat with a mixer on high for 6 minutes until creamy.
Fold in Cool Whip, marshmallows, and fruit.
Transfer to glass bowl or trifle dish. Chill for 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Any size cans of fruit can be used, depending on how "fruity" you want your dessert.

The amount of Cool Whip can be doubled for a fluffier texture.

If serving in a trifle bowl, reserve a few mandarin orange pieces for garnish.

Nutrition

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**If you make this recipe, I would love for you to leave a 5 star review in the comments below. If you share on Instagram or Facebook, make sure to tag @onsuttonplace so I can see what you’re making!

Orange Fluff Salad Recipe Variations & Tips

Switch to strawberry jello | substitute fresh or frozen strawberries for the mandarin oranges.
Switch to peach jello | substitute diced canned peaches for the mandarin oranges.
Can be served individually in ramekins, clear bowls or mason jars.
Put the whole salad in a clear trifle bowl and let guests help themselves. Before serving, top the salad with a layer of Cool Whip and garnish with mandarin oranges and fresh mint.

This orange fluff salad recipe is perfect to take to a potluck dinner or picnic. With spring definitely here and summer coming soon, this orange jello salad is definitely a recipe you should keep in mind.

If you’re wondering, I didn’t eat this whole thing myself! I shared some with my dad and he loved it. He told me it reminded him of a dessert my grandmother made called Pineapple Puffs. I googled it, and found what I think was her recipe…so it may be appearing on the blog soon.

*Affiliate links included. Click HERE for my disclosure statement.

Other Fluff Recipes:

Pumpkin Fluff Dip
Strawberry Fluff Fruit Dip

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27 Comments

Phyllis Simmons says:

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Would it be okay to keep the first chilling step in the fridge overnight and add the fruit and cool whip in the morning?

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1. Ann Drake says:
  
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  I’m honestly not sure, but I think it would work. Make sure to chill the jello for an hour, then whip it. Let that sit overnight. In the morning, you may have to whip it again in order to fold in the fruit and marshmallows. Please let us know if this works…it’s a great make-ahead tip!
  
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Annette says:

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on orange fluff salad — Thank you for your reply, Ann. It turned out very well and I will make again.

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Annette says:

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Orange Fluff looks so refreshing. I have the ingredients. My question is what you mean by “partially drained” for the pineapple and mandarins? Probably drain and use, excess moisture on fruit fine?

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1. Ann Drake says:
  
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  Hi Annette….yes, just drain the fruit but don’t worry about getting every drop of juice. Some juice in the fluff is good!
  
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Vicki Pakau says:

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Hi I’m from New Zealand. Is the Vanilla Pudding the same as our Vanilla Instant Pudding

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1. Ann Drake says:
  
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  Hi Vicki! There are two kinds of pudding here in the US. Instant, which is probably like what you are referring too…and we also have a Cook & Serve that has to be boiled on the stovetop. I don’t know if the fluff would set up properly if you used instant pudding. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful. If you try it, please let us know what happens!
  
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Deborah Woodward says:

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The Orange Fluff salad is delicious! I made it today and was so pleased with taste and amount it made. I was able to share with a couple neighbors. Even my husband, who is a picky eater, said this is a really good summertime salad! He was right!!!! I will make again.

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Marcie says:

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I accidentally bought instant pudding and was worried that I had ruined dessert. I drained all liquid from the mandarins and pineapples because of my mistake. It turned out fluffy and delicious!

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1. Ann Drake says:
  
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  Yay! This is so good to know. Thank you for sharing!
  
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Pamela says:

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I give all your recipes 5 stars, I haven’t tried them all but just from some I have tried, I know they are awesome. What I love about your recipes also, other then they taste awesome. Is the recipes are easy to follow. I have been to other sites and well there is no way I would even begin on those instructions. Thank you. I’m sticking with your recipes from now on.

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Cindy says:

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So you think this salad would set up if the marshmallows were not used?

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1. Ann Drake says:
  
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  I have never tried it…but I think it would! The marshmallows are for extra texture and sweetness. If you try it, let us know!
  
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Nancy says:

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Instead of canned mandarines, how about cut up “fresh” oranges? Or would that make it too juicy?

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1. Ann Drake says:
  
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  Hi Nancy…I think the fresh oranges would be delicious!
  
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Sbphyl says:

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CAn the drained fruit juices be used to replace the water?

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1. Ann Drake says:
  
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  I have never tried that…but it sounds delicious! I see no reason why it wouldn’t work. If you try it, let us know!
  
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Shannon says:

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Oh my goodness I just made this Friday for neighbors. ;).
I added chopped pecans and shredded coconut. This is just a good classic recipe. Thanks for sharing.

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Sheila Allen says:

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Sharing my no cooking required version I have been making for several years now, just call it Peach Fluff.
1 box Peach Jello
2 small cans mandarin oranges or 1 large, drained
1 can pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple, drained well
1 regular size container small curd cottage cheese
1 large container cool-whip
(Additional ingredients such as flaked coconut, mini marshmallows and chopped nuts optional)

Add drained fruit in a large mixing bowl, sprinkle in jello and stir well. What moisture is left from the fruit is all it takes to dissolve jello, so drain fruit really well! If using crushed pineapple, press through a strainer to remove all excess liquid. Next, add container of cottage cheese and mix well. Add cool whip and mix again. This is the basic recipe. Add additional ingredients as you like. I HAVE to have coconut and the mini marshmallows in mine! Devine! Keep refridgerated. This recipe was given to me from my husbands aunt. It has since become a staple for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and it’s a cool, sweet summer treat!

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1. Teresa Greene says:
  
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  I’ve made this Orange Fluff recipe for over 25 years. It is easy and so refreshing. Ann, thanks for sharing all your ideas. Especially the printables. They are all adorable.
  
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2. Nancy says:
  
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  My mother made a recipe similar to yours and we called it Pink Stuff. We used a 16 oz container of large curd cottage cheese, a large carton of strawberry jello, you can use sugar free if you want, stir those together. Then we sliced 2 bananas and about 12 strawberries, depending on size, then mixed those together with the cottage cheese and jello. Finally we added a large carton of cool whip to the mixture. My whole family loves it, even me who doesn’t like college cheese. Over the years my mother tried different jellos, grape was not pretty, orange with mandarin oranges, she would use pears if they were in season but my family only wants the traditional strawberry and banana version.
  
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Carolyn says:

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My similar recipe is called Ambrosia but it doesn’t contain the pudding. Will have to try your version. I always make mine in a Tupperware jelly mould served on top of a footed cake plate. I like your presentation idea of a trifle dish. Thanks Ann.

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Sandi says:

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I said this morning I was going to make this for a picnic we are having tomorrow. I made it and couldn’t wait to taste it. This will be a keeper. It’s so good

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Frances Johnson says:

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I made thisat a family gathering and everyone loved it. Thanks

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Hayley says:

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So my family has made this recipe for as long as I can remember. Everyone loves it! I started taking it to my husbands family get togethers and it’s a hit every time! We do however, use tapioca pudding in place of vanilla pudding. Making it now with vanilla… we’ll see if my family notices a difference tomorrow at Thanksgiving dinner!

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1. Ann Drake says:
  
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  Ohhh I bet tapioca pudding is amazing!
  
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Zella says:

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We love it made it on Easter the whole family enjoy it now making it to take for celebrate of life thanks for this great recipe

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Orange Fluff Salad Recipe | Made with Jello

A Refreshing Orange Jello Salad