Orange Jello Fluff, that creamy whipped salad recipe you know and love with Mandarin Oranges, Mini Marshmallows and of course a creamy pudding mixture.
This is a favorite for any BBQ or Pot Luck. I’ve made this often when attending a family reunion where I have to travel. Why? Well, because it travels so well and I can throw it together quick and easily when I arrive!
Orange Fluff
Orange Fluff or Orange Fluff Salad, or Mandarin Orange Salad are all the same simple recipe. With only 5 ingredients this side dish is perfect.
Even your pickiest of eaters will eat this Fluff Recipe, we promise.
Along the same type of Salad is also my other favorite, Pistachio Fluff Salad. When my boys were younger we called it Shreck Salad because it was green like Shreck and as you can imagine, they loved watching Shreck the movie.
Somehow it was affectionally named Shreck Salad in our home.
Both of these make excellent Summer Salads or Pot Luck Salads too. Never go empty handed to the neighborhood social. This is such an easy recipe!
How to make Orange Fluff Jello Salad?
Making Orange Fluff Jello Salad is super easy. The ingredients are fairly simple with a box of orange jello, a box of vanilla pudding, marshmallows, Mandarin Oranges and of course whipped topping.
Step by Step Instructions
- Mix together the Orange Jello with water and allow the Jello to fully dissolve. Then let it cool for about 30 minutes in the Refrigerator.
- Add small box of Vanilla Pudding and stir.
- Add whipped topping, marshmallows and oranges.
- Salad can be kept in refrigerator until ready to serve.
- See complete recipe at bottom of post in Recipe Card.
How to Make Orange Fluff Salad without Cottage Cheese
When I grew up it seemed everyone was putting Cottage Cheese in a Jello Salad.
Can we just STOP all ready? Ewww! It’s not good.
So let’s stop trying to make Jello Healthy. Let’s just let it be what it is.
This recipe for Orange Fluff does not call for Cottage Cheese. You can of course serve Cottage Cheese on the side if you really really want to. 😉
How many Ingredients are in Orange Fluff Salad?
There are 5 Ingredients in this recipe for Mandarin Orange Fluff Salad not including water.
- 8oz container of Whipped topping
- 1 small box of Orange Jello
- 1 small box of Vanilla Pudding
- 2 Cups Mini Marshmallows
- 2 8oz cans of Mandarin Oranges (rinsed)
Is Orange Fluff a dessert or a salad?
Why can’t it be both? Orange Fluff is a salad recipe. With that said, everything in it says it’s a dessert.
But you know you love to attend a pot luck and see this Fluff Recipe on the Table with the other Salads. It just makes a PERFECT Pot Luck Salad Recipe.
Why is it called “Fluff” Salad?
Even though Orange Fluff has pudding, it also has marshmallows and Cool Whip, both help to lighten and fluff this salad up a bit.
Then mix in jello and it’s a perfect light and fluffy salad recipe
Can I use Instant Pudding?
We enjoy using Instant Pudding for it’s quick, fast and easy possibilities.
If we are making it to serve immediately we prefer using Instant Jello.
If we want to make it ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for a day or more, then using Cooked Pudding is ideal as it hold up better longer.
Can you Freeze Orange Fluff?
Yes, you can! However, this recipe has Jello in it and Freezing Jello will change the texture and consistency.
The Flavor will remain the same. So Freeze with caution. You may not like the consistency once it has thawed.
Jello Salad Variations
There are so many combination, let me name a few!
- Raspberry Jello with fresh raspberries
- Pineapple Jello with crushed Pineapple
- Strawberry Jello with fresh sliced strawberries
- Lemon Jello with fresh Strawberries or Raspberries! Ohhhh think about what that will taste like!
Fluff Salads you will also LOVE
PIN and Save for Later!
Looking for more amazing Pot Luck Salad Recipes?
- Neighborhood Favorite ~ Dorito Taco Salad Recipe
- Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Tri Color Pepperoni Pasta Salad
- Strawberry Poppyseed Pasta Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Mushroom and Garlic Noodles
- Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes with a creamy Pasta Sauce
- Ramen Pad Thai
Orange Fluff
Ingredients
- 1 8 z whipped topping
- 2 8 oz can Mandarin Oranges
- 2 Cups Mini Marshmallows
- 1 sm box Orange Jello
- 1 sm box Vanilla Instant Pudding
- 2 Cup Water
Instructions
- Mix HOT water and Jello in a medium size bowl. Stir until dissolved and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
- Add Vanilla Pudding to Jello Mixture and stir to combine. Allow to cool in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Add Whipped topping to pudding and jello mixture and stir to combine.
- Stir in Marshmallows and drained Mandarin Oranges . Stir.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Enjoy
I have made this with alot of variations, like cottage cheese or pineapple but never with marshmallows cause my families children do not like them. Can I make this without marshmallows ?
Hi Pattie! You can leave the Marshmallows out of this recipe if you wish. They add a little extra sweet taste along with their texture. But you would be fine to leave them out if you wish.
Do you add the dry boxed pudding directly to the jello or make the pudding according to directions and add that to the orange jello?
Yes, the dry pudding is added to the Jello Mixture after it’s had a chance to cool.
Can you use Whipped Cream instead of Cool Whip? Or will it turn to “liquidy” (if that’s a word)?
Hi Trish! You could use Whipping Cream if you stabilized it first. Other wise it would go “liquidy” pretty quickly. If you made it fresh and immediately served it you should be fine using Whipping Cream that is whipped.
Hi
Do you make the jello as on the package?
Hi Julie, The full directions are listed in the Recipe Card at the bottom of the post. You will add the hot water to the jello and allow it to cool before adding the pudding etc. Hope this helps!
Can I use a different jello flavor and different fruits? I was thinking Lime jello with fruit cocktail and coconut flakes? Maybe a can of oranges also?
Thanks!
Hi Samantha, YES ~ You can use a different flavor of Jell-O and fruit. Have fun!
This recipe is awesome! I took it to a picnic last weekend and it was the hit of the night. Everyone was talking about Carol’s orange stuff! It is super easy to make.
Hi Carol! I love hearing this! This recipe is soo soo easy and everyone loves it! It always feels great when others can’t stop talking about it.
Can you add crushed pineapple
Hi Beth! Yes you can add crushed pineapple, but I would suggest draining the pineapple first. You won’t want all that extra liquid.
Why does mine not look like this 🙁 mine is all a light orange
Hi Andrea, I have used Jello Brand Jello which I think has a bolder orange color. But overall the “fluff” will be a lighter or more pale orange color than the oranges.
Can you cut up fresh oranges instead of canned? Would it make it too juicy?
Hi Nancy, I’ve used the small clementine oranges in this recipe. It works, but I find the canned oranges have more juices and give better flavor. It’s a personal choice for sure.
Do you make the pudding or just pour the mix with the hello?
Cassie,
For this recipe you add the dry pudding mix into the mixed jello and stir. Hope this helps!