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Orange Fluff Salad—creamy, zesty, and ready in 10 minutes. Packed with mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and Cool Whip. The best no-bake potluck dessert.
Meet your new crowd-pleaser: Orange Fluff Salad is that nostalgic, no-bake dessert salad that disappears first at potlucks and holidays. It’s bright, creamy, and bursting with citrusy vibes—like a creamsicle in spoonable form. Whether you call it orange fluff, orange Jell-O salad, or ambrosia’s cooler cousin, this is the fluffy, spoon-and-smile situation you want in your bowl. Stick around: I’ll show you how to keep it from getting watery, how to make it gluten-free or vegan, and the trick for extra-lush, not-too-sweet flavor.
What Makes This Orange Fluff Salad Special?
Here’s why you’ll love it: This is an upgraded, reliable orange fluff recipe with balanced sweetness, stable creaminess, and options for every table—from classic marshmallow salad to lightened-up, sugar-free orange fluff salad.
- No fancy prep: 10 minutes of mixing—no cooking, no baking, no stressing.
- Ultra-creamy texture: Instant pudding stabilizes the Cool Whip so it sets fluffy, not soupy.
- Citrus-forward flavor: Real orange zest adds fresh “pop” you won’t get from gelatin alone.
- Potluck-perfect: Travels well, scoops cleanly, and holds up on the dessert table.
- Make-ahead friendly: Chill 2–24 hours; tastes even better the next day.
- Flexible base: Works with cottage cheese or Greek yogurt; easy vegan and gluten-free swaps.
Ingredient Notes
Before you shop: Here’s the lineup that makes this orange Jell-O salad irresistibly fluffy and bright.
- Orange gelatin powder: Classic orange Jell-O (regular or sugar-free) brings that signature creamsicle color and flavor.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: The secret stabilizer for plush, scoopable fluff; cheesecake flavor also works.
- Cottage cheese: Small-curd for a creamy bite; blitz in a processor if you want it velvety-smooth.
- Whipped topping: Cool Whip for convenience; homemade whipped cream works with a stabilizing tip below.
- Mandarin oranges: Canned, well-drained, and patted dry so the fluff doesn’t weep.
- Crushed pineapple: Fully drained for juicy sweetness without extra liquid.
- Mini marshmallows: Classic ambrosia-style fluff factor; use white or pastel minis.
- Orange zest + vanilla: Optional, but adds fresh citrus aroma and rounds out sweetness.
- Toasted coconut or chopped pecans: Optional crunch for ambrosia vibes.
- Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and makes the citrus pop.
How To Make Orange Fluff Salad
Quick overview: Mix, fold, and chill. That’s it. Follow these steps for the creamiest orange fluff salad with cottage cheese (or yogurt) that stays airy—not runny.
- Prep the fruit: Drain mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple thoroughly. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Flavor the base: In a large bowl, stir cottage cheese with orange gelatin powder until fully combined. Let it sit 5 minutes so the sugar dissolves.
- Stabilize the cream: Sprinkle instant vanilla pudding mix over the bowl and fold to incorporate. It will start to thicken.
- Fold in the fluff: Add Cool Whip (or stabilized whipped cream) and fold gently until no streaks remain.
- Add the fruit + mallows: Fold in mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and mini marshmallows. Add orange zest and a splash of vanilla if using.
- Chill to set: Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours (overnight is best) for a perfectly scoopable texture.
- Finish + serve: Give it a gentle stir. Top with toasted coconut or chopped pecans right before serving.
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Pro Tips
- Stop the “soupy” drama: Drain fruit extremely well; even a few tablespoons of extra liquid can thin the fluff.
- Smoother texture hack: Pulse cottage cheese in a processor for 10–15 seconds for a mousse-like finish.
- Homemade whipped cream: Whip 2 cups heavy cream with 2–3 tablespoons powdered sugar until medium-stiff peaks to mimic Cool Whip stability.
- Boost the citrus: Add 1–2 teaspoons fresh orange zest for a natural creamsicle hit.
- Avoid enzyme trouble: Skip fresh pineapple or kiwi—enzymes can break down gelatin and make the mix weep.
- Too loose? Fold in extra mini marshmallows or 1–2 tablespoons additional instant pudding, then chill 30 minutes.
- Keyword tip: For a lighter, “lightened-up orange fluff,” use sugar-free gelatin and pudding with light whipped topping.
Storage & Make-Ahead
Good news: Orange fluff salad is a make-ahead marvel and tastes even better after a chill.
- Refrigerate: Store covered up to 3 days. Best texture is within 24–48 hours.
- Do not freeze: Freezing makes marshmallows rubbery and the cream grainy.
- Refresh before serving: Gently fold once and top with a spoonful of Cool Whip if it looks a bit settled.
- Travel tip: Keep chilled in an insulated bag with ice packs for picnics and potlucks.
Variations & Substitutions
Make it yours: From orange creamsicle fluff to ambrosia-style upgrades, here’s how to customize.
- Without cottage cheese: Swap equal parts Greek yogurt, or use 50/50 Greek yogurt and softened cream cheese for tangy richness.
- Sugar-free orange fluff salad: Use sugar-free orange gelatin, sugar-free instant pudding, and light whipped topping.
- Vegan orange fluff: Use coconut whipped cream, vegan marshmallows, and an orange-flavored, gelatin-free pudding (e.g., “Simply Delish”). Skip gelatin-based Jell-O; use orange zest + a little orange juice for flavor.
- Orange cheesecake fluff: Use cheesecake pudding mix and add a splash of vanilla.
- Ambrosia twist: Fold in shredded coconut, chopped pecans or walnuts, and a few halved maraschino cherries.
- Extra fruity: Add sliced strawberries or raspberries right before serving to avoid color bleeding.
- Keto-inspired: Skip marshmallows and high-sugar fruits; use whipped cream with orange extract and zest for citrus mousse vibes.
This Orange Fluff Salad nails that nostalgic orange creamsicle flavor with a modern, not-too-sweet balance—and a creamy, stable texture that won’t quit. It’s the no-bake dessert that earns a permanent spot in your potluck rotation. Craving more easy wins? Peek my site for no-bake desserts and potluck favorites you can toss together in minutes. Or just start at That Oven Feelin and go wild.
FAQ
My orange fluff turned watery. What did I do wrong?
Most likely: the fruit wasn’t drained enough. Pat mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple dry, and chill the salad at least 2 hours. If it’s still loose, fold in a bit more instant pudding or a handful of mini marshmallows and re-chill.
Can I make orange fluff salad without cottage cheese?
Absolutely. Use Greek yogurt for a lighter vibe, or blend half Greek yogurt with cream cheese for extra richness. It becomes a dreamy orange creamsicle fluff.
Is orange fluff salad gluten-free?
Yes—just choose gluten-free instant pudding and double-check your marshmallows and whipped topping. Most mainstream brands are naturally GF, but labels vary.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Totally. Whip heavy cream with a little powdered sugar to medium-stiff peaks so it holds. If you want extra stability, add 1–2 tablespoons instant pudding while whipping.
Do I need to dissolve the Jell-O in hot water first?
Nope. This version uses the dry orange gelatin for flavor and color. The moisture from cottage cheese/Greek yogurt and Cool Whip does the rest—no boiling needed.
Can I freeze orange fluff salad?
I wouldn’t. Freezing messes with the creamy texture and turns marshmallows weird. Refrigerate up to 3 days instead and give it a gentle stir before serving.
What fruits can I add without making it runny?
Well-drained canned fruits (peaches, pears) work. Fresh berries are fine if added right before serving. Skip fresh pineapple or kiwi—enzymes can cause weeping.
Orange Fluff Salad
Orange Fluff Salad—creamy, zesty, and ready in 10 minutes. Packed with mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and Cool Whip. The best no-bake potluck dessert.
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces of frozen whipped topping thawed
- 3 ounces of orange-flavored gelatin mix
- 16 ounces of full-fat cottage cheese available in small or large curd
- 14 ounces of mandarin oranges thoroughly drained
- 20 ounces of crushed pineapple thoroughly drained
- 1 cup of miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- Combining Whipped Topping and Gelatin: In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed whipped topping with the orange gelatin powder. Stir the mixture thoroughly until fully integrated.
- Incorporating Remaining Ingredients: Add the cottage cheese, mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and miniature marshmallows to the bowl. Employ a folding technique to gently blend all ingredients, ensuring a uniform mixture without crushing the fruit.
- Serving: The salad may be served immediately or stored in the refrigerator. If refrigerating, cover the bowl and chill until ready to serve. Stir lightly before serving to redistribute ingredients evenly.
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4 Responses
My family has been making this for years. We call it Summer Salad, and we love it! Think I’ll make some tomorrow.
Simple ingredients, easy instructions, fantastic results. I added walnuts for a little crunch.
I’m excited to find this because it’s delicious and I misplaced my old recipe of it.
This is so yummy with Mexican food especially if it’s spicy 😃
I’m excited to find this because it’s delicious and I misplaced my old recipe of it.
This is so yummy with Mexican food especially if it’s spicy 😃 i replace the cool whip with real whipped cream