This orange fluff recipe is sweet, light, and refreshing, perfect for warmer weather. It’s a Jello salad that can double as the perfect side dish or a fruity dessert salad. Whenever you choose to serve it, this orange jello fluff is guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.
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I don’t know how your family works, but mine tends to revolve around food. Any time you see us all together you’ll find us eating pizza loaf and striped delight. Basically, we really love food.
Typically my mom and sister do the main dishes and the rest of us bring something to share. For years my go-to side has been this spinach strawberry salad, but recently I’ve been on a fluff kick (you should try my strawberry fluff and ambrosia salad), so I thought it’d be fun to try out this orange fluff recipe!
Everyone loved it, even the little kids running around stopped to eat some. And anyone who has toddlers knows, getting them to eat anything is a win.
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this simple recipe makes the salad base out of Jello, instant pudding, and cool whip. Then the recipe mixes it with some tangy fruit and mini marshmallows, which results in a creamy fruit salad with the perfect orange flavor.
This orange stuff is a great side dish for Easter, spring family gatherings, any really any time of the year! I hope it’ll become a family favorite for you like it has for us!
Why You’ll Love This orange fluff
- Great for a crowd – this is one of those just toss it together in minutes kind of recipe and that goes for whether you’re making a batch for four or forty people!
- Nostalgic flavors – most people have had a Jello salad at one point in their lifetime and love it because of the nostalgia (and it tastes good).
- Healthyish – in no world is this recipe actually healthy but if you struggle to get the kiddos to eat fruit, this has fruit hidden in it!
Ingredients in orange fluff
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Cool Whip – make sure that you pull this out to thaw before you try to use it. It gets melty if you try to thaw it in the microwave, so plan ahead. You can also make your own whipped cream if you prefer.
- Canned fruit – this goes for both the crushed pineapple and the oranges, but drain these as well as you can! You don’t want to lose the fluff because you added too much liquid.
- Jello mixture – be sure to stir thoroughly, you don’t want any clumps of pudding or Jello floating in your salad. Make sure you have hot water when you start, not just warm. And make sure to follow the instructions in the recipe card for adding the different water temperates.
How to make orange fluff salad
This orange fluff salad is just about as easy to make as it is to eat and it’s very easy to eat! Just mix a few ingredients, let it sit, and watch it disappear!
1 – Make the orange jello base
- Combine the package of orange Jello powder (just the powder) with hot water in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until the powder dissolves, about two minutes.
- Add cold water and whisk to combine until the powder is fully dissolved into the water.
- Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to get all the Jello flavor. Place the mixture into the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
- After the orange Jello has had time to set, add the instant pudding mixture into the same bowl and mix it in with the Jello until there are no lumps.
- Place the bowl back in the fridge to chill for another 15-20 minutes.
- Gently fold the Cool Whip into the Jello mixture with a rubber spatula. Make sure the whipped topping is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
After the orange Jell-o has had time to set, in the same large bowl combine the instant pudding mix. Make sure the vanilla pudding has fully been whisked in with the Jello so there are no lumps.
Place the bowl back into the fridge for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Next, gently fold in the Cool Whip with a rubber spatula. Make sure the whipped topping is evenly distributed throughout the pudding jello mixture.
2 – Add in the fruit and mix-ins
- Add the fruit and mini marshmallows to the bowl and mix using a gentle folding motion so you don’t crush the mandarin oranges.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving so the flavors can all combine together.
When ready to serve, remove from the fridge and serve chilled. To make it picture-perfect, top it off with some extra oranges and marshmallows.
How to store Orange Fluff
Store any leftover orange fluff in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Any longer and the cream will begin to thin out from the fruit juices and the texture of the marshmallows become too soft.
Helpful Tips
Make sure to let it chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours for the cream to thicken up. The flavors will also intensify and the marshmallows will soften and soak it all in.
This recipe has extra fruit in it. Make sure to drain the canned fruit well otherwise the salad will be juicy/watery.
Switch it up and add some other fresh fruits if you like. You can also add coconut shreds or even some nuts like walnuts. You could even switch out the flavor of orange jello with another jello if you really wanted, but it won’t be an orange fluff salad recipe any more.
If you want to make it low-calorie you can use Sugar-free Jello and pudding mix will still work in this recipe. You can also use low-fat Cool Whip or make your own whipped topping.
Recipe FAQs
How long can I store my orange fluff salad?
This can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Can I use substitute the Jello flavor?
You can absolutely switch out the jello flavor. Just know that changing the jello flavor will change the base of the salad. Don’t expect to use blue raspberry Jello and have it taste like an orange. I suggest picking something that pairs well with the other ingredients in the dish, like strawberry Jello or peach Jello.
More spring Salads
Serve this orange jello salad alongside these other delicious side dishes (and some glazed ham) for the ultimate spring feast!
- Banana split fluff – this one is more dessert salad, tastes just like a banana split!
- Berry cheesecake fluff – a creamy dessert salad that’s the perfect light treat!
- Pistachio fluff – also known as watergate salad, this is always a hit!
- Strawberry spinach salad – not a fluff but this is the best strawberry salad!
- Watermelon mint salad – a super flavorful salad with watermelon cubes and mint!
Orange Fluff Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 oz Orange Jello mix
- 1 Cup hot water
- ½ cup cold water
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding
- 8 Oz Tub Cool Whip
- 2 (15) oz cans mandarin oranges drained well
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple drained well
- 10 oz bag mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Start by combining the orange Jello powder with hot water in a large bowl. Whisk until the powder dissolves.3 oz Orange Jello mix , 1 Cup hot water
- Next, add cold water and whisk to combine again. Place the Jello into the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes.1/2 cup cold water
- After the Jello has had time to set, whisk the instant pudding into the Jello mixture. Place the bowl back into the fridge for another 15 to 20 minutes.3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding
- Gently fold in the cool whip with a rubber spatula until mixed through.8 Oz Tub Cool Whip
- Use a gentle folding motion to mix in the fruit and mini marshmallows.2 (15) oz cans mandarin oranges, 20 oz can crushed pineapple , 10 oz bag mini marshmallows
- Once all the ingredients are combined, put the salad in the fridge for at least two hours before serving.
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