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
Orange Fluff Salad
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.
