Orange Fluff Salad

Are you ready for a burst of sweet, creamy nostalgia? That’s what you’ll get with this classic orange fluff salad. 

It’s light, sweet, and delightfully fluffy. This easy-to-make dessert will transport you straight back to childhood potlucks. 

You can whip it up with just a handful of simple ingredients and very little time and effort.

Every time I make it, I fall in love with this retro dessert all over again!

Why You’ll Love This Orange Fluff Salad

Effortless Elegance: Despite its impressive appearance, orange fluff salad is incredibly easy to make. It requires fewer than 10 ingredients and no effort.

Versatile Flavor: There are a myriad of flavors in this simple salad. It’s a perfectly balanced blend of tastes.

Customizable: You can leave this recipe as is or experiment as much as you like. Try other Jello flavors, or add plenty of mix-ins. (Nuts, coconut, fruit, etc.) 

Ingredients

• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: It helps thicken the salad and makes it creamier.

• Whipped Topping: It gives a light, airy, almost cloud-like texture that melts in your mouth.

• Crushed Pineapples: For that tropical sweetness. It also adds texture to the otherwise smooth and creamy treat. 

• Mandarin Oranges: They provide sweetness and chewiness.

• Mini Marshmallows: Sprinkle them throughout for soft pillows of sweetness in every bite. 

How to Make Orange Fluff Salad

Orange fluff salad comes together easily with just a few steps: 

1. Make the base. Stir together instant pudding mix and crushed pineapple with juice until the pudding is fully dissolved.

2. Fold in whipped topping. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until light and fluffy.

3. Add fruit and marshmallows. Fold in the drained mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows. Stir gently to combine.

4. Chill and serve. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 4 hours). Stir gently before serving. Enjoy! 

Tips for the Best Orange Fluff Salad

It’s impossible to mess up this recipe. Even so, here are a few tips to ensure it turns out perfectly every time:

• Don't forget to drain. There should be as little liquid as possible left in the oranges. If they’re too watery, your salad will be runny, as well. 

• Use the right tools. Everything should be mixed very gently into the Jello salad. The best tool for folding is an offset rubber spatula. 

• Don’t skip the chill time. The finished product looks so good, you’ll want to dive right in. I get it! Don’t do it, though. The salad needs at least 1 hour in the fridge to set properly. Overnight is even better. 

Variations and Add-Ins

Don’t be afraid to experiment with these variations (or some of your own!): 

• Double your pleasure. Feeding a hungry crowd? Simply double (or triple!) the recipe to make a larger salad. Multiply each ingredient by a factor of 2, 3, or more to keep everything balanced. 

• Try different Jello flavors. I’ve made this salad with raspberry Jello, strawberry Jello, and even blackberry Jello! It tastes just as good every time. 

• Vary the fruits. You don’t have to stick strictly to pineapples and oranges, either. Play around with different fruit combos to see what you like best. A mix of peaches and blueberries is one of my favorite options.

• Cut the sugar. Use sugar-free ingredients whenever possible. You should be able to find sugar-free Jello, pudding mix, and whipped topping. 

• Have fun with add-ins. Mix in crushed nuts, dried fruit, or even broken pretzel chunks.

• Don’t forget to garnish! Topping the salad with a dollop of whipped cream or extra orange slices makes it look even prettier. 

How to Store

Orange fluff salad tastes best when cold. So storing it as simple as popping it in the fridge! 

To Store: Wrap the bowl tightly in plastic wrap, or transfer the leftovers to an air-tight container. Refrigerate them for up to 4 days. Remember to stir before serving each time to help restore the salad’s texture. 

To Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this salad, as its consistency won’t be the same after thawing. However, it'll keep up to a month in an airtight container in the freezer. Press a piece of plastic wrap tightly on top of the salad before sealing the container to prevent ice crystals. 

To Thaw: Let frozen orange fluff salad thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Stir well.