Orange Fluff

Looking for a summertime dessert to take to a party, potluck, or barbecue? This Orange Fluff is a crowd favorite! With its bright orange flavor and cool, creamy texture, everyone will be asking for seconds. Plus, it’s super simple and only takes minutes to put together.

For more cool and creamy summer desserts, try my Strawberry Fluff, Marshmallow Fruit Salad, or Blueberry Fluff Salad. They’re refreshing and fruity and never disappoint!

Orange fluff salad will become your new go-to for family gatherings, parties, picnics, and church events. With its vibrant citrus flavor, it’s perfect for spring and summer, but really, there’s never a bad time to make it.

This cool, creamy, dreamy orange dessert takes only minutes to whip up and then just needs time to chill and set up in the fridge. It disappears fast, and you’ll have so many people asking for the recipe.

Orange lovers will also enjoy my easy no-bake orange lush dessert!

You’ve probably had this mandarin orange salad (also called orange fluff or orange stuff) or a variant of it using a different jello flavor and various fruits. It’s an easy recipe that brings back childhood memories and is still a great kid-friendly dessert today.

It’s very easy to double if you’re feeding a big crowd, but at 8 generous servings for this recipe, it’s more than enough for you and your family.

Ingredients for Orange Creamsicle Fluff 

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

• Orange Jell-O Mix — The gelatin (any brand) is the base flavor of the recipe and adds a bit of color, too.
• Water — Use boiling water to dissolve and activate the gelatin and cold water to cool it down so it can set up.
• Whipped Topping — This makes the jello salad light, fluffy, and extra creamy. I like to use Cool Whip, but the store brand or a homemade cool whip replacement works fine, too. Just make sure you completely thaw it first.
• Canned Mandarin Oranges — Canned mandarins are sweet with a bright citrusy flavor and are the perfect fruit to complement the orange jello. I prefer the “no sugar added” mandarins.
• Mini Marshmallows — For extra sweetness and to give the delicious jello salad a bit of texture and structure.

Equipment You’ll Need to Make Orange Jello Fluff

Gather the following kitchen tools to make this easy dessert:

• large mixing bowl
• whisk
• mixing spoon or rubber spatula
• pot or microwave-safe bowl for boiling water

How to Make Orange Fluff Salad

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below. 

Step 1: Add the orange jello powder and boiling water to a bowl, mixing with a whisk until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in the cold water. Put the prepared jello in the refrigerator for 1 hour to chill.

Step 2: Remove the jello from the fridge, and gently fold in the whipped topping, drained mandarin oranges, and mini marshmallows into the jello mixture.

Step 3: Cover bowl and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. I recommend 2 hours or overnight, though, to let it set up well and to help soften the marshmallows.

Serving Suggestions

I like to serve orange fluff in individual dessert cups topped with fresh orange slices and mini marshmallows. You can also add an extra dollop of whipped cream to make it look nice, if you would like.

Or you can serve the mixture parfait-style with crunchy, sweet granola between each layer of fluff.

This fluff salad would be great for dessert nachos, too. Follow my recipe for Cinnamon Chips here, and serve them with the fluff instead of the fruit salsa. Graham crackers or vanilla wafers would also make excellent dippers.

Storage and Freezing

Refrigerator: Store leftover orange jello salad in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap.

Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing fluff salads. Freezing will alter the texture of the marshmallows and deflate the whipped topping over time. It’s best to enjoy this dessert chilled, straight from the fridge.

Tips and Tricks for Jello Orange Fluff

• Chill at least 2 hours before serving or overnight for best results. The longer you let this orange fluff dessert sit, the better. This helps the fluff thicken and allows the flavors to meld.
• Drain the mandarin oranges well. Too much liquid can cause the fluff to be too runny.
• Mix gently to avoid deflating the whipped topping.
• Just before serving, add a few mandarin orange segments and an extra sprinkle of mini marshmallows for presentation.

Additions and Variations

Peach fluff. Swap out the orange gelatin for peach jello, and use drained canned peaches instead of mandarin oranges.

Coconut orange fluff. Stir in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to vary the texture and give your fluff a little hint of tropical flavor.

Pineapple fluff. Instead of canned mandarins, use canned pineapple chunks or crushed pineapple. The Island Pineapple Jell-O flavor will go perfectly with it.

Raspberry fluff. Pair fresh raspberries with raspberry jello, keeping all the other ingredients the same. Yum!

Top with nuts. Add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a crunchy texture and some added protein.

Reduce the sugar. Use sugar free jello and zero sugar whipped topping to lighten up this recipe. Please note that the marshmallows still contain sugar, as do the oranges. However, you can eliminate the marshmallows if you’d like.

Add bananas. If you want to add more fruit along with the mandarins in this orange fluff recipe, banana slices are a great choice.

FAQ for Orange Fluff Jello Salad

More Delicious Dessert Salads

If you enjoyed this orange fluff salad recipe, you’ll also love these easy desserts:

• Watergate Salad – a Midwestern favorite for potlucks and BBQs made with pistachio instant pudding mix, marshmallows, and other yummy flavors!
• Banana Split Fluff – all the flavors of your favorite banana split toppings combined into one easy, airy dessert.
• Snickers Apple Salad – so decadent with big chunks of Snickers, fresh apples, and loads of caramel.
• Grape Salad – crisp, fresh grapes tossed with yogurt and cream cheese with pecans and brown sugar.