Orange Fluff Salad is a nostalgic, no‑bake classic that never goes out of style! Made with whipped topping, orange gelatin, cottage cheese, juicy mandarin oranges, and soft mini marshmallows, this creamy dessert salad comes together in minutes and always disappears fast!
A Classic Potluck Favorite (With Major Throwback Vibes!)
Two young boys showed up at my front door offering to wash out my garbage can for $20. They said they would bring over a pressure washer after school and make it like new again! While I don’t really need it washed I was more than willing to support their entrepreneurial adventure! I was happy to see them trying to work hard to earn some spending money!
I was worried that they wouldn’t follow through because it was scheduled for a week later and most kids that age still need to be reminded to take a shower, but they showed up on time and did a fantastic job!
Why this Recipe Works:
- Whipped Topping and Gelatin Creates Structure – This keeps the salad fluffy instead of watery or jiggly, helping the salad to hold its shape after chilling.
- Mini-Marshmallows Enhance the Fluff Factor – Marshmallows soften as they chill, adding gentle sweetness and a pillowy texture that reinforces the classic ‘fluff salad’ feel without overpowering the dish.
- Chilling Brings Everything Together – I love how a short chill time allows the gelatin to lightly set, the flavors to combine, and the texture to become perfectly spoonable – making the salad stable, creamy, and easy to serve at gatherings!
Looking for more summer salads? Everyone loves Honey Lime Fruit Salad, Grape Salad, and Macaroni Salad, too!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 (8 oz) tub of Cool Whip – Creates the light, fluffy base that gives the salad its signature cloud-like texture.
- 1 (3 oz) box of Orange Jello Gelatin Powder – Adds bright citrus flavor and helps the salad hold its soft, fluffy structure.
- 1 (16 oz) container of Cottage Cheese – Brings creaminess and body while balancing the sweetness with a subtle tang.
- 1 (14 oz) can Mandarin Oranges (Drained) – Adds juicy bursts of citrus and fresh orange flavor throughout the salad.
- 1 cup Mini-Marshmallows – Provides soft, sweet pops of texture and extra fluffiness in every bite.
How to Make Orange Fluff Salad
- In a medium size bowl, thoroughly combine 1 (8 oz) tub of Cool Whip, 1 (3 oz) box of Orange Jello Gelatin powder, and 1 (16 oz) container of cottage cheese.
- Gently fold in 1 (14 oz) can drained mandarin oranges and 1 cup mini-marshmallows until combined.
My Best Tips:
- You Can Make This Ahead – This recipe works great to make ahead. Just keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Drain Mandarin Oranges Well – And if possible, press gently with paper towel to remove extra juice before folding them in. Any excess liquid will turn the salad runny.
- Don’t Actually Make the Jello – Do not make the Jello as instructed on the box; just use the dry mix as is in the recipe.
- You can Double the Recipe – You can easily double this recipe to feed a crowd!
- Mix-In’s – You can mix in shredded coconut or chopped nuts if you’d like.
- Keep Refrigerated – Make sure to store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Stir Once Before Serving – After chilling, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the fruit and whipped topping evenly, especially if it’s been resting for a while.
More Fluff Salad Recipes:
- Cranberry Fluff Salad
- Pistachio Fluff Salad
- Strawberry Shortcake Fluff Salad
- Pineapple Pretzel Fluff
- Strawberry Fluff Salad
Orange Fluff Salad
Easy Orange Fluff Salad made with Cool Whip, orange gelatin, mandarin oranges, cottage cheese, and marshmallows! A fluffy no‑bake potluck classic!
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cool Whip, Thawed
- 3 oz Orange Jello Gelatin Powder
- 16 oz Cottage Cheese
- 14 oz can Mandarin Oranges, Drained
- 1 cup Mini Marshmallows
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, thoroughly combine Cool Whip, orange Jello gelatin powder, and cottage cheese.
- Gently fold in drained mandarin oranges and mini-marshmallows until combined.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 260Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 309mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 11g
The nutrition facts were automated by the Nutritionix database. Because it's done by automation, it is best practice to double check for accuracy.
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