Orange Fluff Jello Salad Recipe

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Whether you serve it as a side dish or a light dessert, our Orange Fluff Jello salad is creamy and delicious. Made with jello, pudding, cool whip, and fruit, it's always a crowd favorite.

This classic orange fluff jello salad is delicious as a side or as a dessert. With a mixture of pudding, jello, marshmallows and cool whip, it’s light, creamy, and fluffy all at the same time.

We add in mandarin oranges and bananas for a fruitier flavor and whether you’re taking it to a party, feeding a crowd, or looking for an easy side dish – it feeds a BIG group.

Why is this called “fluff”?

With the cool whip and marshmallows, this salad is perfectly light and fluffy – hence the name “fluff.”

With the creamed pudding and jello mixture added in, it makes the texture even fluffier.

Ingredients needed for this orange fluff salad

  • 1 large package Cook and Serve vanilla pudding (do not use instant pudding)
  • 1 large package orange jell-o
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 (16 ounce) Cool Whip
  • 5 ounces mini marshmallows
  • 22 ounces mandarin oranges (drain them first)
  • 3 bananas (slice them and add them right before serving so they don’t turn brown in the fridge)

Can I use instant pudding?

We recommend only using Cook and Serve pudding with this recipe. It doesn’t set up as well, stay together as long, or have quite as creamy of a texture if you use instant pudding.

Can I make this with sugar-free jello and pudding?

We have never tried making this recipe with sugar-free jello or pudding, but according to some of our reader comments below, it will still work.

If you try it, leave us a comment below and let us know!

How far in advance can I make this recipe?

We would not recommend making this further in advance than the morning you’re planning on eating it. The mandarin oranges tend to release moisture the longer they are in the salad, so it starts getting runny after too long.

If you want to make it the day before, we would recommend just doing the first step of the recipe (mixing together the jello mix, pudding mix, and water and letting it set up in the fridge).

Do I prepare the jello or pudding mixture before adding them to the recipe?

No. The recipe requires just the mix (the powder packet) of both the Jello and the pudding. Do not prepare the jello or pudding as listed on their boxes.

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Try one of our other fruit salads

Serves: 10

Orange Fluff Jello Salad Recipe

4 hr, 10 Prep Time

4 hr, 10 Total Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 (4.6 ounce) Cook and Serve vanilla pudding
  • 1 (6 ounce) package orange jell-o
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 (16 ounce) Cool Whip
  • 5 ounces mini marshmallows
  • 22 ounces mandarin oranges (drained)
  • 3 bananas (sliced, add right before serving so they don't turn brown in the fridge)

Instructions

  1. Mix together pudding, Jell-o, and water over medium heat until it boils. Remove from heat and pour into a large mixing bowl. Refrigerate until mixture has thickened (about 4-5 hours).
  2. Beat until creamy.
  3. Fold in Cool Whip, marshmallows, and fruit. Chill about an hour before serving.

Tags

Cuisines
American
Courses
Dessert
Side
Allergy
gluten free
egg free
wheat free
seafood free
treenut free
sesame free
mustard free

Nutrition

Calories

2627 cal

Fat

1 g

Carbs

674 g

Protein

44 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
7.8.1.2
102
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Comment on this Recipe

131 Responses to “Orange Fluff Jello Salad Recipe”

  1. Stephanie
    Wow! So coincidental that you should post the Orange Fluff Jello salad. I made something very similar to this but used orange sherbet as an added ingredient,mandarin oranges,pineapple tidbits, and maraschino cherries.I am falling in love all over again with these kinds of salads. I remember as a youth enjoying salads like this from buffet type restaurants and thought they were the best thing on the menu. I cannot go without serving one to my guests now. Thanks for posting this!~
    December 29, 2011 at 8:46 pm
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      • Sharon
        If making with instant pudding...did you still boil it? I can't see why it wouldn't still set with the instant as long as it was still boil so the jello would set? Just curious? Anyway, I am making it today!! I have made something similar only instead of the pudding it called for cottage cheese. I loved it. but some of my family do not like cottage cheese. So I'm going to try this hoping it's a hit with everyone!!
        May 26, 2013 at 1:26 pm
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          • Kathy
            I made a similar recipe 1 cup boiling water, 1 pkg sugar free berry blue jello. stir until jello dissolved. Add 1/3 cup cold water. Place in frig 30 min. Add 1 pkg sugar free vanilla instant pudding whisk or use mixer for 2 min. (turns green) Let set 5 min to thicken. Fold in 2 cups thawed strawberries(no sugar added,cut into smaller pieces). Fold in 8 oz pkg thawed cool whip(do not completely mix together, leave a marbled effect) Very holliday looking(red & green & white)
            December 21, 2013 at 6:10 am
        • Ellen
          I have never used the cooked pudding and I do not use boiling water for the jello. I add the pudding and the jello mix to a bowl..mix in the pineapple (undrained), then I add sour cream and fold in the cool whip and mandarin oranges. Sets up perfect!
          July 6, 2015 at 9:22 pm
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  18. HHolly
    Made this today using sugar free fat free instant jello pudding and sugar free jello. Instead of cooking this with the water, I just put all of it into my blender. Then I added fruit packed in it's own juice and left out the marshmallows. It really lowered the calories and still tasted wonderful. Thanks for the original recipe that I could tweak for me.
    January 21, 2012 at 5:49 pm
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  21. nfaband
    I'm so making this for my Easter dinner this year. My mom used to make something like this years ago, but at before she served it she used to stir in some cottage cheese, I think I'll like your version better. Thanks for sharing.
    March 14, 2012 at 5:22 pm
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  22. Vickie and Chris
    This sounds so yummy and I would like to make it but one thing I cant substitute here in Australia is Cool Whip as I don't know what it is, can you give me an idea what it is so I can try and find something similar here
    Thanks for sharing. I am about to have a good look around your site now.
    March 16, 2012 at 10:11 pm
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    • DOLORES
      I would use heavy whipping cream in place of it. Whip it up before adding. Cool whip is just a fake heavy cream mixture. As someone who likes REAL foods, I would use the heavy cream. Someone on here used yogurt too and said it worked. Worth a try! Good luck down under!
      April 15, 2013 at 12:20 pm
      Reply to this comment
  23. Vickie and Chris
    This sounds so yummy and I would like to make it but one thing I cant substitute here in Australia is Cool Whip as I don't know what it is, can you give me an idea what it is so I can try and find something similar here
    Thanks for sharing. I am about to have a good look around your site now.
    March 16, 2012 at 10:13 pm
    Reply to this comment
  25. Vickie and Chris
    Thanks Alison. I will use whipping cream and I am sure it will be very tasty. Think we may have something similar to what you have but its in a aerosol can here and I don't like it so fresh cream will definitely be a substitute.
    March 18, 2012 at 1:53 am
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  30. tennymj
    Just half to say my hubby hates jello salad we have been married tgirteen happy byears never could get him to eat it i made this for easter sunday he took a bite and said wow i really like this one...thanks for posting this for my pickey eater lol now if i can get him to eat cantelope....
    April 7, 2012 at 10:06 pm
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  31. Jena Lei
    my mama always made something similar to this called watergate salad
    1 box lime jello
    1 tub cool whip
    about 10 marshmellows cut up (or equal amount of minis)
    1 cup pecans
    1 med can crushed pineapple
    3/4 boiling water
    optional cottage cheese, really not much difference with/without

    just made a double batch sunday night :)
    April 10, 2012 at 10:50 pm
    Reply to this comment
  35. debi53
    We have almost the same recipe handed down in our family, too!

    Orange Fluff
    1 box cook and serve Vanilla Pudding
    1 box orange jello
    1 box Tapioca
    (all of these are small boxes)
    3 cups water
    Mix these together in saucepan and bring to a boil, cooking til thick. Cool. When completely cool add:
    1 15 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained
    1 small container of Cool Whip
    Mix thoroughly and refrigerate overnite, if the kids can wait that long!!

    I usually have to double this recipe when we get together, enjoy.
    May 9, 2012 at 4:48 pm
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  39. Internet Marketing Business Renee'
    Sounds so good, will have to try it soon! My mother-in-law used to make what she called a 5-cup salad that I think you'll like, too. My husband doesn't like sour cream, but this is an exception to that rule...he loves the stuff!! :)

    Mama Jo's 5-Cup Salad
    1 small tub sour cream
    1 regular size can crushed pineapple and juice (don't drain)
    1 pkg chopped pecans
    1 large pkg coconut
    1 large pkg mini marshmallows

    Stir the sour cream and pineapple (with juice) together.
    Stir in the chopped pecans
    Alternately stir in 1/3 of marshmallows and coconut and stir. Repeat until you have incorporated all of the marshmallows and coconut in the mixture.
    Refrigerate and enjoy!
    June 2, 2012 at 12:12 am
    Reply to this comment
  40. Deborah
    I made this for Fathers Day and I doubled the recipe but forgot to double the cool whip. I turned out good but was a deep orange color and set up more like jello than fluffy. Everyone loved it anyways. Thanks for the recipe next time I will make it right.
    June 19, 2012 at 1:02 pm
    Reply to this comment
  41. Nickibocker
    I love this stuff and am glad I finally found someone else who calls it Orange Fluff. I get such strange looks when I call it that. I make mine similar, but without the pineapples, marshmallows, or bananas so I get the strong orange flavor. And I use instant pudding. 1 cup hot water and 1 cup cold water like you do in jello. Deliscious!
    June 19, 2012 at 9:18 pm
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  43. Kathy Ennis
    I make something similar to this and it is sooooo goooood. I call it Orange Fluff also.
    1 small bowl of Cool Whip
    2 small boxes of orange jello
    1 large can crushed pineapple, well drained
    1 can mandarin oranges, well drained
    1 16 oz container of cottage cheese

    Mix well and enjoy.
    July 6, 2012 at 1:21 am
    Reply to this comment
  48. StacieJayne
    I can see this having all KINDS of flavor combinations! Just imaging using CHOCOLATE pudding with either RASPBERRY or CHERRY gelatin, and adding in fresh raspberries and maybe some shavings of white chocolate. Or adding in toasted coconut, almonds and/or pecans! I'm using lime gelatin for our family's get-together tomorrow, since it's already March, and the theme is "green food"! :D
    March 2, 2013 at 6:03 pm
    Reply to this comment
  49. Katie
    My in-laws looove this recipe and I'm asked to make it a few times a year for different get togethers, including Easter this weekend! Would you mind if I added it to my blog as a Family Favorite recipe if I include your site name as the source? Looking forward to making it again tomorrow for the in-laws!
    March 29, 2013 at 4:07 pm
    Reply to this comment
      • Ellen
        The recipe I use is very similar. I use sugar free EVERYTHING, pudding, jello and cool whip. I mix the UNDRAINED crushed pineapple with the dry pudding and jello mix . Then I add a pint of sour cream. (low fat) I fold in the cool whip and drain and add the mandarin oranges. It sets up perfect (well, it would if I would leave it alone long enough) :)
        July 6, 2015 at 9:28 pm
        Reply to this comment
  53. Eden @ Evergreeneden
    Thank you so much The Happy Baker! I have been looking EVERYWHERE for your particular version of the recipe; it's exactly like one I got from the person who made the salad when I first tried it, but she just said it out loud and we were at a party with no paper or pens... I tried to memorize it ;) and failed miserably (mom of three, that'll do it!) So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!! My whole family is ecstatic. :D We're having it tonight to celebrate Memorial Day weekend. You can bet I'll be perusing your blog continually after this!
    May 26, 2013 at 4:24 pm
    Reply to this comment
  57. Donna
    Thanks so much for the recipe! I did not have vanilla pudding so I used quick cooking tapioca...worked out great as a substitution. I will definitely make this one again...and will use the vanilla pudding for the extra creamy consistency.
    July 4, 2013 at 6:34 pm
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  62. Chef Marshall A. GOldstein
    Many years ago when I was a kid, my mom used to make what we call in our family "the Fluff". While There are many recipes out there for just about everything we eat, and it is sometimes difficult to find that one recipe that is a "hit" with everyone. While the recipe that is listed here is a great one, it is not on the Healthy side of eating. To make this more healthier I would suggest omiting the pudding altogether and substitute it with a low fat cottage cheese. Omit the marshmallows as they also only add extra unneeded calories as well. Otherwise keep the rest of the ingredients and let "the Fluff" set for a couple of hours or overnight, and I garauntee you will not see any leftovers!!! absolutely a delish without the extra calories!!!!!
    November 13, 2013 at 11:09 am
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  63. Cheryl Rowe
    Thank you for posting this recipe! I also bought the instant pudding by mistake & wanted to still make the salad. I plan to double it since I have a large box of instant pudding and also the jello. I think I will add some miniature marshmallows too.
    November 16, 2013 at 3:53 pm
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  64. Michele J
    Thank you for sharing this recipe. I need to bring a jello salad for the thanksgiving gathering at my in laws, and found your site. I can't wait to make it. I was going to make a molded jello salad,which I was worried about since I have to travel far with it. This should work out well. Thank you again for sharing your recipe's and great ideas.
    November 24, 2013 at 9:18 pm
    Reply to this comment
  69. Shelly
    My mom has made a version of this for years. It's easier and slightly healthier - mix Jello mix with Cool Whip, fold in small container of cottage cheese and drained crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges. No marshmallows and no bananas. And no cooking!
    December 13, 2013 at 7:43 am
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  70. Mariposa
    I make or very similar and a lot easier and faster. 8 oz. Cool whip. 16 oz. Small curd cottage cheese. (I HATE COTTAGE CHEESE BUT WILL EAT IT IN THIS) 3oz. Pkg orange jell-o. 3 - 4 16ish oz cans of pineapple rid bits well drained and 3-4 small cans mandarins oranges well drained. Mix cool whip, cottage cheese and pkg of jell-o together Place in refrigerator. Open cans of fruit and drain well. Once drained mix well with cool whip mixture. Refrigerate for an hour or over night. Enjoy. Can also make with lime jell-o and only pineapple for fruit. Mmmmmmm Also...both taste great if you add shredded coconut.
    December 20, 2013 at 10:43 pm
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  72. Jennine
    Lol! I totally missed that it said buy the cook and serve pudding and bought instant instead. I cooked it on the stove anyway just as your recipe said, scooped out some small clumps and it's in fridge now. It was kind of thickening in the pan and tasted good so I'm hopeful it will be ok.
    May 25, 2014 at 8:38 pm
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  73. Hallie
    We also have an old family recipe called Orange Fluffy Stuff, still part of our Thanksgiving line up. No pudding, no Cool Whip ~ use Dream Whip!! Yes, you can still find Dream Whip at your local grocer. Much lighter without pudding, less oils without Cool Whip. 3-oz pkg orange Jello 2-oz envelope Dream Whip 6-oz can mandarin oranges Prepare gelatin with 1-1/2 cup hot water. Stir about 2 mins until gelatin dissolves. Set in refrigerator until jelly-like texture (about 1 hour). Prepare Dream Whip as directed and gradually pour in gelatin while mixing with electric mixer. Drain mandarin oranges and fold into mixture. Chill for at least 1 hour. We usually double the recipe for holidays. Instead of folding in oranges, use to make decorative design on top of salad--a sun, a flower, a turkey--we've done it all!
    May 25, 2014 at 10:11 pm
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  78. Tammy
    Here's a trick to keep your bananas from browning. Drain the pineapple juice into a bowl and soak the sliced bananas in it while you make the rest of the recipe. I do this when I make my fruit salad and they can go close to 3 days in the fruit salad and not really brown.
    February 5, 2015 at 6:39 am
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  79. Bonnie B
    I was so happy to find this recipe. I reminded me of the fruit fluff that I see at our local grocery store's deli. The only changes I made were to use the colored mini marshmallows, and I added maraschino cherries. Also, to keep the bananas from turning brown, I saved the juice from the mandarin oranges, and tossed the sliced bananas in the juice for a few minutes, then drained them. It worked great! In the words of my hubby, "this is really good, Dear!"
    February 8, 2015 at 11:44 pm
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    • Cyd
      Hi Linda. This salad works best made the day of. We always boil the water and jello the night before. Let it set up all night then make the jello the next day. The bananas would go brown if you made it too far ahead of time. Whenever we have leftovers, it's ok the next day. But any longer than that it gets kind of soggy. This is truly a family favorite. It's also really good with fresh sliced strawberries and strawberry jello. Best of luck to you and thanks so much for stopping by our blog!!
      March 21, 2015 at 9:26 pm
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      • Linda Marchman
        Thank you for your answer. So when would the pudding be added? Also with the jello and boiling water the night b4? I am making it for a pre-school party and was going to leave the bananas out just to make it easier! Linda
        March 22, 2015 at 9:04 pm
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        • Cyd
          Hi Linda. I like to make this the night before when eating it the next day. In the evening I mix the pudding, jello and water on the stovetop stirring constantly until it comes to a full boil. Then I put it in bowl and cover it with saran wrap. Stick it in the fridge until morning. In the morning mix it until smooth with an electric mixer, then beat in the cool whip, then fold in all the fruit and marshmallows. Hope this helps.
          March 25, 2015 at 10:58 pm
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  82. Lori
    I see its not necessary to say that this salad is delicious!! I made this for a picnic tonight and told my daughter that it's guaranteed to be good if six sisters posted it. By the way, I'm from a family of six sisters too. But we did have two brothers at the tail end yet. Thanks for all the delicious recipes
    May 1, 2015 at 11:46 am
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  87. Kylie m
    We make your recipe all the time and We never have leftovers! We've tried several different variations with our favorite being lemon jello with raspberries. We also like chocolate pudding and raspberry jello with raspberries. Thanks for helping make this a stapel at our house!
    April 10, 2016 at 10:10 am
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  90. Jenn
    I have been making this several times a year since 2013 using this recipe, just modified to my family’s tastes. I ha e ALWAYS used instant (in fact, I only just realized it said “cook and serve”) and it has always been a hit. I switch out cool whip for Tru-whip and Orange is cherry, I use crushed pineapple and cherries and it’s a family fave!
    August 29, 2019 at 6:31 pm
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