Mandarin Orange Fluff Salad
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Jun 8, 2025 
Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe – Whether you call it Orange Fluff Salad, Dreamsicle, or Creamsicle Salad, this classic side dish is irresistibly cool, creamy, and sweet. It’s always a hit at summertime parties and picnics!
Why We Love Orange Fluff Salad
Mandarin Orange Fluff Salad is a classic southern side dish, popular at potlucks and summer picnics. It’s similar to Ambrosia Salad, but with a more robust orange flavor and less ingredients competing with the bright citrus flavor. The creamy texture and orange flavor often give this recipe the name dreamsicle salad or creamsicle salad.
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
No matter what you call it, this “salad” is more of a sweet side dish or dessert than anything else. Delicate mandarin orange slices are folded into a light airy orange pudding mixture. We’ve also added a can of crushed pineapples to create some depth and mini marshmallows to offer little cloudy fluff bites and each spoonful… If you are looking for a fantastic mandarin orange salad recipe without cottage cheese or cream cheese, this is IT!
Make it up to two days ahead and keep it chilled for a refreshing summer treat. Kids and adults alike will devour this salad, so be sure to prepare plenty!
Ingredients For Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
- Orange gelatin mix – boxed, regular (or sugar-free – note that this will change the flavor a good bit)
- Boiling water – to make the Jell-O
- Instant vanilla pudding mix – this can also be sugar-free
- Canned mandarin orange slices – no sugar added, drained
- Crushed pineapple – drained
- Cool Whip – or another brand of frozen whipped topping, thawed
- Mini marshmallows – so cute and tasty!
How To Make Orange Fluff Salad
Find the full Mandarin Orange Salad recipe with ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Protein Tip: Yes, even here in this creamy sweet “salad” you can add extra protein! Drain a 16 ounce container of cottage cheese and add it when you mix in the mandarin oranges.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the orange dreamsicle salad chilled, garnished with extra slices of mandarin oranges, if desired.
Orange marshmallow salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, barbecues—basically, any summertime get-together! The sweet, cold, and creamy salad balances heavier grilled proteins like BBQ Grilled or Smoked Chicken, classic Hamburgers, Baby Back Ribs, and Chipotle BBQ Chicken Skewers.
Enjoy it alongside other classic cookout favorites, such as Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad, and Pasta Salad. You can’t get much more summer fun-tastic than this tasty lineup!
Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe (Orange Fluff)
Video
Ingredients
- 3 ounce box orange jello mix
- 1 cup boiling water + ½ cup cold water
- 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 30 ounces canned mandarin orange slices 2 – 15 oz cans
- 15 ounce can crushed pineapple
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Set out a large mixing bowl. Pour the orange Jell-O mixture into the bowl. Then stir in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until the Jell-O granules have fully dissolved. Then pour in ½ cup of cold water and mix well. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to bring the temperature of the Jell-O down.
- Meanwhile drain the mandarin orange and crushed pineapple cans. Measure out the remaining ingredients.
- Once the Jell-O mixture has cooled to room temperature, or just slightly warmer than room temperature, whisk in the instant vanilla pudding mix. Whisk well until the mixture is fully smooth. Then place the bowl back in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes longer, until the mixture has thickened into a thick pudding base. *It’s important that the mixture does not stay in the fridge too long, because you do not want the gelatin to solidify the mixture. If the mixture gets too thick, you will need to warm it in the microwave and then cool it off again. Check it for the next 15-30 minutes to make sure it is just the consistency of thick pudding.
- Fold the Cool Whip into the orange pudding base. One smooth, mix in the drained mandarin orange slices, crushed pineapple, and mini marshmallows. Stir until just combined. Then cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Certainly! While it will lose some of the fun chewy “fluff” texture, you still get all the cool creamy goodness from the Cool Whip.
This fruit salad is a great make-ahead for parties, and can be made up to two days in advance. Store in a sealed container or in a bowl covered with plastic wrap, and keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Orange fluff will keep well for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to store in an airtight container.
Sure, you can! Yet remember, the more flavors and chunkiness you add, the closer this recipe gets to an Ambrosia Salad instead of an orange jello salad. Even so, it would be great with sliced almonds, chopped walnuts or pecans, diced apple, or dried cranberries or cherries.
Definitely! You can switch it up and use raspberry jello with fresh raspberries, or try pineapple jello with the same fruit combination in this recipe! You can also opt for sugar-free jello for a healthier version of this mandarin orange salad recipe.
Looking for More Favorite Retro Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
Check the printable recipe card below for the prep time, cook time, total time, and nutrition information. Make sure to share this recipe on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
This is my daughters’ new favorite thing! Great recipe
My kids keep asking for “that orange fluffy salad”- they really loved this. It is a nice treat to make for a summer side or to bring to a get together with family.
Love this salad! Tastes great and is perfect for potlucks.