Whip up a bowl of this delicious, fruity treat, and watch how fast it disappears!
We’ve all seen them—the dishes people bring to get-togethers that no one touches and those that seem to vanish in minutes. Orange fluff salad belongs to the latter group. It’s something everyone takes hefty servings of. Why? Because it is irresistibly bright, cheerful, delicious, and refreshing all rolled into one tasty mouthful of goodness. You can never go wrong with this recipe.
This fluffy gelatin salad is such a hit that it will still disappear even if two people bring it to a party. And, as good as it tastes, the fact that you can prepare it in only five minutes is an even bigger benefit. After all, how many of us have forgotten about preparing something for a family dinner or a friendly party until the last minute? Just remember that it needs at least an hour to chill for the best flavor.
This recipe is too good to relegate only to holidays or special occasions. It’s unfair to make people wait all year for that wonderful bowl full of mini marshmallows, mandarin oranges, and crushed pineapple folded into a delectably fluffy orange base. Surprise your family with a middle-of-the-week treat after dinner—or share it with your coworkers for absolutely no reason. They’ll love you for it!
Although the recipe calls for small- or large-curd cottage cheese, I recommend using small curd if you have children who do not like cottage cheese. The large curds might deter them from eating this, whereas the smaller curds might not be noticeable. You can also purée your cottage cheese before mixing it in, if desired, for a smoother consistency. And feel free to add extra if your family likes a particular ingredient, such as oranges or marshmallows. I like a lot of mandarin oranges in mine.
Tips for fun flavor combos
You can get creative with the flavor profile of this “fluff” by using different Jell-O flavors. Try cherry Jell-O and swap in a drained jar of cherries for the mandarin oranges. Lemon Jell-O with fresh blueberries would be fun as a lighter, more refreshing way to enjoy the flavors of lemon blueberry muffins and cakes. Raspberry or strawberry Jell-O would be delicious with a variety of fresh berries folded in. You can also mix in your favorite drained canned fruit with any of these flavors.
How do I store leftovers?
If you have leftover orange fluff salad, store it in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 days—though its texture will start to decline after 3 days. I recommend stirring before serving each time, as there may be some ingredient separation. Freezing this dish is possible but not ideal for up to 3 months. Upon thawing, you’ll find a much softer texture and a watery consistency. But it should still taste good!
Serving suggestions
Orange fluff is often considered a holiday side dish, commonly served with glazed ham. However, it goes well with many foods, including Brown Sugar Pork Chops, Air-Fryer Turkey Breast, and Hawaiian BBQ Chicken. Serve it on a buffet alongside Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites, Ham And Cheese Sliders, and Buffalo Chicken Salad (bites of fluff help tame the heat). It’s also great paired with some Almond Flour Sugar Cookies.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
- 1 3-ounce package orange gelatin mix powder only
- 16 ounces cottage cheese small or large curd
- 1 can mandarin oranges (15 ounces) drained
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple thoroughly drained
- 1 1/4 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the thawed whipped topping with the orange gelatin until smooth.
- Gently fold in the cottage cheese, drained mandarin oranges, pineapple, and mini marshmallows until evenly mixed.
- Serve immediately or—for best results—cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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