With just a handful of ingredients, this mandarin orange jello salad is the perfect make-ahead dessert or side dish for your next cookout.
Looking for a simple, crowd-pleasing side or dessert that comes together in minutes? This Mandarin Orange Jello Salad is the answer. It’s cool, creamy, and loaded with sweet mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, and a hint of coconut for a little tropical twist. Best part? You only need a few pantry staples and about 15 minutes of prep—then the fridge does the rest.
Ingredients for Orange Fluff Salad
This section is meant to provide an overview of the ingredients required for the recipe. For specific amounts and instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- orange jello — This is the base of the dessert salad and gives it that signature citrusy flavor and orange color. Any brand of orange gelatin works, but classic Jell-O is always a solid pick.
- instant vanilla pudding mix — Adds creaminess and a subtle vanilla flavor that’s delicious with the citrus flavor of the jello and oranges. Make sure it’s the instant kind—regular cook-and-serve pudding won’t work here.
- whipped topping — Cool Whip or any similar whipped topping gives the fruit salad its fluffy texture. It also helps mellow out the sweetness from the gelatin and pudding.
- canned mandarin oranges — These oranges add juicy bursts of flavor and that classic retro vibe. Be sure to drain them well so the salad doesn’t get watery.
- mini marshmallows — For extra fluff and a little chew, mini marshmallows are a must.
- coconut flakes — Coconut adds a light tropical flair and some texture to the soft, fluffy dessert. If you’re not a fan, you can leave it out or swap it for crushed pineapple or extra marshmallows.
Equipment You’ll Need
No fancy tools required! This recipe is super low-effort and only calls for a few basic kitchen essentials you probably already have on hand.
- Plastic wrap or lid (for covering while chilling)
- Saucepan (for boiling water)
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Silicone spatula or large spoon (for folding and mixing)
- Serving bowl or dish
How to Make Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
This section provides a brief overview of the instructions but the steps are not detailed. For exact step-by-step instructions, refer to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Set aside a small handful of mandarins, marshmallows, and coconut before you get started. You’ll use these to garnish the salad later to make it look pretty.
Step 2: Boil some water and stir it into your orange gelatin mix until completely dissolved. Then whisk in half a cup of cold water to help it cool down faster.
Step 3: Pop the gelatin into the fridge for about 15 minutes to let it begin to thicken slightly.
Step 4: Once the gelatin has started to set a little, whisk in the dry vanilla pudding mix.
Step 5: Back in the fridge it goes for another 15 minutes to chill to help the pudding mixture firm up just enough for folding.
Step 6: Now, gently fold in the Cool Whip to make it light, airy, and fluffy. It should look creamy and cloud-like!
Step 7: Stir in the drained mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, and coconut until everything’s evenly coated and combined.
Step 8: Scoop the mixture into a serving dish, then top it off with the garnish you set aside earlier.
Step 9: Cover and refrigerate the whole thing for a couple of hours so it sets up. Once it’s nice and chilled, it’s ready to serve!
Storage and Freezing
This mandarin orange jello salad is best served chilled and can easily be made ahead of time. Just follow these simple storage tips to keep it tasting fresh:
Freezing is not recommended for this recipe. The gelatin and whipped topping can separate once thawed.
Refrigerate in a covered container or tightly wrap your serving dish with plastic wrap. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Give it a quick stir before serving if it’s been sitting for a day or two. The oranges may release a little juice, but a gentle mix brings it right back to life.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- For best results, make sure your whipped topping is fully thawed before folding it in. Cold or frozen topping won’t mix evenly and can create clumps.
- Drain the mandarin oranges really well. Extra liquid can water down the salad and mess with the texture, especially after chilling.
- Want extra fluff? Chill the bowl and spatula before folding in the whipped topping to help everything stay light and airy.
Additions and Variations
Add crushed pineapple. Swap out some of the mandarin oranges or add alongside them for a tropical twist. Just be sure to drain it well!
Try some chopped nuts. Mix in some chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch and texture variation.
Top with maraschino cherries. A few halved cherries stirred in or added on top can give this salad a pop of color and a sweet, retro vibe.
Orange Fluff Recipe FAQ
Can I make this vintage mandarin orange jello salad ahead of time?
Yes! This recipe is perfect for prepping a day in advance. Just cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. In fact, the flavors and texture are even better after it’s had time to chill and set completely.
Can I use sugar-free gelatin and pudding?
Yes, if you’re watching sugar intake, feel free to use sugar-free versions of both the gelatin and the pudding. The texture and flavor will still be delicious, just slightly less sweet.
What if I don’t like coconut?
No problem! You can skip it altogether or swap in something like extra marshmallows, chopped pineapple, chopped nuts, or even a handful of mini white chocolate chips.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. This is a great dish for large gatherings, and it doubles easily. Just use a bigger bowl and give it a little extra time in the fridge to fully set.
More No-Bake Dessert Recipes
Looking for more yummy no-bake desserts? Try one of these for your next potluck:
- Easy Peanut Butter Pie – this is a low-sugar version of a peanut butter cup pie, but you can make it with regular ingredients if you’re not watching your sugar or carbs. This is my husband’s FAVORITE dessert (and my dad’s favorite, too!).
Easy Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box orange gelatin 3-oz box
- 1.5 cups water divided
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix 3.4-oz box
- 1 tub whipped topping 8-oz tub
- 1 can mandarin oranges 29-oz can
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
Instructions
- Set aside some of the mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and coconut flakes to top the dessert at the end.
- Boil 1 cup of water.
- Add orange jello powder to a large mixing bowl, then slowly pour in the boiling water and whisk for 1 minute or until gelatin is dissolved. Whisk in 1/2 cup cold water to cool it down a bit, and then place the bowl in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the refrigerator, whisk in the vanilla pudding powder, and return it to the fridge for 15 minutes to let it set slightly.
- Remove the bowl from the fridge and fold in the whipped topping.
- Add the mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, and coconut. Stir until combined, but do not over-stir.
- Transfer to a pretty dish or bowl for serving, and top with the mandarins, marshmallows, and coconut flakes that you set aside earlier.
- Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to completely set before serving.
Notes
- Best when chilled for several hours or overnight. This gives the flavors time to blend and the texture to firm up.
- Can be made 1 day in advance, just give it a gentle stir before serving.
Nutrition
🍊 Give This Sweet Salad a Try!
Whether you’re heading to a potluck, planning a summer BBQ, or just craving something cool and creamy, this mandarin orange jello salad is a no-fail favorite. It’s quick to make, easy to customize, and always gets rave reviews. Don’t be surprised if it disappears fast—better make a double batch just in case!