Classic Orange Fluff Salad
This no-bake dessert is a retro classic that never goes out of style. Creamy, fluffy, and bursting with bright citrus flavor, Mandarin Orange Fluff Salad is as simple as it is satisfying. It comes together in minutes with just a few pantry staples like Cool Whip, pudding mix, and canned mandarin oranges.
This is the kind of chilled dessert that shows up at family potlucks, holiday buffets, and summer cookouts. You can keep it classic or dress it up with mini marshmallows, coconut, or crushed cookies for extra texture. It’s light, fruity, and guaranteed to disappear fast!
It’s a terrific make-ahead recipe, and it doubles easily in case you need to feed a crowd. Sure, salad is in the name, but this sweet, fluffy concoction is 100% dessert and 100% delicious!
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Ingredients
- Mandarin oranges – You can use mandarins packed in syrup or water.
- Cool Whip – You can use any non-dairy whipped topping.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix – Ensure it’s instant pudding, the kind that needs cooking won’t work in this recipe.
- Milk – Cold. Any kind of milk will work.
- Mini marshmallows – You can use plain mini marshmallows or mix it up with the colored ones.
- Coconut – I use unsweetened coconut to control the sugar.
- Graham crackers or vanilla wafers – For serving. I like to have these on the side for scooping up the salad. Yum!
Instructions
- Whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk in a medium bowl until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Fold the thawed Cool Whip into the pudding mixture until fully combined and smooth.
- Stir in the drained mandarin oranges. Add marshmallows and shredded coconut, if using.
- Chill the mixture in the fridge for at least 1 hour to let the flavors come together.
- Serve on its own or with graham crackers or vanilla wafers for added crunch.
Step-By-Step Process
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use ice-cold milk to help the pudding thicken faster.
- Be gentle when folding in the oranges to avoid breaking them up.
- Add a splash of orange juice for extra citrus flavor.
- If you want to make it ahead, this dessert holds up beautifully for a day or two in the fridge.
Recommended
Make It A Meal
This light and creamy treat is the perfect finish to just about any meal—especially after BBQ, burgers, or grilled chicken. It’s sweet, tangy, and a great way to cool down on a warm day.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a quick stir before serving again.
Classic Orange Fluff Salad
Ingredients
- 11 ounces mandarin oranges drained
- 8 ounces Cool Whip thawed
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup milk cold
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup coconut shredded
- Graham crackers or vanilla wafers for serving
Instructions
- Whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk in a medium bowl until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Fold the thawed Cool Whip into the pudding mixture until fully combined and smooth.
- Stir in the drained mandarin oranges. Add marshmallows and shredded coconut, if using.
- Chill the mixture in the fridge for at least 1 hour to let the flavors come together.
- Serve on its own or with graham crackers or vanilla wafers for added crunch.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use ice-cold milk to help the pudding thicken faster.
- Be gentle when folding in the oranges to avoid breaking them up.
- Add a splash of orange juice for extra citrus flavor.
- If you want to make it ahead, this dessert holds up beautifully for a day or two in the fridge.
