Julie Clark
Updated:
Fluff Jello Salad
May contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy.
This Jello Fluff Salad is lightly sweet, creamy, and cool. It’s just the kind of nostalgic side dish that works perfectly for picnics, potlucks, or holiday gatherings.
It’s filled with fresh strawberries, oranges and pineapple and it’s easy to customize with endless variations. Plus there’s a low sugar option if you need it!
What in the world is this Jello Fluff recipe?
When I first got married, I wasn’t sure what to take to church potlucks and picnics. I wasn’t a fantastic cook and didn’t have extra money to spend on fancy desserts like chocolate peanut butter cheesecake bars.
I’ve always been a sucker for Jello salad recipes like cranberry jello salad, 7UP jello salad, bing cherry salad, cranberry orange Jello salad and Christmas layered Jello.
And as a child, I remember this fruit fluff jello recipe ALWAYS being at church gatherings, so you can bet I carried on the tradition of being the one who brought it. It was easy, economical and I was happy to bring home any leftovers!
If you love this vintage recipe, you’ll also like our strawberry pie with Jello and Oreo fluff dip. They are the perfect potluck fruit dessert salad!
Enjoy – Julie
What are the ingredients in fluff?
- Small Curd Cottage Cheese. Or for added protein, use high protein cottage cheese.
- Jello Mix. Any flavor you’d like, but you’ll see us use strawberry and orange jello here.
- Crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges. These are both canned fruits that you’ll drain well before adding to the fluff.
- Cool Whip. This is what gives the Jello fluff recipe the fluffy texture and light consistency.
- Marshmallows. What’s fluff salad recipes without marshmallows? You’ll find them in our layered cherry pineapple jello salad, too.
Can you use real whipped cream in Jello fluff?
You may be able to use a stabilized whipped cream in this recipe, but if you just whip heavy cream and add it, your salad will end up like soup. Whipped topping is the best option.
Fluff Jello Salad – Any Flavor!
Make vintage fluff jello salad just like you remember from picnics and holiday dinners. There are endless variations to this fruit dessert salad!
Servings 15
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 24 ounces 4% milkfat small curd cottage cheese
- 6 ounces orange jello 1 large or 2 small boxes
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple drained
- 15 ounces mandarin oranges drained
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Place the cottage cheese in a large bowl. Sprinkle the dry Jello powder overtop. Mix well. 24 ounces 4% milkfat small curd cottage cheese, 6 ounces orange jello
- Add the drained pineapple and oranges.* Mix well. 20 ounces crushed pineapple, 15 ounces mandarin oranges
- Fold in the Cool Whip and mini marshmallows. 8 ounces Cool Whip, 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Notes
*Fresh fruit like strawberries and raspberries are also great additions.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Can you make Jello fluff salad in advance? This salad is best if mixed up at least a couple of hours in advance so the flavors can combine together and chill. Please note that some of the fresh fruits you add might juice a little the longer they sit. Serve the same day you make it for the best results.
Nutrition
Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 234mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 302IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1mg
How to Make Jello Fluff Salad: Step by Step
- Place the cottage cheese in a large mixing bowl. Pour the Jello powder overtop. Stir well.
- Fold the Cool Whip and mini marshmallows into the Jello mixture.
- Fold in the drained pineapple and oranges (plus any fresh fruit you might want to add).
- Cover with plastic wrap and store the fluff jello salad in the fridge until serving.
Recipe Variations:
- Strawberry Fluff: Use strawberry Jello and 2 cups of fresh strawberries for a strawberry jello fluff salad. It makes such a pretty pink fluff!
- Christmas Jello Fluff: Use lime jello and drained/dried maraschino cherries for a holiday fluff jello salad.
- Low Calorie: Use sugar free Jello, fat free cottage cheese and sugar free Cool Whip.
- Patriotic Fluff: Use blue raspberry Jello (or a red Jello) and fresh raspberries, blueberries or strawberries.
- Orange Fluff Salad: Use orange Jello and mandarin oranges. Coconut is a good addition to this salad, too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you drain the cottage cheese?
There is no need to drain the cottage cheese for this fluff jello salad.
What can I use besides cottage cheese?
You can try using plain yogurt if you don’t want to use cottage cheese. The Jello salad will not have the same texture.
Do you add boiling water to the Jello first?
No. Just add the Jello powder.
Can you use frozen fruit?
I have not tried this yet, but if you do, allow the fruit to first thaw and drain off any juice. Then add to the salad right before serving.
Have you ever added cream cheese to the jello salad?
I haven’t, but others have and love it! Make sure the cream cheese is softened and mix it in with the cottage cheese and Jello powder.
how long will it keep in fridge after first made?