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    Tropical Orange Jello Salad

     

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Light & refreshing, this Tropical Orange Jello Salad is loaded with mandarin oranges, pineapple, bananas and topped with a cloud of coconut flavored, sweetened sour cream. Sprinkle on a few sliced almonds and you have a delicious fruit salad or layered dessert that is perfect for cookouts, picnics, holidays, family dinners… or maybe just a lovely afternoon pick me up! 

    Orange Jello Salad is a tropical fruit salad filled with mandarin oranges, bananas and pineapples.

    You may not think a body would get crazy excited about some Jello.  But this…  This sunshine concoction is absolutely that delicious.  With just enough bright, citrusy orange gelatin to hold all that luscious tropical fruit together, this is more than just a jello salad.  It’s a beach vacation on a spoon…  Or maybe sunshine in a bowl…  I think you’re going to have to decide.  I’m too busy eating jello.

    RELATED RECIPE: Layered Strawberry Jello Salad

    And let’s talk about that topping.  It really is a heavenly cloud of smooth and creamy sweetness.  Lightly sweetened sour cream mixed with shredded coconut offer the perfect balance for all that bright citrus pop below.  Some might even say the topping is really what this dessert is all about.

    congealed orange fruit salad with pineapples and bananas and sweetened sour cream and coconut topping.
    recipe card reminder

    Orange Jello Fruit Salad Ingredients

    • orange flavored gelatin
    • mandarin oranges
    • pineapple tidbits
    • bananas
    • coconut
    • sour cream
    • almonds
    • sugar
    • mint leaves & orange slices (optional)
    The coconut & sour cream topping for this orange jello salad is the perfect balance for the sweet fruit.

    Easy Steps to Make Orange Jello Salad

    And what about how easy it is to make this Orange Jello Salad?  Open some cans, slice some bananas, stir in some boiling water…  that’s about it! 

    Who knew something so simple could be so refreshing & gorgeous?  Trust me, it is!

    Can I Use Fresh Fruit In My Jello Salad?

    If it is fresh pineapple. It contains enzymes that keep gelatin from setting properly. Canned pineapple, however, is fine to use because the pasteurization process it undergoes in the cannine process kills the enzymes.

    For a list of other fresh fruits to avoid in jello salads, visit this awesome article from Scientific American.

    Orange Jello Salad Styled photo with orange slices

    Other Fruit Salad & Jello Salad Recipes You’ll Love

    • Layered Strawberry Jello Salad
    • Cherry Coca Cola Jello Salad
    • Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream Dressing
    • Blackberry Margarita Ambrosia
    • Classic Fruit Salad with Old Fashioned Cream Sauce
    Orange Jello Salad Styled photo with orange slices

    Tropical Orange Jello Salad

    Light & refreshing, this Tropical Orange Jello Salad is loaded mandarin oranges, pineapple, bananas and topped with a cloud of coconut flavored, sweetened sour cream.
    No ratings yet
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    Course: Dessert, Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Easy Recipe, fruit, jello
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Set Time: 2 hours hours
    Servings: 4
    Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

    Ingredients

    • 2 3 oz boxes orange flavored gelatin
    • 1 1/2 cups boiling water
    • 15 ounces canned mandarin oranges, well drained
    • 20 ounces canned pineapple tidbits, well drained
    • 3 medium bananas, sliced
    • 16 ounces sour cream
    • 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 1/2 cups sliced almonds
    • extra coconut, mint leaves, orange slices to garnish, optional

    Instructions

    • Whisk together gelatin and boiling water in a large mixing bowl. Gently fold in each kind of fruit, fully incorporating before adding the next. Pour or ladle gelatin and fruit into individual serving bowls or into a 9×13 baking dish. Place in refrigerator to set for 1-2 hours.
    • Mix together sour cream, sugar and coconut and refrigerate until gelatin is set.
    • When gelatin is set, top individual fruit salads with a dollop of the sour cream topping, sprinkle with sliced almonds and extra coconut. If using a 9×13 dish, top entire dish with sour cream layer. Finish the layer with the back of a spoon to create creamy waves. Top with sliced almonds and extra coconut.

    Notes

    Sliced oranges and mint leaves are optional garnishes.

    Making It Easy To Host & Serve

    For ideas and products to serve this jello salad at a party or to family and friends, visit the Southern Discourse Amazon Store. There I share serving pieces, glassware, cookware and other items I use in my own home, along with many of my favorite products for hosting, cooking and everyday living!

    orange jello fruit salad inspiration
    Light & refreshing, this Tropical Orange Jello Salad is loaded with mandarin oranges, pineapple, bananas and topped with a cloud of coconut flavored, sweetened sour cream. Sprinkle on a few sliced almonds and you have a delicious fruit salad or layered dessert that is perfect for cookouts, picnics, holidays, family dinners… or maybe just a lovely afternoon pick me up! 
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Neva Dugan

      February 26, 2020 at 9:34 am

      Are you sure there isn’t any cold water added to gelatin?

      Reply
      • stacey

        February 26, 2020 at 11:26 am

        Hi, Neva! Yes, I am.

        Reply
    2. JR

      March 21, 2020 at 6:49 am

      CAN YOU USE A CHEESECAKE TOPPING INSTEAD OF THE SOUR CREAM TOPPING

      Reply
      • stacey

        March 21, 2020 at 1:23 pm

        Hi, JR! If you would like to use that topping, I am sure it would create a lovely spin off of this recipe!

        Reply
    3. Dawn

      February 18, 2022 at 10:57 am

      How would the bananas hold up if this was made the day prior to serving? Would I be best not to include them?

      Reply
      • stacey

        February 18, 2022 at 1:23 pm

        Hi, Dawn!
        As long as the bananas are completely covered by the jello, they should be fine! Also I try to use sightly under ripe bananas (a pale yellow, maybe the tiniest bit green around the stem) because I have found they hold up better in the salad next day, etc. I am so excited you are making this recipe. I know you will love it; it’s so refreshing!

        Reply

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