This apple salad balances sweet, tart, crunchy and creamy: crisp apples, peppery greens, blueberries and toasted maple pecans. All tossed in a silky maple vinaigrette. It’s a perfect fall side, a light lunch, or an elegant Holiday salad. Step by Step and Video Below.
We love a good salad. Like a salad recipe that fills your heart and tummy, and one. that’s loaded with flavors and nutrients. Fall and Winter Salads especially have a cozy and filling character that we love.
Our Fig Salad, Cauliflower Salad, Broccoli Cauliflower Salad, Broccoli Salad, Sweet Potato Salad are just a few! The maple pecans add caramelized crunch which are made the same way as our popular Candied Walnuts. This recipe is quick to make, easy to impress and super fast to make!
This apple salad recipe centers thinly sliced apples tossed with a bed of greens, fresh mushrooms, blueberries, onions, avocados and more! Topped with crunchy maple pecans, dried cranberries and a sweet maple vinaigrette dressing made with pure maple syrup.
Why you’ll love this Apple salad
- TASTY! It’s really a delicious blend of veggies, fruit, dried fruits, nuts all with bold flavors.
- Textural contrast is impeccable! Crisp apples + crunchy maple pecans + chewy dried fruits and veggies.
- Seasonal and great for the Holidays. Works equally well for dinners and spring lunches when apples are in season.
- Easy to make, no cooking required and can be turned into a full meal.
- Make ahead friendly: the maple vinaigrette and pecans can be made ahead; assemble with the salad before serving.
- Customizable! You can swap apples, nuts, add cheese, or greens to suit different diets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Salad Greens. Spinach, arugula, lettuce or any greens you like.
- Apples. Use your favorite type of apples or a blend of them. Thinly sliced apples are best for texture. You can add pear or mix a blend of both.
- Carrots. Shredded carrots.
- Onions. We used red onions, thinly sliced.
- Avocados. Thinly sliced.
- Dried Cranberries. You can use any dried fruits if you like.
- Blueberries. For extra sweetness and juiciness.
- Mushrooms. We love the earthy and bod flavors of mushrooms that balance out the sweetness.
- Maple Pecans. Follow this guide and video for Candied Walnuts, replacing the sugar with maple syrup and add in a teaspoon of cinnamon. You can try Almonds too.
- Maple Vinaigrette. Make this!! You can add mayonnaise for a creamier dressing.
- Optional. Fresh parsley or chopped chives, lemon zest, flaky sea salt. Add cheese like feta cheese.
How to Make Apple Salad
- First step, prepare the maple vinaigrette ahead of time. Follow the Candied Walnuts guide and video replacing the sugar with pure maple syrup and add in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Prepare the salad ingredients, chop, slice and dice all of them.
- Add the salad all into a large bowl.
- Drizzle generously with the maple dressing.
- Toss well.
- Top with plenty of crunchy sweet maple pecans.
- And it’s ready to enjoy!!
Tips for Apple Salad Recipe
- Choose crisp, sweet-tart apples (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji apples, granny smith apples) — they hold shape and contrast the dressing.
- Follow our guide for Candied Walnuts replacing sugar with maple syrup.
- Make our maple vinaigrette, and keep it in the fridge ahead of time!
- Prevent apple browning by dressing apples right before serving or toss sliced apples in a little lemon juice.
- Add your favorite ingredients to the salad or swap them around. Add protein to make it a main dish.
Variations
- Autumn harvest: add roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, and kale for a heartier seasonal salad.
- Waldorf twist: include celery and grapes, substitute walnuts for pecans, and use a creamy maple-yogurt dressing.
- Savory bacon upgrade: stir in crispy bacon for smoky savory contrast.
- Vegan option: Add silken tofu cubes and swap the oil instead of butter in the maple candied pecans.
What apples are best for apple salad?
Choose crisp, sweet-tart apples that hold texture: Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji or Gala. Softer apples will bruise and soften quickly.
How do I keep apples from browning in a salad?
Toss slices in a little lemon juice and water (1 tbsp lemon + 2 tbsp water per apple). Alternatively you can dress the salad immediately before serving.
How do you make maple pecans without burning the maple?
Watch closely, and follow our guide and video closely for Candied Walnuts!
Can I make the maple vinaigrette ahead of time?
Yes, store in an airtight jar in the fridge for 7–10 days. Emulsion may separate; shake well or whisk before using.
What cheese pairs best with apple salad?
Goat cheese (chevre) gives tang and creaminess; feta is a saltier alternative; shaved Parmesan gives a savory umami finish.
Are maple pecans healthy?
Pecans provide healthy fats and micronutrients, but candied versions contain added sugar from maple syrup. They’re great and make the perfect snack.
How can I scale this salad for a crowd?
Double, triple or quadruple the ingredients and enjoy!
Apple Salad
Ingredients
Apple Salad
- 4 cups salad greens
- 2 apples thinly sliced (any type of a variety)
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh mushrooms thinly sliced
- 1 carrot shredded
- 2 avocados thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1/2 cup maple pecans
- 1 cup blue berries
Maple Vinaigrette
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 3 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Maple Cinnamon Pecans
- 1 cup Pecans
- 1 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
-
Start with the maple pecans, add all ingredients in a skillet and cook over medium heat until caramelized and the maple syrup is absorbed by the nuts. This takes about 5-6 minutes.
-
Pour the pecans on to a baking sheet and spread them in a single layer until they cool down.
-
To make the vinaigrette : Mix all ingredients in a small jar and whisk until smooth.
-
For the salad: Add all ingredients into a large salad bowl.
-
Toss the salad with the maple vinaigrette and mix well.
-
Top with the maple pecans.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Tips for Apple Salad Recipe
- Choose crisp, sweet-tart apples (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji apples, granny smith apples) — they hold shape and contrast the dressing.
- Follow our guide for Candied Walnuts replacing sugar with maple syrup.
- Make our maple vinaigrette, and keep it in the fridge ahead of time!
- Prevent apple browning by dressing apples right before serving or toss sliced apples in a little lemon juice.
- Add your favorite ingredients to the salad or swap them around. Add protein to make it a main dish.
Variations
- Autumn harvest: add roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, and kale for a heartier seasonal salad.
- Waldorf twist: include celery and grapes, substitute walnuts for pecans, and use a creamy maple-yogurt dressing.
- Savory bacon upgrade: stir in crispy bacon for smoky savory contrast.
- Vegan option: Add silken tofu cubes and swap the oil instead of butter in the maple candied pecans.
What apples are best for apple salad?
Choose crisp, sweet-tart apples that hold texture: Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji or Gala. Softer apples will bruise and soften quickly.
How do I keep apples from browning in a salad?
Toss slices in a little lemon juice and water (1 tbsp lemon + 2 tbsp water per apple). Alternatively you can dress the salad immediately before serving.
How do you make maple pecans without burning the maple?
Watch closely, and follow our guide and video closely for Candied Walnuts!
Can I make the maple vinaigrette ahead of time?
Yes, store in an airtight jar in the fridge for 7–10 days. Emulsion may separate; shake well or whisk before using.
What cheese pairs best with apple salad?
Goat cheese (chevre) gives tang and creaminess; feta is a saltier alternative; shaved Parmesan gives a savory umami finish.
Are maple pecans healthy?
Pecans provide healthy fats and micronutrients, but candied versions contain added sugar from maple syrup. They're great and make the perfect snack.
How can I scale this salad for a crowd?
Double, triple or quadruple the ingredients and enjoy!
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