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Apple Salad
Apple salad is a delicious and refreshing salad with crisp apples, salty nuts, crunchy celery, and a sweet dressing that offers the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
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Apple salad is an easy and delicious salad that is sure to please everyone! Packed with apples, crunchy walnuts, mini marshmallows, and a creamy dressing, this colorful salad is the perfect side dish for any meal.
Apple Salad Ingredients
Creamy apple salad has a pleasing combination of sweet and tart flavors.
The crisp apples provide a refreshing crunch, while the salty nuts offer an extra layer of texture.
Marshmallows bring a little bit of fun to the dish, and the tangy dressing gives it just enough sweetness to make it irresistible.
You’ll need:
- 3 medium-sized Fuji apples, washed, cored, and diced
- 2 medium-sized Granny Smith apples, washed, cored, and diced
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
- 1¾ cups of miniature marshmallows
- 1½ cups of diced celery
- 1 cup of roughly chopped walnuts
- ½ cup of mayonnaise (your favorite brand, I used Kraft Mayo)
- ⅓ cup of sour cream
- 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
Apple Walnut Salad Substitutions And Additions
NUTS: You can substitute any chopped nuts for walnuts, like pecans, almonds, or even cashews.
You can even use candied pecans or walnuts instead of plain nuts.
MIX-INS: You can add seedless grapes, dried craisins, or dried, chopped apricots.
PLAIN YOGURT: Plain Greek yogurt can be used instead of sour cream in the dressing for this easy apple salad.
CHEESE: Some people like to add blue cheese or goat cheese to this great side dish.
VEGGIES: Popular additions include carrots or red onion. You could top with green onions before serving for an extra bite. You could also serve on fresh greens such as butter lettuce
TOPPINGS: Add pomegranate seeds or fresh ground black pepper before serving.
APPLES: We prefer Granny Smith and Fuji apples but you can experiment with your favorite varieties. Pink lady apples or Honeycrisp would also be good!
How To Make This Apple Salad Recipe
This delicious apple salad can be quickly and easily prepared in just a few steps. Begin by combining the apples, nuts, marshmallows, and celery in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the ingredients to make the dressing. Pour the dressing over the apple mixture and toss gently to combine.
Check out our step-by-step instructions below.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
You can make this salad the night before. Because of the dairy-based dressing, always keep the salad refrigerated.
STEP ONE: Add the diced Fuji and Granny Smith apples to a large salad bowl. Pour the lemon juice over the apples and stir to coat the apples completely.
You’ll want to be sure to use a sharp knife to get the apples into bite-sized pieces while prepping.
PRO TIP:
The lemon juice will help prevent the apples from turning brown in your salad.
STEP TWO: Add the miniature marshmallows, diced celery, and chopped walnuts to the coated apples. Stir to combine.
STEP THREE: Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, and granulated sugar to a small bowl. Whisk until the sugar is completely incorporated and begins to dissolve.
STEP FOUR: Spoon the dressing over the apple salad and stir to coat all the ingredients completely. Serve immediately.
PRO TIP:
Toss the salad carefully, as you don’t want to break or crush any of the ingredients in this salad.
How To Serve This Apple and Walnut Salad
This apple salad pairs beautifully with a variety of proteins, such as grilled chicken, tilapia, or pork tenderloin.
It can also be served as part of a larger buffet-style meal or enjoyed on its own for lunch or dinner.
To round out the meal, try serving it alongside some roasted vegetables or a warm loaf of crusty bread.
A fresh, favorite green salad is always a welcome addition to any meal. Change up your usual offerings with our watermelon salad and our Waldorf salad.
MORE FRUIT RECIPES
Salad with Apples Storage Tips
Here, we’ll provide you with some handy tips on storing this delightful dish.
MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead, you can prepare the salad ingredients in advance to save time later.
Slice and prep your apples, assemble the salad without the dressing, and store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
When you’re ready to enjoy, simply toss everything together with the dressing.
This method ensures your salad stays fresh and crisp, ready to serve without any last-minute fuss.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
IN THE FREEZER: Do not freeze this salad, as the fresh apples will become mushy.
Why Apple Salad is the Best
FRESH AND CRISP: This salad is a delightful combination of fresh, crisp apples, crunchy nuts, and crunchy celery.
BALANCED FLAVORS: The sweet and tart apples, paired with earthy nuts, create a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
QUICK AND EASY: With minimal prep and a straightforward dressing, this salad comes together in no time. It’s a fantastic option for a quick meal or side dish.
Loaded with crunchy apples, salty nuts, and other fresh ingredients, this apple salad is the perfect way to add a little bit of freshness to your meal. Serve it as a side dish or for a light lunch when you are looking for a recipe with plenty of texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this simple recipe ahead of time?
This easy recipe can be made ahead of time, but you have to make sure you treat the apples so that they don’t go brown. Toss them with fresh lemon juice before adding them to the salad.
What is the best kind of apples to use for this salad?
We like to use Granny Smith apples and Fuji apples, but if you prefer another type of apple, look for Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, or Gala apples.
Can I freeze this salad?
This wonderful salad won’t freeze very well, so we don’t recommend it. It tastes best when eaten within a day or two of being made.
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Apple Salad
Apple salad is a delicious and refreshing salad with crisp apples, salty nuts, crunchy celery, and a sweet dressing that offers the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 3 medium-sized Fuji apples (washed, cored, and diced)
- 2 medium-sized Granny Smith apples (washed, cored, and diced)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1¾ cups miniature marshmallows
- 1½ cups celery, diced
- 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise, your favorite brand (I used Kraft Mayo)
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Add the diced Fuji and Granny Smith apples to a large salad bowl. Pour the lemon juice over the apples and stir to completely coat the apples.
- Add the miniature marshmallows, diced celery, and chopped walnuts to the coated apples. Stir to combine.
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, and granulated sugar to a small mixing bowl. Whisk until the sugar is completely incorporated and begins to dissolve.
- Spoon the dressing over the apple salad and stir to completely coat all the ingredients.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute any chopped nuts for the walnuts. You can even use candied walnuts or pecans instead of plain nuts.
- You can make this the night before. Because of the dairy-based dressing, always keep the salad refrigerated.
- You can add seedless grapes, dried craisins, or dried, chopped apricots.
Nutrition
Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 252mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 218IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg
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