Go Back
–+ servings
Apple Walnut Salad

Crisp Apple Walnut Salad with Sweet Maple Dressing Bliss

This Apple Walnut Salad combines crisp greens, juicy apples, and candied walnuts for a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 5 cups Lettuce Greens A mix of Romaine or baby spinach
  • 2 medium Apples Sweet varieties like Gala or Honeycrisp
  • 0.5 cups Dried Cranberries
  • 0.25 cups Pumpkin Seeds Substitutes include sunflower seeds or sliced almonds
  • 4 strips Bacon Optional
  • 0.5 cups Red Onion Chopped; substitute green onions for a milder flavor
  • 0.5 cups Feta Cheese Creamy and salty; goat cheese is a delicious alternative
  • 1 cup Candied Walnuts Sweet and crunchy, essential for flavor contrast
For the Dressing
  • 0.25 cups Olive Oil Base for the dressing
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar Adds tangy zip
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard For sharpness
  • 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup Sweetens the dressing
  • 1 clove Minced Garlic For flavor
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • Skillet
  • small saucepan
  • large mixing bowl
  • serving platter

Method
 

Dressing Preparation
  1. Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Let sit for 15 minutes.
Optional Bacon
  1. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat for 6–8 minutes until crispy. Drain and crumble into pieces.
Candied Walnuts
  1. Melt butter, stir in sugar, then add walnuts, cook until golden and caramelized. Cool on parchment paper.
Salad Assembly
  1. Combine lettuce, chopped apples, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and bacon in a bowl. Drizzle dressing before serving.
Serving
  1. Transfer the salad to a serving platter, top with cooled candied walnuts and feta cheese. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 5mg

Notes

Customize with proteins like grilled chicken or chickpeas. Prepare dressing and candied walnuts ahead for convenience.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!