Apple salad with candied walnuts and cranberries is a fresh, colorful dish that brings together crisp texture and bright flavors in every bite. It starts with juicy apples, usually a mix of sweet and tart varieties, sliced thin to keep the salad light and refreshing. Their crunch sets the tone for everything else, creating a base that feels clean and vibrant. Dried cranberries add a touch of sweetness and a gentle chewiness that balances the freshness of the apples, while also bringing a pop of ruby color that makes the salad look festive and inviting.
The candied walnuts are the element that elevates this simple mix into something special. Lightly toasted and coated in caramelized sugar, they add a sweet nutty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the softness of the fruit. Their glossy finish and deep roasted flavor bring richness without making the salad heavy. Together, these ingredients form a perfect balance of sweet, tart, crisp, and crunchy, giving the dish a satisfying complexity.
A light dressing ties everything together, usually something creamy or gently tangy. Honey yogurt dressing, lemon vinaigrette, or a touch of apple cider vinegar all work well, depending on the mood you want for the salad. The dressing should enhance the flavors without weighing them down. Even a simple drizzle of olive oil with a squeeze of lemon can be enough to bring the salad together in a bright, clean way.
You can keep the dish simple or make it more substantial. Add mixed greens for freshness, crumbled feta or goat cheese for creaminess, or thinly sliced celery for extra crunch. Each version remains lively, refreshing, and perfect as a side dish for fall meals or holiday gatherings.
This apple salad works well next to grilled chicken, turkey, pork chops, or even a warm bowl of autumn soup. It also holds its own as a light lunch, especially when served with a slice of crusty bread. No matter how you enjoy it, the combination of apples, candied walnuts, and cranberries delivers a lovely mix of flavors that feels seasonal, bright, and completely satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts halved
- 1/4 cup sugar for candying walnuts
- 2 apples cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 4 cups mixed salad greens such as arugula, spinach, and lettuce
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small skillet, combine walnuts and sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar melts and coats the walnuts. Remove from heat and spread the walnuts on parchment paper to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, and feta cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
This salad is amazing! The candied walnuts really take it to the next level!
Totally agree! The candied walnuts make everything better. Have you tried adding some grilled chicken to it?
I added some chicken to mine. Best salad, man!
Can you make this without the cranberries? I just hate the taste.
Yum! But uh, do I really need to catch the walnuts on fire? Lol
Haha, yeah that’s a bit dramatic! Just toasting them should be fine, right? 😂
Gotta say, this is the first salad I really liked! Haha, who knew?!
Hey, do I have to use walnuts? I’m allergic, maybe I’ll try with pecans?
Easy to make and so refreshing! I’ll definitely make it again.
I tried this recipe yesterday and it was super easy! My kids loved it too. Thanks for sharing!
Isn’t there too much sugar in this? I mean even the walnuts need sugar?? Not sure if I’ll be trying this.
Wasn’t a fan of the feta. Felt like it just didn’t belong here.
I thought the sugar would be too much with the apples, but it balanced out nicely!
Glad to hear that! The sweetness from the sugar really does complement the tartness of the apples perfectly. Can’t wait to try it!
I dunno, sounds like too much sugar to me. I like my salad without it. But if it worked for you, that’s great I guess!
Honestly, not that great. Just tastes like a regular salad…
Regular salad? Nah, you must’ve missed the point! This salad is fancy! But hey, everyone has their tastes, I guess.
I actually love this salad! The sweet and salty combo from the walnuts and feta is amazing. Maybe you just didn’t prepare it right?