Honeycrisp Apple Salad

This Honeycrisp Apple Salad is fall in a bowl! Crisp greens, juicy apples, sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy feta all come together with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette for a fresh, flavorful bite in every forkful. It’s the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and satisfying!

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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap "Jump to Recipe" at the top of the page.

Why You'll Love This Salad

You’re going to love this Honeycrisp Apple Salad—it’s like a little taste of fall with every bite! The sweet, crisp Honeycrisp apples pair perfectly with the tangy feta, chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans.

Fresh greens keep the salad light, while the apple cider vinaigrette ties it all together with just the right amount of zing. It’s one of those salads that’s totally satisfying yet simple enough to whip up anytime, for a cozy dinner side or an easy, crowd-pleasing holiday dish!

It's everything I love about Autumn, wrapped up in a delicious salad. I'm hooked. If you love salad, you might also want to try this Goat's Cheese Salad, Apple Waldorf Salad or Fennel Orange Salad.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette

This tangy-sweet apple cider vinaigrette dressing with this Honeycrisp Apple Salad is amazing too. It's just the right combination of tangy and sweet, but it takes the taste of this salad over the top!

To make the dressing, simply add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor. Mix until combined.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients

*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Oil: For this vinaigrette, you will want to use a neutral tasting oil like canola oil or vegetable oil. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil may also be used.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This is a key ingredient in the dressing, so don't omit it.
• Water: This is just to thin out the dressing a bit.
• Dijon Mustard: I love the flavor that Dijon mustard adds to this dressing, but you could also use regular yellow mustard.
• Sugar: You will want to use a granulated sugar for this recipe. Honey or maple syrup may also be used.
• Black Pepper: Season to taste.

Honeycrisp Autumn Harvest Salad Ingredients

• Romaine Lettuce: I like to use romaine lettuce in my salads, but you could also use baby spinach or spring mix.
• Honeycrisp Apple: As I mentioned before, this salad is all about the apples. You could use a different type of apple, but I think the Honeycrisp Apples are key to the flavor of this salad. Cut the apples into bite-size pieces or apple slices.
• Bacon Pieces: I like to use real bacon bits for this recipe, but you could also cook your own bacon and chop it up.
• Dried Cranberries: I love the sweetness that dried cranberries add to this salad.
• Bleu Cheese Crumbles: I think blue cheese goes really well with apples, but you could also use feta cheese or goat cheese.
• Pecan Halves: Pecans are a great addition to this salad, but you could also use walnuts or almonds.

How to Make Honeycrisp Apple Salad

[Step 1] Apple Cider Vinaigrette: Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend together until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

[Step 2] Rinse and chop the lettuce. Peel and cut the apples into bite-size pieces.

[Step 3] Place the chopped lettuce in a large bowl. Pour half of the dressing over the lettuce. Stir to coat the lettuce. Divide the salad between four individual bowls.

[Step 4] Top the lettuce with the apples, bleu or feta cheese, dried cranberries, crumbled bacon, and pecans. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can this salad be made ahead of time? The salad can be made ahead of time, but I would not add the dressing until you are ready to serve. The apples will start to turn brown if they sit in the dressing for too long.
• Can I use a different type of apple? Yes, you could use a different type of apple, but I think the Honeycrisp Apples are key to the flavor of this salad.
• Can I use a different type of cheese? Yes, you could use a different type of cheese, but I think bleu cheese goes really well with apples.
• Can I use a different type of nut? Yes, you could use a different type of nut, but I think pecans are a great addition to this salad.
• What is the best way to store leftovers? The salad will keep in the fridge for a day or two, but the apples will start to turn brown. I would recommend adding the dressing just before serving if you have leftovers.
• How do you keep apples from turning brown? The best way to keep apples from turning brown is to coat them in lemon juice. You could also add the dressing just before serving if you are worried about the apples turning brown.

Final Thoughts

This Honeycrisp Apple Salad recipe is perfect for Fall! The apples are delicious and fresh, and the vinaigrette is sweet and tangy. I hope you enjoy it! Please leave a rating and comment below if you give it a try.

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Here are some great Fall desserts to go with this salad: 

• Disneyland's Apple Pie Funnel Cake
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
• Caramel Pecan Turtle Cheesecake