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This Fall Apple Salad is loaded with crisp apples, bacon, pecans and dried cranberries for an easy, flavorful salad with plenty of crunch.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Autumn Salad!
I have a hard time figuring out how much salad to make, especially now that we are a reduced-size family. I almost always make too much, and my husband is usually there to remind me!
But the first time I served this Fall Apple Salad, no one complained about too much salad—we ate every bite.
This salad is all about flavor and texture. You get crisp, juicy apples, salty bacon, crunchy pecans and sweet, chewy dried cranberries in every bite. It’s a delicious combination of sweet and savory and the perfect fall salads.
It’s also easy to change things up depending on what you have on hand. Try pears instead of apples, walnuts instead of pecans or your favorite dressing. It’s a great clean-out-the-refrigerator kind of salad!
Ingredients Needed
- Baby Spinach
- Romaine Lettuce
- Dried Cranberries
- Pecans
- Granny Smith Apples
- Bacon
- Poppy Seed Dressing
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
How to Make Fall Apple Salad
- Wash and dry spinach and lettuce
- Fry bacon until crisp. I like to cook my bacon in the oven.
- Chop nuts
- Slice apples or cube apples.
- Combine spinach, lettuce, bacon, nuts, apples, and dried cranberries into a large bowl.
- Mix 1/2 cup poppy seed dressing and1/2 cup balsamic dressing until combined.
- Add desired amount to salad and toss to coat.
Tips from leigh Anne
- Choose a crisp apple. A firm, crunchy apple works best in this salad. Honeycrisp apples, Pink Lady, Fuji, Gala or Granny Smith are all great choices. I especially like using an tart green apple to balance the sweeter ingredients.
- Keep your apples from browning. If you are slicing the apples ahead of time, place sliced apples in a bowl of water, make sure apples are covered. Mix in 1/2 tsp of salt and let sit for 1-2 minutes. Drain and pat dry. It works!
- Toast the pecans. Toasting the pecans for a few minutes brings out their flavor and makes them even crunchier. Just keep an eye on them because nuts can go from toasted to burned quickly!
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Crispy bacon gives you the best texture and is a nice contrast to the juicy apples and chewy dried cranberries.
- Wait to add the dressing. Toss the salad with the dressing right before serving so the greens stay fresh and crisp.
- Make it your own. Substitute pears or mandarin oranges for the apples, or try walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts in place of the pecans. A little crumbled feta, goat cheese or blue cheese would also be delicious.
- Add some protein. Turn it into a main dish by adding sliced grilled chicken or turkey.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Fall Apple Salad ahead of time?
You can prep most of the ingredients ahead of time, but I recommend waiting to slice the apples and toss everything with the dressing until shortly before serving. You can cook the bacon, toast the pecans and prepare the dressing ahead of time.
What can I substitute for pecans?
Walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts would all work well. You could also use sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free option.
What can I use instead of dried cranberries?
Try dried cherries, raisins or chopped dried apricots. Each one will give the salad a slightly different flavor. You could also use fresh, juicy pomegranate seeds.
Can I use store bought dressing instead of homemade?
Absolutely! If you prefer homemade, I have linked to my favorite dressing recipes.
Could I use other kinds of greens?
Use your favorite combination. Add in some arugula, butter lettuce, spring mix or whatever your favorite fresh greens are.
This Fall Apple Salad has everything I want in a salad—lots of crunch, plenty of flavor and a little bit of sweet and savory in every bite. The combination of crisp apples, smoky bacon, crunchy pecans and sweet dried cranberries is the perfect fall salad recipes. Serve it alongside dinner, add some chicken to make it a meal or put it on your Thanksgiving table. And if your family eats the entire bowl like mine did, you’ll know you made just the right amount!
Check out more of my favorite apple recipes.
Be sure and follow me over on YouTube for weekly cooking demos.
Fall Apple Salad
Ingredients
- 6 oz. baby spinach
- 6 oz. romaine lettuce torn or chopped
- 1/2 cups Craisinets
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 apple diced
- 6 slices bacon fried and crumbled
- 1/2 cup poppy seed dressing
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Mix dressings together.
- Combine all other ingredients and then drizzle dressing. Enjoy!
Tips & Notes:
- Choose a crisp apple. A firm, crunchy apple works best in this salad. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji or Granny Smith are all great choices. I especially like using an apple that has a little tartness to balance the sweeter ingredients.
- Keep your apples from browning. If you are slicing the apples ahead of time, place sliced apples in a bowl of water, make sure apples are covered. Mix in 1/2 tsp of salt and let sit for 1-2 minutes. Drain and pat dry. It works!
- Toast the pecans. Toasting the pecans for a few minutes brings out their flavor and makes them even crunchier. Just keep an eye on them because nuts can go from toasted to burned quickly!
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Crispy bacon gives you the best texture and is a nice contrast to the juicy apples and chewy dried cranberries.
- Wait to add the dressing. Toss the salad with the dressing right before serving so the greens stay fresh and crisp.
- Make it your own. Substitute pears or mandarin oranges for the apples, or try walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts in place of the pecans. A little crumbled feta, goat cheese or blue cheese would also be delicious.
- Add some protein. Turn it into a main dish by adding sliced grilled chicken or turkey.Â
Nutrition Facts:
Kim says
This looks delicious! I will have to make soon.
Kristie says
Where did you find those placemats in the photos? They are so pretty!
Leigh Anne says
Cost plus world market
Addie says
This sounded so yummy that I had to make this as part of my dinner tonite! I had company over and we all loved it! You are right- great texture and flavors! Thank you for your great recipes!!
Leigh Anne says
So glad you and your company enjoyed it! Happy Fall!
lisa says
Your salad looks so delicious. I am with you. After 20 plus years of cooking for our family, I still am not able to cook in moderation!
I am sure you have plenty of neighbors who would love your extras! 🙂
Leigh Anne says
Lisa, I have just about given up trying to figure out the right amounts – it is much more fun to share.
Lisa says
This looks divine! But I have a silly question…what are craisinets? I’ve heard of craisins, but not craisnets. Maybe they call them something different in my part of the country? 😉
I’ll be making this for my next Girl’s Night Out gathering!
Thanks!
Leigh Anne says
I think you are actually calling it by the right name and I’m not. Not sure why I call them craisinets – maybe I am thinking of raisinets!!!
Rosemary says
Actually I think you are talking about the cranberry/raisin mix.