Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
This Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Poppy seed Dressing is absolutely mouth-wateringly amazing! Peppery greens are topped with fresh, crisp apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, bacon, avocado, feta, red onion, and finally drizzled with a quick and easy creamy poppy seed dressing. This delicious apple salad recipe is perfect year-round for lunch or as a side dish, and especially for holiday dinners!
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 565kcal
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 small head romaine lettuce chopped
- 6 ounces spring mix
- 2 ounces arugala
- 2 crisp apples thinly sliced (envy, honeycrisp, or fuji are our favorites)
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- 6 slices bacon cooked until crispy and chopped
- ½ small red onion sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 avocado sliced thin
Candied Walnuts
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
- ⅓ cup mayo
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 ½ Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Add the walnuts, butter, sugar, and cinnamon to a nonstick pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar and butter are melted and coating the nuts, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and separate to cool. Serve whole or chopped.
- Make the poppy seed dressing by whisking everything together in a medium bowl.
- Toss the chopped romaine, spring mix, and arugula together in a large bowl. Arrange with toppings, then serve with the dressing. Or toss everything together with the dressing and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 565kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 400mg | Potassium: 506mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 1183IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 2mg