When you think of fall, apples are probably one of the first things that come to mind. Like apple-picking weekends, overflowing produce displays, candy apples, cider, and pies, they’re all in vogue as harvest season gets underway.
A lot of those fall favorites skew sweet, but apples don’t have to stay in dessert territory. They’re great in salads, too. If you are looking for new fall salad ideas, we’ll give you a place to start.
Why Apples Work So Well in Salads
Unlike softer fruit, sliced apples keep their bite after they’re tossed with greens and dressing.
They add texture without becoming the dominant ingredient, and their natural sugar can help round out ingredients with more assertive flavors.
They also work across a wide range of combinations. Apples pair easily with feta or blue cheese, chicken or turkey, grains, nuts, and vegetables without making the salad feel like a fruit salad.
That flexibility is what makes them especially useful when you want to change up a familiar order and add more seasonal salad toppings.
Create a Fall Salad Around Apples
At Salata, apples are available year-round, but fall is a good reason to give them a little more attention. With six salad bases, more than 50 toppings and a variety of proteins and signature dressings, there are plenty of ways to create a salad around them.
Try one of these fall salad ideas:
- Apples + Beets + Blue Cheese: Start with kale, then add apples, beets, walnuts, and blue cheese with Balsamic Vinaigrette. The combination brings together fruit, vegetables, cheese, and nuts without relying on too many toppings.
- Apples + Quinoa + Chickpeas: Pair apples with kale, quinoa, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, and Lemon Vinaigrette. Quinoa and chickpeas make this a more substantial plant-forward option.
- Apples + Chicken + Egg: Try spinach, apples, chicken, chopped egg, red onion, and walnuts with Honey Mustard. The added protein makes this a more filling choice for lunch or dinner.
- Apples + Cucumber + Radish: Combine apples with arugula, cucumber, radish, almonds, and Lemon Vinaigrette. This version emphasizes fresh produce and varied textures.
If you want a fall-inspired apple salad without starting from scratch, our Harvest Salad is already on our signature salad menu. It has a Salata mix, grapes, dried cranberries, feta, walnuts, and apples, all coming together with Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Obviously, there isn’t a single formula for an apple salad. You can pair apples with grains, proteins, cheeses, vegetables, and nuts, then choose the mixture that fits what you want from the meal.
A Fresh Way to Bring Fall Into Your Salad
Crisp, a little sweet, and right at home with fall flavors, apples are an easy way to give your usual salad a little pop. Whether you create something new around them or add them to your go-to salad, they are an easy way to change up your order for the season.
Live how you want. Salad how you feel. Find your nearest Salata or get started in the Salata app, available in the App Store and Google Play.
Apple Salad FAQs
What kind of apple is best for an apple salad?
For an apple salad, look for an apple that stays crisp after slicing rather than one that becomes soft or mealy. Whether you choose a sweeter or more tart variety depends on the rest of the ingredients and the flavor you want.
What pairs with apples in a salad when you want more protein?
If you’re wondering what pairs with apples in a salad for a more filling meal, chicken, turkey, chopped egg, chickpeas, and quinoa can all add more substance without competing with the apple.
Can you prepare an apple salad ahead of time?
Yes, but it helps to keep the dressing separate until you are ready to eat. That keeps the greens from wilting and helps the apples and other toppings hold their texture.
Are apples a seasonal fall topping?
Fall is peak harvest season for many apples, which is one reason they are so closely associated with the season. But at Salata, apples are a year-round topping!
What are some seasonal salad toppings for fall?
Besides apples, other seasonal salad toppings include beets, dried cranberries, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and heartier greens. At Salata, you can use those fall-inspired flavors in a salad or wrap, then choose the base, protein, and dressing that fit what you’re craving.
