Make Crispy Apple Salad (With Raisins And Pecans)

Sweet, tangy, and mixed in a creamy dressing, this refreshing, creamy apple salad is plenty of flavors.

This side dish, made with cubes of luscious apple, plump raisins, toasted or glazed pecans, and sliced celery for additional crunch, is very quick and easy to make and absolutely delicious, making it a potluck or BBQ favorite.

Why Is This Recipe So Delicious?

• This dish is not only simple, but it is also delicious! There’s no cooking required, so you can thoroughly involve the kids. The apples don’t even need to be peeled! Simply cut them into small cubes and combine everything.
• You’ll love this apple salad if you’ve ever tried a Waldorf Salad. It’s extremely similar, however instead of grapes, we use raisins and pecans instead of walnuts. Waldorf salad is often served in lettuce cups; you can do the same with apple salad, or serve it on its own!
• For potlucks and holiday gatherings, apple salad is a great make-ahead option. While it can be served right away, it tastes best if it is chilled for at least an hour before serving. This allows the tastes to mature. You can make it up to one day ahead of time and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to serve. If you’re worried about the apple browning, soak them in a solution of water and lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

Important Ingredients

Apple – Use your favorite apples! Personally, I prefer to utilize a combination of green and red apples, such as pink lady apples.

We normally go with an even half-and-half mix. You may use all green or all red, or any combination! Keep the peels on for enhanced color and crispness.

Cinnamon – Is there anything more traditional than apples with cinnamon? This apple salad has a great warmth to it thanks to a hint of cinnamon. Feel free to use a bit more cinnamon if you like it. Just don’t go crazy! Use apple pie spice or even pumpkin pie spice for a change of pace.

Yogurt – Plain yogurt would suffice, but I prefer to use vanilla yogurt from time to time to add a touch of sweetness. If you use vanilla yogurt and omit the celery, it’s more like a dessert than a side dish! Greek yogurt or a dairy-free yogurt might alternatively be used.

Mayonnaise – I enjoy the tanginess that mayonnaise provides. If you don’t want to use mayonnaise, use sour cream, Greek yogurt, or even more of the yogurt you already have.

Chef’s Advice

• Swap the raisins with dried cranberries for a wonderful, seasonal twist on apple salad. Now you have a delicious Thanksgiving side dish to serve at your holiday gathering!
• I strongly advise toasting the pecans first or using glazed pecans. Toasting them brings out their taste while also keeping them crisp despite the dressing. If making ahead of time, add the pecans just before serving to keep them crisp. Pecans aren’t your thing? Replace them with walnuts or almonds, or leave them out entirely.
• Use brown sugar or coconut sugar instead of plain granulated sugar for a deeper flavor. Brown sugar, cinnamon, and apples are one of my favorite combinations.

Apple Salad

Sweet, tangy, and mixed in a creamy dressing, this refreshing, creamy apple salad is plenty of flavor.

This side dish, made with cubes of luscious apple, plump raisins, toasted or glazed pecans, and sliced celery for additional crunch, is very quick and easy to make and absolutely delicious, making it a potluck or BBQ favorite.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cubed apples roughly 4 medium apples cut into approximately ½-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ⅔ cup diced celery
• 1 cup pecans preferably toasted or glazed
• 1 cup raisins golden preferred, or dried cranberries
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 dash cinnamon
• ¼ cup yogurt plain or vanilla
• 1 pinch granulated sugar

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Large spoon or silicone spatula

Instructions For Apple Salad

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
2. To combine the ingredients, gently swirl or toss them together. Serve right away, or chill for a few hours to let the flavors meld.

Notes

• Make it sugar-free by using a no-added-sugar yogurt and replacing the pinch of sugar with granular Swerve or monk fruit.
• Use dairy-free yogurt to make it dairy-free.
• Use vegan mayonnaise and vegan yogurt to make it vegan. Make that your sugar is vegan as well (some are processed with bone char).
• Use a paleo yogurt, such as Kite Hill Almond Yogurt, and paleo mayonnaise to make it Paleo. Substitute a pinch of coconut sugar for the sugar.

This recipe serves roughly 8 people. Your desired portion sizes will determine the number of servings.

The nutritional values provided are for one serving using the ingredients specified and are approximate. The exact macros will vary depending on the brands and types of ingredients utilized.

Prepare the recipe as directed to get the weight of one serving. Weigh the final recipe, then divide the weight (excluding the weight of the container in which the food is stored) by 8. The weight of one serving will be the result.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 274kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 105mg, Potassium: 306mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 96IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 1mg, Net Carbs: 22g