Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and chopped
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, lightly toasted
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (craisins)
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Apples and Nuts. Core and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces, immediately tossing them in a large bowl with the fresh lemon juice to prevent browning. If not already toasted, lightly toast the pecans or walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, then set aside to cool.
- Step 2: Whisk the Dressing. In a separate small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, honey (or maple syrup), and ground cinnamon. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is smooth and well-combined.
- Step 3: Combine Salad Components. Add the thinly sliced celery and the dried cranberries to the bowl containing the chopped, lemon-tossed apples.
- Step 4: Dress and Fold. Pour the prepared yogurt-cinnamon dressing over the apple mixture. Gently fold the ingredients using a rubber spatula until all the apple pieces and other components are evenly coated in the dressing.
- Step 5: Chill and Serve. Fold in the toasted nuts last to retain their crunch. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the Apple Salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving chilled.
Notes
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours, knowing the nuts and apples will soften slightly after the first day.
- Since this is a chilled salad, do not attempt to reheat; simply pull it from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving for optimal texture.
- Present this beautiful salad layered in small parfait glasses or scooped onto delicate butter lettuce cups for an elegant holiday appetizer or side dish.
- For maximum crunch, toast the pecans or walnuts until just fragrant, and ensure they are completely cooled before folding them into the final mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American