If you're looking for a harvest salad recipe, you've got to try this healthy, flavor-packed cranberry apple harvest salad. This autumn salad has sweet seed clusters, a fall cranberry dressing, and will go great on your Thanksgiving and holiday menus!
Can this cranberry apple harvest salad be made ahead?
This harvest salad is fairly simple and is broken down to a couple components that can be prepped ahead. The two more time-consuming elements of the salad, the maple cinnamon candied seed clusters and the cranberry salad dressing, can be made in advance.
Once those are made ahead, I would recommend assembling your greens, slicing your apples, and tossing the apple harvest salad just prior to serving.
Are there any ingredients I can substitute?
This cranberry apple harvest salad is already a recipe that's a great option for many. It's suitable for vegans, vegetarians, those with any food allergies or sensitivities to any of the top eight most common food allergens (wheat/ gluten, soy, dairy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, egg). And with all the flavor and texture variety, it's a salad that'll please most anyone else, too! Even if your friends or family are just looking for a lighter side to balance out all the heavier fare, this will work fantastic! It's light, but still feels festive, flavorful, and delicious.
That said, you can try substituting the following to make it your own:
- Not an apple fan? Try other fall fruit favorites, like pears and persimmons.
- Use any variety of greens you love.
- If no one is allergic to nuts, you can try substituting your favorite nuts for the seeds.
If you end up making this tasty Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad, please be sure to share your experience with me! Nothing makes my day more than when I get a comment or message on the NTF Facebook page from someone who has tried a recipe and loved it! Same goes for Instagram! When I see you tagging me (@nutritiontofit) and #nutritiontofit on your photos of my recipes, my heart does a little happy dance. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!
Looking for more healthy holiday side dishes? Try these:
- Prosciutto Green Beans
- Vegan and Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole
- Easy Vegan Creamed Corn
- Rosemary Garlic Roasted Cauliflower
- Nut-Free Sweet Potato Casserole
- Spiced Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup
Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad
Ingredients
For the Maple Cinnamon Candied Seed Clusters:
- 3 tablespoon raw sunflower seeds
- 3 tablespoon raw pumpkin seeds
- 1 tablespoon raw hemp seeds
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
For the Cranberry Salad Dressing:
- 1 c. fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ c. water
For the salad:
- 8 oz bag of baby kale greens blend
- 1 medium-sized apple core removed and thinly sliced (can use any type, I used honeycrisp)
Instructions
- Prepare the maple cinnamon candied seed clusters by toasting the sunflower, pumpkin, and hemp seeds and cinnamon in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes, or until slightly toasted. Remove seeds from pan to a plate and set aside. Combine maple syrup and olive in the same pan over medium-low heat and stir briefly until the syrup mixture is bubbling. Add the toasted seeds back to the pan and quickly stir until seeds are evenly coated. Transfer to a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Allow to cool at least ten minutes; the seeds will harden as they cool. Once cool to the touch, break apart into clusters. Set aside (or save in an enclosed container on the counter for up to 24 hours).
- To prepare the salad dressing, combine the cranberries, maple syrup, olive oil, and cinnamon in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until cranberries have softened and burst and mixture has thickened. Transfer cranberry mixture to a food processor. Add ¼ cup water and process on high for 60 seconds, or until a smooth, even cranberry dressing has formed. Set aside (or refrigerate in an airtight container up to 24 hours).
- Assemble the salad prior to serving. To assemble, place the baby kale greens in a serving bowl or platter, top with apple slices, seed clusters, and drizzle the thick cranberry dressing on top. Serve additional cranberry dressing on the side.
Nutrition
Tawnie Kroll says
The most perfect Fall salad! Thank you - I loved the addition of cinnamon!
Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says
Yay, so glad you enjoyed! Thanks!
Meme says
Perfect fall salad! Love the crunch that the seeds add on top!
Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says
They're my favorite part! Thank you!
Liz Shaw says
I'm always looking to put more greens on the table at thanksgiving- I think this one will go over well!
Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says
Yes! It's one of those salads where the toppings are the star - and those salads always seem to go over better in my world. 🙂
Lorie says
Just made the seed clusters--so so so good! Now I just need to get everything else at the store!
Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says
We've totally made just the seed clusters for snacking before, too - if you're anything like us you may need to make another batch by the time you actually make the salad 😉
Natalie says
I really love salads and this one did not disappoint!!
Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says
So glad to hear, thank you!
Emily Kyle says
This dressing though, I could put it on everything! so good!
Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says
I totally have! 😉 I love it, too!