• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Nutrition to Fit

  • ABOUT
    • Press
  • SERVICES
  • RECIPES
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • NUTRITION
  • RECIPES
  • SISTER SITES
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • NUTRITION
    • RECIPES
    • SISTER SITES
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad

    Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN Published: Nov 2, 2017 · Updated: Sep 24, 2019 · 12 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    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!

    Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad It's November which means it's time to think about holiday menus! 😉 My holiday philosophy may be a little different than others, in that I while I won't deny anyone their favorite holiday indulgences (hello green bean casserole and pumpkin pie!), I personally prefer dishes that have simple, quality ingredients that are allowed to shine - just like this simple Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad.

    Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad

    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.

    Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad

    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.

    Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad

    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
    Print Recipe
    5 from 7 votes

    Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad

    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!
    free from: wheat/ gluten, soy, dairy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 250kcal
    Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT

    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)
    US Customary - Metric

    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

    Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 339mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 725IU | Vitamin C: 23.1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 2.1mg

    Cranberry Apple Harvest Salad

    More Recipes

    • Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
    • Pumpkin Crumble Bars
    • Turmeric Overnight Oats
    • Cherry Popsicles

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tawnie Kroll says

      November 06, 2018 at 10:33 am

      The most perfect Fall salad! Thank you - I loved the addition of cinnamon!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        November 11, 2018 at 3:26 pm

        Yay, so glad you enjoyed! Thanks!

        Reply
    2. Meme says

      November 09, 2018 at 9:18 am

      Perfect fall salad! Love the crunch that the seeds add on top!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        November 11, 2018 at 3:25 pm

        They're my favorite part! Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Liz Shaw says

      November 09, 2018 at 11:39 am

      I'm always looking to put more greens on the table at thanksgiving- I think this one will go over well!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        November 11, 2018 at 3:25 pm

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lorie says

      November 10, 2018 at 10:16 pm

      Just made the seed clusters--so so so good! Now I just need to get everything else at the store!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        November 11, 2018 at 3:23 pm

        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 😉

        Reply
    5. Natalie says

      November 12, 2018 at 11:19 am

      I really love salads and this one did not disappoint!!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        November 13, 2018 at 10:36 am

        So glad to hear, thank you!

        Reply
    6. Emily Kyle says

      November 13, 2018 at 1:38 pm

      This dressing though, I could put it on everything! so good!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        November 15, 2018 at 4:18 pm

        I totally have! 😉 I love it, too!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey there!

    Welcome to Nutrition to Fit - your go-to source of evidence-based nutrition information (written by a registered dietitian) and how to realistically apply it to your life. We won't tell you what to do, but we will equip and empower you to live your healthiest life, however that looks for you. *Read More*

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • ABOUT
    • SERVICES
    • RECIPES

    Footer

    RECIPES:

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Drinks

    Wellness:

    • Nutrition
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Reviews
    nutrition to fit logo
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Amazon

    SISTER SITES:

    🔝back to top | about | contact | work with me | privacy policies & disclaimers | © 2023 NutritiontoFit.com all rights reserved

    as an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Privacy Policy
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT