This Apple Almond Poppy Seed Salad has all the crunch you want with sweetness of oranges, apples and cranberries. It all comes together with a poppy seed dressing!
Get ready to have your socks knocked off this this Apple Almond Poppy Seed Salad. This salad has it all and I had a really hard time coming up with its name since as you can see it has apples, glazed almonds, poppy seed dressing along with red onions, bleu cheese, mandarin oranges, celery, pasta and oh ya the lettuce it is all nestled in! Lots of ingredients, lots of flavor and not lots of leftovers! And the prep part you may ask is only about 15 minutes to get this beauty on the table. Grab a fork and dig into this amazing salad. Your taste buds will not know what hit them. (And if you think of a better name, let me know!)
If you read my post last week about the cheeseball appetizer, then you know we went to some friends for the weekend and I had left that at home by mistake. That was a major bummer BUT the other dish I brought that I didn't forget was the ingredients for this salad. And honestly if I had to choose between the two, this salad wins hands down. It was a huge hit, with folks going back for seconds. The creamy poppy seed dressing with a bit of honey and dijon mustard pairs perfectly with the rest of the ingredients. I especially love how crunchy it is with the apples, almonds and celery. And if you have never tried pasta in a salad, it is time to start! It looks fun and adds another dimension.
Remember lettuce is just a base and you can create your own beauty with your favorite ingredients. Other ingredients that I may try in the future is candied pecans, gorgonzola cheese, orzo pasta, green onions, strawberries or other fruit. Just use your imagination but keep the poppy seed dressing - it is a winner for sure!
Fun ingredients
Creamy poppy seed dressing
Naked salad
Getting "dressed"
Time to dig in!
Get the Recipe
Crunch Apple Almond Salad
This salad has it all - crunch, sweetness and a bit of pasta!
Ingredients
- 1 bag of spring green salad
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 green apple, seeded and chopped
- 1 small can mandarin oranges, drained
- ¼ cup slivered red onions (loosely packed)
- ½ cup sliced celery
- ½ cup ditalini pasta, cooked, rinsed and cooled
- ⅓ cup silvered almonds
- ⅓ cup crumbled bleu cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoons poppy seeds
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ½ clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan melt the butter and brown sugar then saute the almonds until they are glazed and light brown. Remove and cool on parchment paper or waxed paper - break up clumps when cool
- In a large bowl combine the lettuce, craisins, apple, oranges, red onions, celery, pasta, bleu cheese and almonds - mix well
- To make dressing - combine the olive oil, vinegar, honey, S&P, garlic, poppy seeds and dijon mustard in a small container with a lid and shake until mixed.
- Drizzle over salad and toss gently to combine - divide between 4 plates
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 452Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 405mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 6gSugar: 38gProtein: 7g
Nutritional information provided is computer-generated and only an estimate. You may want to do your own research with the ingredients listed if you have concerns about health or specific diets.
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We are all about sharing our love of good food so on the blog you will find easy recipes to enjoy with your family and friends. We hope to inspire you to host a gathering to create special memories. Most recipes are step by step so you can feel confident in the kitchen. Take a look around to find everything from breakfast to dinner and everything in-between!
Kacey Joanette says
I ALWAYS need more salad recipes! Love this! And I know that sauce would be amazing!
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
I agree... You can never have enough!
I {heart} Nap Time says
This flavor combination sounds heavenly!
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
Thanks!
Nancy Piran says
Now this could be dinner!
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
I agree Nancy!
Unknown says
Ooooooh what an amazing looking salad!!! Love the little ditalini pasta in there too 🙂
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
I really love adding pasta to salad...just makes it more interesting!
Cookin' Canuck says
This looks like such a refreshing salad, with so many great flavors! I'd happily eat this for lunch today.
Carrie R says
This salad looks so amazing, Deb! 🙂 And I am loving that poppy seed dressing!
Megan Kohrs says
I love the sound of this salad! The apples and poppyseed dressing plus the glazed almonds have me won over!
Jamie Sherman says
What a gorgeous salad, Deb! I am totally digging this and I can see why it was such a hit!
Cathy Trochelman says
You're like my salad sister. YUM!!!
EZPZ Mealz says
This salad is seriously gorgeous. I have been drooling over it ever since I first saw it.
Julie Evink says
Oh my goodness this salad is gorgeous and I bet every bit as delicious!
Swati Tushar says
These days I am in the hunt for different salad recipes. This one looks so delicious. PINNED for later :).