Apple Snickers Salad
I know what you’re thinking. Salad with Snickers and apples? That sounds crazy! And it is. Crazy delicious! Tart green apples are adding to a mixture of sweet vanilla pudding and whipped topping, along with chopped Snickers candy. This Apple Snickers Salad is a tasty dessert “salad” you’re going to love!
Snickers salad is the perfect side dish for serving at potlucks, barbecues, or other casual events. While it can be enjoyed all year round, it’s best in the fall, when apples are in their peak season. Make this sweet and creamy Snickers apple salad standout by serving it alongside tasty savory dishes like Italian Grilled Chicken, Steakhouse Burgers, or Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect combination of sweet and tart. Tart Granny Smith apples are often used in things like apple pie where the tartness is minimized. In this apple and Snickers salad, however, the full tartness of Granny Smith apples is on display. These green apples are the best apples for this candy salad because they pair well with the sweetness of the pudding mixture and Snickers candy.
- Best apple Snickers salad recipe. Sometimes simple things really are the best. There is nothing fancy about this Snickers apple salad recipe. It’s just a few simple ingredients that are easy to prepare, and it tastes delicious. What more could you ask for?
- Easy dessert salad. I love an easy dessert recipe, and this is a great one for apple season!
Ingredient Notes
- Snickers bars: For this Snickers and apple salad, we’re using full-size Snickers bars. I find that this is the most convenient size for dicing into smaller pieces. Chilling them in the fridge also makes them easier to chop.
- Granny Smith apples: It’s critical to use a tart apple to balance out the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients in this apple Snickers salad. Other tart apples like Pink Lady apples could work, but I advise against using sweet apples like Fuji or Gala.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: We use instant vanilla pudding mix for the creamy “dressing” on the Snickers salad.
- Whipped topping: The other half of our creamy salad dressing. You could use homemade whipped cream instead, but be aware it might be a thinner dressing.
- Caramel sauce: I just like to drizzle a little caramel sauce on top of the salad for extra yumminess!
How to Make Snickers Salad
- Chop apples. Core and chop 5 Granny Smith apples into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Chill and chop Snickers bars. Allow 4 full-size Snickers bars to chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. Chilling the Snickers bars makes them easier to chop. Once chilled, roughly chop the Snickers bars into small pieces.
- Make pudding. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together ¾ cup of milk with a 3.4 oz box of vanilla instant pudding mix. Let it rest for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Combine pudding with whipped topping. Gently fold 8 oz of thawed whipped topping into the pudding until combined.
- Add chopped apples and Snickers. Add chopped apples and Snickers pieces to the creamy pudding mixture. Carefully stir until all the ingredients are combined, and the sauce completely covers the apples and Snickers.
- Enjoy. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Before serving, squeeze or pour a drizzle of caramel sauce over the top of the salad for extra yumminess.
Recipe Tips
If you want to use homemade whipped cream, whip 1½ cups of heavy whipping cream with 3 tablespoons of confectioner’s sugar or granulated sugar and ¾ teaspoon of vanilla until stiff peaks form.
If you cannot find Granny Smith apples, another tart apple like a Pink Lady might work. I would not recommend using sweeter apples, because I think they would make this salad too sweet.
For a different version of this sweet side dish, swap out half of the apples for green grapes. You could also try making this salad with different candy bars. I think Milky Ways or Twix would be good! I’ve also seen versions of this candy salad made with butterscotch pudding. If you try it, let me know in the comments!
Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing
Make Ahead: This salad is best eaten the day it’s made. It will be good the next day, but the whipped cream mixture may thin a bit. If you want to make it last, you can try treating your apples so they don’t turn brown by tossing them with lemon juice and then patting them dry.
Storing: Store leftover apple Snickers salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day.
Freezing: This recipe cannot be frozen.
Recipe FAQs
Snickers salad originated in the Midwest, specifically Iowa.
Snickers are gluten-free and most instant pudding mixes are also gluten-free. However, always read labels to double-check if this is a concern for you.
This salad is best eaten the same day it’s made. To cut down on your time, you could chop your Snickers bars and apples in advance. Toss the apples with lemon juice and pat them dry to keep them from turning brown.
More Sweet Salad Recipes
Apple Snickers Salad
Ingredients
- 4 full size Snickers bars - chilled
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
- 8 oz frozen whipped topping - thawed
- 5 Granny Smith apples - cored and chopped
- caramel sauce - for drizzling overtop
Instructions
- Chill the Snickers bars. Once chilled, roughly chop. (the candy bars are easier to chop when they are cold.)
- In a large bowl whisk the milk and instant vanilla pudding until combined. Let rest for 5 minutes to thicken. Fold in the whipped topping.
- Add the chopped apples and chopped snickers to the salad. Fold to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Right before serving drizzle caramel overtop. Serve chilled.