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Apple Fruit Salad Recipe – Easy Cozy Thanksgiving Side with Fall Spice Dressing

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This apple fruit salad combines crisp apples, juicy grapes, tart cranberries, and crunchy nuts, all tossed in a creamy fall spice dressing with cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing side perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large apples (Honeycrisp or Gala, cored and chopped—about 2 cups/260g)
  • 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
  • 1 cup green grapes, halved
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries (or fresh cranberries for more tartness)
  • 1 medium pear, cored and chopped (about 1 cup; optional)
  • 1 large orange, peeled and segmented (about 1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped (toasted if desired)
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt for dairy-free)
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of ground cloves (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Wash, core, and chop apples into bite-sized cubes. Place in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Halve the red and green grapes and add to the bowl.
  3. Peel and segment the orange, chopping segments in half if large. Add to the bowl.
  4. Core and chop the pear, if using, and add to the bowl.
  5. Add dried cranberries and chopped walnuts or pecans.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt until smooth and creamy.
  7. Pour the dressing over the fruit and nuts. Gently fold everything together to coat evenly without mashing the fruit.
  8. If the salad is too thick, add a splash of orange juice or milk. If too watery, drain off excess liquid.
  9. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. (Optional if short on time.)
  10. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. Sprinkle extra nuts or a dusting of cinnamon on top if desired. Serve chilled.

Notes

For best texture, use firm apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji. Toast nuts for extra flavor and add them just before serving to keep them crunchy. The recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan with coconut yogurt. Chill for 30 minutes for best flavor. If prepping ahead, keep nuts separate until serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple fruit salad, Thanksgiving side, fall salad, fruit salad, holiday recipe, healthy side, gluten-free, vegetarian, easy fruit salad, fall spice dressing

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/apple-fruit-salad-recipe-easy-cozy-thanksgiving-side-with-fall-spice-dressing/