Delicious Snickers Apple Salad: The Ultimate Sweet & Tangy Dessert Salad
Step into a world of irresistible flavor with our Snickers Apple Salad recipe – a dessert salad so delightful, it’s often mistaken for a side dish! This beloved concoction harmoniously blends the creamy richness of Cool Whip and instant pudding with the chewy, chocolatey goodness of Snickers candy bars and the refreshing tartness of crisp green apples. It’s a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for adding a touch of sweetness to any gathering, from festive holiday meals like Easter and Thanksgiving to casual summer potlucks and BBQs. Prepare to be asked for this recipe again and again!
While the majority of this “salad” can be prepared in advance, we strongly recommend dicing your green apples just before serving. This simple tip ensures their vibrant color and crisp texture remain intact, preventing any undesirable browning. If you’re looking to explore more delightful sweet treats, don’t miss our Easy Frog Eye Salad Recipe for another fantastic potluck option.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with Snickers Apple Salad
This Snickers Apple Salad isn’t just a recipe; it’s a culinary experience that brings smiles to every face. Here’s why it’s become a staple for countless celebrations:
- Effortlessly Delicious: With minimal prep and no baking required, this recipe is incredibly easy to assemble, making it perfect for busy hosts.
- A Symphony of Textures: You’ll savor the creamy pudding and whipped topping, the satisfying crunch of fresh apples, and the chewy, nutty delight of Snickers pieces in every bite.
- Sweet & Tangy Harmony: The inherent tartness of Granny Smith apples beautifully cuts through the sweetness of the candy and pudding, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual weeknight treat, a festive holiday dessert, or a standout dish at a potluck, this salad fits right in. It’s a conversation starter and a guaranteed hit.
- Customizable Fun: Easily adapt the recipe with different pudding flavors, various candy bars, or even additional fruits to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
The Debate: Salad or Dessert?
Ah, the classic debate! While many refer to this dish as “Snickers Apple Salad,” let’s be honest – it leans heavily towards the dessert category. Packed with rich ingredients like candy bars, whipped cream, and instant pudding, it’s undeniably a sweet indulgence. However, its refreshing, fruit-filled nature allows it to comfortably grace the side dish table at any brunch, party, or family gathering. We say, call it what you will, just make sure to enjoy every decadent spoonful!
Key Ingredients for Your Snickers Apple Salad
Creating this delightful Snickers Apple Salad requires just a few simple, yet impactful, ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures:
- Snickers Candy Bars: You’ll need approximately six full-sized Snickers bars. The combination of chocolate, nougat, caramel, and peanuts is what makes this dessert truly unique. Ensure they are cut into bite-sized pieces, roughly ½ inch, to match the apple dice for consistent texture in every spoonful. Feel free to chill them slightly before dicing to make the process easier.
- Apples: Granny Smith apples are the star here. Their intensely tart and crisp nature provides a crucial contrast to the sweetness of the other ingredients, preventing the salad from being overly cloying. Peel, core, and dice them into uniform ½-inch pieces. Other excellent tart and crisp alternatives include Mutsu, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp apples.
- Instant Pudding Mix: A 3.4-ounce package of instant butterscotch pudding mix creates the foundational creamy base. Butterscotch adds a wonderful depth of flavor, but instant vanilla pudding mix is an equally fantastic and versatile alternative if you prefer a classic taste.
- Milk: Used to prepare the instant pudding, whole milk provides the richest, creamiest consistency. However, 2% milk can also be used without significantly compromising the texture.
- Cool Whip (or Whipped Topping): This fluffy, airy topping is folded into the pudding mixture, giving the salad its characteristic light and creamy texture. While Cool Whip is standard, you can certainly elevate the dish by using homemade whipped cream for an even fresher taste.
- Caramel Sauce (Optional, but Recommended): A generous drizzle of caramel sauce over the top before serving adds a luxurious finish and an extra layer of sweet indulgence. It beautifully complements the flavors of the Snickers and apples.
How to Master the Snickers Apple Salad Recipe
Crafting this delightful dessert salad is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect outcome every time:
- Prepare the Pudding Base: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the instant pudding mix with the milk. Whisk vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is thoroughly combined and begins to thicken. It should be smooth and free of lumps. Next, gently fold in the Cool Whip (or your homemade whipped cream) until the mixture is light and airy.
- Incorporate Apples and Snickers: Add the freshly diced apples and the bite-sized Snickers candy bar pieces to the pudding mixture. Using a spatula, carefully fold them in until they are evenly distributed throughout the creamy base. Be gentle to avoid bruising the apples or breaking up the Snickers too much.
- Chill to Perfection: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the salad to chill for at least 1-2 hours, or ideally, overnight. This chilling time is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the pudding to set completely, resulting in a firm yet creamy texture.
- Serve with a Flourish: Just before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. Transfer the chilled Snickers Apple Salad to a beautiful serving bowl. For an extra touch of decadence and visual appeal, drizzle generously with caramel sauce and sprinkle any reserved diced apples and Snickers pieces over the top. Serve immediately and enjoy the rave reviews!
Frequently Asked Questions About Snickers Apple Salad
In all honesty, the Snickers Apple Salad is an indulgent treat that undeniably falls into the dessert category. Loaded with candy bars, creamy whipped topping, and instant pudding, it’s designed to satisfy your sweet tooth. However, its refreshing fruit component often leads people to serve it as a lighter side dish or appetizer for brunches, potlucks, and parties. Ultimately, whether you call it a salad or a dessert, it’s simply delicious!
Absolutely! This dessert salad is fantastic for making ahead, with one key consideration: the apples. To prevent the apples from browning, prepare the pudding and Cool Whip mixture, and dice the Snickers bars the day before. Cover the mixture tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. On the day of serving, dice your apples and gently fold them into the chilled mixture just an hour or two before you plan to present the dish. If you absolutely must dice apples earlier, tossing them lightly in a small amount of lemon juice or another citric acid solution can help prevent oxidation, but fresh dicing is always best for optimal appearance and crunch.
For this sweet dessert salad, the best apples are those that are wonderfully tart and crisp. Granny Smith apples are the top recommendation because their sharp tang provides a perfect counterpoint to the richness and sweetness of the Snickers and pudding. Their firm texture also holds up well in the creamy mixture. Other excellent choices that offer a similar sweet-tart balance and good crunch include Mutsu (Crispin), Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp apples. Avoid overly soft or mealy apple varieties, as they won’t provide the desired textural contrast.
Yes, absolutely! This recipe is incredibly adaptable. While Snickers are a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other candy bars like Milky Way, Twix, Heath bars, or even chocolate bars with nuts. Similarly, you can swap out the butterscotch pudding for instant vanilla, chocolate, cheesecake, or even banana pudding to create different flavor profiles. Each variation offers a unique and delicious twist on the original.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Snickers Apple Salad
Achieve Snickers Apple Salad perfection with these insider tips:
- Prevent Apple Browning: As mentioned, the best way to keep your apples fresh and bright is to dice them right before serving. If you prepare them ahead, a quick toss in a tablespoon of lemon juice or a fruit protector solution (like Fruit-Fresh) can delay browning.
- Chilling is Key: Don’t rush the chilling process. Allowing the salad to chill for at least 2 hours (or longer) not only helps the pudding set properly but also allows the flavors to deepen and meld, resulting in a more harmonious and delicious taste.
- Uniform Dicing: Aim for uniformly sized apple and Snickers pieces (about ½ inch). This ensures that every spoonful offers a balanced mix of ingredients and a pleasant eating experience.
- Garnish for Impact: Reserve a small portion of diced apples and Snickers pieces to sprinkle on top just before serving. This adds visual appeal and clearly signals the delicious ingredients within. A beautiful drizzle of caramel sauce also elevates the presentation.
- Temperature Matters: Ensure your milk and Cool Whip are well-chilled before mixing. This helps the pudding set more quickly and maintain a desirable texture.
More Sweet Salad & Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
- Easy Frog Eye Salad
- Fruit Salad with Citrus Glaze
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Winter Fruit Salad
Storage Tips
- Make Ahead Instructions: For optimal freshness, prepare the pudding and Cool Whip mixture, and dice the Snickers bars the day before. Store covered in the refrigerator overnight. Dice and fold in the apples, and add toppings just before you plan to serve. This strategy ensures your apples remain crisp and vibrant.
- Refrigerator Storage: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. For the best quality, enjoy within 2 days. The apples will gradually soften and may begin to brown after this period.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (based on 1 vote)
Snickers Apple Salad Recipe
The Carefree Kitchen
This Snickers Apple Salad is a sweet dessert salad filled with creamy Cool Whip, instant pudding, chewy Snickers candy bars, and tart green apples. Similar to ambrosia salad, this recipe can be served as a dessert or side for Easter, Thanksgiving, summer potlucks, or any other get together.
Pin Recipe |
Rate This Recipe
15 mins
15 mins
8 people
Ingredients
- 1 3.4 ounce package instant butterscotch pudding mix
- 1 cup milk
- 6 ounces Cool Whip, or whipped cream
- 3 large granny smith apples, cut into 1/2″ pieces (reserve 1/2 cup for garnish)
- 6 full-size Snickers Candy Bars, cut into 1/2″ pieces (reserve 1/2 cup for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
Instructions
In a medium sized mixing bowl, add the instant pudding and milk. Whisk together until well combined, then fold in the Cool Whip.
Add the diced apples and Snickers Bars and carefully fold in. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Just before serving, gently stir, then transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with the reserved apples and Snickers bar pieces. Enjoy!
Notes
- Storing instructions: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Make ahead instructions: Prepare everything besides the apples and extra toppings the day before you plan to serve. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge overnight. The next day, dice and fold in your apples and add your toppings just before serving.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 15g |
Protein: 0.5g |
Fat: 1g |
Saturated Fat: 0.1g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g |
Trans Fat: 0.004g |
Cholesterol: 0.1mg |
Sodium: 61mg |
Potassium: 95mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 12g |
Vitamin A: 51IU |
Vitamin C: 4mg |
Calcium: 46mg |
Iron: 0.1mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Dessert
American
Sharing this recipe with a link is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.
Did you make this?
Don’t forget to leave a rating below and make sure to follow on Pinterest, Instagram and Tiktok for more!
More Fun Dessert Recipes
- Cheesecake Fruit Dip
- Lemon Raspberry Parfait
- Candy Kabobs
- Chocolate Oreo Parfaits
- Buckeye Dip
- Berry Trifle
- Mini No-Bake Cheesecakes
- Apple Nachos
- Discover more Homemade Desserts
- Explore more Salad Recipes
In conclusion, this apple Snickers salad is a sweet and tangy dessert salad that is remarkably easy to prepare and a guaranteed hit for any occasion. The irresistible combination of creamy pudding, crisp green apples, and decadent Snickers candy bars creates a truly memorable treat. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or simply satisfying a sweet craving, this recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves a good dessert with a twist!