Gotta tell ya – this Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad changed my salad game forever. First time I made it for Sunday dinner, my husband couldn’t stop raving bout it. There’s something magical bout how the sweet, crisp apples play with the tangy feta that just works. And the textures? OMG. Crunchy, creamy, fresh all in one bite. Not your average boring salad for sure! If ur looking for a fall salad that’ll impress everyone at the table (without tons of effort), keep reading cuz this ones a keeper.
Why You’ll Love This Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad
Hate making complicated salads that need like 20 ingredients? Same. This Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad solves that problem with simple ingredients that pack major flavor.
Last Thanksgiving I was stressing over what side to bring when my sister suggested “just make that apple salad thing you always do.” That “apple salad thing” ended up being the first dish to disappear! Even my salad-hating nephew had seconds.
What makes this recipe so great is how flexible it is. No feta? Use goat cheese. Want it heartier? Add chicken. Need it vegan? Skip the cheese and add some nuts. The Honeycrisp apples are really the star here.
Plus it takes like 15 mins tops to throw together – perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute potluck invites.
Ingredients for the Perfect Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad
For the Base:
- 4 cups mixed greens – I usually grab the pre-washed kind cuz who has time? Baby arugula adds nice peppery kick if you want.
- 2 large Honeycrisp apples – These are KEY. Don’t substitute if possible! Their sweet-tart balance and amazing crunch is what makes this Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad special. If you absolutely cant find them, Gala or Pink Lady work OK but not quite same.
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta – Get the block kind and crumble yourself for best flavor. Pre-crumbled works in a pinch tho.
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries – Adds sweet-tart chew. Could swap for dried cherries or even raisins.
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion – Soak in ice water for 5 mins if u want less bite.
- 1/3 cup candied walnuts – The sweet crunch is amazing here! Plain toasted walnuts work too if ur watching sugar.
For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil – Use the good stuff if u have it.
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar – Reinforces the apple flavor!
- 1 tbsp honey – Local honey tastes amazing here.
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard – Helps everything emulsify and adds subtle kick.
- Salt and pepper to taste – Don’t skip the salt! It brings all flavors together.
How to Make Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad
- Prep your ingredients. Wash and dry greens if not using pre-washed. Core and slice Honeycrisp apples into thin wedges or half-moons (don’t peel – the red skin looks pretty!). Thinly slice red onion. If making candied walnuts from scratch, do that first so they can cool.
- Make the dressing. In small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon, salt and pepper. Whisk or shake until combined. Taste and adjust – maybe add more honey if u like sweeter dressing.
- Assemble the salad. In large bowl, add greens first. Then arrange Honeycrisp apple slices, feta crumbles, cranberries, red onion slices, and candied walnuts on top. Can do this in layers for pretty presentation if serving guests.
- Dress right before serving. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently. Don’t dress too early or greens will get soggy! If prepping ahead, keep components separate until ready to eat.
This Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad literally takes just minutes to throw together but looks super impressive. Perfect balance of sweet, tangy, crunchy and creamy in every bite!
Amazing Variations of Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad
Protein-Packed Version
Add grilled chicken breast or rotisserie chicken chunks to make this Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad a complete meal. Perfect for quick lunches!
Mediterranean Twist
Swap walnuts for pistachios, add kalamata olives and use oregano in dressing. Still keeps the Honeycrisp apples and feta combo but with Greek vibes.
Fall Harvest Edition
Add roasted butternut squash cubes and pepitas (pumpkin seeds). The sweet squash complements the Honeycrisp apples beautifully.
Berry Good Variation
Add fresh strawberries or blueberries alongside the Honeycrisp apples for extra color and flavor. Great in summer!
Hearty Winter Version
Add cooked farro or quinoa to make this Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad more filling during colder months. The grains soak up the dressing amazingly.
Looking for more amazing salad recipes? Check out my Millionaire Peach Salad or Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts Salad for more inspiration!
Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad
Equipment
- Large salad bowl
- Small bowl or jar for dressing
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens baby arugula optional
- 2 large Honeycrisp apples thinly sliced (do not peel)
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/3 cup candied walnuts
- For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Wash and dry greens if not pre-washed. Thinly slice apples and red onion.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Adjust to taste.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine greens, apple slices, feta, cranberries, red onion, and walnuts.
- Dress and Serve: Add dressing just before serving and toss gently.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What pairs well with Honeycrisp apples?
Honeycrisp apples pair amazingly with sharp cheeses like cheddar and blue cheese, but especially well with tangy feta in this Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad. They also go great with nuts like walnuts or pecans, pork dishes, cinnamon, caramel, and other fall flavors like butternut squash. Their sweet-tart profile makes them super versatile!
Do apples and feta go together?
Absolutely! Apples and feta are a match made in heaven. The sweet crunchiness of apples (especially Honeycrisp) balances perfectly with feta’s tangy, salty creaminess. This contrast is what makes Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad so popular. The flavors complement each other without either one overpowering the other.
What are Honeycrisp apples best for?
Honeycrisp apples are hands down best for fresh eating and salads like this Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad because of their incredible crunch and perfect sweet-tart balance. They also hold up well in baking, make great applesauce, and work beautifully in slaws and fruit platters. Their firm texture means they don’t get mushy quickly, making them perfect for meal prep too.
What is the best apple to put in a salad?
While I’m biased toward Honeycrisp for this Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad, they truly are ideal for salads because they resist browning longer than other varieties, have amazing crunch, and offer balanced sweetness. Other good options include Pink Lady, Gala, Fuji or Granny Smith if you prefer something more tart. Avoid softer varieties like McIntosh that get mushy quickly.
What cheese pairs well with apples?
Feta is amazing with apples in this Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad, but there are lots of great options! Sharp cheddar, creamy brie, goat cheese, blue cheese, and gruyere all pair wonderfully with apples. The key is balancing the apple’s sweetness with cheese that has some tang or sharpness for contrast.
Make This Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad Your Own
Started making this Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad couple years ago when my farmers market had mountains of these gorgeous apples. Now its requested at every family gathering. My mom was super skeptical about fruit in salad (old school, ya know?) but now she makes it herself!
What I love most is seeing how everyone adapts it. My brother adds bacon. Sister-in-law makes it with goat cheese instead of feta. Friend keeps it vegan with nutritional yeast instead of cheese.
The magic of this salad is in the contrast – sweet juicy apples against tangy feta, crunchy nuts with soft greens. Each bite tells a story of fall harvest and comfort food but in a fresh, light way.
So grab some Honeycrisp apples next time ur shopping and try this salad. Make it ur own. And don’t be surprised when everyone asks for the recipe!
Easy Homemade Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad with Honey Dressing
Total Time: 15 minutes Serves: 4-6 as side salad
This fresh and easy Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad combines sweet, crisp apples with tangy feta cheese and crunchy candied walnuts for the perfect fall side dish that comes together in minutes!