This fall-flavored salad is simply loaded with crisp honeycrisp apples, crunchy walnuts, golden cheese-filled croutons and generously doused in a sweet apple cider vinaigrette.
Longest title ever. Best salad you’ll ever taste.
Seriously guys, this is Tuesday’s DREAM salad.
And we kinda need it after that dreamy soup we indulged in yesterday. 😉
Do you guys follow me on IG? If not, you may wanna consider it—I share sneak-peeks of recipes to come, and tidbits of my cray life that you may or may not want to see, but that’s neither here nor there.
Anywhoooo, you may have seen that last weekend my family did our annual visit to the corn maze/pumpkin patch/best-apple-cider-donuts-in-the-world-place.
Which, by the way, is pretty much my favorite weekend of fall. Okay, getting lost in the endless corn maze isn’t too much fun (I’m directionally-challenged) but all the pretty pumpkins? The hayrides? The DONUTS?! They’re worth it.
You have to give me credit though. I only had ONE donut on our visit last weekend and then stocked up on literally 20 gorgeous pumpkins and a bunch of honeycrisp apples for future cooking adventures.
Then I came home and promptly gorged myself with apples and smoked cheddar cheese (um, that donut obv didn’t hold my appetite) and then….the idea hit me like a ton of bricks. WHAT IF, I put those crisp, sweet apples in a salad with crunchy walnuts and….(wait for it)
Crunchy croutons filled with melty cheese. GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS.
And the whole dang thing doused in extra-EXTRA apple fun. Apple cider dressing. Which, I kinda want to swim in it’s so good.
Oh, heavens….this is all too much. ..*down goes Sarah*
Soooo on top of an apple cider donut and apples ‘n’ cheese, I rounded out my Sunday afternoon with a salad to “detox” all the previous stuff.
Ha.
Seriously guys, this salad is the real deal of all things FALL. You probably know by now by love for fall salads, and let me tell you —> It doesn’t just end here. 😉
You know this salad is calling your name.
I’m just gonna let the pictures speak for me today…Forgive me, my mouth is currently full of cookies. (more detoxing, obv)
Aand the title pretty much just speaks for itself. YOU NEED this salad. ’nuff said. 😉
Happy salad-crunching. ♥
Apple Walnut Salad with Grilled Cheese Croutons + Apple Cider Dressing
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- CROUTONS:
- 2 slices mozzarella cheese
- 2 slices whole wheat sandwich bread
- 2 teaspoons softened butter
- SALAD:
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 large honeycrisp apple cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts toasted
- APPLE CIDER DRESSING:
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the croutons: Place cheese between slices of bread to make a sandwich. Spread both sides of bread with butter. Cook grilled cheese on a medium-high heat griddle until golden on both sides and cheese is melted. Remove from heat and cool 1-2 minutes. Slice into 1/2 in cubes.
- Prepare the salad: In a large serving bowl, combine lettuce, sliced apple, walnuts, and croutons. Set aside for a minute to prepare the dressing.
- In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, shake all dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Serve salad with apple cider dressing.
Joanne says
Grilled cheese croutons are probably the best idea. EVER. This is one SLAMMIN’ fall salad!
Sarah says
The croutons just really bring this whole salad over the top, that’s for sure. 😉 Thanks Joanne!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
This salad looks amazing, Sarah! Apples, apple cider dressing, and grilled cheese croutons!! It is definitely a salad lover’s dream!
Sarah says
Thanks Jen! Who knew salads could be so fun? 😉
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
WOW! This is quite a salad! Anything that includes grilled cheese has got my name all over it!
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Kelly! 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Excuse you, grilled cheese croutons?!?!?! You are a genius.
Sarah says
Haha! Well, thank you! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This salad looks PERFECT, Sarah! I knew I saw grilled cheese croutons in your instagram pic! 🙂 I am so loving all these wonderful flavors in here. And that apple cider dressing sounds amazing! Love your creativity!
Sarah says
I was wondering if anyone would guess what those croutons in my IG pic actually were! 😉 Thanks Gayle!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Girl, you are keeeling me with this salad! I know I should be eating salad (and this one looks so tasty), but darn it – with the cold weather I want comfort food. But, maybe I’ll have this on the side! LOL Pinned!
Sarah says
Haha! Salads are goooood for you. And this one is totally healthified, really. 😀 Thanks for the pin, Kristi!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Grilled cheese croutons? That is freak’n brilliant, Sarah! I luuurve apples in my salad too and this one sounds perfect with the apple cider dressing too! I totally need this after a marathon baking weekend – pinning!
Sarah says
Ha thanks Kelly! And yes, I had to “detox” with this salad too. 😉
Rachael | Spache the Spatula says
You SO had me at “grilled cheese croutons”!
Omg, drooling!
Sarah says
Haha, thanks Rachael!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
I love salads and fall salads are my favorite! This salad looks amazing. Love that you added curry powder to the dressing. Going to have to try that!
Sarah says
Fall salads are amazing! Glad I’m not the only one who thinks so. 😀
Danielle says
Um grilled cheese croutons?! I think I squealed a little inside just reading the title of this recipe. These pair so well with the apples in this salad too. I must make this asap! Pinning!
Sarah says
Haha! Don’t worry about it, I kinda squealed a little while I was digging into this salad. 😀 Thanks for the pin, lady!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
This is one beautiful looking salad Sarah! Love the idea of adding curry powder to the dressing, my Indian taste buds approve it! 😉 Pinned!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Manali! and the curry powder adds such an amazing depth of flavor to the dressing! 🙂
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
This salad looks awesome! Love the dressing and those croutons!!! Pinned!
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning, Lindsey!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
I love a good crunch on a salad. Apples and walnuts certainly add a great crunch here. Lovely salad Sarah.
Sarah says
Thank you, Kathy! If you love crunch, then this salad is right up your alley!
Vanessa @VeganFamilyRecipes says
You had me at grilled cheese croutons 😀 I need to figure out a way to make those vegan. Sounds really delicious! Such a great recipe and pictures.
Sarah says
I’ll bet you could totally figure out a way to make these croutons vegan, Vanessa! LMK if you do! 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Grilled cheese croutons? Ummm, you’re a genius Sarah! A genius! This salad sounds just perfect for fall. Loving that apple cider dressing too. And I love following you on Instagram!
Sarah says
Haha thanks Natalie! You’re too sweet. 🙂 I love following you on IG too!
marcie says
Those croutons are wildly inventive, Sarah, and this salad looks amazing! Love that cider dressing!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Marcie! 🙂