Candied Pecan Salad with Apples
Piled with crisp apples, homemade candied pecans, and a tangy maple balsamic dressing, this candied pecan salad is an easy fall salad that's always a crowd-pleaser.
Servings 6 servings
Calories 393kcal
Ingredients
Candied Pecans
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup pecan halves
Maple Balsamic Dressing
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salad
- 8 cups packed fresh kale leaves or mixed greens
- 2 medium honeycrisp or gala apples, cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
- 1/4 cup pepitas
Instructions
Candied Pecans
- Line a small sheet pan or plate with parchment paper and set aside. Heat brown sugar, water, butter, cinnamon, and salt in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until simmering.
- Add pecans to pan and cook over medium heat 3-5 minutes until pecans are fragrant and evenly coated. Immediately spread pecans in an even layer on parchment paper and allow to cool completely.
Maple Balsamic Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk balsamic, maple syrup, and mustard until smooth. Gradually drizzle in olive oil, whisking constantly until dressing is smooth. Season dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
Salad
- Place kale in a large bowl and drizzle about 1 tablespoon dressing over top. Use your fingers to massage kale well until kale is tender.
- Add apples, cranberries, cheese, pepitas, and candied pecans to kale and drizzle dressing over top. Toss salad to evenly coat and serve immediately.
Notes
Storing Instructions
Salad is best if served immediately after assembly.
Nutrition
Serving: 12 oz salad | Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 2924IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 2mg