This creamy and crunchy salad is a dessert lover’s dream, combining tart crisp apples with sweet chocolate candy bars. It comes together in just minutes with a fluffy pudding base, making it the perfect side dish for potlucks, barbecues, or holiday gatherings. The mix of textures and the balance of sweet and tart flavors create an absolutely irresistible treat.
With its rich caramel drizzle and chunks of chocolate, this Snickers Apple Salad is a crowd-pleasing dish that tastes just like a deconstructed caramel apple in a bowl.
Recipe Details
This simple dessert salad is famous for disappearing quickly at family gatherings. Here is what you can expect from this recipe:
- Flavor Profile: The tartness of Granny Smith apples cuts through the sweetness of the vanilla pudding and candy bars, while the caramel adds a rich finish.
- Texture: You get a wonderful contrast between the creamy, fluffy dressing and the crunch of fresh apples and peanuts.
- Time: The active prep time is only about 15 minutes.
- Difficulty: This is an easy, beginner-friendly recipe that requires no cooking.
What You’ll Need
To make this salad, you will need a creamy base made from instant pudding and milk, lightened with whipped topping. The bulk of the salad consists of fresh, tart apples and chopped candy bars, finished with a drizzle of sweet caramel.
Ingredient Notes
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix – This acts as the stabilizer and flavor base for the dressing. Make sure you use instant pudding, not the cook-and-serve variety, so it sets up properly with the cold milk.
- Whole Milk – You need cold milk to activate the pudding mix. Whole milk provides the creamiest consistency.
- Cool Whip – This whipped topping gives the salad its fluffy, airy texture. If you prefer, you can use heavy whipping cream beaten to stiff peaks.
- Granny Smith Apples – These are the best choice for this recipe because their distinct tartness balances the sugar in the candy and pudding. They also stay crisp longer than softer apple varieties.
- Snickers Bars – The combination of nougat, caramel, peanuts, and chocolate in these bars provides the signature flavor and crunch.
- Caramel Sauce – Used as a garnish, this adds a beautiful finish and boosts the caramel apple flavor profile.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Nuts – If you love extra crunch, you can fold in chopped peanuts or pecans along with the candy bars.
- Chocolate Chips – For chocolate lovers, a handful of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips makes a great addition.
- Marshmallows – To make this more like a traditional fluff salad, you can stir in a cup of mini marshmallows.
- Pudding Flavors – While vanilla is classic, you can try using white chocolate or butterscotch instant pudding mix for a different twist.
Ingredients
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 8 ounces Cool Whip or 1 cup heavy whipping cream, beat to stiff peaks
- 6 Granny Smith apples divided, reserve 1 for garnish
- 6 Snickers bars full size bars, divided, reserve 1 for garnish
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce optional
How to Make Snickers Apple Salad
- Make the dressing. In a large bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding and milk and smooth and creamy. Once the pudding mixture is ready, fold in the whipped topping (Cool Whip) or whipped cream until well combined.
- Prep the apples. Core and chop all but one of the apples into bite-sized pieces. If you are making this salad in advance, toss with lemon juice or 7-Up to prevent browning. Pat dry to ensure no excess moisture gets into the salad.
- Chop the candy. Chop all but one Snickers into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine. Fold in the chopped apples and Snickers into the pudding mixture until they are evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Garnish and serve. Just before serving, top with remaining apple and Snickers and drizzle with caramel sauce if desired. Enjoy!
Pro Tip: Make sure your Cool Whip is fully thawed before folding it in. This ensures the dressing is smooth and wraps perfectly around the fruit and candy without lumps.
Recipe Tips
- Keep it cold: This salad relies on dairy and chocolate, so it is best kept refrigerated until the very last moment to maintain its texture.
- Uniform chopping: Try to chop the apples and Snickers bars into pieces of roughly the same size. This ensures you get a little bit of everything in every bite.
- Pat the apples dry: If you use the lemon juice or soda trick to prevent browning, be sure to pat the apples completely dry with a paper towel. Excess moisture can make the creamy dressing watery.
- Chilling the candy: If your kitchen is warm, pop the Snickers bars in the fridge or freezer for 10 minutes before chopping. This prevents the chocolate from melting on your hands and makes cutting them cleaner.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, you can make this a few hours in advance. However, apples naturally release moisture over time. For the best texture, I recommend mixing it up no more than 4 to 6 hours before serving.
Do I have to peel the apples? No, you should leave the skins on. The green skin of the Granny Smith apples adds a lovely pop of color and extra texture to the salad.
Can I use a different type of apple? While Granny Smith is preferred for its tartness, you can use other crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji. Avoid soft baking apples as they may get mushy in the salad.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is versatile enough to be a side dish or a dessert. It pairs beautifully with savory mains at a barbecue or potluck.
- Grilled Meats: Serve this alongside grilled chicken or steak to add a sweet contrast to the savory, smoky flavors.
- Sandwiches: It goes great with hearty sandwiches or burgers.
- Potluck Spread: This is a classic addition to a spread featuring pasta salads, coleslaw, and potato salad.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prep the components of this salad ahead of time to make assembly faster.
- The Dressing: You can mix the pudding, milk, and Cool Whip a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge.
- The Snickers: The candy bars can be chopped days in advance and stored in an airtight container.
- The Apples: It is best to chop the apples the day you plan to serve to ensure they stay fresh and crisp. If you must chop them early, use the lemon juice or 7-Up method mentioned in the instructions.
Snickers Apple Salad (Creamy No-Bake Dessert)
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This creamy and crunchy Snickers Apple Salad is a beloved no-bake dessert that combines tart, crisp Granny Smith apples with sweet chocolate candy bars and a fluffy vanilla pudding dressing. Quick to make and perfect for potlucks, it delivers the irresistible flavor of a deconstructed caramel apple.
Ingredients
Dressing Base
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 8 ounces Cool Whip or 1 cup heavy whipping cream, beat to stiff peaks
Salad Components
- 6 Granny Smith apples divided, reserve 1 for garnish
- 6 Snickers bars full size bars, divided, reserve 1 for garnish
For Garnish (Optional)
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dressing
In a large bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until smooth and creamy. Once the pudding mixture is ready, gently fold in the thawed whipped topping (Cool Whip) or the heavy whipping cream that has been beaten to stiff peaks, until everything is well combined and fluffy.
Step 2: Prep the Apples
Core and chop five of the apples into bite-sized pieces. If you are preparing the salad in advance, lightly toss the chopped apples with a little lemon juice or a clear soda (like 7-Up) to prevent browning, then pat them completely dry with a paper towel.
Step 3: Chop the Candy
Chop five of the full-size Snickers bars into bite-sized pieces. For easier, cleaner chopping, you can chill the bars in the refrigerator or freezer for about 10 minutes beforehand.
Step 4: Combine the Salad
Fold in the chopped apples and chopped Snickers pieces into the prepared pudding mixture until they are evenly coated.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, or until ready to serve. Just before serving, chop the remaining apple and Snickers bar for garnish. Top the salad with the reserved pieces and a drizzle of caramel sauce, if desired.
Notes
Storage and Make-Ahead: This salad is best made and served within 4–6 hours, as the apples will start to release moisture and can make the dressing watery over time. If preparing ahead, keep it covered and refrigerated until the last moment.
Pro-Tip for Texture: Ensure your Cool Whip is fully thawed before folding it into the pudding mixture. This prevents lumps and helps create a smooth, airy dressing that perfectly coats all the ingredients.
Variations: For a fluffier salad, stir in 1 cup of mini marshmallows along with the apples and candy. You can also experiment with other instant pudding flavors like butterscotch or white chocolate for a different twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Snickers apple salad, no-bake dessert, potluck dessert, easy apple recipe, caramel apple salad, candy bar salad, vanilla pudding salad
