Picture an effortless dessert that combines crisp, tart apples, creamy vanilla pudding, fluffy Cool Whip, and chunks of Snickers bars drizzled with a rich caramel sauce. That's exactly what you get with this irresistible Apple Snickers Salad recipe! This sweet, creamy, crunchy treat is perfect for potlucks, parties, or whenever you need something to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: how to make apple Snickers salad
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store apple Snickers salad
- Which apples should I use?
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- You can whip up this delicious no-bake dessert in minutes-and even the kids can help!
- Apple Snickers salad pairs well with savory charcuterie boards and dessert spreads for parties, tailgating, movie nights, and more.
- Carefully fold the Cool Whip into the pudding mixture so you don't deflate the air-this is key to a super fluffy dessert salad.
Every irresistible bite of this six-ingredient apple Snickers salad is sweet, tart, creamy, and crunchy. Serve it chilled, and watch it disappear before your eyes!
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: how to make apple Snickers salad
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
Mix the instant pudding mix and milk.
Gently fold in the Cool Whip.
Add the chopped apples and Snickers bars.
Gently combine the ingredients. Chill before serving.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- The tartness of Granny Smith apples complements the sweetness of the pudding and Snickers bars. However, for a milder flavor, you can use Honeycrisp or Fuji apples.
- Make Cool Whip from scratch. My Cool Whip recipe is so easy and doesn't require gelatin!
- Use store-bought or homemade caramel sauce. A salted caramel version adds a nice flavor contrast.
- Mix a swirl of creamy peanut butter into the pudding mixture or sprinkle chopped peanuts on top for extra crunch.
- You could also stir in colored candies, like M&Ms, or sprinkles to make your apple Snickers salad even more festive!
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- Choose firm apples without any blemishes or marks on the skin. Look for apples with a stem still attached-they're often fresher!
- Chop the Snickers bars and apples into small, bite-sized pieces that won't be a choking hazard for your little ones.
- Carefully fold the thawed Cool Whip into the pudding mixture with a spatula. You want it to stay light, airy, and fluffy.
- Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld.
Marye's Tip o' the day
Toss the apple chunks in lemon juice to prevent them from browning if you're not eating the dessert right away.
🥫 Leftover love: how to store apple Snickers salad
You can refrigerate leftover apple Snickers salad in an airtight container for up to two days. After that, the whipped mixture will deflate and become watery, and the apples will soften and brown.
Apple Snickers salad does not freeze well due to the whipped topping and apples.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up
For extra crunch and flair, garnish your sweet salad with chopped pretzels, peanuts, granola, or sprinkles!
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
Which apples should I use?
You usually want a firm, tangy apple for this recipe. I used Granny Smith but Honeycrisp apples would work well in this recipe, too.
Some of my favorites are -
| Type | Flavor | Texture | Hold shape? |
| HoneyCrisp | sweet | crisp & juicy | yes |
| MacIntosh | tangy | creamy | no |
| Braeburn | balanced sweet & tart | firm & crisp | yes |
| Winesap | sweet; slight spicy flavor | crisp & juicy | yes |
| Jonathon | sweet & tangy | crisp | yes |
| Jazz | sweet, tart, tangy, slight spice | crisp & juicy | yes |
| Granny Smith | very tart | crisp | yes |
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
Sure. If you'd like, you can add grapes or pineapple chunks for extra flavor and texture.
If you don't have Snickers bars, try other chocolate candy, such as Twix, Milky Way, or Reese's peanut butter cups, for a different flavor profile.
While vanilla pudding is the classic choice, you can experiment with chocolate or butterscotch pudding for a tasty twist.
You can prepare the salad up to 24 hours in advance. However, add the apple chunks just before serving for the best texture, so they stay crisp and crunchy and don't brown.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
Buy fun-sized Snickers bars for easier, faster chopping!
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
C'mon, you've gotta love these retro "salads" that taste an awfully lot like dessert! I especially love this one for potlucks.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Apple Snickers Salad
Print Rate RecipeIngredients
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix, 4-serving size
- ½ cup milk
- 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
- 3 Granny Smith apples, diced in large chunks
- 5 Snickers bars, 1.86 ounce size - chopped
- 3 tablespoons caramel sauce
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and milk. Mix until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Gently fold the Cool Whip into the pudding mixture using a spatula. Be careful not to deflate the Cool Whip; you want the mixture to stay light and fluffy.
- Wash and core the Granny Smith apples. Dice them into bite-sized pieces.
- Unwrap the Snickers bars and chop them into small chunks.
- In the same bowl, add the diced apples and chopped Snickers bars to the pudding mixture. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of the salad for a sweet finishing touch.
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Choose firm apples without any blemishes or marks on the skin. Look for apples with a stem still attached-they're often fresher!
- Chop the Snickers bars and apples into small, bite-sized pieces that won't be a choking hazard for your little ones.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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