Warm Apple & Feta Fall Salad Recipe
A cozy and vibrant fall salad featuring warm, caramelized apples paired with tangy feta cheese, crunchy toasted nuts, and sweet dried cranberries, all brought together with a zesty apple cider vinaigrette. Perfect for autumn gatherings or a comforting lunch.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Sautéing, Tossing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Warm Apples
- 3 crisp apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of sea salt
For the Salad
- 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or baby kale)
- 3 oz (85 g) feta cheese, crumbled
- ⅓ cup toasted walnuts or pecans
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
For the Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Warm the Apples: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the apple slices along with honey, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 4–6 minutes, turning gently, until the apples are warm, tender, and lightly caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
- Assemble the Salad: Arrange the mixed greens evenly in a large bowl or on a serving platter. Top with the warm apples, crumbled feta cheese, toasted nuts, and dried cranberries for texture and flavor contrast.
- Dress & Serve: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently if desired or serve layered to showcase the vibrant ingredients. Enjoy immediately while the apples are still warm for the best taste experience.
Notes
- For best results, choose crisp apples such as Honeycrisp or Fuji for sweetness and texture.
- To toast nuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Feel free to substitute nuts or dried fruit to suit your preferences or dietary needs.
- This salad is best served immediately to enjoy the contrast between warm apples and fresh greens.
- Leftovers should be kept refrigerated and are best consumed within one day, as apples can lose their texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: fall salad, warm apple salad, feta cheese salad, autumn recipes, healthy salad, apple dressing, quick salad