Description
This Fall Fruit Salad is a refreshing and vibrant mix of seasonal fruits tossed in a lightly spiced maple-cinnamon dressing. Featuring sweet apples, juicy grapes, tangy blackberries, and crunchy pecans, it is perfect as a healthy snack or a festive side dish for autumn gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 orange (for zest and juice)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 16 ounces red seedless grapes
- 12 ounces blackberries
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 large sweet apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Red Delicious)
Instructions
- Zest and Juice Orange: Zest the orange and then juice it into a large mixing bowl to create the base for the dressing.
- Make the Dressing: Add maple syrup and ground cinnamon to the freshly squeezed orange juice. Whisk the mixture until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the red seedless grapes, blackberries, and chopped pecans into the bowl with the dressing.
- Prepare Apples: Cube the apples into bite-sized pieces. Immediately add them to the bowl to prevent them from browning and to absorb the flavors of the dressing.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure the fruits and nuts are evenly coated with the maple-cinnamon dressing.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste or refrigerate until ready to serve to let the flavors meld.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Red Delicious for best texture.
- To prevent apples from browning further, toss them quickly in the dressing and serve promptly.
- This salad can be refrigerated for up to 1 day; texture may soften over time.
- Chopped pecans add a wonderful crunch but can be omitted or replaced with walnuts if preferred.
- For a vegan and natural sweetener option, use pure maple syrup as listed.
