Crisp Creamy Apple Walnut Fruit Salad (Print Version)

Discover a fresh Creamy Apple Walnut Fruit Salad recipe. My family's favorite, it’s a delightful blend of crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and a light dressing.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Crisp Fruit Base

01 - 4 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji, cored and chopped)
02 - 2 cups red or green grapes (halved, seedless)

→ Creamy Dressing Essentials

03 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
04 - 1/4 cup sour cream
05 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ Crunchy Add-ins

07 - 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)

→ Flavorful Accents

08 - 1 stalk celery (finely diced)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let’s get those apples ready for this fruit salad. Wash and core your apples, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. I like mine about half an inch, but you do you! Immediately toss them with a splash of fresh lemon juice—this is where I always remember my yogurt mistake, preventing browning. Halve your grapes and finely dice your celery. I aim for really small celery pieces so they blend in nicely, not overpower.
02 - Now for the good stuff! In a medium bowl, combine your mayonnaise, sour cream, and granulated sugar. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and creamy. You want it completely blended, no lumps! This dressing is what makes this fruit salad so special, so take a moment to make sure it’s just right. Taste it, too! If you like it a little sweeter, add a tiny bit more sugar. If it needs more tang, another squeeze of lemon never hurt anyone.
03 - In a large bowl, gently add your prepped apples, grapes, and celery. You’ll see all those lovely colors coming together already! This step is simple, but it’s where the magic starts visually. I use my biggest mixing bowl here because you’ll want plenty of room to mix without squishing the fruit. Honestly, seeing all the fresh ingredients together just makes me happy, it smells so fresh already!
04 - Pour that glorious creamy dressing over your fruit and celery mixture. Now, with a spatula, gently fold everything together until all the fruit is evenly coated. You don't want to mash the apples, so be a bit delicate. This step is crucial for that signature fruit salad texture; every piece should have a little hug of dressing. I always take a quick peek to make sure nothing is left undressed!
05 - Finally, toss in your chopped walnuts. Fold them in gently as well, making sure they’re distributed throughout the salad. The walnuts add that essential textural contrast, a lovely crunch against the creamy fruit. I sometimes add a few extra if I'm feeling extra nutty, oops! This is where the Creamy Apple Walnut Fruit Salad really comes alive with all its varied textures.
06 - Cover the bowl and pop your Creamy Apple Walnut Fruit Salad into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is key; it allows the flavors to meld and the salad to get nice and cold, which is how it tastes best. When you pull it out, it should look vibrant, smell fresh, and be perfectly creamy and crisp. Give it a final stir before serving, maybe a little extra lemon zest if you're feeling fancy!

# Notes:

01 - A little lemon juice on the apples keeps them from browning, I learned that the hard way.
02 - You can totally prep the dressing a day ahead; it actually tastes better when the flavors meld.
03 - Greek yogurt makes a great lighter swap for some of the mayo, I tried it once, and it was surprisingly good!
04 - Serve this chilled in a pretty glass bowl, it just makes it feel a bit fancy for a simple salad.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - whisk
03 - spatula
04 - cutting board
05 - knife

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 250 kcal
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 3g

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