Fresh and simple Honeycrisp apple salad recipe made with just a few ingredients. A delicious side dish that’s perfect any time of year.
I’m sharing this Honeycrisp apple salad recipe in honor of my mom. When she was cooking for our family of six, this salad made regular appearances on the table, and it was always a treat. As some of you may remember, my mom was diagnosed with dementia in 2009 and passed away in 2016. During the early stages of her illness, my dad began spending more time in the kitchen with her. She taught him how to make some of their favorite dishes, and over time, he simplified many of them to suit his own style. This version of apple salad is his, and it’s wonderfully fresh and flavorful. I usually save my apple recipes for fall, but this one is an exception. It’s perfect any time of year.
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Which Apples Are Best For Salads?
Any kind of apples can be used…just use what you have on hand, or your favorite. Some other good choices in addition to Honeycrisp are Gala, Granny Smith apples, Golden Delicious, or Fuji apples. It’s also delicious to use a mix of different types of apples.
Ingredient Notes + Variations
- In my family, the celery and walnuts are not optional! Other good add-ins are raisins, dried cranberries, blue cheese crumbles, feta cheese, or other types of nuts such as sliced almonds, pecans, or lightly salted peanuts.
- Miracle Whip or regular mayonnaise can be substituted for the light mayonnaise, however the taste of the salad will change accordingly.
- My mom always added sugar to the mayonnaise because it adds a bit of sweetness. If you prefer to leave it out, the salad will still be delicious. One of my readers left a comment and said that she reduced the amount of sugar to 2 teaspoons, and the salad was still delicious. So that’s an option too!
- To turn this apple salad into a main course, add chunks of chicken or turkey.
How to Make
- Place the chopped apples, celery and walnuts in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, stir or whisk the light mayonnaise and sugar until smooth.
- Pour mayonnaise mixture over apples/celery/walnuts and toss until well combined.
- Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Tips For Success
- It’s a personal decision whether or not to peel the apples before adding them to the salad. I love the skin, and it adds great color and texture to the dish.
- This honeycrisp apple salad is best served immediately after the refrigeration time. It won’t keep overnight, so make sure to eat it all!
- Don’t skip the refrigeration time before serving. It’s necessary for the flavors to meld together.
- To make this apple salad ahead, chop the ingredients and lightly drizzle the apples with lemon juice. Keep the ingredients separate in the refrigerator. You can do this several hours in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Making this Honeycrisp apple salad recipe brings back such good memories, and it always reminds me of times gone by. For a few years after my mom passed away, I could only think of her as she was when she was ill. I wasn’t capable of remembering back before that. Those days are gone, and now I remember my mom as she really was. Fun, loving, caring, and one of the best cooks ever.
Looking for more simple salad ideas? Browse all my easy salad recipes.
Honeycrisp Apple Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large apples (washed and diced)
- 1/2 cup celery (chopped)
- 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
- 3/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
Instructions
- Place the chopped apples, celery and walnuts in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, stir or whisk the light mayonnaise and sugar until smooth.
- Pour mayonnaise mixture over apples/celery/walnuts and toss until well combined.
- Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you make this recipe, and love it, please come back to leave a comment and a 5-star review. I would really appreciate it, and it would help me so much. Thank you!
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Your comment brought tears to my eyes…thank you so much. It’s funny how a simple apple salad recipe can bring back so many good memories…but it does!
Oh pecans would be fabulous…I may have to try that the next time…thank you so much!
Hello. You make me hungry. LOL.
Looks so yummy. Crisp, fresh and Good!
This salad looks great!!
Cynthia
I grew up loving and eating this salad. We user pecans sometimes and do not add sugar.
Ann this looks so good. So very good. Thanks for sharing, I will have to give it a try.
YUMMY, Ann! Aren’t family recipes the very best! Thanks for sharing this beautiful apple salad! Pinning!
Big kudos to your dad! Salad looks delicious! ;)
MY MOM ALWAYS MADE THIS TOO BUT SHE ADDED CINNAMON. DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH SHE JUST PUT SOME IN. LOVED IT THANKS FOR THE REMINDER OF DAYS GONE BY.
Beautiful place setting, love the dishes as well as a great looking recipe !