Easy Fall Salad With Apples & Candied Pecans

This Fall Apple Pecan Salad is a delightful mix of seasonal goodness. A bed of fresh spinach topped with thinly sliced crisp apples, sweet candied pecans, and creamy gorgonzola cheese.

The star of the show is the maple pumpkin dressing, a velvety blend of maple syrup and pumpkin puree and spices, wrapping your taste buds in the warm embrace of fall. It's a harmonious marriage of sweet and savory, making every bite a celebration of the season's vibrant flavors – a perfect dish to savor the essence of autumn.

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The Best Fall Salad

I love serving salads when entertaining with homemade croutons. I have one for the fall (this one), one for the summer and my kale Caesar which I serve every other time.

But now that September is here, this fall salad is on the top of my salad menu every single gathering. The spinach is bright and fresh, the apples and pecans are sweet and crunchy and the dressing is creamy but light enough.

Why I Love This Fall Apple Salad

• It's Seasonal: You get all those cozy fall vibes. This salad brings the very best of autumn to your plate, starring crisp, in-season apples, earthy pecans, and creamy gorgonzola for a delicious flavor trio.
• It's Colorful: This apple pecam salad also has bright green spinach, purple onions and red from the apples and craisins.
• Crisp Creamy Texture: This salad is all about the textural aspects. Crunchy apples and pecans, and the creamy tangy gorgonzola and crisp bite from the onions.
• Flavors: When it comes to flavor, this fall spinach salad is spot on. The sweet apples, the nutty pecans, and the tangy gorgonzola come together in perfect harmony, while the dressing adds its own touch of sweetness or spice to tie it all together.
• It's Lite & Can Be Prepared In Advance: I love salads that can be made in advance and can be served as a side dish OR a main meal.

The Spinach

I used baby spinach for the greens in this salad because everyone likes it! You can use arugula but it is a bit more bitter. I would not use iceberg or romaine lettuce because it sacrifices the color.

The Pecans

I LOVE pecans. I would arugue it's the best nut out there. And when you toss them in a salad, they immediately elevate the flavor and texture.

You can use plain pecans or candied pecans. Candied pecans are simply coated in sugar so it adds another sweet note. They sell candied pecans in the store near the speciality nut section. 

They are a little expensive so you can make your own candied pecans if you wish!

The Maple Pumpkin Dressing

I love homemade salad dressings. And this maple pumpkin dressing has become a favorite in my household this September.

It's slightly sweet, tangy and thick enough to pour nicely over your autumm salad.

It helps to tie together those fall flavors with spices and pumpkin puree.

The pumpkin puree adds flavor and helps to thicken the dressing. 

The maple syrup adds a seasonal sweetness that I love so much.

I use this salad dressing bottle to store my homemade dressings.

Fall Autumn Salad Variations/Substitutions

• Cheese: Swap out the gorgonzola for feta, blue cheese or goat cheese.
• Apples: Use red or green apples. Swap out the apples with fresh pears for another fall touch.
• Spices: Leave out the pumpkin spice or use, apple spice or cinnamon instead.
• Greens: Swap out or add in arugula or other mixed greens to add texture to your greens. Stay away from romaine and iceberg lettuce.
• Nuts: I recommend using slivered almonds or walnuts in place of the pecans.

Looking for Thanksgiving Appetizers to make in advance?

More Fall Recipes To Serve With Your Salad

📖 Recipe