This Caramel Apple Snickers Salad might be called a salad, but it’s really a delicious dessert filled with chopped Snickers bars. This salad is the perfect dessert for get-togethers, picnics and BBQs.

In the Midwest, we love to make “salads” for potlucks! Not your traditional salad with lettuce, but a good mix up of different ingredients. This Snickers salad recipe starts with a vanilla pudding mix and whipped cream base, which is combined with chopped Granny Smith apples and chopped Snickers bars. 

The tart apples perfectly balance the sweet caramel and chocolate, while the pudding mixture and fresh whipped cream create a fluffy and sweet coating for the mix-ins. The finishing drizzle of caramel sauce ties all the flavors together into a combo that feels nostalgic and fresh!

Caramel apple snickers salad on a kitchen counter with bowls and more apples next to it.

This caramel apple salad takes the nostalgic joy of autumn caramel apples into a creamy, crowd-pleasing dessert. Inspired by classic fluff salads, it combines fresh fruit, candy bars, and pillowy whipped cream into a treat that’s perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you will need to make this easy caramel apple salad:

  • Whole Milk: Use full fat whole milk for the best flavor.
  • Vanilla Pudding Mix: I like to use vanilla pudding for this recipe! You can disregard the packet instructions of the pudding mix and simply use the dry mixture in this recipe.
  • Heavy Cream: Use whole fat heavy cream in this recipe and whip it to stiff peaks with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with the whip attachment!
  • Granny Smith Apples: Granny Smith apples are best apples for this salad because their tart taste pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the Snickers bars.
  • Lemon Juice: The lemon juice is stirred through the apples to prevent the apples from browning once they have been diced, however this step is completely optional and can be omitted if preferred, especially if the salad is going to be served immediately.
  • Snickers: You will need 6 full-sized Snickers bars here! Chop them into even, bite-sized pieces.
  • Caramel Sauce: Drizzle the caramel sauce over the finished salad! Use either a store-bought or homemade caramel sauce. 
Ingredients needed to make caramel apple snickers salad on a kitchen counter.

Additions & Substitutions

There are so many variations for this recipe! Here are some substitutions and additions you can make to this Snickers apple salad:

  • The vanilla pudding mix can be substituted any flavor of instant pudding mix that you like! Try banana, honey or lemon-flavored pudding mix if you want a different flavor profile.
  • If you don’t want to whip your own whipped cream, substitute it with 1 cup of frozen whipped topping like cool whip.
  • Any variety of apples can be used in this recipe. Galas, Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp apples hold up well if you’re looking for a crisp apple that holds up well, or you can use a softer apple like Red Delicious if you are serving it right away!
  • You can opt to use different candy bars besides Snickers candy bars, such as Twix, Milky Way bars or Reese’s cups!
  • Sprinkle the salad with chocolate chips, or chopped walnuts or pecans, too!
  • Chocolate sauce could be used in place of the caramel sauce for a deeper chocolate flavor.
  • For added texture and sweet flavor, throw in some mini marshmallows!
  • Add chopped fresh pineapples for extra tart flavor!
Close up shot of the caramel apple snickers salad with caramel drizzled on top.

Equipment Needed

For this vibrant dessert salad recipe, you will need:

  • Large mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Silicone spatula
  • Salad bowl

How to Make This Easy Caramel Apple Snickers Salad

  1. Make Pudding Mixture: Add the whole milk and dry vanilla pudding mix to a large mixing bowl.  Whisk until smooth and well combined. Fold through the whipped cream and set aside.
  1. Prep Apples: Add the chopped apples to another large mixing bowl along with the lemon juice.  Mix until the apples are coated well in the lemon juice.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Transfer the apples to the bowl with the vanilla mixture, keeping aside 1/2 cup of the apples for garnishing. Add the chopped Snickers, keeping aside 1/2 cup for garnishing, and mix until well combined.
  1. Mix & Serve: Transfer the mixture to a salad bowl. Top with the remaining chopped apples and chopped Snickers, and drizzle with the caramel sauce.

Tips for Success

If you’re making Snickers Salad for the first time, these tips will help make sure it turns out delicious!

  • Dice the apples into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even distribution and easy eating!
  • The lemon juice not only prevents browning but adds a subtle brightness that enhances the overall flavor. I recommend using fresh lemon juice if you have it!
  • While this salad can be made ahead, add the final toppings just before serving to maintain their texture and make this salad look absolutely gorgeous!
Two bowls with portions of caramel apple snickers salad with the full salad next to it.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Snickers caramel apple salad in a clear glass bowl to showcase the layers and consider offering it as a side dish at autumn gatherings, holiday parties, or summer picnics! This dessert works particularly well as part of a potluck spread or as a casual dinner party finale.

For an elegant presentation, portion it into individual serving cups and garnish each with a fresh apple slice and a drizzle of warm caramel sauce.

If you love sweet dessert salads like this one, then you should try my cranberry fluff salad, too!

Wooden spoon picking up some of the caramel apple snickers salad and showing it to the camera.

Storage Suggestions

Store this Snickers salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.  The texture of the salad may change during this time and the apples may begin to soften; however the salad will still taste delicious.

This salad is not suitable for freezing. The texture would be ruined by freezing.

Spoon taking a bit of the caramel apple snickers salad from a bowl.

I hope that you enjoy this caramel apple salad recipe! If you end up making it, please let me know how it went in the comments below.

Wooden spoon taking a portion of the caramel apple snickers salad from the bowl.

Easy Caramel Apple Snickers Salad

This Caramel Apple Snickers Salad might be called a salad, but it’s really a delicious dessert filled with chopped Snickers bars. This salad is the perfect dessert for get-togethers, picnics and BBQs.
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Ingredients
 

  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 3.4 oz vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 cup heavy cream, whipped into stiff peaks
  • 5 Granny Smith apples, cored and diced, divided
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 6 full-sized Snickers bars
  • 2 tablespoons caramel sauce

Instructions
 

  • Add the whole milk and dry vanilla pudding mix to a large mixing bowl.  Whisk until smooth and well combined.  Fold through the whipped cream and set aside.
  • Add the chopped apples to another large bowl along with the lemon juice.  Mix until the apples are coated well in the lemon juice.
  • Transfer the apples to the bowl with the vanilla mixture, keeping aside 1/2 cup of the apples for garnishing.  Add the chopped Snickers, keeping aside 1/2 cup for garnishing, and mix until well combined.
  • Transfer the mixture to a salad bowl.  Top with the remaining chopped apples and chopped Snickers, and drizzle with the caramel sauce.
  • If not serving immediately, cover and place in the refrigerator.

Notes

    • While there is no need to peel the apples before adding them to the salad mixture, the apples can be peeled if preferred.
    • Other varieties of chocolate bars could be used in this salad in place of the Snickers bars.
    • This salad could be topped with chocolate chips or chopped walnuts or pecans.
    • This salad can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
    • Feel free to use Cool Whip if you don’t have the time to make your own whipped cream, it will be just fine!
Calories: 441kcal, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 42mg, Sodium: 214mg, Potassium: 332mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 48g, Vitamin A: 609IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 98mg, Iron: 0.5mg
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