This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Snickers salad recipe is a sweet and creamy dessert! It has chopped apples and Snickers bars enrobed in an amazing dressing with whipped topping, vanilla, and caramel.
You may also enjoy my Classic Ambrosia Salad or Easy Waldorf Salad next.
Why you’ll love it
It always makes me giggle thinking of a sweet dessert as a salad. The term “salad” is definitely used loosely here in this snicker apple salad! It has a combination of silky Cool Whip, chocolate, peanuts, and ribbons of caramel swirled throughout.
A hint of vanilla is the perfect contrast to the tart crunch of Granny Smith apples. This Midwest gem is absolutely something Buddy the Elf would eat. It’s perfect for potlucks and family events. I recommend this caramel apple salad for your 4th of July eats!
What you’ll need
- Instant vanilla pudding mix – for that signature vanilla flavor
- Milk – for whisking with the pudding mix
- Cool Whip – it adds that luxuriously creamy texture and taste
- Snickers – the sweet, salty, nutty, and chewy star of this dessert salad. My favorite chocolate bar!
- Apples – Granny Smith are the best because of their tartness
- Caramel sauce – for even more sweet goodness
Helpful tips
- Be sure to use instant pudding mix for the best texture!
- Don’t let anything get too warm or else you might end up with a runny salad. I keep my apples in the fridge and thaw the Cool Whip, but don’t let it sit out for too long.
- If you want to make this a day or so ahead, you’ll want to treat the apples to prevent them from browning. Try coating them with lemon juice and then patting them dry with paper towels prior to adding them into the salad.
How to make Snickers salad
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
In a large bowl, whisk the milk and pudding mix until smooth. With a spatula, fold in the Cool Whip. Chop up the apples and Snickers into small pieces, reserving some chocolate for topping.
Add the apples and Snickers to the prep bowl. Gently mix everything together. Top with the remainder of the Snickers pieces, and drizzle with caramel sauce. Chill if desired.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- A classic Pyrex glass prep bowl is perfect for making this sweet treat.
- Here’s the whisk pictured, and I like folding the Cool Whip with a silicone spatula.
- Chop up the apples and candy bars with a sharp chef’s knife so that it goes smoothly.
Substitutions and variations
- You could use homemade whipped cream (whip 1 cup of whipping cream) instead of the Cool Whip if you prefer.
- I’ve seen variations that add in marshmallows, grapes, and nuts or use different kinds of candy bars such as Twix, Milky Way, Kit Kat, etc.
- You can switch up the vanilla pudding with French vanilla or butterscotch.
- I use Granny Smith apples since they’re traditional to the recipe and they’re not as sweet as other varieties. You can switch up the type of apple, but this salad is sweet enough and a little contrast is needed, IMO.
What to serve with apple snickers salad
- Eat it all summer long as a picnic and BBQ dessert! Start the meal off right with my Best Ground Chicken Burgers, classic Easy Macaroni Salad, and zesty Best Coleslaw.
- I’ve got a whole Grilling and BBQ category and Salad category in my recipe index so that you can build your perfect summer feast for Memorial Day or 4th of July.
- It’s also a great year-round dessert for potlucks and family gatherings/reunions. Bring along my Deviled Eggs and Funeral Potatoes too!
Leftovers and storage
- Store leftover Snickers salad tightly covered in the fridge for 2-3 days, but keep in mind that it’ll get a bit watery and the apples will brown over time.
- Some desserts may freeze well, but this isn’t one of them.
If you made this apple salad with Snickers, talk to me in the comments below! I love hearing from readers. You can also tag me on Instagram to be featured in my stories.
Snickers Salad
Ingredients
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3/4 cup milk use 2% or whole
- 8 ounces Cool Whip thawed but still cold
- 4 standard size Snickers bars
- 4 Granny Smith apples
- Caramel sauce to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the instant pudding mix and milk together until smooth and thick.
- Fold in the Cool Whip.
- Chop the Snickers bars and apples into small bite-size pieces. Reserve some of the Snickers pieces for topping the salad with, and add the rest of the Snickers pieces and apples to the bowl.
- Mix together gently then top with the remaining Snickers pieces and drizzle on the caramel sauce. I like to keep my apples in the fridge, so the salad is nice and cold and can be eaten right away. If your ingredients are closer to room temperature, I recommend covering and chilling it for 30 min to an hour prior to serving. Your apples shouldn't start to brown for a few hours, but it does get watery the longer it sits.
Notes
- Make ahead tip so the apples don’t brown: Coat them in lemon juice then pat them dry before adding them to the salad. See more tips in the blog post above!
- This recipe is very sweet, so most people will likely eat smallish portions. With that said, if you’re feeding a crowd, I would double the recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
Leave a comment