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Easy Kid-Friendly Fall Harvest Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

kid-friendly fall harvest salad with maple vinaigrette - featured image
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A quick and easy fall salad with crisp apples, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and a sweet maple vinaigrette that even picky eaters will love. Perfect for weeknight dinners, lunchboxes, or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups mixed salad greens (180g)
  • 2 medium apples, diced (about 300g total)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries (80g)
  • 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts (60g)
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (50g)
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (60ml)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30ml)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (60ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (5g)
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Toast the nuts: Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add pecans or walnuts and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and slightly darker, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  2. Make the maple vinaigrette: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until well combined and emulsified.
  3. Prep the apples: Wash apples, core them, and cut into small bite-sized cubes. Toss with a splash of lemon juice if desired to prevent browning.
  4. Assemble the salad base: Place mixed greens in a large bowl. Add diced apples, dried cranberries, and cooled toasted nuts. Toss gently to distribute.
  5. Add the cheese: Sprinkle crumbled feta or goat cheese over the top.
  6. Dress and serve: Drizzle about half the maple vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat. Add more dressing as needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

For meal prep, keep dressing separate until serving. Greens stay crisp for up to 2 days undressed. For nut-free version, use sunflower seeds or pepitas. For vegan version, omit cheese or use dairy-free alternative. Toast nuts fresh for best flavor. Start with half the dressing to avoid soggy greens.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall harvest salad, kid-friendly salad, maple vinaigrette, easy salad recipe, apple salad, fall salad

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/easy-kid-friendly-fall-harvest-salad-with-maple-vinaigrette/