Fall Apple Salad is perfect for taking to school or work. Apples and chickpeas combined with pumpkin seeds and cranberries. Even the dressing has some great fall flavours. You will also want to try this tasty harvest salad.
If you love warm fall spices, these Apple Cranberry Scones are a must-try.
This healthy fall salad recipe is sweet, tart, crunchy, protein-packed, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free too. Great for weekday lunches. Awesome for brunch.
Are you excited for apple season? I sure am. Crisp, juicy, fresh-picked right from the orchard. A sure sign of fall. Just what I need for apple oatmeal muffins, perfect for breakfast.
Or how about toffee apple muffins? A healthy alternative to those fun candy apples.
I am a mild weather girl, but I just happen to love the flavours of fall. The warm spices, cozy soups and stews, everything pumpkin, and of course apple season.
All the holiday meals and comfort foods. Harvest Turkey Wrap is another great fall recipe. The perfect way to use leftover turkey.
Ontario has loads of great orchards to visit. I am so lucky I am surrounded by them. In only a few minutes I can drive to 4 different orchards.
Thank goodness I have lots of apple recipes to make. They are great in smoothies, soups, and tarts, or cooked on the grill too.
We often have salads for dinner. There are so many healthy recipes to make, and this easy chickpea apple salad is one of our favourites.
Autumn Salad Ingredients:
- Fresh Apples – this apple salad will be great with any variety you choose.
- Dried Cranberries – the perfect fall ingredient. Adds that sweet tart flavour.
- Pumpkin Seeds – a great way to add nutrition and crunch.
- Chickpeas – you can use canned or cooked from scratch.
- Lemon Juice – every salad needs a squeeze of lemon.
- Olive Oil – a healthy base to any salad dressing.
- Pomegranate Balsamic – what a wonderful addition to the fall flavour profile.
- Pomegranate Molasses – a perfect way to add some sweetness to the mix.
- Apple Balsamic – if you have never tried flavoured balsamic, you are in for a treat.
- Cinnamon– the finishing touch to this delicious vinaigrette.
Easy Fall Salad Recipe
- Chop up some apples (skin on) and toss them into a mixing bowl.
- Add some pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries, the perfect flavours of fall.
- Add some chickpeas (great protein).
- Toss everything into a bowl with a squeeze of lemon.
- For the fall salad dressing, I used a combination of apple and pomegranate balsamic along with some pomegranate molasses.
- Mix these with a bit of regular extra virgin olive oil and you have a tasty sweet/tart vinaigrette to tie in all the seasonal flavours.
Serving Suggestions
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge. It will keep for several days. There are so many ways to enjoy it.
- A great way to start your day. Yes, I do eat this for breakfast.
- The perfect addition to the weekend brunch menu.
- Add it to yogurt with a touch of maple syrup for a bit of added sweetness.
- Pack it into containers, and lunch is ready for the week.
- Have it as a snack when you get home from the gym or school.
- Use it as a topping over ice cream for dessert.
- Stuff it into a wrap for a delicious sandwich idea.
- The perfect Thanksgiving salad recipe.
Chickpeas Are So Versatile
1 ounce of chickpeas contains 8 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein. A great plant-based protein choice.
Rinse with cold water to reduce the sodium content. This will also make them easier to digest.
There are numerous ways to enjoy garbanzo beans, especially if you try to incorporate meatless meals into your diet.
- Homemade hummus is always a hit. This great dip makes an awesome sandwich spread too.
- Chana Masala is an easy dinner idea made in under 30 minutes.
- Chickpea Curry is a great meatless meal any night of the week.
- This salad with chickpeas, fennel, and apples is tossed in a curry dressing.
- Stuffed acorn squash is perfect for Thanksgiving.
- Need a healthy snack? My friend Byron’s nacho roasted chickpeas are deliciously addictive.
Autumn Apple Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 cups diced apples (I used Honeycrisp)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds
- 2 cups chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
- 1 tablespoons lemon juice
For the Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoons apple balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoons pomegranate balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoons pomegranate molasses
- ¼ teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Wash the apples, core and dice. I left the skin on, but feel free to peel if you wish. Toss apples into a large bowl.
- Mix the lemon juice in the apples.
- To the bowl add the cranberries, pumpkin seeds and chickpeas.
- In a small bowl combine the salad dressing ingredients (oil, vinegars and cinnamon) and whisk until blended.
- Pour over the apple mixture. Mix well.
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen
I’ve never seen apples and chickpeas together before. I do love apples in mny baked treats as well as pies, they smell and taste so good!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes we just went to the apple orchard yesterday….and they are so nice and fresh right now.
Adriana Lopez Martin
A nice fall salad is always welcomed. Really like apples and all the ingredients. Would have never thought about adding chickpeas I need to try this combo soon.
Homemade & Yummy
The chickpeas add so much nutrition to this salad.
Teri Stephens
What a creative recipe, I never would have thought of using the chickpeas, but I must try it. Love all of these flavors and colors in this salad. Yummy.
Homemade & Yummy
We really like this salad, and the dressing is so good.
Veronika
This salad looks amazing!!!! So beautiful and light) I think will be perfect for lunch or as a side dish for dinner)
Homemade & Yummy
We love it all day long!!
Veena Azmanov
I’m a big fan of honeycrisp apples. I think they go so well in salads. I had apples in my salad today too. Next time I’m going to try making this. Love chickpeas so the kids will enjoy this. I can almost smell the vinaigrette
Homemade & Yummy
Yes the chickpeas really add texture, fibre and protein to this dish.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
I was rereading your recipe to make sure I had the ingredients for the dressing. Well, I’ve never heard of pomegranate molasses before. I’ve seen the balsamic. I bet that dressing would be fabulous in other fruity salads. And I suppose since Amazon and I are on great terms they may send me some of that good molasses. Can’t wait to try it.
Homemade & Yummy
OMG it is SOOOOO good.
Noel Lizotte
Crunchy, delicious, that’s all I can think of looking at this recipe. I can’t wait to give it a try. Eat it for breakfast – why not? As long as you have something in your belly that’s not candy, I’m good with that!
Homemade & Yummy
I love this for breakfast, so full of flavour….really is nice wake up in the morning.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
I love Honeycrisp apples! They’re my very favorite and I’m so glad I’m seeing them in the stores now. I’ve never thought of a salad for breakfast, but why not?? The delicious flavors are all there plus you get your fiber, fruit, and protein. It’s a win, win, win!! This would be great to take on a picnic too!
Homemade & Yummy
Every time I eat this….I say OMG this is so good!!
Catherine
What a wonderful fall salad…this sounds refreshing and healthy…perfect side!
Homemade & Yummy
Nutritious, delicious and easy in an all in one …. all day dish.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
I love seeing different kinds of salads, and since this doesn’t even have lettuce, I’m happy! I love salads, but I get tired of them with the base of lettuce.
Homemade & Yummy
Yup…not lettuce here….but total deliciousness.
Veena Azmanov
This looks so refreshing Gloria. I love adding apple to my salad and I love chickpea salad but I have not usually made apple and chickpeas in the same yet. I love the idea – can’t wait to try. Love that you added pomegranate flavor. I love it.
Homemade & Yummy
This salad has so much flavour and great textures.
Andree-Anne @ singly scrumptious
A salad for breakfast? Where do I sign? 😀
Homemade & Yummy
I know right….so good.
Cathy
This salad looks absolutely wonderful! I have picked some apples and need to pick more, and I need to make this!
Homemade & Yummy
I am going to the orchard this weekend….and will be making this again soon.
Colleen Milne
Everything about this salad sounds perfect to me! We are almost at apple picking time, and I want to try this one for sure.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes apples are ready for picking here…and I am going tomorrow.
Mandi Em
I am not a fan of chickpeas but this salad looks so irresistible I am totally willing to give it a try!! Also now getting some pomegranate balsamic is topping my to do list. Thanks for sharing!!
Homemade & Yummy
The chickpeas add so much protein, fibre and a nice texture too.