This Caramel Apple Salad recipe is creamy and delicious. With only four ingredients, it’s quick, easy, and perfect for gatherings or potlucks.
Just like our Fruit Cocktail Salad and Cherry Fluff recipes, our quick and easy Caramel Apple Salad recipe makes a large batch with simple ingredients. We’ll show you how to make this timeless family recipe in no time with step-by-step instructions and photos.
What’s Not to Love in this Simple Apple Caramel Salad?
This easy recipe has only four ingredients, takes just minutes to put together, and can be served as a sweet salad or dessert. It makes a large bowl full that can be made ahead of time making it perfect for family gatherings or a potluck dinner.
If you like caramel apples you’re going to love this sweet treat. It’s all the flavors of your favorite Fall treat, without the mess or risk to your teeth. It’s fun and easy enough to let the kiddos help.
While my family has been making this salad for a very long time, we just discovered that our version is based on an old Weight Watchers recipe which is lower in fat and calories than the Snickers caramel apple salad. At only 51 calories per serving, it’s guaranteed to satisfy every sweet tooth.
Ingredients for this Caramel Apple Salad Recipe
We will share with you the ingredients we use to keep this recipe lower in fat and calories. You can use any variety of the ingredients listed and it will still be delicious. Just know that changing ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Fresh Apples. Tart granny smith apples make a great contrast to the sweet flavors. If you like sweet apples just use them or a combination. The crunchier the apple the better it will be for this recipe. We also love Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Jazz, or Fuji apples.
Crushed Pineapple. You’ll need a 20 oz can with the juice. Pineapple in 100% pineapple juice with no added sugar is what we use. We don’t get the variety in heavy syrup.
Cool Whip. Make sure you thaw the container before you want to make the salad but don’t let it get warm. We don’t recommend that you use whipped cream. It doesn’t have the stabilizers necessary to keep this fruit salad thick. The “Free or Lite” varieties are what we use.
Butterscotch Instant Pudding Mix. The little box. Gives this sweet salad a brown sugar flavor. We use the sugar-free instant butterscotch pudding mix.
How To Make Caramel Apple Salad
Please note, that the printable recipe card has ingredient quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.
Making this dessert salad could not be easier. First, mix the can of crushed pineapple and the butterscotch pudding mix and combine thoroughly. The juice of the canned pineapple when combined with the pudding mixture thickens this apple caramel salad.
Then fold in the cool whip and the chopped apples.
Refrigerate the salad until it is chilled. That’s it! Nothing complicated here at all.
Hostess Tips
The amount of apples you use is up to you. If you have large apples you may not need as many or if you want it super crunchy, add more.
Dice the apples into bite-sized pieces. You want to be able to see them. You can toss the apples in lemon juice to keep them from browning as quickly but honestly, I never do. The pineapple juice does the trick.
Chopped nuts such as peanuts, walnuts, or pecans add a nice change of pace and extra crunch. Caramelized nuts would also be good.
You could use instant vanilla pudding for a slightly different flavor.
Add butterscotch chips or crushed vanilla wafers to the top.
If you want to make this into a Snickers Apple Salad, I recommend cutting the Snickers bars into small pieces and adding them right before serving. That will keep them soft and easier to chew.
FAQ’s
How early can I make caramel apple salad?
Yes. You can make it earlier in the day or one day in advance and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap. The next day gently stir and serve.
How To Store Caramel Apple Salad
Best way to store apple salad
Keep it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. It will start to separate and look unappetizing as the whipped topping breaks down.
Can I freeze caramel apple salad?
I’ve never frozen this salad and wouldn’t recommend it.
If you enjoy the flavor of caramel and apples as much as we do, take a look at our Apple Slab Pie. It’s made on a baking sheet so will feed a crowd. And, our Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting can be made as a fancy layer cake or a simple 9×13 pan. Like I always say, it doesn’t have to be difficult, it just has to taste good.
I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.
Caramel Apple Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple (in its own juice), undrained
- 1 container Cool Whip Free or Lite, 8 oz
- 1 small package of sugar-free fat free butterscotch pudding mix
- 4 apples cut into cubes with skin left on
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the crushed pineapple and pudding mix.
- Stir in the apples and Cool Whip until all is combined.
- Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
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