Snickers Caramel Apple Salad
Aug 25, 2025
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My Snickers caramel apple salad is a recipe that my family requests at almost every holiday meal. A dessert salad that is creamy, crunchy, and filled with a combination of tart apples, fluffy whipped topping, and chunks of Snickers bars. It’s the kind of dish that is perfect for potlucks, cookouts, holidays, and more.
I’m a sucker for a nostalgic recipe, you know the kind you would find at a family reunion or Midwest potluck. This caramel apple salad is one of my favorites because it’s a delicious dessert that has all the flavors you could want in a dish, tart, savory, sweet, all rolled into one bowl.
I grew up going to church potlucks with my Nana. There was always a wide variety of amazing food, including a whole section of dessert “salads”. This one was always a favorite of mine because of the chopped up candy bars and the crispy, tart apples, yum!
Now, my kids love this dessert as much as I do. It’s so fun to make for the holidays, or just a special treat to have at home.
If you want more dessert salads be sure to try sea foam salad, this cookie salad recipe, 5 cup salad, and Cool Whip ambrosia salad.
Why you’ll love recipe
- Family favorite. This recipe is one that has been passed down and brings back all the nostalgic feelings. Loved by family and friends.
- Fast to make. You can whip up this recipe in under 15 minutes.
- Perfect for any occasion. A sweet treat that can be served for almost any occasion.
Ingredients
There are just a few ingredients needed for this apple Snickers salad.
- Apples: I have tried this recipe with different types of apples but I keep coming back to Granny Smith apples. The tart flavor of the apples really helps to balance the sweetness.
- Lemon juice. I like to toss my chopped apples in just a little lemon juice to help prevent browning.
- Snickers: I use 5 Snickers bars for this recipe. You can use more or less depending on your preference.
- Pudding: I’m using vanilla pudding but French vanilla and butterscotch pudding also work. Just make sure you are using the instant pudding, not the cook and serve.
- Milk: Whole milk makes the pudding rich and creamy but you can substitute with 2% milk if that is what you have on hand.
- Whipped topping: Thawed, whipped topping makes this dessert salad extra creamy.
- Mini marshmallows: My mom always added mini marshmallows for extra fun texture but you can leave them out if you prefer.
- Caramel sauce: A drizzle of caramel sauce over the Snickers salad before serving gives you that caramel apple flavor.
How to make caramel apple salad
Scroll to the bottom for the full, printable recipe.
- Place milk and vanilla pudding mix in a large bowl. Whisk until combined and creamy.
- Stir in thawed whipped topping.
- Stir together diced apples and lemon juice. Fold them into the pudding mixture. Gently fold in diced Snickers bars and mini marshmallows. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, top with extra diced apples, Snickers, and drizzle on the caramel sauce.
Heather’s recipe tips
- Chop evenly. I recommend trying to chop the apples and the Snickers bars into small, even size pieces.
- Prevent apples from browning. To prevent the apples from browning, I toss them in a little lemon juice.
- Refrigerate before serving. I find that it is best to let the salad chill for about 30 minutes before serving. This lets everything come together.
- Add toppings before serving. Add caramel sauce and a few reserved apples and Snickers before serving.
Variations
This apple and Snickers salad is easy to customize. Here are a few suggestions to make it your own:
- Candy: You can substitute Snickers with Twix, Butterfinger, Milky Way, Kit Kat, or even Reeces Pieces.
- Nuts: Stir in some peanuts or pecans for crunch.
- Pretzels: Make it a caramel apple pretzel salad by stirring in chopped pretzel pieces.
- Fruit: Add some extra fruit like pineapple tidbits or halved grapes.
Storage
Store this taffy apple salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It does not freeze well.
Frequently asked questions
I don’t peel my apples but you are welcome to peel your apples. It just depends on how you like them.
Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp, and Fuji apples all work well. You can use one kind or mix it up to have sweet and tart apples.
I typically serve this as a dessert but you can serve it as a side salad for potlucks and more.
More potluck favorites
Snickers Caramel Apple Salad
Ingredients
- 1 instant vanilla pudding
- 1 cup cold whole milk
- 1 whipped topping, thawed (like Cool Whip)
- 5 Snickers bars, chopped
- 4 large apples, diced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon caramel sauce
Instructions
- Chop the Snickers bars into small pieces
- Chop the apples into small pieces and place in a bowl. Pour the lemon juice over the diced apples. Toss to coat.
- Pour the pudding mix in a large bowl. Whisk in the milk. Whisk until creamy and it starts to set.
- Stir in the thawed whipped topping until completely combined.
- Gently fold in the mini marshmallows, chopped apples, and chopped Snickers bars. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. (Reserve a few apples and Snickers to use as topping before serving.)
- I recommend chilling in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. When ready to serve, top with remaining apples, Snickers, and drizzle with caramel sauce.
Notes
- Chop evenly. I recommend trying to chop the apples and the Snickers bars into small, even size pieces.
- Prevent apples from browning. To prevent the apples from browning, I toss them in a little lemon juice.
- Refrigerate before serving. I find that it is best to let the salad chill for about 30 minutes before serving. This lets everything come together.
- Add toppings before serving. Add caramel sauce and a few reserved apples and Snickers before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
