Description
Nutty Harvest Honeycrisp Kale Salad is a festive fall salad featuring massaged kale, crisp apples, sharp white cheddar, smoky honey pepitas, spiced pecans, and a warm cinnamon shallot vinaigrette. Bursting with flavor and texture, it’s the perfect side dish or hearty salad for holidays, gatherings, or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Smoky Honey Pepita Clusters:
½ cup pepitas
½ tablespoon coconut oil
2 to 3 tablespoons honey
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Pinch of salt
Sweet and Spicy Toasted Pecans:
½ cup pecans
1½ tablespoons honey
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Cinnamon Shallot Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1½ tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 shallot, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ to ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
⅓ cup olive oil
Salad:
4 to 6 cups chopped Tuscan kale
2 honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
3 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Smoky Honey Pepita Clusters: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment. Microwave coconut oil and honey until melted, about 30 seconds. Toss pepitas with mixture, salt, and smoked paprika. Spread in clusters on the baking sheet. Bake 10–15 minutes until golden. Cool completely, then break apart.
- Sweet and Spicy Pecans: Heat pecans in a skillet over low heat until fragrant. Stir in honey, red pepper flakes, and nutmeg. Let bubble for a few minutes, then transfer to parchment to cool completely.
- Cinnamon Shallot Vinaigrette: Whisk vinegar, honey, mustard, shallot, garlic, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Chill if making ahead.
- Salad: Massage kale with 1 tablespoon vinaigrette for 5–10 minutes until tender. Season with salt and pepper. Add apple slices, cheddar, pecans, and pepita clusters. Toss with vinaigrette and serve immediately.
Notes
- Substitute honeycrisp apples with Fuji, Pink Lady, or pears.
- Swap cheddar for goat cheese or feta for tanginess.
- Add dried cranberries, cherries, or roasted squash for variety.
- Make it vegan with maple syrup instead of honey and dairy-free cheese.
- Prep nuts and dressing ahead for easy assembly.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop, Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6 recipe)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
