Honeycrisp Apple Salad Recipe

Fresh and easy Honeycrisp apple salad recipe that can be made in a just a few minutes. The perfect side dish for any lunch or dinner!

small blue plate with apple salad

This post was first published in 2013. It has been completely updated with new images and more information.

I’m sharing this Honeycrisp apple salad recipe today in honor of my mom. When my mom was cooking for our family of six, she made this quite a bit, and it was always a treat. As some of you may remember, my mom was diagnosed with dementia in 2009, and passed away in 2016. When she first began showing signs of her illness, my dad began to spend time in the kitchen with her, and she taught him how to make some of their favorite dishes. Over the years since then, he has simplified many of the recipes to make things easier, as is the case with this apple salad. This Honeycrisp apple salad is actually my dad’s version, and it has such a fresh taste. I tend to make more apple recipes in the fall, but not this one. This apple salad is delicious any time of the year!

1honeycrisp apple salad ingredients

Tips for Making Honeycrisp Apple Salad

  • It’s a personal decision whether or not to peel the apples before adding them to the salad. I love the skin, and it adds great color and texture to the dish.
  • This honeycrisp apple salad is best served immediately after the refrigeration time. It won’t keep overnight, so make sure to eat it all!
  • Any kind of apples can be used…just use what you have on hand, or your favorite. Some other good choices are Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, or Fuji. It’s also delicious to use a mix of different types of apples.
  • In my family, the celery and walnuts are not optional! Other good add-ins are raisins, dried cranberries, or other types of nuts such as sliced almonds, pecans, or lightly salted peanuts.
  • Miracle Whip or regular mayonnaise can be substituted for the light mayonnaise, however the taste of the salad will change accordingly.
apple salad in bowl with dressing

What You Need to Make Honeycrisp Apple Salad

The right tools make spending time in the kitchen much more productive and enjoyable!

small blue plate with apple salad

Honeycrisp Apple Salad Recipe

Fresh and easy Honeycrisp apple salad recipe that can be made in a just a few minutes. The perfect side dish for any lunch or dinner!
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5 from 12 votes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Ann Drake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Refrigeration Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 large apples (washed and diced)
  • 1/2 cup celery (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
  • 3/4 cup light mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar

Instructions

  • Place the chopped apples, celery and walnuts in a mixing bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, stir the light mayonnaise and sugar until smooth.
  • Pour mayonnaise mixture over apples/celery/walnuts and toss until well combined.
  • Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

Notes

This recipe can easily be doubled!

Nutrition

Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 324mg | Potassium: 230mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 149IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe?Follow me at @onsuttonplace
apple salad with walnuts

Making this Honeycrisp apple salad recipe brings back such good memories, and it always reminds me of times gone by. For a few years after my mom passed away, I could only think of her as she was when she was ill. I wasn’t capable of remembering back before that. Those days are gone, and now I remember my mom as she really was. Fun, loving, caring, and one of the best cooks ever!

If you make this recipe, and love it, please consider coming back and leaving a 5 star rating. It would help me so much, and I would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

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30 Comments

  1. Deb McClujg says:

    Why would you need sugar with the apples, aren’t they sweet enough?

    1. Ann Drake says:

      My mom always added sugar, so that’s what we do too. Feel free to leave it out if you prefer!

  2. stevie webber says:

    love this recipe and i use it often but i add raisins and little marsh mellows in mine.

  3. Candi Reeder says:

    5 stars
    Loved it. It reminded me of the apple salad we used to make together. We only have one mama in this life an anything that brings back a fond memory of her, deserves 5 stars. The salad was delicious, but the memories were priceless. Thank you and God Bless.

  4. 5 stars
    So easy…love this recipe.

  5. Jan Cochran says:

    I make this salad for dessert often and add pecans and raisins,if you like raisins. Also will add maraschino cherries and /or grapes.instead of mayo we like cool whip to hold it together. Yummy.

  6. 5 stars
    Great recipe Ann. I like your Dad’s version. As your other readers commented my mom made this recipe and we called it Waldorf salad. It’s easy to make and refreshingly delicious.
    Happy Mother’s Day to all and to our sweet moms!

  7. 5 stars
    My mom and grandmother made this salad often. We called it Waldorf Salad (named after the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC, where it originated over 100 years ago). I’ve tweaked it to use vanilla yogurt and cinnamon instead of the mayo. It is delish. Thanks for bringing it to mind!

  8. Mary Evans says:

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. It is always a fresh addition to any meal. Crisp and fresh apples make this salad. I uses the Fugi apples but will try the pink crisp apples next. Thanks for sharing.

  9. Cynthia Willis says:

    5 stars
    I’m with you, Ann, this is a delicious salad- a favorite that my mom prepared often, too. For a main dish salad, I often add a large can of water packed tuna that has been drained. My husband really appreciates this version. Have you tried the Envy apples? I found some at Aldi’s and we love them as much as the Honeycrisp variety. You always share wonderful hints, thank you.

  10. 5 stars
    This recipe is a family favorite. Makes a quick and easy side dish year round. We also like it with cubes of cheddar cheese added in. I think I’ll make it for our Mother’s Day brunch.

  11. My Mom would make this every Thanksgiving. She called it Waldorf Salad 🤷‍♀️. I’m with you on it being great anytime of the year!

  12. 5 stars
    Oh I love this salad! Thanks so much for the reminder ! I’m making today! Thanks again for all you do for us!

  13. Cecilia from Georgia says:

    5 stars
    I forget about apple salad and love it! That and carrot salad are so refreshing. My memories of those salads are when we went to Morrison’s on Sunday after church:) Thanks for the recipe and have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

  14. 5 stars
    I make my Waldorf salad the same way but no sugar. Delicious recipe.

  15. 5 stars
    My mother had the same recipe! It was always so good and thanks for sharing it with us all, brought back sweet memories of helping my mother in the kitchen.

  16. Thanks for reminding me of this wonderful salad! Sometimes we add chopped pineapple and mini marshmallows and don’t add sugar. Amazing how good this is considering that I would never dream of slicing an apple and slathering mayo on it, but the combo works in this salad!

  17. Pat Major says:

    5 stars
    Very good! Quick & easy.

  18. Ann Drake says:

    Thank you for commenting…the weather here in the Midwest has truly been beautiful the past week or so. Hope you try the apple salad sometime!

  19. Ann Drake says:

    Thanks for following! You know…I think you are right about chicken-less chicken salad! I bet adding chicken to this would be amazing. Especially rotisserie chicken. Thanks for the idea and comment!

  20. Ann Drake says:

    Your comment brought tears to my eyes…thank you so much. It’s funny how a simple apple salad recipe can bring back so many good memories…but it does!

  21. Ann Drake says:

    Oh pecans would be fabulous…I may have to try that the next time…thank you so much!

  22. Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage says:

    Hello. You make me hungry. LOL.
    Looks so yummy. Crisp, fresh and Good!

  23. This salad looks great!!

    Cynthia

  24. Sharon @ The Blue Willow House says:

    I grew up loving and eating this salad. We user pecans sometimes and do not add sugar.

  25. debbiedoos says:

    Ann this looks so good. So very good. Thanks for sharing, I will have to give it a try.

  26. Yvonne @ StoneGable says:

    YUMMY, Ann! Aren’t family recipes the very best! Thanks for sharing this beautiful apple salad! Pinning!

  27. Big kudos to your dad! Salad looks delicious! ;)

  28. MY MOM ALWAYS MADE THIS TOO BUT SHE ADDED CINNAMON. DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH SHE JUST PUT SOME IN. LOVED IT THANKS FOR THE REMINDER OF DAYS GONE BY.

  29. Deanna Lynn says:

    Beautiful place setting, love the dishes as well as a great looking recipe !