I can never resist this Snickers Salad, with crisp apples, creamy pudding, fluffy Cool Whip, and chunks of candy bar in every bite. It’s the party dessert that disappears before anything else.

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I’m obsessed with Apple Snickers Salad because it’s the kind of dessert that disappears before I even grab a second scoop. The crunch of apples with chewy, chocolatey Snickers bars hits every sweet spot I care about.

But it still feels fresh enough that I can pretend I’m being reasonable. Sort of.

I love how it lands somewhere between caramel apple, candy bar, and creamy party dessert, all in one messy, glorious bowl. And yes, I absolutely go back for the “just one more bite” spoonful.

Every time. No shame.

This is potluck dessert chaos, and I’m fully here for it.

Ingredients

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Apples bring the crisp, juicy bite, and hey, they make it feel healthier.
Snickers add chewy caramel, chocolate, and peanuts, so every scoop tastes like dessert.
Vanilla pudding mix makes the base sweet, creamy, and kind of old-school potluck perfect.
Cold milk turns the pudding mix smooth, so it coats everything without feeling too heavy.
Cool Whip keeps it fluffy and light, even though it’s definitely still a treat.
Walnuts or pecans add crunch, plus they make the salad feel a little less candy-loaded.
Lemon juice keeps the apples fresh-looking, because brown apples are never the vibe.
Basically, it’s crunchy, creamy, sweet, and wildly easy to love.

Ingredient Quantities

4 to 5 medium apples, cored and chopped (about 6 cups)

6 full size Snickers bars, chopped into bite size pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

2 cups cold milk

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip)

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional but recommended

2 tablespoons lemon juice, to toss with the apples and prevent browning

How to Make this

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1. Core and chop 4 to 5 medium apples into bite size pieces, place in a large bowl, and toss with 2 tablespoons lemon juice to prevent browning.

2. Chop 6 full size Snickers bars into bite size pieces and set aside.

3. If using nuts, chop 1 cup walnuts or pecans and set aside.

4. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 (
3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix and 2 cups cold milk until smooth and beginning to thicken, about 2 minutes.

5. Fold 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed, into the prepared pudding until evenly combined and light.

6. Gently fold the chopped apples into the pudding mixture until coated.

7. Add the chopped Snickers and the chopped nuts to the bowl and fold just until evenly distributed, reserving a small handful of Snickers and nuts for garnish if desired.

8. Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld, then serve chilled, garnished with reserved Snickers and nuts.

Equipment Needed

1. Cutting board
2. Chef knife
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Medium mixing bowl
5. Measuring spoons and measuring cup
6. Whisk
7. Rubber spatula or wooden spoon for folding
8. Plastic wrap or bowl cover for chilling
9. Serving bowl and spoon

FAQ

How long does Apple Snickers Salad keep in the refrigerator? It will keep well for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container, though apples will soften and candy pieces may lose some crunch over time.

Can I prepare this ahead of time? Yes. For best texture, toss apples with lemon juice and store separately. Assemble pudding mixture and Snickers shortly before serving, or combine everything up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate.

What apples are best to use? Crisp, tart-sweet varieties like Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith work well. Use a mix if you want more complex flavor.

Can I substitute the instant pudding mix or milk? Use sugar-free or reduced-fat instant vanilla pudding if desired and adjust sweetness. Non-dairy milks may not set the pudding as firmly but are acceptable for a softer result.

What if someone has a nut allergy? Omit the walnuts or pecans and optionally add toasted oats or extra chopped Snickers for texture. Be aware Snickers bars contain peanuts.

How can I keep the apples from browning? Toss chopped apples immediately in the provided 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and refrigerate until ready to mix. This will slow oxidation for several hours.

Apple Snickers Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Apples
- Pears, chopped
- Seedless grapes, halved
- Pineapple chunks, drained
Full size Snickers bars
- Chopped Milky Way bars
- Chopped Twix bars
- Chopped chocolate caramel candy bars
Instant vanilla pudding mix
- Instant butterscotch or chocolate pudding mix, same weight
- 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt sweetened with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Homemade vanilla pudding made with milk, sugar, cornstarch and vanilla, cooled
Frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip)
- Freshly whipped heavy cream, lightly sweetened
- Mascarpone whipped with a little sugar and vanilla
- Coconut whipped topping for a dairy free option

Pro Tips

1. Use firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for contrast with the candy and cream. Chop them uniformly so every bite has the same texture.

2. Toss the chopped Snickers with a light dusting of cornstarch or put them in the freezer for 10 minutes before folding in. That helps prevent them from sinking or turning mushy in the pudding mixture.

3. Toast the nuts briefly in a dry skillet until fragrant, then cool before adding. Toasting brings out deeper flavor and keeps them crunchier in the salad.

4. Chill at least an hour, but serve within a day. The flavors marry while chilling, yet the apples will slowly soften and lose snap if stored too long.

Apple Snickers Salad Recipe

Recipe by Samantha Dalling

0.0 from 0 votes

I can never resist this Snickers Salad, with crisp apples, creamy pudding, fluffy Cool Whip, and chunks of candy bar in every bite. It’s the party dessert that disappears before anything else.

Servings

servings

Calories

470

kcal

Equipment: 1. Cutting board
2. Chef knife
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Medium mixing bowl
5. Measuring spoons and measuring cup
6. Whisk
7. Rubber spatula or wooden spoon for folding
8. Plastic wrap or bowl cover for chilling
9. Serving bowl and spoon

Ingredients

4 to 5 medium apples, cored and chopped (about 6 cups)
6 full size Snickers bars, chopped into bite size pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip)
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional but recommended
2 tablespoons lemon juice, to toss with the apples and prevent browning

Directions

Core and chop 4 to 5 medium apples into bite size pieces, place in a large bowl, and toss with 2 tablespoons lemon juice to prevent browning.
Chop 6 full size Snickers bars into bite size pieces and set aside.
If using nuts, chop 1 cup walnuts or pecans and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 (
4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix and 2 cups cold milk until smooth and beginning to thicken, about 2 minutes.
Fold 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed, into the prepared pudding until evenly combined and light.
Gently fold the chopped apples into the pudding mixture until coated.
Add the chopped Snickers and the chopped nuts to the bowl and fold just until evenly distributed, reserving a small handful of Snickers and nuts for garnish if desired.
Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld, then serve chilled, garnished with reserved Snickers and nuts.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.