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Fall Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Kale Salad. All the best produce that fall has to offer combined into one big beautiful salad. I could not love this combo of shredded kale, sweet honeycrisp apples, pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds, and crispy prosciutto more. Tossed with a caramelized shallot vinaigrette, this is the perfect fall salad. Healthy, simple, delicious, and perfectly fitting for cool, crisp fall evenings.
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Technically fall doesn’t start until Saturday, but it’s pretty obvious that I am ready…and so very excited. However, what’s only recently obvious to me, is that after spending a couple of days in NYC this week, a lot of you are still experiencing summer like weather, even though we’re moving into late September.
I spent all Monday and Tuesday in the city, and wow, it was incredibly humid, rainy, and dreary. My hair did not like it. And while it was totally fine for what I was doing (thankfully everything was inside), my flight was majorly delayed on the way home. Not sure what my deal is when flying out of NYC. But the last two times I’ve been in the city, it’s been slightly stressful trying to make it home. Last time my flight was cancelled and I had to spend an extra night in the city. This time I had an over three-hour flight delay. Ugh!
It’s safe to say I am very glad to be home. I’m crossing my fingers for a lighter travel schedule over the next few months, as things are pretty busy around here. Plus, I love being home this time of year. It’s cozy and perfect, and I just need a couple of back to back weeks in my own bed, you know?
Can you tell I’m not really a traveler at heart? The more and more I travel, the less I stress, and maybe even get used to it, BUT I will forever be a homebody at heart.
Ok, enough about my travel, let’s get on to this salad. Fortunately, this salad is great no matter what season you’re currently experiencing, it’s a light option that still screams autumn.
Personally, fall is my favorite time of year for salads. I know that most people would probably say that summer has their favorite produce. But in my opinion nothing beats the fall apples, squash, root vegetables, pumpkin, pomegranates, and figs. These are all my favorite produce, so making salads in the fall is a must.
Today’s kale salad is fairly easy, but yet so full of flavor and texture. I am, of course, in love.
The story with this salad is simple. I was sitting at my desk the other week when I realized that I hadn’t shared a salad in a while. I really just opened up my fridge, looked through my pantry, and started cooking.
A lot times my best recipes are formed on the spot, and that was the case with this salad. Sometimes over thinking can be the killer of creativity, so when I’m lacking inspiration I’ll just grab what I have on hand and start cooking. More times than not it turns out really well!
Luckily, I had everything I could have wanted to make an awesome salad and vinaigrette.
This salad is a pretty simple mix of shredded kale, honeycrisp apples (my very favorite), pomegranate, feta cheese, crispy prosciutto, and maple roasted pumpkin seeds…
OK, so maybe not the simplest mix, but it’s sooo good.
Start off by roasting the pumpkin seeds (pepitas). This only takes about ten minutes, and you’ll be crisping up the prosciutto at the same time, so killing two birds with one stone (that’s honestly the weirdest saying ever, I don’t get it).
While that’s happening in the oven, toss together the greens, apples, pomegranates, and feta.
After that, it’s onto the vinaigrette. And you guys? The vinaigrette is what makes this salad. It’s all about the caramelized shallots and apple cider. I love tossing the still warm vinaigrette with the salad and then serving.
It’s SO good and makes the salad feel heartier, which I love during the fall and winter months.
I’ve now made this salad multiple over the last couple of weeks. The bonus? If you have any leftovers, they taste amazing the next day.
The kale has time to marinate in the vinaigrette, and honestly, the flavor actually gets better.
Oh, and if you’re wondering if the roasted pumpkin seeds and crispy prosciutto are worth it, they are 100% worth it. Salty, sweet, and crunchy, these are the best finishing touches to a fall salad.
Watch the How To Video:
Honeycrisp Apple and Kale Salad_WEB from Half Baked Harvest on Vimeo.
If you make this fall harvest honeycrisp apple and kale salad, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Fall Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Kale Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon real maple syrup
- 1/3 cup raw pepitas
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
- 2 heads kale, shredded
- 2 honey crisp apples, thinly sliced
- arils from 1 pomegranate
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Cider Vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fig preserves
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. On the prepared baking sheet, toss together the pepitas, olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Arrange in a single layer. Lay the prosciutto flat around the pepitas. Transfer to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the pepitas are toasted and the prosciutto is crisp. 3. Meanwhile, in a large salad bowl, combine the kale, apples, and pomegranates.4. To make the vinaigrette. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shallots, cook until fragrant, 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat, let cool slightly. Add the apple cider vinegar, fig preserves, and thyme. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. 5. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, tossing to combine. Top the salad with toasted pepitas, prosciutto, and feta. Eat and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I made this salad to take to my Book Club’s Christmas gathering. Everyone was going back for a second helping of salad. It was festive looking with the green kale, apples and arils. I will certainly make this again!
Hi Crystal,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe out, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
this salad is delicious and it’s become a thanksgiving favorite! then i’ll make it for weeks after to eat at home. it is THAT good.
thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Shelly,
Fantastic! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! Have the best week:) xTieghan
would pears also work with this salad and dresssing?
Hey Rhonda,
Sure, pears would be a great option! xTieghan
i want to make this recipe for lunch tomorrow but i don’t have any preserves, can i omit completely? Or do you recommend a substitute.
Hi Ronda,
You could use honey in place of the preserves. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Year round hit in my house! This is the recipe that finally got my children to eat kale! Just make sure you massage the dressing into that kale, massaging it really makes the salad! We do leave out the prosciutto because we typically have a protein without dinner. Also, for some reason, as much as I love prosciutto cold, I just can’t embrace it warmed. I make this every year at my Annual Wrapping Party for my friends-the ladies always love this dish!
Hey Stephanie,
Wonderful!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend! xTieghan
I only made this once before but I loved it. Is there a way to wilt the kale the slightly before serving but still keeping the dressing fresh?
Hey Krystal,
Happy Friday!! Love to hear that you liked the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! You can massage the kale in some olive oil. Have a great weekend. xTieghan
Yes! Massage the kale! I put the kale in a huge bowl, pour the dressing on, roll up my sleeves and toss and squeeze for 3-5 minutes. It really softens the kale while keeping it crunchy and fresh. Then, I put the kale in a decorative salad bowl and I add the pomegranates, apples, feta and pumpkin seeds. The extras you put on top (apples, pomegranate, seeds) are already sweet so they don’t need the dressing on top, plus they get tossed around with tongs.
I’d like to make this for Thanksgiving. Can I toast the pumpkin seeds and/or make the dressing a day in advance?
Hey Patricia,
You sure can! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving!
So so delish! I added some roasted brussel sprouts and sweet potato and enjoyed it so much 🙂
Hey Emma,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have the best day! xTieghan
Eating it right now. I wilted the kale slightly and used honey fermented red onions and thyme in the dressing. It’s a keeper.So good!
I can’t wait to make this! I would like to add chicken to it somehow, is there a way you would recommend cooking the chicken to make it taste delicious with the salad?
I think some grilled chicken would taste delicious with the salad! Seasoned with some oregano, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes. Maybe even cook in some balsamic vinegar! 🙂 xTieghan
Made this tonight, so good! We had a kale salad last night, so I used arugula instead. Really loved the pumpkin seeds in it.
Hi Amanda,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
This will be my go to salad for this winter. It was perfection. A few tweaks- I added a little lemon juice for extra tang, and used fig apricot preserve because it was the only option at the store. Also I added a couple heads of romaine lettuce. Thank you for such a delicious and easy to make salad recipe!
Hey Lindsay,
Fantastic!! So great to hear that you enjoyed this recipe and thanks a lot for making it. Have a great week!? xTieghan
Hello. I can’t eat syrup. Does it need the sweetness for it all to come together? I can use birch xylitol or just thought about it, I can make simple syrup using the birch xylitol. How do you think that will taste?
Hey Kristina,
Can you use honey in place of the maple syrup? Sorry I really am not family with birch xylitol so I don’t know how that would work. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
I just have to say that I made this again for the first time this fall, and it’s still one of my absolute favorites!!! Between the vinaigrette and the pumpkin seeds… so yummy!! And actually, the pumpkin seed recipe has turned into a pantry staple in our house— I’ll switch out for whatever seeds/nuts we have, and it is so great on any salad or just to snack on! Thanks again, Tieghan!
Hey Jennifer,
Happy Friday!! I so appreciate you giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
What are your thoughts on goat cheese in place of the feta? Making this for a girlfriend who had a new baby and it looks AMAZING!!
Hey Lacey,
Sure, goat cheese would also be fantastic! I hope you enjoy making the recipe! xTieghan