Snickers Salad is more than just a recipe; it’s a nostalgic trip back in time, a beloved retro dessert that perfectly marries the unexpected. Imagine diced Snickers bars—those irresistible nuggets of chocolate, nougat, caramel, and peanuts—with crisp, tart Granny Smith apples, all folded into a dreamy blend of creamy vanilla pudding and airy whipped topping. While its name might suggest a healthy side dish, let’s be clear: this delightful concoction is 100% dessert, and a fun, undeniably delicious one at that!

For those who adore the light and creamy texture of a good “fluff” salad, Snickers Salad is a must-try. If you’re keen on exploring other delightful no-bake desserts that challenge the traditional definition of a “salad,” be sure to try our favorites like Oreo Fluff, Raspberry Fluff, Orange Fluff Salad, Grape Salad, Watergate Salad, or the classic Ambrosia Salad!

Contents

Snickers Apple Salad: The Ultimate Potluck Dessert

Let’s address the elephant in the room: calling this dish a “salad” is certainly a playful misnomer. At its heart, Snickers Apple Salad is an indulgent dessert, expertly blending chunks of famous Snickers candy bars with crisp Granny Smith apples, all suspended in a luscious mixture of vanilla pudding and whipped cream. Despite its sweet profile, the inclusion of fruit and its preparation in a traditional salad bowl often grants it an honorary spot on dinner tables, especially in certain parts of the United States.

Where I come from, particularly in the Midwest, it’s perfectly acceptable, even encouraged, to load your plate high with this sweet treat right alongside your savory main courses. Imagine it sitting proudly next to hearty dishes like Roasted Vegetables and a juicy Crockpot Turkey Breast. This unique culinary tradition is part of the charm of “potluck salads,” blurring the lines between side dish and dessert in the most delightful way.

Note: Snickers® is a registered trademark of Mars, Incorporated, a renowned candy manufacturer.

The Fascinating Origin of Snickers Salad

You might be asking, “Where on earth did Snickers Salad come from?” While its exact origins remain a bit of a mystery, this quirky dessert is deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of the American Midwest. It’s a staple at church gatherings, community picnics, and family potlucks, often serving as the star attraction for anyone with a serious sweet tooth.

In these communal settings, you’ll typically find these “salads” sharing table space with an array of comforting casseroles, affectionately known as “hot dishes.” From classic Funeral Potatoes to a savory Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole, these potlucks are a testament to hearty, shared meals. The Snickers Salad, with its undeniable sweetness, seamlessly integrates into this spread, often being treated as much a part of the main course as any savory dish. This cultural phenomenon highlights a unique approach to communal dining, where delightful desserts hold an esteemed place alongside more traditional savory fare, creating a memorable balance of flavors on every plate.

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Snickers Salad

Our preferred Snickers Salad recipe features a pudding base, which delivers a wonderfully smooth and creamy texture that we find utterly irresistible. However, for those who prefer a richer, tangier profile, a cream cheese variation is also popular. If you wish to make a Snickers Salad with cream cheese, simply substitute an 8-ounce block of softened cream cheese for the pudding mix and milk. Beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until it’s perfectly smooth, then gradually fold in the whipped cream until fully incorporated. Either way, the results are spectacularly delicious!

Snickers Bars: The star of the show! Whether you opt for full-sized candy bars or an assortment of fun-sized ones, the key is to dice them into small, bite-sized pieces. The combination of milk chocolate, chewy nougat, rich caramel, and crunchy peanuts in Snickers provides an unparalleled explosion of flavor and texture that truly defines this salad. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other chocolate-caramel-nut candy bars if you desire a slight variation, but Snickers remains the classic choice.
Granny Smith Apples: These vibrant green apples are crucial for the Snickers Salad’s balance. Their distinctive tartness cuts through the sweetness of the Snickers bars and the creamy pudding, creating a harmonious flavor profile that prevents the dessert from being overwhelmingly rich. The crisp texture of Granny Smith apples also adds a refreshing crunch, providing a delightful contrast to the soft, creamy elements. While other apples could be used, Granny Smiths are traditionally favored for their robust tartness and firm flesh, which holds up well in the salad without becoming mushy.
Vanilla Pudding Mix: For this recipe, we highly recommend the Jell-O® brand instant vanilla pudding mix. It’s essential to select the smaller 3.4-ounce box, not the larger 5.6-ounce package, as the proportions are critical for the desired consistency. Ensure you pick the *instant* variety, not the *cook-and-serve* type, for a quick and effortless preparation. We also suggest sticking with regular vanilla pudding over sugar-free to maintain the classic flavor and texture. The pudding forms the rich, creamy base that binds all the ingredients together.

Completing Your Snickers Salad: The Creamy Elements

The remaining components of our Snickers Salad recipe are straightforward yet essential for achieving its signature creamy, airy texture and rich flavor. Each ingredient plays a vital role in perfecting this delightful dessert.

Milk: When preparing the vanilla pudding, it’s important to deviate from the package instructions. Instead of the amount typically called for, you’ll only need 1 cup of milk for this recipe. This specific quantity ensures the pudding sets to a thicker, creamier consistency that’s ideal for incorporating into the salad without making it too thin. Any type of milk—1%, 2%, or whole milk—will work beautifully, contributing to the richness and smooth texture of the pudding base.
Frozen Whipped Topping: A key component for achieving that light, fluffy “fluff salad” texture is frozen whipped topping, commonly known as Cool Whip. It’s crucial that your whipped topping (whether lite, sugar-free, or original) is completely thawed before you begin mixing. If it’s still partially frozen, it won’t blend smoothly with the pudding, resulting in an uneven and less appealing consistency. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight for the best results. For those who prefer a homemade touch, making your own whipped cream is a fantastic option that adds a gourmet feel to this retro classic.

Quick Tip: Homemade Whipped Topping

To craft your own exquisite whipped topping using heavy cream, simply follow our detailed recipe for How to Make Whipped Cream. It’s surprisingly easy and adds an extra layer of freshness!

Elevate Your Snickers Salad with Delectable Toppings

While Snickers Salad is perfectly delicious on its own, adding a few optional toppings can truly elevate its presentation and enhance its flavor profile. These garnishes provide extra crunch, sweetness, and visual appeal, making your dessert even more irresistible.

Reserved Diced Snickers Bars: A simple yet effective topping is to sprinkle some of the diced Snickers bars, set aside during preparation, over the finished salad. This not only adds a burst of familiar flavor but also gives a clear visual cue to the star ingredient, making it look extra inviting.
Heath® Milk Chocolate English Toffee Baking Bits: For an additional layer of crunch and a rich, buttery caramel note, consider adding Heath® Milk Chocolate English Toffee baking bits. These crunchy toffee pieces offer a delightful textural contrast and complement the flavors of the Snickers and caramel perfectly. You can find them readily available in most baking aisles, like these Heath Toffee Bits at Walmart.
Caramel Sauce Drizzle: A generous drizzle of caramel sauce is the ultimate finishing touch. Its smooth, buttery sweetness enhances the caramel notes already present in the Snickers bars and adds a beautiful sheen to the salad. You can use either a high-quality store-bought caramel sauce or whip up your own homemade version for an extra special touch. Check out our Caramel Sauce recipe for a delicious homemade option.

Smart Ways to Use Leftover Granny Smith Apples

Often, when preparing dishes like Snickers Salad, you might find yourself with a few extra Granny Smith apples. Their tartness and firm texture make them incredibly versatile for a variety of other delicious recipes. Don’t let those leftover apples go to waste!

Apple Crumble: Transform your Granny Smiths into a comforting dessert with a thick, golden crumble topping. The tart apples bake down beautifully under a sweet, buttery crunch.
Apple Bread: Grate your remaining apples into a moist and flavorful apple bread recipe. Their moisture adds tenderness, and their tartness brightens the overall taste.
The Best Ever Apple Pie: What better way to use tart apples than in a classic, homemade Apple Pie? Their firm texture holds up perfectly during baking, ensuring a delicious filling.
Apple Crumble Bars with Caramel: Create portable and delightful apple crumble bars, enhanced with a luscious layer of caramel for an extra touch of decadence.
Easy Apple Nachos: For a quick and fun snack or light dessert, slice your apples thinly and arrange them like nachos, drizzling with caramel, chocolate, and your favorite toppings.

A bowl of creamy Snickers Salad garnished with extra Snickers pieces, a perfect easy dessert.

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Snickers Salad

By

Chelsea Lords

Snickers Salad is a retro treat with diced Snickers, crisp apples, and creamy vanilla pudding mixed with whipped topping. Not exactly a “salad,” but definitely a fun and tasty dessert!

Prep Time:

25

Total Time:

25

Servings:

8
servings

Video

Equipment

Large bowl

Ingredients

1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix (see Note 1 below for details)
1 cup whole milk (or 1% or 2%)
1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip, fully thawed)
4 Granny Smith apples (diced)
Club soda (optional, if preparing apples ahead of time)
5 full-sized Snickers candy bars (or similar chocolate-nougat-nut candy bar)
Caramel sauce (optional topping)
Toffee bits (optional topping)

Instructions

Unwrap all the Snickers candy bars and dice them into uniform bite-sized pieces. Set aside approximately 1/3 cup of these diced Snickers bars; these will be used for garnishing the salad later. Next, thoroughly wash and dice the Granny Smith apples. There’s no need to peel them, as the skin adds both color and beneficial fiber. If you plan to prepare the salad ahead of time and wish to prevent the apples from browning, lightly toss the diced apples in a splash of club soda, then pat them completely dry before adding them to the mixture.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the instant vanilla pudding mix and 1 cup of milk. Using a whisk, briskly whisk the ingredients together for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth, thick, and creamy. Ensure there are no lumps of pudding mix remaining. Once the pudding base is ready, take your fully thawed whipped topping and gently fold it into the pudding mixture using a rubber spatula. Continue folding until the pudding and whipped topping are completely smooth and well combined, creating a light and airy base.
Carefully add the diced Snickers bars (excluding the reserved topping portion) and the prepared diced apples to the creamy pudding and whipped topping mixture in the bowl. Gently stir all the ingredients together until everything is evenly distributed. Be gentle to avoid breaking up the apple pieces too much. Once mixed, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill the Snickers Salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until you are ready to serve. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up slightly. Give it a gentle stir once more just before serving to ensure the consistency is perfect.
To finish, smooth the top surface of the Snickers Salad in its serving bowl. If desired, and just before serving for optimal freshness and crunch, garnish the top with the reserved diced Snickers pieces. For added texture and flavor, sprinkle a handful of crushed toffee bits over the salad. Finally, drizzle approximately 3–4 tablespoons of caramel sauce artfully over the entire dish. Serve your delicious Snickers Salad promptly to enjoy its fresh, creamy, and crunchy perfection.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: It’s crucial to use the smaller 3.4-ounce box of instant vanilla pudding mix for this recipe, not the larger 5.6-ounce package. Make sure you select an instant pudding mix, not the “cook-and-serve” type, for the correct texture and easy preparation. Opt for regular vanilla pudding over sugar-free for the best flavor.

Nutrition Note: Please be aware that the provided nutrition information is an approximation and does not include any optional toppings you might add.

Storage: Snickers Salad is best enjoyed fresh, ideally within a few hours of preparation. For any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To maintain the crispness of the apples if preparing in advance, you can keep the diced apples separate and gently fold them into the salad just before serving. This will help preserve their crunch.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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