Taffy Apple Salad is one of those recipes that takes me WAY back! Sweet + Tart apples, whipped topping, Snickers, marshmallows, pineapple and peanuts all mixed together is SO delicious!
It’s a summertime staple dessert and perfect side dish. You’ve likely had this at family gatherings, Potluck dinner or holiday event.
Maybe it was just a regular dessert rotation at your house. It’s an easy recipe the whole family is sure to love!
If you haven’t had it, you’re in for a treat. The Snickers candy bar pieces are my favorite part of this dessert.
I didn’t always add Snickers candy bars to my Taffy Apple Salad recipe.
I first saw them added into the recipe at a restaurant I worked at when I was 19. The same restaurant I met my husband at, where we were both cooks.
After the first bite, I thought this is a no brainer. I’m adding Snickers to my recipe from now on!
A dessert that you were sure to find at Potlucks! If you’re ever in need of a dish to pass, you can count on this recipe being a huge hit.
I usually start making it toward the end of summer and the beginning of fall when it’s APPLE SEASON!
This dessert salad is a great way to use up my fresh apples from the orchard!
If you love Old Fashioned desserts then you’ll also love my Best Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe, Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie, Peaches and Cream Pie, Soft Molasses Cookies and Easy Coconut Cream Pie!
Table of Contents
What is Taffy Apple Salad?
It is a mixture of apples, peanuts, pineapple, marshmallow and a sauce made with pineapple juice, vinegar, egg, flour and cool whip. It sometimes has caramel sauce added as well.
This recipe is a combination of the traditional version and Snickers Taffy Apple Salad. It uses Snickers but the sauce is not the same as the traditional apple salad.
I do not use egg, vinegar or flour. This is how I grew up making it plus the addition of Snickers bars.
This version is gluten free.
Ingredients
- Honey Crisp Apples – I love using Honey Crisp Apples because they are sweet, tart and crisp. The best apples!
- Granny Smith Apples – I love a Granny Smith Taffy Apple so I like to use a mixture of these and Honey Crisps for this recipe.
- Snickers Candy Bars- Snickers Bars are THE BEST addition to this recipe. The caramel, chocolate and peanuts work so well with the other flavors.
- Whipped Cream – I like using Cool Whip for taste and ease. You can use whatever whipped topping is your favorite.
- Peanuts – Classic Taffy Apples are covered in chopped peanuts. The taste and crunch is delicious!
- Marshmallows – Miniature marshmallows add a little extra sweetness and a different texture to the dish.
- Pineapple – I use pineapple tidbits but you can also use crushed pineapple. Don’t drain pineapple tidbits, the juice adds extra flavor.
- Vanilla Pudding – Use instant vanilla pudding mix. This gives the whipped topping a little extra flavor.
- Whole Milk – Whole milk is needed to mix the vanilla pudding with.
- Kosher Salt – Salt helps bring out the flavors of all the ingredients.
- Caramel Sauce – I love adding a little caramel sauce to this recipe. You can use a sauce like Ghirardelli Caramel Sauce (found at your local grocery store) or you can easily make your own. Use the caramel sauce recipe from my Caramel Apple Snack Cake recipe!
Equipment needed
- Sharp Knife – As always, a sharp knife is best in the kitchen. I use a chef’s knife for cutting the apples and Snickers in this recipe.
- Cutting Board – Use a cutting board that you’re comfortable with. I prefer large boards that are either wood or plastic. I use a Boos Block or this San Jamar cutting board.
- Set of Mixing Bowls – You’ll need a small bowl to mix the milk and pudding then a large bowlhttps://amzn.to/3xwjvpT to mix the rest of the ingredients.
- Whisk – Use a whisk to mix the pudding to avoid lumps.
Tips for Taffy Apple Salad
- Make this dessert 4 hours to 1 day ahead of time. It’s best to let the apple salad sit for a bit for the flavors to blend but it starts to get a bit watery if it sits too long.
- You can cut and store the apples ahead of time but be sure to coat them in lemon juice, apple juice or pineapple juice. The acidity will keep the apples from turning brown.
- Make homemade caramel sauce! It’s really easy and delicious. You can use the caramel sauce recipe from my Caramel Apple Snack Cake recipe!
- This recipe is GREAT for Potlucks!
Variations
- You can use Rolo candy pieces instead of Snickers if you’re looking for nut free. In that case, you would leave the peanuts out as well.
- Make homemade caramel sauce instead of using store bought. I have an easy caramel sauce recipe in my Caramel Apple Snack Cake recipe. We also like to call this, Caramel Apple Salad!
- Use crushed pineapple instead of pineapple tidbits.
- You can make this recipe without the pudding and milk. I used to just use cool whip in a rush.
- Use whatever kind of apple is your favorite apple. Pink Lady apples are a popular choice for this recipe. If you’re using one type of apple instead of two types then use four apples.
How to make Taffy Apple Salad
Whether you’re making this Taffy Apple Salad for Potluck dinner, the holidays or just as a casual at home dessert, it comes together in a cinch!
Combine pineapple and marshmallow together in a small bowl then set aside. Whisk the instant vanilla pudding and whole milk together then fold it into the whipped cream in a large mixing bowl.
Stir the salt into the cream mixture. Fold the apple chunks and Snickers bar pieces into the whipped cream mixture.
Fold in the marshmallow mixture then cover and chill for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours before serving.
Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of the Taffy Apple Salad right before serving.
This recipe is best served cold.
If you love a cozy fall dessert then Pecan Upside Down Cake is definitely worth checking out! Moist vanilla bourbon cake topped with cozy pecan pie filling!
Storage
Store Taffy Apple Salad in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The salad starts to get a little watery the longer it sits so it’s best eaten within 3 days.
If you’re storing the cut apples before mixing them with the whipped cream then make sure to coat them in lemon juice, pineapple juice or apple juice so they don’t turn brown.
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FAQ
Can I make Taffy Apple Salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can! To a certain extent. I like to make it at least 4 hours ahead of time and up to 24 hours ahead of time.
I always think it tastes better the next day.
This gives the flavors time to blend together and become even tastier! If you let it sit too long it starts to get a little watery.
You can just give it a good mix if that happens but it will start to effect quality after a couple days. I store it for up to 3 days but would serve it within the first 24 hours.
Do you peel the apples for Taffy Apple Salad?
I do not peel my apples. You could but that takes away from the color and nutrients in the skin of the apples.
I like to see the bits of red and green in there. It is perfectly edible and recommended to serve with the apple skins on.
What kind of apples should I use?
I prefer a crisp apple over a mealy texture any day. Sweet or tart apples work well for Taffy Apple Salad.
So I like to use a mixture of both green apples and red apples for color and flavor. I use Granny Smith Apples which are tart then I also use Honey Crisp Apples which are slightly sweet and slightly tart.
Ultimately you could use whatever your favorite apple is!
More easy desserts!
- Best Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe
- No Bake Chocolate Coconut Balls
- Pecan Joys
- Chewy Molasses Blondies
Taffy Apple Salad
Equipment
- 1 sharp knife
- 1 cutting board https://amzn.to/3BlDHOP https://amzn.to/3PJ0hEY
- 1 set of mixing bowls https://amzn.to/3xwjvpT
- 1 whisk
- 1 rubber spatula
Ingredients
Taffy Apple Salad
- 8 oz pineapple tidbits canned, with juice
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 3.4 oz vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 oz cool whip thawed
- ⅛ tsp kosher salt
- 2 honey crisp apples cut into ½ inch chunks
- 2 granny smith apples cut into ½ inch chunks
- 5 snickers bars cut into bite size pieces
- 1 cup peanuts
- ½ cup caramel sauce store bought or homemade
Instructions
Making Taffy Apple Salad
- Mix the pineapple tidbits and marshmallows together in a medium bowl then set aside
- Whisk the vanilla pudding mix with the milk in a medium bowl
- Fold the pudding mix and whipped cream together in a large bowl. Mix in the salt
- Fold the apples, snickers pieces and peanuts into the whipped cream mixture
- Fold in the pineapple and marshmallow mixture then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving and up to 24 hours
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the top before serving
Notes
- Make Taffy Apple Salad 4 hours to 1 day ahead of time. It’s best to let the apple salad sit for a bit for the flavors to blend but it starts to get a bit watery if it sits too long.
- You can cut and store the apples ahead of time but be sure to coat them in lemon juice, apple juice or pineapple juice. The acidity will keep the apples from turning brown.
- Make homemade caramel sauce for the Taffy Apple Salad! It’s really easy and delicious. You can use the caramel sauce recipe from my Caramel Apple Snack Cake recipe!
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