Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
Spooky Halloween Pasta Salad

Spooky Halloween Apple Walnut Salad

This Spooky Halloween Apple Walnut Salad is a festive fall salad with crisp apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, creamy feta, and fresh greens tossed in a sweet-tangy maple Dijon dressing. Little cheese ghosts and dark olive details give the salad a creepy Halloween look without making it complicated, making it perfect for Halloween dinners, parties, or a spooky fall gathering.
Hit the Rating button
Print Pin
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Author: Austin Carter
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Dry Skillet
  • Whisk
  • Chef's Knife
  • Small ghost-shaped cookie cutter
  • Serving Platter

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 5 cups mixed greens or baby spinach
  • 2 medium apples thinly sliced
  • ½ cup walnuts roughly chopped
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup black olives sliced
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds

For the Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Halloween Decoration

  • 3-4 slices white cheese such as mozzarella or provolone
  • 2-3 black olives for ghost eyes

Instructions

  • Slice the apples thinly, about a quarter inch thick.
  • Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking often, until fragrant and lightly charred, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and chop roughly if desired.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper until well emulsified and slightly frothy.
  • Add the mixed greens, sliced apples, cranberries, toasted walnuts, feta, olives, and pumpkin seeds to a large bowl.
    Add the mixed greens, sliced apples, cranberries, toasted walnuts, feta, olives, and pumpkin seeds to a large bowl.
  • Pour the vinaigrette over the sliced apples and toss gently to coat all pieces evenly.
    Pour the vinaigrette over the sliced apples and toss gently to coat all pieces evenly
  • For the Halloween decoration, use a small ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut ghosts from the white cheese.
    For the Halloween decoration, use a small ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut ghosts from the white cheese
  • Transfer the salad to a serving platter and place the cheese ghosts on top of the salad and add tiny pieces of black olive for their eyes.
    Transfer the salad to a serving platter and place the cheese ghosts on top of the salad and add tiny pieces of black olive for their eyes

Notes

For extra flavor, add a handful of arugula or spinach. Serve immediately for the best crunch or refrigerate up to 30 minutes before serving.