Name: Snickers Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 Snickers bars, chopped; 4 large Granny Smith apples, cored and chopped; 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix; 1/2 cup milk; 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed; 1/2 cup sour cream (optional for tang); Caramel sauce for drizzling (optional)

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If you’re searching for a show-stopping sweet treat that’s as effortless as it is irresistible, Snickers Salad is your new best friend. This classic American potluck dessert combines tart green apples, hunks of chewy, chocolatey Snickers bars, and a creamy, dreamy vanilla pudding base. One bite delivers a medley of crisp, tangy, rich, and nutty flavors, all smothered in a cloud-like whipped topping. Whether you’re prepping for a festive cookout, a family party, or just a decadent weeknight dessert, Snickers Salad brings full-on fun to the table, blending nostalgia and novelty in every scrumptious spoonful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how just a few simple ingredients can come together to make something truly magical. Each element in Snickers Salad has a role to play, bringing sweet, tart, creamy, or crunchy notes to every bite.

Snickers bars (6, chopped): The star of the show, these candy bars provide gooey caramel, crunchy peanuts, and chocolate decadence.
Granny Smith apples (4 large, cored and chopped): Their tartness keeps the salad bright and balances the sweetness.
Instant vanilla pudding mix (1 (3.4 oz) box): This shortcut thickens the creamy base and gives subtle vanilla flavor.
Milk (1/2 cup): Just enough to activate the pudding mix without making it runny.
Whipped topping (1 (8 oz) container, thawed): Folds everything together with fluffy creaminess; Cool Whip is a classic pick.
Sour cream (1/2 cup, optional): For a gentle tang that lifts the flavors and prevents the salad from being overly sweet.
Caramel sauce (for drizzling, optional): A final glossy touch for extra richness and visual wow-factor.

How to Make Snickers Salad

Step 1: Whisk the Pudding Base

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl. Empty the instant vanilla pudding mix into the bowl and pour in the milk. Whisk briskly for about one to two minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken but is still creamy. This is the backbone of your Snickers Salad, giving that sweet, familiar vanilla creaminess.

Step 2: Fold in Whipped Topping and Sour Cream

Once your pudding is ready, add in the thawed whipped topping and the sour cream if you’re using it. Gently fold everything together with a spatula or large spoon, being careful not to deflate the whipped topping. This combo gives the salad its pillow-like texture and adds just the right amount of sweetness and tang.

Step 3: Add Apples and Snickers Bars

Now for the fun: add your chopped Granny Smith apples and Snickers bars to the creamy base. Stir gently so the fruit and candy are evenly coated but the chunks stay intact. Each spoonful should have a good mix of tart apples and gooey, chocolatey bits.

Step 4: Chill for Best Flavor

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Chilling gives the flavors time to meld and helps the salad firm up just enough for perfect scooping.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches

When you’re ready to serve, give the salad a gentle stir. Drizzle with caramel sauce if you want that extra burst of sweetness and restaurant-worthy presentation. Now, it’s ready to wow your guests (or just yourself!).

How to Serve Snickers Salad

Garnishes

For snazzy presentation and even more flavor, sprinkle extra chopped Snickers pieces or a few salted peanuts right on top just before serving. A generous drizzle of caramel sauce creates a glossy, irresistible finish. If you want to get playful, add a handful of mini marshmallows for extra fluff.

Side Dishes

Snickers Salad pairs beautifully at the end of a summer barbecue or potluck buffet, especially with light and savory mains. Serve alongside grilled chicken, fresh fruit salads, or a tangy pasta salad to balance all that sweetness. It’s also the ideal contrast to spicy foods, providing a cool and creamy finale.

Creative Ways to Present

Beyond serving in a big, family-style bowl, why not try individual parfait glasses or Mason jars for single servings? For parties, scoop portions into waffle cones or tart shells for a hand-held dessert. You can even layer extra Snickers pieces between spoonfuls for a dramatic, layered Snickers Salad effect.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Snickers Salad will keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 2 days. Store it in an airtight container to keep the apples as crisp as possible. If you anticipate leftovers, drizzle caramel or other garnishes only on individual servings to prevent sogginess.

Freezing

Freezing Snickers Salad isn’t recommended, as the apples can turn watery and the creamy base can separate when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh and chilled, so make only as much as you’ll need within a couple of days.

Reheating

Good news: Snickers Salad is designed to be enjoyed straight from the fridge—you never need to reheat it! If it’s been chilling for a while and you want to revive it, give everything a gentle stir before serving to redistribute any ingredients that may have settled.

FAQs

Can I use different types of apples in Snickers Salad?

Absolutely! Granny Smith apples are classic for their tart bite and crunch, but feel free to experiment with Honeycrisp for sweetness or a mix of varieties to suit your tastes.

Is it necessary to add the sour cream?

Nope, it’s totally optional! Sour cream adds a subtle tang that balances the richness, but the salad is still deliciously creamy and sweet if you leave it out.

What can I substitute for Snickers bars?

If you’re in a pinch, try other candy bars with caramel and peanuts (like Milky Way with added peanuts, or even chopped Twix), but nothing quite matches the unique texture and flavor of classic Snickers bars in this salad.

Can Snickers Salad be made in advance?

Yes! You can assemble the salad a few hours ahead and let it chill until serving. Just remember to add garnishes like caramel sauce at the last minute for best texture and appearance.

Is Snickers Salad considered a dessert or a side dish?

That’s part of the fun—it straddles both worlds! It’s often served as a quirky side dish at potlucks alongside savory dishes, but its sweet, candy-filled nature makes it right at home on any dessert table.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to liven up your next gathering with something a little unexpected and a lot delicious, you can’t go wrong with Snickers Salad. It’s the kind of joyful treat that brings smiles, sparks conversation, and disappears quickly from the buffet. Gather your ingredients, let your creativity fly, and dig in!

Snickers Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes chill time)
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in a delightful and easy-to-make Snickers Salad that combines the sweetness of apples with the rich flavors of Snickers bars, all enveloped in a creamy vanilla pudding mixture. Perfect for potlucks or as a sweet treat!

Ingredients

Scale

Snickers Salad:

6 Snickers bars, chopped
4 large Granny Smith apples, cored and chopped

Pudding Mixture:

1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup milk
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
1/2 cup sour cream (optional for tang)
Caramel sauce for drizzling (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare Pudding Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk until slightly thickened, about 1–2 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Fold in the whipped topping and sour cream (if using) until fully combined and creamy. Add the chopped apples and Snickers pieces, and gently stir to coat everything in the mixture.
Chill and Serve: Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld. Drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving, if desired.