Sweet meets tart in this creamy, crunchy Snickers Salad made with crisp green apples, silky vanilla pudding, Cool Whip, Snickers chunks, and a drizzle of caramel. It’s like your favorite candy bar took a dip in a fruit punch bowl—and never came back out.
You know that moment when you’re torn between dessert and something that at least pretends to be a fruit? This is what happens when you say, “Why not both?” It’s cool, luscious, and borderline ridiculous—in the best way. Every bite gives you chewy Snickers, juicy apples, and that pudding-whipped-cream cloud that makes you close your eyes for just a second. It works for potlucks, post-dinner sweet cravings, or a late-night sneak-from-the-fridge situation. No judgment here.
Table of Contents
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Why You’ll Love this Snickers Salad
This one isn’t pretending to be a health salad. It’s chewy, fruity, creamy, and unapologetically over the top. Let’s roll with it.
- Ridiculously simple to make: You basically stir and chop. There’s no baking, no boiling, and minimal stress involved.
- That sweet-salty combo, though: Tart apples and nougaty candy meet in a dreamy, fluffy mess of joy.
- No waiting around: It chills in the fridge for just an hour, but honestly, even that’s negotiable if you’re feeling impatient.
- Crowd-friendly and potluck-approved: Somehow this always disappears faster than the kale salad at the table. Just saying.
- Customizable for picky eaters: You can skip the caramel (but why would you?) or swap in other mix-ins.
- Leftovers hit different: The texture changes a bit by day two, and honestly, that makes it even more fun.
Ingredient Notes
This isn’t one of those ten-dollar-word ingredient lists. It’s refreshingly low-fuss, but here’s a bit of detail in case you’re curious.
- Cold milk: The colder the better for helping your instant pudding thicken up quickly. I prefer whole milk for extra creaminess.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: Make sure it’s instant, not the cook-and-serve kind. Otherwise, you’ll be waiting forever with a sad spoon.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tangy snap cuts through the sweetness, keeping everything in crispy balance. Don’t peel them; the green skin looks pretty and adds texture.
- Snickers bars: You want the full-size ones. The mini ones feel like you’re cheating yourself. Chop ’em small but chunky.
- Cool Whip (thawed): This gives the mix an airy, mousse-like feel. You can sub in homemade whipped cream, but the Cool Whip stays fluffier longer.
- Caramel sauce: Optional… but also not really. Drizzling it on top makes everything feel fancy (and doubly decadent).
How To Make This Snickers Salad
You’re about ten minutes away from your fridge smelling like childhood and candy dreams.
- Mix the pudding base: In a large bowl, beat the milk and pudding mix together with an electric mixer on medium for about 2 minutes. It should thicken up a bit but still look creamy—kind of like the inside of a Boston cream donut.
- Chop the apples and candy bars: Wash the apples, dice five of them into small cubes, and do the same with five out of the six Snickers bars. Keep the last apple and candy bar aside for your dramatic garnish moment later.
- Fold in the whipped topping: Add your thawed Cool Whip to the pudding mix and gently fold until smooth. Don’t overmix, or you’ll lose that poofy cloud texture.
- Combine with chopped bits: Stir in the apple chunks and most of the Snickers pieces. Everything should be evenly coated, with little candy bar peaks poking out like edible treasure.
- Chill for flavor magic: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour. This gives the flavors time to cozy up and the textures to mingle.
- Garnish like a pro: Chop the last apple and Snickers bar, toss them on top, and drizzle generously with caramel. If you’re going for “wow,” stack it all in a clear trifle bowl. If not, a big spoon and a solo bowl work just fine.
Storage Options
If you somehow manage not to eat the whole bowl today (you’re stronger than me), this salad stores surprisingly well. Just cover the bowl with plastic wrap or tuck it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll hold up for about 2 days before the apples start to get a little soft and weepy. Still edible, but less snappy.
Don’t try freezing it, though. The pudding and whipped topping go sad and slushy once defrosted, and the apples… well, let’s not even talk about what frozen-thawed apples taste like here.
If you’re prepping ahead for a party, you can mix the pudding and Cool Whip combo a day in advance to save time. Just add the chopped apples and Snickers pieces the day of, maybe an hour or two before serving, so everything stays crisp and fresh.
Variations and Substitutions
There’s room here to get a little creative (or just use what you’ve got floating around in the pantry).
- Different candy bars: Try chopped Milky Way, Twix, or even peanut butter cups for a fun twist. Each one brings its own kind of candy chaos.
- Add some crunch: Salted peanuts, crushed pretzels, or even granola can add more texture if you want layers of crunch to play with.
- Try a fruit swap: Pears or strawberries could work in place of apples, though they’ll change the vibe into something softer and sweeter.
- Homemade whipped cream: Definitely an option if you like things a little less processed, but keep in mind it won’t hold its poof as long.
- Chocolate drizzle instead of caramel: Not traditional, but honestly, you can’t go wrong by adding chocolate syrup to anything.
- Add pudding flavor variations: Swap vanilla for butterscotch or cheesecake flavor for a subtle flavor nudge in a new direction.
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
What to Serve with Snickers Salad
Alright, so technically this is dessert, but it gets invited to all sorts of meals. It’s a bit of a social butterfly that way.
- For cookouts or barbecues, put this next to that grilled mountain of ribs or burgers and just watch it go. The chilled fluffy texture is such a good contrast to smoky meat and crunchy chips.
- Serve it at brunch with classic breakfast-y things like mini quiches or muffins. It weirdly works as a fresh-ish side when everything else is eggs and carbs.
- Pair it with cozy, savory dishes like pan-seared cod or chicken. The sweet-salty combo makes them feel like part of the same weird and wonderful meal.
- Use it as a potluck wild card. It stands out in a sea of savory dips and salty casseroles, especially when garnished dramatically with caramel and candy rubble.
- Round out dessert with some cookies like these maple snickerdoodles. The warm spice of a chewy cookie goes surprisingly well with the cool fluffiness of the salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Snickers Salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep it about a day in advance, but here’s the trick: mix the pudding and Cool Whip part first and stash it in the fridge. Then, add the chopped apples and Snickers a couple of hours before serving for max crunch and freshness. The caramel drizzle goes on right before you set it out (or after you sneak that first spoonful).
Why use Granny Smith apples specifically?
Granny Smiths are tart, crisp, and firm, so they hold up beautifully against all the sweet, creamy stuff going on here. Softer apples can get mushy and start to dissolve into the pudding (not ideal unless you’re making baby food). Honestly, that sour snap is what keeps this from being an overwhelming sugar bomb.
Do I need to peel the apples?
Nope, skip the peeling. The green skin adds pretty flecks of color and a bit of extra texture. Plus, who wants to stand there peeling six apples? Not me. Just make sure you wash them well, since we’re leaving that skin on.
How long does Snickers Salad last in the fridge?
It’s best eaten within 24 to 48 hours. After that, the apples start to soften and the texture isn’t quite the same. Still safe to eat, just a little sadder. If you see any weepiness at the bottom of the bowl (from the apples releasing moisture), just give it a stir before serving again.
Snickers Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box (3.4 oz) (96 g) instant vanilla pudding mix not cook-and-serve
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) cold whole milk
- 8 oz (227 g) Cool Whip (whipped topping) thawed
- 6 Granny Smith apples washed, unpeeled, divided (5 chopped for salad, 1 reserved for garnish)
- 6 Snickers bars full-size, chopped, divided (5 for salad, 1 for garnish)
- caramel sauce for drizzling, optional but recommended
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Knife
- Cutting board
Instructions
- Mix the pudding base: In a large bowl, beat the cold milk and instant vanilla pudding mix with an electric mixer on medium for about 2 minutes. The pudding should slightly thicken but stay creamy.
- Chop the apples and Snickers: Dice five apples and five Snickers bars into small cubes. Reserve the last apple and last Snickers bar for garnish.
- Fold in the whipped topping: Add the thawed Cool Whip to the pudding mixture and gently fold with a spatula until smooth and combined. Don’t overmix.
- Combine with chopped bits: Stir in the chopped apples and most of the Snickers pieces (saving the reserved ones for topping). Mix gently until evenly coated.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld and the salad firm up a bit.
- Garnish and serve: Before serving, dice the remaining apple and Snickers bar. Scatter them over the top of the salad and drizzle generously with caramel sauce. Serve chilled.
