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Fresh Harvest Fall Fruit Salad with Honey Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh harvest fall fruit salad with honey poppy seed dressing - featured image
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A quick and easy fall fruit salad featuring crisp apples, tender pears, juicy pomegranate seeds, and crunchy pecans, all tossed in a light honey poppy seed dressing. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a simple, healthy dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large Honeycrisp apples, cored and cut into ½-inch chunks
  • 2 medium Bartlett pears, cored and cut into ½-inch chunks
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds
  • ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped and toasted
  • ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
  • ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prep the fruit: Core the apples and pears, then cut them into bite-sized chunks (about ½-inch pieces). Leave the skin on for color and texture, or peel if preferred. Toss the chopped fruit with a squeeze of lemon juice (about 1 tablespoon) to prevent browning.
  2. Seed the pomegranate: If using a whole pomegranate, cut it in half horizontally. Hold one half over a bowl, cut side down, and whack the back with a wooden spoon to release the seeds. (Pro tip: wear an apron to avoid stains.)
  3. Toast the pecans (optional but recommended): Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped pecans and stir frequently for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and slightly darker. Watch closely to avoid burning. Let cool completely before adding to the salad.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and salt until smooth. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to create an emulsion. Stir in the poppy seeds. Taste and adjust sweetness or tang as desired.
  5. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the apples, pears, pomegranate seeds, and toasted pecans. Drizzle about half the dressing over the top and toss gently with your hands or salad servers. Add more dressing as needed—you want everything lightly coated, not swimming.
  6. Add finishing touches: Sprinkle the crumbled feta and fresh mint leaves over the top. Give it one more gentle toss or leave it layered for a prettier presentation. Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.

Notes

For best results, keep the dressing separate if making ahead and toss just before serving. The fruit will release juice as it sits; drain excess before adding dressing. Add mint at the very end to prevent wilting. Letting the dressed salad sit for about 10 minutes before serving improves flavor as the fruit absorbs the dressing slightly.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall fruit salad, honey poppy seed dressing, apple pear salad, pomegranate salad, Thanksgiving salad, easy fruit salad

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/fresh-harvest-fall-fruit-salad-with-honey-poppy-seed-dressing/