Indulge in the delightful flavors of fall with our Easy Autumn Apple Kale Salad. This nourishing and filling salad is a perfect blend of textures and tastes. Crispy roasted sweet potatoes, fresh apple slices, creamy avocado, and the earthy goodness of kale are brought together by a luscious Maple Dijon Dressing that adds a touch of sweetness and a hint of tang. Topped with sunflower seeds for that extra crunch, it's a satisfying and wholesome meal. Whether you're enjoying it as a light lunch or side dish, this salad is a celebration of the season's bounty, and it's a breeze to prepare.
Apple Kale Salad Ingredients
For the Maple Dijon Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Roasted Sweet Potatoes:
- 2 sweet potatoes, diced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Autumn Apple Salad:
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 1 diced apple
- 4 green onions or ¼ cup finely chopped yellow or red onion
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup sunflower seeds or crushed walnuts
- Additional protein of your choice (optional)
How To Make Autumn Apple Kale Salad
Roasted (or Air Fried) Sweet Potatoes:
- Preheat the oven or an air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Chop the sweet potatoes into ½ inch thick squares and place them into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Drizzle them with olive oil. Season them with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Toss until evenly coated.
- Spread the sweet potatoes into the air fryer or onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake or air fry for 15-20 minutes or until they're tender and browned around the edges. Remove from the air fryer or oven and allow them to cool before serving.
Maple Dijon Mustard Dressing:
- In a small mixing bowl, mix the dijon mustard, maple syrup, olive oil, salt, and pepper together until a creamy dressing forms.
Massaging The Kale:
- Place 4 cups of chopped kale into a large mixing bowl.
- Drizzle the maple dijon dressing over the kale.
- Use your hands to massage the dressing into the kale for about 2-3 minutes until the kale becomes tender.
Assembling The Autumn Apple Crunch Salad:
- Add 1 cup of massaged kale to each serving plate.
- Top with sliced apples, roasted sweet potatoes, green onions, avocado, and sunflower seeds.
- Toss and enjoy! If you are seeking additional protein, feel free to add the protein of your choice such as crispy tofu, tempeh, etc.
Enjoy your nourishing and filling autumn salad!
Frequently Asked Questions
Roasted Sweet Potatoes: You can roast the sweet potatoes in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer when you're ready to assemble your salad.
Maple Dijon Mustard Dressing: You can also prepare the dressing ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good shake or stir before using.
Massaged Kale: Massaging the kale ahead of time is perfectly fine. In fact, it can enhance the flavor and texture. The kale will retain its tenderness for a day or two when stored in the refrigerator.
Assembling the Salad: You can pre-chop ingredients like apples, green onions, and avocado, but it's best to wait to assemble the salad just before serving. This way, your salad will remain fresh and crisp.
By preparing these components ahead of time, you can quickly assemble your Easy Autumn Apple Kale Salad when you're ready to enjoy it, making it a convenient and time-saving meal option.
Easy Autumn Apple Kale Salad
Ingredients
Maple Dijon Dressing
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- 2 sweet potato, diced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- salt and pepper
Autumn Apple Salad
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 1 diced apple
- 4 green onions or ¼ cup finely chopped yellow or red onion
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup sunflower seeds or crushed walnuts
- additional protein of choice
Instructions
Roasted (or Air Fried) Sweet Potatoes
- Begin by preheating the oven or an air fryer to 400. Chop the sweet potatoes into ½ inch thick squares and place them into a medium sized mixing bowl.
- Drizzle them with olive oil. Season them with the garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss until evenly coated.
- Spread the sweet potatoes into the bottom of an air fryer or onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake or air fry for 15-20 minutes or until they're tender and browned around the edges. Remove from the air fryer or oven and allow to cool before serving.
Maple Dijon Mustard Dressing
- In a small mixing bowl, mix the dijon, maple syrup, olive oil, and salt and pepper together until a creamy dressing forms.
Massaging The Kale
- Place 6 cups of chopped kale into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the maple dijon dressing over top and then use your hands to massage the dressing into the kale for about 2-3 minutes until the kale becomes tender.
Assembling The Autumn Apple Crunch Salad
- Add 1 cup of massaged kale to each serving plate. Top with sliced apples, roasted sweet potatoes, green onions, avocado, and sunflower seeds. Toss and enjoy! If you are seeking additional protein, feel free to add the protein of your choice such as crispy tofu, tempeh, etc.
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