Fall Harvest Apple Chickpea Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Autumn salad blending chickpeas, apples, walnuts, and a sweet-tangy honey-mustard dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 2 medium apples, diced (Honeycrisp or Gala)
03 - 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
04 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

→ Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
08 - 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
09 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the chickpeas, diced apples, walnuts, red onion, and parsley until evenly distributed.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until smooth.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or chill up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes with zero cooking, making it perfect for those mornings when you want something substantial but not complicated.
  • The chickpeas provide real staying power, keeping you satisfied through an afternoon of work without any heaviness.
  • Every bite has a different texture and temperature contrast that keeps things interesting, even as you work through leftovers.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad too far ahead—the apples will release water and thin out your dressing if left sitting longer than two hours, so save it for last-minute assembly if you're making it ahead.
  • The secret to keeping walnuts crispy is toasting them dry in a pan for just two minutes; cold nuts from the bag get soft and forgettable fast.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of the dressing and keep it in the fridge for up to five days—it's equally delicious on grain bowls, roasted vegetables, or even drizzled over avocado toast.
  • If you're vegan or avoiding honey, maple syrup works beautifully as a one-to-one substitute and actually adds a slightly deeper sweetness.
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