Apple Salad with Cheddar Croutons
Apple Salad with Cheddar Croutons is filled with spring greens, apples, cheddar cheese, dried cherries, bacon, sourdough cheddar croutons and a cinnamon apple cider vinegar dressing.
The Equipment You’ll Need
- A Non-stick Pan- You’ll need this to fry the croutons. When you stir in the cheese you want it to stick to the croutons, not the pan.
- A Salad Spinner- You’ll need this to get your lettuce nice and dry.
- A Small Jar- I find this shaking the dressing in a small jar is the easiest way to make dressing.
- A Big Bowl- You’ll need a big bowl for tossing your greens with the dressing.
The Ingredients You’ll Need for Apple Salad with Cheddar Croutons
- Apples- You’ll need nice, fresh apples for this salad. I used McIntosh apples this time, because that’s what we picked right from the trees when we visited the apple orchard on Saturday.
- Bacon-I used apple wood smoked bacon from Niman Ranch.
- Cinnamon- I used cinnamon in the dressing because it goes so nicely with apples.
- Sourdough Bread- I used sourdough bread, but you can use any bread you have on hand.
How I Made This Salad
- First, I made my croutons, taking care to turn the bread over as soon as each side turned golden brown.
- Next, I made the vinaigrette, making sure it didn’t taste too acidic, other wise, I would have added more honey to balance the flavors.
- Then, I cooked the bacon, turning it over as it browned and then removing it from the pan before it burnt.
- Finally, I tossed the lettuce with the dressing and added the toppings.
- I served this with some stir fried chicken and broccoli and white rice.
Our trip to the apple orchard was so much fun. I’d been there many times before, to buy apples. But, I’d never picked them before. I was really amazed at how beautiful the branches so full of apples were. And, now I have so many apples to cook with. I also really enjoyed eating this Apple Salad with Cheddar Croutons. If you’re looking for an easy and delicious fall salad, I hope you’ll try this one, soon!
Apple Salad with Cheddar Croutons
Spring greens tossed with apples, bacon, cheddar, dried cherries, and cheddar sourdough croutons.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 3 cups sourdough bread, cut in one inch cubes
- ¼ cup grated cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bacon, cut in one inch pieces
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp. honey
- ¼ tsp. cinnamon
- 4 cups spring greens
- 2 sliced apples
- ½ cup dried cherries
- ½ cup diced cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Make the croutons by melting the butter in a nonstick skillet. Add the bread, and cook until golden brown on all sides. Then add the cheddar and stir until the bread is coated in the melted cheese. Remove from the heat.
- Fry the bacon pieces on low heat until they're nice and crispy. Remove from the pan and let drain on a paper towel.
- Make the vinaigrette by mixing together the oil, vinegar, honey, and cinnamon in a small jar. Shake until combined.
- Toss the lettuce with as much dressing as you like, in a salad bowl. And then top with the rest of the ingredients and serve.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
