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Fall Fruit Salad Recipe: Easy Cinnamon Orange Holiday Side

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This cozy fall fruit salad features crisp apples, juicy pears, grapes, pomegranate arils, and dried cranberries tossed in a cinnamon orange dressing. It’s a quick, festive side perfect for holiday gatherings, brunches, or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Gala, cored and diced)
  • 2 medium pears (Bartlett or Anjou, cored and diced)
  • 1 medium orange (peeled and segmented)
  • 1 cup seedless red grapes (halved)
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries (unsweetened or lightly sweetened, optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (toasted, optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (juice of 1 orange)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Pinch of fine sea salt

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry all fruit thoroughly. Core and dice the apples (about 1/2-inch pieces), leaving the skin on. Dice the pears the same size, ensuring they’re firm.
  2. Peel the orange, remove seeds, and slice into bite-sized segments.
  3. Slice grapes in half. If using fresh pomegranate, cut open and release the arils.
  4. Place apples, pears, orange segments, grapes, and pomegranate arils in a large mixing bowl. Add dried cranberries and chopped nuts if using. Gently toss together.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, honey or maple syrup, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth.
  6. Pour the dressing over the fruit. Gently toss with a wide spoon until everything is coated.
  7. Let the fruit salad sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to mingle. If prepping ahead, cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours; stir before serving.
  8. Taste before serving and adjust sweetness or spice as desired. Top with extra nuts or pomegranate arils for garnish.

Notes

Use firm apples and pears for best texture. Toast nuts for extra flavor, or omit for nut-free. Prep fruit and dressing ahead, but combine just before serving for maximum freshness. For vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey. Avoid bananas, as they get mushy. Add lemon juice to apples if prepping far ahead to prevent browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall fruit salad, holiday side, cinnamon orange dressing, Thanksgiving, Christmas, autumn salad, gluten-free, vegan option, healthy fruit salad

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/fall-fruit-salad-recipe-easy-cinnamon-orange-holiday-side/