Panera Fuji Apple Salad is a delectable dish drizzled with a sweet vinaigrette dressing, filled with crisp lettuce arugula, crunchy pecans, dried apple chips, thin slices of chicken breast, and topped with gorgonzola cheese.
Try our copycat Panera recipe! It is perfect as a healthy appetizer or main meal for your next family dinner!
As much as I enjoy going to Panera and getting the Fuji Apple Salad, it’s expensive and very inconvenient! That’s why I created a recipe that’s nearly identical to the original. It’s made with the same quality ingredients and tastes the same, so I can have it whenever I choose.
This Fuji Apple Salad and Dressing recipe is a mouthwatering copycat of the original Panera one, but you’ll swear you picked it up from there on your way home. It is easy to make, delicious, and affordable!
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this fresh heirloom tomato salad with balsamic and feta!
Table of Contents
Why you should make this Copycat Panera Fuji Apple Salad
- To save money and for convenience’s sake, of course! You may not always have time to drive to Panera, but you can always find time to recreate this apple salad at home. It saves you time, money, and effort!
- Everything in this salad is incredibly flavorful and has such a variety of unique and delightful textures. The dressing on top is also fantastic. A balsamic and honey dressing elevates this salad to new heights. You’re going to adore everything in this salad, and it will also become an instant family favorite.
- The Panera Fuji Apple Salad is a simple dish to prepare, despite its sophisticated-sounding name. It’s a simple toss and mix salad. Anyone is capable of completing the salad-making task. In addition, the salad dressing is easy to make as well.
Ingredients for this Fuji Apple Salad recipe
The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Substitutions and Variations
This Panera Fuji Apple salad is completely customizable. You can change the ingredients according to your taste and preference. Here’s a few ideas for how you can change it up:
- Dairy-Free Salad: Use a vegan cheese crumble instead of the gorgonzola or blue cheese.
- Vegan Salad: Replace the grilled chicken with grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas.
- Apple Slices: Use fresh slices of Fuji Apple instead of apple chips
- Japanese: If you are going for a more Japanese vibe, you can replace the grilled chicken breast with Pork Loin Tonkatsu, Chicken Katsu, or Ebi Fry.
- More Toppings: Toss in some avocado, candied pecans, dried cranberries, or croutons.
How to make copycat Panera Fuji Apple Salad & dressing
- Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl. (Photo 1)
- Whisk all dressing ingredients together until well combined and drizzle over salad mix. (Photos 2 & 3)
Storage
You’ll want to try and only add the dressing to the salad you think you will eat, otherwise, it won’t store very well.
If you have leftover fuji salad mix store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You’ll want to store any leftover dressing in a separate container to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
What to serve with Fuji Apple Salad
The recipe would be divine paired with my Apple Feta Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. It would also go great with my Rosemary Lemon Boneless Chicken Thighs.
Looking for a cocktail to go with this recipe? Try my Apple Shine Sangria or even my Peach Gin Fizz!
Recipe FAQs
Sure! You can always use fresh Fuji apples instead of dried apple chips. I would cut an apple into matchsticks, leaving the skin on for additional crunch.
You can use any lettuce you prefer for this recipe.
You can get apple chips at pretty much any local grocery store. They are usually in the dried fruit section. You can also dry and make your own apple chips at home using the oven.
Leaving the dressing in a separate container, this salad will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator.
More salad recipes you may enjoy:
- Cold Broccoli Salad
- Easy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Loaded Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Easy Healthy Salad Ideas – Meal Prep Salad Ideas
- See all our scrumptious salad recipes!
Did you make this recipe? Or any other delicious recipes on my site? If so, please leave a ★★★★★ star rating and drop a 📝 comment below! Ensure you’re not missing a thing; you can follow along with me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter! For more easy, delicious homemade recipes!
Panera Fuji Apple Salad
Equipment
- A large bowl
- Dry measuring cups
- Wooden salad tongs or tossers
- Wet measuring cup
- Medium mixing bowl
Ingredients
Salad:
- 4 cups romaine lettuce
- 3 cups chicken breast sliced thin
- 2 cups baby arugula or power greens
- 2-3 cups dried apple chips
- 4 vine ripe tomatoes wedged
- ½ red onion sliced thin
- ⅓ cup gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbled
- ⅓ cup pecans halved or chopped
Dressing:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons apple juice
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
Salad:
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss with dressing4 cups romaine lettuce, 3 cups chicken breast, 2 cups baby arugula or power greens, 2-3 cups dried apple chips, 4 vine ripe tomatoes, ½ red onion
Dressing:
- Whisk all ingredients together until well combined and drizzle over salad mix⅓ cup gorgonzola or blue cheese, ⅓ cup pecans, ¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons apple juice, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon onion powder
Notes
- Dairy-Free Salad: Use a vegan cheese crumble instead of the gorgonzola or blue cheese.
- Vegan Salad: Replace the grilled chicken with grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas.
- Apple Slices: Use fresh slices of Fuji Apple instead of apple chips
- Japanese: If you are going for a more Japanese vibe, you can replace the grilled chicken breast with Pork Loin Tonkatsu, Chicken Katsu, or Ebi Fry.
- More Toppings: Toss in some avocado, candied pecans, dried cranberries, or croutons.
Nutrition Information
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