Panera Fuji Apple Salad & Dressing Copycat Recipe

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!

Panera fuji apple salad on a plate and in a bowl sitting on a red and white tea towel.

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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

Ingredients of Panera Fuji Apple Salad sitting on a marble countertop.

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

Collage of making Panera salad dressing and mixing it into the salad.

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)

A plate of Panera fuji apple salad with a cracker and wooden spoon on the side.

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!

A plate of Panera fuji apple salad with a small bowl of dressing on the side.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use fresh apples instead of dried apple chips?

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.

Can I use a different kind of lettuce?

You can use any lettuce you prefer for this recipe.

Where can I buy apple chips?

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.

How long will a salad keep in the refrigerator?

Leaving the dressing in a separate container, this salad will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator.