This Apple Celery Salad with hazelnuts is a light, crisp salad that's perfect for any meal! This refreshing combination of crunchy celery, juicy apples, red onion, and toasted hazelnuts is a delightful contrast of textures and tastes.
A bed of peppery arugula adds a touch of green vibrancy, while a drizzle of your favorite sugar-free balsamic dressing ties everything together beautifully.
Why This Recipe Salad Works
This salad is a delight to prepare as well to eat. Ready in minutes, but with a flavor combination that is pure 'wow'. You're guests will love the delightful crunch of this apple and celery salad.
- Easy to Make: This recipe comes together in just minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Diabetic-Friendly: Made with naturally sweet apples and no added sugar, this salad is a guilt-free way to add a touch of sweetness to your meal.
- Flavorful and Refreshing: The combination of sweet apples, crisp celery, and toasted hazelnuts creates refreshing salad.
Jump to:
- Why This Recipe Salad Works
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How To Make This Apple Celery Salad
- Substitutions and Variations
- Tips for Success
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Equipment
- Storage Options
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Diabetes Friendly Recipes
- Apple Celery Salad with Hazelnuts
- Want To Save This Recipe?
Ingredients You'll Need
Toasted hazelnuts add a delightful crunch and a touch of nutty richness, creating textures and flavors that mix well.
Plus, it's a diabetic-friendly dish that's bursting with nutrition and fiber, making it a wholesome and satisfying addition to your meal plan.
- Arugula: This peppery green provides a delightful base for the salad and adds a touch of sophistication.
- Celery: Crunchy and refreshing, celery adds a wonderful textural contrast and a touch of natural sodium.
- Apples: Sweet and slightly tart, apples balance the flavors and add a burst of freshness. Choose a variety like Honeycrisp or Gala for the best results.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a subtle bite and a beautiful pop of color to the salad.
- Hazelnuts: Toasted hazelnuts add a delightful nutty crunch and a touch of richness to the salad.
- Sugar-Free Balsamic Dressing: Choose your favorite store-bought sugar-free balsamic dressing, or try making your own with diabetic-friendly ingredients.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make This Apple Celery Salad
Make this refreshing combination of crunchy celery, apples, and hazelnuts a fresh new family favorite. Simply layer the simple fresh ingredients in a large salad bowl, or on individual salad plates. Garnish with the toasted walnuts and your favorite dressing, and you're all set.
Toast The Hazelnuts
- Toast hazelnuts per instructions at bottom of recipe. Set aside.
- Place arugula in the bottom of a large salad bowl or onto individual salad plates.
Add Sliced Apple and Red Onion
- Add sliced apples and thinly sliced red onions on top of the fresh peppery arugula.
Top With Toasted Hazelnuts and Dressing
- Add the sliced celery, and ⅔ of the toasted hazelnuts. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Drizzle your favorite balsamic vinaigrette over salad and toss to combine if mixing a large bowl.
- If dressing individual salad plates, provide a small bowl of dressing at the table so they can add their own dressing.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations when making this fresh salad recipe.
- Greens: Don't have arugula? You can substitute baby spinach or mixed greens for a different flavor profile.
- Apples: Granny Smith apples offer a tart and tangy alternative to the sweetness of Honeycrisp or Gala apples.
- Nuts: Feel free to experiment with other toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for a different flavor variation.
- Cheese: For a non-diabetic friendly option, crumble some goat cheese or blue cheese over the salad for an extra layer of flavor and creaminess.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this apple celery salad:
- Toast the hazelnuts for a deeper and richer flavor. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Slice the apple and red onion thinly for a more delicate and even distribution of flavors throughout the salad.
- Toss the salad gently to avoid bruising the arugula and apple slices.
Serving Suggestions
Apple Celery Salad with Hazelnuts is a fantastic side dish for grilled chicken, fish, or pork. It also works beautifully alongside roasted vegetables or a quinoa bowl for a complete and satisfying meal.
Related Recipes
- Pan Seared Lamb Chops
- Easy Cheddar Cheese Fondue Recipe
- Sweetener Showdown - Monk Fruit vs Stevia
- Tomato Soup with Roasted Garlic
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this recipe.
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Storage Options
- This crisp salad is best enjoyed fresh. However, leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- The toasted hazelnuts may lose some of their crispness, but the salad will still be flavorful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Experiment with other sugar-free dressings like lemon vinaigrette or a light mustard dressing for a different flavor profile.
Toasting the hazelnuts is not essential, but it brings out their nutty flavor and adds a delightful textural contrast to the salad.
Tossing the apple slices with a little lemon juice can help to slow down browning.
More Diabetes Friendly Recipes
Apple Celery Salad with Hazelnuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup Hazelnuts toasted, roughly chopped, divided
- 2 cup Arugula
- 2 large Red apples sliced thinly
- ¼ cup Red onions sliced thinly
- 6 large Celery stalks sliced
- Sea salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- ½ cup Balsamic salad dressing or your own homemade
Instructions
- Toast hazelnuts per instructions at bottom of recipe. Set aside.½ cup Hazelnuts
- Place arugula in the bottom of a large salad bowl or onto individual salad plates.2 cup Arugula
- Add sliced apples, red onions, celery, and ⅔ of the toasted hazelnuts. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.2 large Red apples, ¼ cup Red onions, 6 large Celery stalks, Sea salt, Black pepper
- Drizzle your favorite balsamic vinaigrette over salad and toss to combine if mixing a large bowl. If dressing individual salad plates, provide a small bowl of dressing at the table so they can add their own dressing.½ cup Balsamic salad dressing
- Serve from the large salad bowl onto four plates, or serve the individual salads at each place setting. Sprinkle the remaining toasted hazelnuts between the four servings.
Notes
- Toast the hazelnuts for a deeper and richer flavor. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Slice the apple and red onion thinly for a more delicate and even distribution of flavors throughout the salad.
- Toss the salad gently to avoid bruising the arugula and apple slices.
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Spread nuts out in a single layer on a dry baking sheet.
- Bake 12-15 minutes, giving the nuts a stir once or twice to encourage even toasting.
- Allow to cool before using.
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