Snickers Apple Salad

This Snickers Apple Salad is so, so good! The texture of the Snickers and apples and the combination of caramel and chocolate flavors are perfection. These kinds of dessert salads are easy to prepare and are great to take to a potluck, party, or gathering!

Snickers Apple Salad is made with chopped Snickers bars and apples draped in a pudding and cool whip mixture then drizzled with caramel sauce!

Before You Get Started

Here are a few of my tips to get the best treat each time:

• Don’t skip the chill time. This dessert does need to chill for about an hour before serving. If you want to make sure the Snickers bars don’t get too hard while chilling, just toss them in the dessert dip just before serving.
• Grab the right type of apples. You want a tart apple in this recipe. It helps balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients.

How to Make Snickers Apple Salad

1️⃣ Mix pudding base

In a large bowl, stir together the vanilla pudding mix and milk with a whisk.

✏️ Tip: A whisk helps keep it lump-free.

2️⃣ Fold in whipped topping

Gently fold in the Cool Whip with a spatula, until thoroughly combined.

⚠️ Don’t stir too hard or it will deflate.

3️⃣ Add the mix-ins

Stir in the chopped apples and Snickers candy bars.

✏️ Tip: A mix of tart apples (like Granny Smith) and sweet ones adds great balance if that’s something you’d like to try. Also, you can change up the candy bars that you use. I shared a few ideas above in the Before You Get Started section.

4️⃣ Drizzle with caramel

Spread mixture into a serving bowl and drizzle the top with caramel sauce.

5️⃣ Chill before serving

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Garnish with more Snickers before serving for even more deliciousness.

Variations

Other ways to customize this dessert salad:

• Change up the sweet tooth. Feel free to switch up the candy bars you use. This recipe works with just about any chocolate candy bar. Take 5 candy bars are also delicious in this, or even Whatchamacallits.
• Enhance the caramel vibes. Try using Salted Caramel in this recipe to really bring out all the flavors!
• Go full out on caramel vibes. While using the salted caramel would amp up the caramel flavor, you could go even further by swapping out the vanilla pudding for caramel pudding.
• Ditch the caramel. Instead of caramel drizzle try something else, like butterscotch, peanut butter sauce, or chocolate sauce.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Fridge (up to 2 days): I feel like this is best once you make it. The Cool Whip in this Apple and Snickers Salad may deflate and become watery or change the texture of this dessert salad over time. If keeping longer than after you made and served it, you’ll need to store in an airtight or covered container and keep in the fridge.

Freezer (not recommended): This dip may change consistency once frozen and thawed to serve. The apples and Snickers may also change texture once thawed as well. If you do choose to try this anyway, it needs to be frozen in an appropriate freezer safe container.

Make-ahead (not recommended): I don’t recommend it. You can, but, I think when the Snickers bars get really cold, they become hard to chew. Your apples might brown as well. You do need to leave time for this to chill and meld the flavors though.

FAQs & Troubleshooting

▼ What are the best apples to use?

I preferred the tart flavor of the golden delicious apples or Granny Smith apples to contrast the sweetness of the Snickers and caramel sauce. But you can use what you prefer. In fact, a mix of both sweet and tart apples are a great idea to try as well.

▼ Can I make this without the Snickers?

Sure. You could swap the Snickers out for other candy as previously mentioned, you could use chocolate shavings instead of candy bars, or you can just omit the chocolate aspect altogether and stick to the caramel apple flavor profile.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here’s what to grab at the store (with a few helpful swaps):

• Instant vanilla pudding mix– Pantry: grabbing the instant pudding mix is essential here. You don’t want to get confused and grab the Cook N Serve kind of pudding mix. That requires cooking the pudding mixture over heat and you won’t get the same result if you accidentally use that here.
• Milk– Dairy: This can be made with whole milk or 2% milk. I haven’t tested it with skim milk or plant based milk options.
• Whipped topping– Freezer section: Grab a tub of Cool Whip or any brand of whipped topping and let it thaw in the fridge before using it.
• Apples– Produce section: I used Golden delicious apples and have also used Granny Smith apples.
• Snickers candy bars– Candy aisle: You can use full size bars, minis, or snack size bars. Whatever you find easy to chop up. You can use a knife and chop them or try a food processor.
• Caramel sauce– Often found by ice cream toppings: Some stores will place the ice cream toppings in various areas of the store. Check wherever your store typically has them. If all else fails, ask an associate.

MORE SWEET TREAT RECIPES:

• Snickers Bars
• Snickers Poke Cake
• Snickers Bars
• Snickers Cookies
• Caramel Apple Cake
• Crock Pot Caramel Apple Dip
• Chocolate Chip Caramel Butter Bars
• Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze
• Ambrosia
• Frozen Fruit Salad

Originally published: April 2014
Updated photos & republished: October 2025