Side Dishes

Easy & Refreshing Fennel Apple Salad That’ll Brighten Any Meal Recipe

ByIsla White February 28, 2026February 28, 2026

Introduction

This easy and refreshing fennel apple salad combines crisp fennel and apples with peppery arugula and crunchy nuts for a bright, flavorful dish. It’s perfect as a light lunch or a vibrant side that will brighten any meal.

A fresh salad presented in a white bowl with a dark rim, layered with leafy green arugula as the base, topped with thin white and light green fennel slices, and sprinkled with bright green dill sprigs throughout. Red and green apple slices with crisp edges are evenly scattered on top, adding pops of color. Small chunks of light brown nuts are spread across the salad, enhancing the texture. The salad is lightly drizzled with a glossy dressing and sprinkled with black pepper on the top. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
2 medium apples (crispy variety), thinly sliced
4 cups arugula
0.25 cup walnuts (optional, can substitute with pecans or almonds)
1–2 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved or crumbled
0.25 cup olive oil
Fresh lemon juice, to taste
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Optional add-in: chopped celery stalks for extra crunch

Instructions

Step 1: Remove fronds from the fennel bulb and stalks; save a few fronds for garnish. Thinly slice the fennel using a sharp knife or mandoline.
Step 2: Slice the apples into thin, bite-sized pieces to complement the fennel’s crunch.
Step 3: In a large bowl, toss together the fennel slices, apple slices, and fresh arugula.
Step 4: Sprinkle walnuts evenly over the mixture, then add the shaved or crumbled Parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Whisk the olive oil with fresh lemon juice, then season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
Step 6: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients.
Step 7: Finish by sprinkling the reserved fennel fronds on top and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Use a mandoline for even, thin slices of fennel and apple for better texture and presentation.
Substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds to vary the nutty flavor and crunch.
Add chopped celery stalks for extra crispness and a subtle fresh flavor.
Dress the salad just before serving to keep the ingredients crisp and fresh.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. Since the salad is best enjoyed fresh, avoid storing with dressing; keep dressing separate and toss just before serving. Reheating is not recommended.

How to Serve

A bowl of fresh green salad with a mix of thin green, curly fennel fronds and light green shredded fennel stalks forming the base layer. Thin slices of red-skinned apple and yellow-skinned pear are scattered throughout, adding a soft contrast in both color and texture. Light, thin shavings of white cheese are spread on top, giving a slightly rough texture with a mild shine. Small pieces of reddish crushed nuts or seasoning are sprinkled across the salad, adding tiny pops of warm color. The salad is in a white bowl set on a white marbled surface with a faint grey cloth partially visible beneath the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes, choose any crisp apple variety you like, such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji, to maintain the salad’s refreshing texture and balance of sweetness and tartness.

How can I make this salad vegan?

Simply omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute it with a vegan cheese alternative or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy.

Easy & Refreshing Fennel Apple Salad That’ll Brighten Any Meal Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 102 reviews

This Easy & Refreshing Fennel Apple Salad combines the crisp textures of thinly sliced fennel and apples with peppery arugula, crunchy walnuts, and shaved Parmesan. Tossed in a simple lemon-olive oil dressing, this bright and flavorful salad is perfect as a light lunch or an elegant side dish that’ll brighten any meal.

Author: Isla
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
2 medium apples (crispy variety), thinly sliced
4 cups arugula
0.25 cup walnuts (optional, can substitute with pecans or almonds)
1–2 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved or crumbled

For the Dressing

0.25 cup olive oil
Fresh lemon juice, to taste
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Optional Add-ins

Celery stalks, chopped (for extra crunch)

Instructions

Prepare the Fennel: Remove fronds from the fennel bulb and stalks, reserving a few fronds for garnish. Thinly slice the fennel using a sharp knife or mandoline for uniform thin slices.
Slice the Apples: Core and thinly slice the apples into bite-sized pieces that complement the fennel’s crunchiness.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together the thinly sliced fennel, apple slices, and fresh arugula to mix evenly.
Add Nuts and Cheese: Sprinkle the walnuts evenly over the salad mixture, then add the shaved or crumbled Parmesan cheese on top.
Make the Dressing: Whisk the olive oil with fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
Toss the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat all components evenly without bruising.
Garnish and Serve: Finish by sprinkling the reserved fennel fronds over the salad for an aromatic garnish and serve immediately to enjoy its freshness.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
Dress the salad just before serving to maintain its crispness.
Replace walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
Optional celery adds extra crunch and freshness.

Keywords: Fennel salad, apple salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, refreshing salad, vegetarian salad, summer salad

Isla White

Leave a Reply Cancel reply