• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Toasty Kitchen

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • FAQ

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • FAQ

×
Home » Recipes » Salads

Fall Fruit Salad

Modified: Jun 26, 2025 · Published: Aug 29, 2021 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 911 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Fall fruit salad recipe.
Fall fruit salad recipe.
Fall fruit salad recipe.

This fall fruit salad is filled with fresh apples, blackberries, grapes, and pecans. Drizzled with a homemade cinnamon orange dressing that packs tons of fall flavor!

Oh MY Word!!!! If I could give this fruit salad 10 stars I would. The most amazing and flavorful fruit salad that I have ever tasted. Testing out salads for my daughters Baby Shower Brunch next month and this is definitely a winner. The maple syrup with the orange and the zest. I cannot quit eating it. My guests are going to be raving! ★★★★★ - Lisa

A bowl filled with fruit salad next a red and gold kitchen towel and cinnamon sticks.

Why this recipe works

Flavor/texture: Fruity, citrusy, cozy, warm. Crunchy pecans contrast nicely with the crisp apples, juicy grapes, and tender blackberries.

The dressing is the star: It packs tons of cozy fall flavor! Made with fresh orange juice, orange zest, maple syrup, and cinnamon.

Easy to assemble: Have a fruit salad for a crowd ready in about 15 minutes!

More fruit salads: Spring Fruit Salad, Summer Fruit Salad, and Winter Fruit Salad

Jump to:
  • Why this recipe works
  • Ingredients and substitutions
  • How to make fall fruit salad
  • Tips and tricks
  • Make ahead
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Recommended
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Comments

Ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients on a counter top.
  • Apples - I used two large, sweet apples for this fruit salad. Honeycrisp, fuji, gala, and red delicious are all great choices.
  • Blackberries - Can be substituted with other berries you have on hand, like sliced strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.
  • Red seedless grapes - Can be substituted with any color grapes you have on hand.
  • Chopped pecans - Can be substituted with walnuts.
  • Maple syrup - Can be substituted with honey (however, your salad will no longer be vegan). Readers have also had success using maple flavored pancake syrup.
  • Cinnamon - Adds flavor to your fruit salad. Can be substituted with pumpkin pie spice or chai spice for a slightly different flavor.
  • Orange - We're using the zest and juice of one orange to make the dressing. Don't omit the orange, it adds a significant amount of flavor to the recipe!

How to make fall fruit salad

Collage of photos showing assembly of a fruit salad.
  1. Zest your orange, then juice it into a bowl.
  2. Add cinnamon and maple syrup and whisk until incorporated.
  3. Add apples, grapes, blackberries, and pecans to a bowl and drizzle dressing on top.
  4. Toss until evenly coated and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tips and tricks

Zest, then juice - Zest your orange, then slice it in half and juice it. It's much easier to zest a whole orange than two halves.

Slice apples last - As instructed in the recipe card, we're slicing the apples last. This ensures that your apples don't turn brown before they're dressed. The dressing seals the apples, which prevents them from oxidizing.

For crunchy pecans, add them last - Want to keep your pecans crunchy? Add them last and toss to combine just before serving.

Make ahead

Prepare according to the directions below, cover, and store in the refrigerator overnight. Before serving, give your salad a quick toss to incorporate any dressing that may have settled at the bottom of the bowl.

No, your apples will not turn brown during this time. The salad dressing coats the apples and prevents oxidation.

Close up of grapes, cubed apple, and blackberries coated in a cinnamon dressing in a bowl.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best apples for fruit salad?

Sweet apples taste best in a fruit salad. I recommend honeycrisp, fuji, gala, or red delicious.

How do I keep my apples from turning brown?

The dressing coats the fruits and prevents oxidation. Prepare the fruit salad as directed below, cubing your apples last. Once the apples are cubed, assemble the salad. Immediately toss fruits in the dressing until evenly coated.

What other fruits can I add to fruit salad?

The most common fruits for a fall fruit salad include: apples, orange slices, kiwi, grapes, pears, pomegranate arils, blackberries, figs, and persimmons. Make it according to your tastes and preferences - make it something you'll truly enjoy!

How long does leftover fruit salad last?

Your fruit salad will keep, once dressed, in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days but is best served with in 1 day for a party.

What can I make with leftover fruit salad?

I like to serve fall fruit salad with a stack of applesauce pancakes. Readers have also tossed it with homemade granola or yogurt to enjoy for breakfast.

Recommended

  • A serving bowl filled with summer fruit salad.
    Summer Fruit Salad
  • Winter fruit salad in a bowl.
    Winter Fruit Salad
  • A bowl filled with spring fruit salad topped with poppy seed dressing.
    Spring Fruit Salad
  • A blue bowl filled with pineapple and kiwi.
    Pineapple Kiwi Salad

📖 Recipe

A bowl filled with fruit salad next a red and gold kitchen towel and cinnamon sticks.
Pin Print Rate
4.74 from 304 reviews

Fall Fruit Salad

This fall fruit salad is filled with fresh apples, blackberries, grapes, and pecans. Drizzled with a homemade cinnamon orange dressing that packs tons of fall flavor!
Prep Time15 minutes minutes
Total Time15 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 202kcal
Author: Heather

Ingredients

Dressing

  • 1 orange
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Fruit salad

  • 16 ounces red seedless grapes
  • 12 ounces blackberries
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 large sweet apples
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the zest and juice of one orange. Add maple syrup and cinnamon, whisking to combine.
  • Then, add grapes, blackberries, and pecans. Cube apples into bite size pieces and add to the bowl. Immediately toss fruit to coat.
  • Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Equipment Recommendations

  • Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls
  • Zwilling Pro Chef's Knife
  • Boos Maple Cutting Board
  • Measuring Spoons

Notes

  • Make ahead: Salad can be prepared up to one day ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Give your salad a toss just before serving to incorporate any dressing that may have settled in the bottom of the bowl. 
  • Best apples to use: Any apples can be used in this recipe, but I recommend sweet apples like honeycrisp, fuji, or gala apples.
  • Storage: Prepared fruit salad will keep for 3 to 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
  • Substituting with prepared orange juice: Juice of one orange = about ¼ cup

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 334mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 204IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American

More Salad Recipes

  • A glass serving bowl filled with hot honey brussels sprouts salad.
    Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts Salad
  • Garden salad ingredients in a large serving bowl.
    Garden Salad
  • White bowl filled with sweet potato feta salad.
    Sweet Potato Feta Salad
  • A serving bowl filled with southern coleslaw.
    Southern Coleslaw

Share this post:

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.74 from 304 votes (266 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Nancy

    April 23, 2025 at 8:29 pm

    This fruit salad is excellent! I made it for a fall lunch and had numerous requests for the recipe.

    Reply
  2. Shelbie Ballard

    December 05, 2024 at 7:41 am

    Very good salad we had it with Thanksgiving meal complimented other foods well;I am huge fan of Waldorf salad and this was nice change

    Reply
  3. Wendy

    November 29, 2024 at 11:53 am

    OMG! Love this. I was skeptical, but wanted another side dish for Thanksgiving. I made a half batch and ended up making another. It is so good - and other than the pure maple syrup, there is no added sugar - something I really appreciate.

    Reply
  4. Karen

    November 28, 2024 at 4:16 pm

    So good! Added pomegranate seeds, but even better was adding pineapple. This is a keeper!

    Reply
  5. Theresa G

    November 12, 2024 at 8:51 pm

    Super delicious and easy recipe! I make my lunches everyday and will be adding this to my rotation

    Reply
  6. Cheryl

    November 11, 2024 at 8:39 am

    SO SO GOOD - Followed recipe - so easy - pretty and Delicious - definitely will make it again TY

    Reply
  7. Cheryl Leet

    November 11, 2024 at 8:36 am

    SO SO GOOD - made it - followed recipe - so easy - Delicious!

    Reply
  8. Amanda

    November 08, 2024 at 4:50 pm

    Is there another fruit I can add for the dressing besides orange? I’m allergic to citrus fruits. But I really want to try this recipe! TIA

    Reply
    • Heather

      November 08, 2024 at 5:03 pm

      Other readers have had success with pineapple juice or apple juice instead of orange juice! Keep in mind that the orange zest adds a significant amount of flavor, so omitting it entirely will result in a less flavorful salad overall.

      Reply
  9. Simone

    November 03, 2024 at 1:05 pm

    Very yummy! Left out the pecans so it would appeal to more people, including kids. Fruit doesn’t generally need to be sweetened, but adding a dressing like this definitely makes it special and a treat! I tried it with half the maple syrup and then ended up adding it all. The orange, maple and cinnamon are lovely together. Would make again!

    Reply
  10. Glenda

    October 31, 2024 at 9:15 pm

    Delicious! I added about 2 TBS of Greek yogurt to the dressing and whisked it before adding the apples and remaining ingredients.

    Reply
  11. LC

    October 25, 2024 at 1:57 pm

    This salad is refreshing and a great Thanksgiving side!

    Reply
  12. Kerri

    October 13, 2024 at 2:20 pm

    I rarely take the time to review, but just had to say I made this for the first time about a month ago and have made it every week since! I've used grapes and apples as the consistent base (as blackberries are super expensive right now), and whatever fruit is on sale (blueberries, pineapple, and oranges so far). It makes a lot, but keeps really well, and goes into every lunch. Best fruit salad ever!

    Reply
  13. Samantha

    October 12, 2024 at 9:32 am

    Will the apple go brown if it's made hours early or does the dressing preserve it?

    Reply
    • Heather

      October 12, 2024 at 9:38 am

      Hi Samantha, the dressing preserves the apples. This can be made the day beforehand if needed.

      Reply
  14. Sandy F

    September 21, 2024 at 8:09 am

    This is delicious. I just made it for our church breakfast. Such a refreshing salad for fall.

    Reply
  15. Jolee

    August 10, 2024 at 2:20 pm

    Love it. Have made several times this summer with different mixes of fruits. Left out pecans as tree nut allergy but we didn't miss them. Two thumbs from teen son.

    Reply
  16. Michelle

    January 01, 2024 at 10:43 am

    Would honey be a decent sub for real maple syrup? Don’t have any on hand.

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 01, 2024 at 10:47 am

      Yes, honey can work as a substitute.

      Reply
  17. EmP

    December 15, 2023 at 2:37 pm

    I just decided to try this as a nice light autumnal desert and now it’s a firm family favourite which will be made year round!

    Reply
    • Heather

      December 15, 2023 at 5:12 pm

      So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply
  18. Jean

    December 09, 2023 at 10:46 am

    ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    Reply
  19. Jean

    December 09, 2023 at 10:45 am

    Not sure what else to say except still trying to print this recipe?

    Reply
  20. Jean

    December 09, 2023 at 10:44 am

    I'm trying to print this recipe. I have a Mac computer and first time ever was unable to print recipe. It comes up as if to print and printer puts a sheet of paper thru; however it's blank. Any ideas on how to print the recipe? Thanks for any help.

    Reply
    • Heather

      December 09, 2023 at 10:54 am

      Hi Jean, when you hit the 'print recipe' button can you see the print-friendly page that's in black and white? If the page is appearing correctly on your screen, it sounds like there's an issue with the printer itself. Here are a few ways to troubleshoot a printer printing blank pages: https://www.makeuseof.com/troubleshoot-printer-printing-blank-pages/

      Reply
      • Savannah Seber

        November 28, 2024 at 12:32 pm

        I just made this for my families Thanksgiving and oooooo my is it delicious. I'm trying not to eat it all before I get there! Love this!

        Reply
  21. Beth

    November 26, 2023 at 11:06 am

    I love this salad! It was a great addition to our thanksgiving meal. Had many requests for the recipe. Will be making again and again, thank you!

    Reply
  22. Suzanne Peters

    November 24, 2023 at 10:26 am

    Delicious! We added 3 Tbsp Roasted Walnut Oil. It was a nice flavor addition.

    Reply
  23. Tonya Snow

    November 23, 2023 at 4:50 pm

    Thank you very much for this wonderful recipe. It was a big hit at our Thanksgiving Breakfast this year.

    Tonya

    Reply
  24. Jessica

    November 23, 2023 at 2:58 pm

    Yum!!! This is the perfect fall salad. The orange juice dressing is perfection. I added pomegranate for a little more color and crunch.

    Reply
  25. Angela

    November 23, 2023 at 12:09 pm

    Great combination and my friends loved it.

    Reply
  26. Sheryl L Pullium

    November 23, 2023 at 10:36 am

    This was so easy t make; i did add pomegranate poms, and the taste test..oh my gosh, delish!! Cant wait to serve at our son's tonight after the ingredients have had a chance to meld!! definitely a keeper!

    Reply
  27. Aubrey Moss

    November 13, 2023 at 6:47 pm

    How big of a serving did this make? I’m wondering if doubling it would still be enough for Thanksgiving?

    Reply
    • Heather

      November 13, 2023 at 6:55 pm

      As written this recipe serves eight medium servings. If people are taking small scoops, it could feed more. The scalloped bowl in the process photos is about 3-quarts and could hold a doubled recipe.

      Reply
  28. Sara Phillips

    November 01, 2023 at 2:40 pm

    I was looking for a nice fall fruit salad to add to our Thanksgiving menu, and this is it! It's so yummy and has a good balance of flavors. I may just do one tablespoon of maple syrup instead of two, but it's still good as is, just a personal preference.

    Reply
  29. Mary

    October 24, 2023 at 10:06 pm

    10-out-of-5 stars! This recipe is so simple, yet so elegant and flavorful! Hits all the happy-signals on the tongue! Thank you! (Didn’t have enough pecans, so I used a mix of both pecans and walnuts, toasted them, and they did beautifully). Will be using this for holidays & get-togethers now! 🙂

    Reply
  30. Brandy

    October 21, 2023 at 1:21 pm

    SO very good! I did substitute regular pancake syrup for real maple syrup (only because I was out of it, unfortunately) and it worked just fine. So, that works in a pinch, if needed.

    Reply
    • Yvonne

      November 09, 2023 at 4:29 am

      Thanks for the tip!

      Reply
  31. Monica

    October 17, 2023 at 3:46 pm

    Do you use juice from orange as well?

    Reply
    • Heather

      October 17, 2023 at 3:49 pm

      Yes, in step one you'll add the zest and juice of one orange.

      Reply
  32. Becky

    October 15, 2023 at 8:25 pm

    Excellent fall salad! I used candied pecans-so good!

    Reply
    • Heather

      October 16, 2023 at 11:44 am

      Glad you enjoyed the fruit salad, Becky! Candied pecans sound like a great addition.

      Reply
      • Nancy

        October 24, 2023 at 4:12 am

        Very tasty and refreshing! I used raspberries because blackberries weren’t available. I think next time I’ll skip the berries if I can’t get blackberries. One thing to note: if you want the nuts crunchy don’t add them till just before serving.

        Reply
  33. Melanie

    October 09, 2023 at 5:38 pm

    Made this to go along with dinner last night & it was so good! I took another readers advice and toasted the pecans. I also added a tbsp of brown sugar. This morning i added granola to the leftovers and ate it for breakfast!! Awesome fruit salad. I will definitely make this again. Thank u for the recipe!

    Reply
  34. Laura

    October 01, 2023 at 2:47 pm

    This is so delicious!

    Reply
  35. Lisa

    September 29, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    Oh MY Word!!!! If I could give this fruit salad 10 stars I would. The most amazing and flavorful fruit salad that I have ever tasted. Testing out salads for my daughters Baby Shower Brunch next month and this is definitely a winner. The maple syrup with the orange and the zest. I cannot quit eating it. My guests are going to be raving!

    Reply
  36. Carol

    September 22, 2023 at 8:06 am

    I usually have a nice fruit salad most days but I normally put yogurt on it. This is a brilliant alternative and I just love the idea of putting orange zest in the dressing. Fruit can be adjusted according to what you have but apples, oranges and grapes are pretty well a must.So good.

    Reply
  37. Phil

    December 23, 2022 at 8:03 pm

    This recipe was amazing! Will make it again. Delicious!

    Reply
  38. Nancy

    December 10, 2022 at 11:40 am

    I'm really not a fan of fruit salad. . .too sweet for my palate, plus I believe consuming fruits in season is optimal for flavor and nutrition. Still, I had to bring a dish to an early December event; others had already covered the savory offerings so I was left contemplating what to offset and balance the other foods. This recipe caught my attention because although apples, blackberries, and red grapes had just passed their peak, they would still taste fresh plus, pecans are also at their peak in late fall. The dressing is what really knocks this assembly out of the park! The orange zest and fresh orange juice pair beautifully with the maple syrup and the ground cinnamon adds a lovely overall finish. The salad is simple to assemble, pleasing to the eye, and was a hit with the guests! Several inquired about the dressing in particular and a few insisted I bring the written recipe to our next event. I'm delighted to have had such a positive reaction. Thank you for sharing such a winning recipe and helping me shine among my new friends!

    Reply
    • Lynn Aumiller

      October 15, 2023 at 11:31 am

      How much orange zest did you use?

      Reply
      • Heather

        October 16, 2023 at 11:43 am

        Hi Lynn, this recipe calls for the zest of one orange, which can vary between 1-2 tablespoons.

        Reply
  39. Brenda

    November 29, 2022 at 2:01 pm

    This was excellent! The only thing I did differently was to toast the pecans. It was easy and a little different from the usual fruit salad

    Reply
  40. Traci

    October 29, 2022 at 10:06 pm

    This was fantastic! It was a big hit at the fall party that I took it too. The only change that I made was adding pomegranate to it. Nice extra pop of flavor.

    Reply
  41. Rachel

    October 27, 2022 at 8:28 pm

    Absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  42. rosanna

    October 26, 2022 at 3:20 pm

    do the apples brown?

    Reply
    • Heather

      October 26, 2022 at 3:32 pm

      The apples do not brown as long as you toss them in the dressing quickly after they've been sliced.

      Reply
      • Rosanna

        October 29, 2022 at 11:06 am

        how many servings does it make? making this today for a potluck.

        Reply
        • Heather

          October 29, 2022 at 11:10 am

          This recipe makes about eight big servings - it can definitely be stretched further if people are taking small spoonfuls (like at a potluck with lots of other dishes).

          Reply
  43. LisaP

    September 19, 2022 at 6:30 pm

    I’m allergic to Orange - what substitute can I use?

    Reply
    • Heather

      September 19, 2022 at 7:04 pm

      To prevent the apples from turning brown, they'll need to be coated in an acidic juice, so pineapple juice or lemon juice would work. Apple juice is also quite acidic and could be worth a try, although I haven't tested this one myself. As for the zest I'd recommend omitting it entirely (lemon or lime would be too tart).

      Reply
  44. Karen

    February 19, 2022 at 3:48 pm

    Excellent salad. Had people asking me for the recipe. Nice to have a different kind of fruit salad.

    Reply
  45. Hereforthefood

    November 26, 2021 at 1:32 am

    Decided to branch out and try something new for Thanksgiving today. This was a hit. I 3x the recipe and came home with an empty bowl as any leftovers were swiped and taken home. Perfect the way its written but easily customizable! Thanks for the recipe!!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

Hi, I'm Heather!

I love cooking with simple, everyday ingredients and want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

Read more

Reader favorites

  • A metal fork in a bowl of cheesy rice.
    Cheesy Rice
  • Whipped buttercream frosting recipe.
    Whipped Buttercream Frosting
  • Beef roast in a large slow cooker.
    Slow Cooker Beef Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
  • Pouring gravy over a bowl of mashed potatoes.
    How To Make Gravy Without Drippings

Parties & Potlucks

  • Two glasses of punch.
    Spring Party Punch
  • A mint chocolate chip mini cheesecake unwrapped on a cutting board.
    Mint Chocolate Chip Mini Cheesecakes
  • A stack of birthday cake rice krispies treats.
    Birthday Cake Rice Krispies Treats
  • A stack of birthday cookie bars.
    Birthday Cookie Bars

Footer

featured on:

decorative image of website logos.

Explore

  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Image Copyright
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 The Toasty Kitchen®

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.