Homemade Panera Fuji Apple Salad: A Refreshing Copycat Recipe You’ll Love

There’s a special joy in recreating your favorite restaurant dishes right in your own kitchen, especially when they come with a hefty price tag when dining out. For many, the Panera Fuji Apple Salad is a beloved classic, boasting a vibrant mix of crisp greens, sweet apples, crunchy pecans, and a tangy vinaigrette. However, the cost of enjoying this delightful salad regularly can quickly add up, often exceeding $16 per serving. That’s why mastering this homemade version is a game-changer – allowing you to savor this exquisite blend of flavors multiple times over for the same investment you’d make for a single restaurant visit.

Our copycat Panera Fuji Apple Salad recipe brings all the refreshing elements you adore from the original, making it accessible and affordable for your weekly meal rotation. It’s perfect for a light yet satisfying lunch or a wholesome dinner, offering a burst of freshness and flavor that truly brightens any day. This recipe focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients and a simple, yet perfectly balanced, homemade dressing that ties everything together beautifully. Whether you’re aiming to eat healthier, save money, or simply enjoy the satisfaction of cooking, this recipe is sure to become a cherished staple.

Homemade Panera Fuji Apple Salad topped with perfectly grilled chicken, on a white plate, ready to be enjoyed.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Fuji Apple Salad

This Panera Fuji Apple Salad is more than just a collection of ingredients; it’s a symphony of textures and tastes designed to delight your palate. The base of the salad is a medley of fresh, crisp greens, providing a refreshing crunch. The star, of course, is the Fuji apple, incorporated in two delightful ways: fresh slices for juiciness and apple chips for an intensified, sweet-tart crispness. Add to that the rich nuttiness of pecans, the sharp bite of red onion, the pungent creaminess of Gorgonzola, and succulent grilled chicken, and you have a salad that is far from ordinary.

The beauty of making this salad at home extends beyond cost savings. You have complete control over the freshness and quality of your ingredients, allowing you to tailor it to your exact preferences and dietary needs. Want it vegetarian or vegan? Simply omit the chicken and use a plant-based cheese alternative if desired. Looking for extra protein? My Perfect Grilled Chicken or Poached Chicken recipes are ideal complements, adding hearty satisfaction without compromising the salad’s light feel. This recipe is not just about replicating a favorite; it’s about elevating your home dining experience with wholesome, customizable goodness.

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Essential Ingredients for Your Copycat Panera Fuji Apple Salad

Crafting the perfect Fuji Apple Salad begins with selecting the right ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that signature Panera flavor profile. At the heart of this salad is its incredibly versatile and delicious dressing. I prefer to make a simple yet sophisticated vinaigrette by balancing the tang of apple cider vinegar with the subtle sweetness of white balsamic vinegar, enriched with good quality extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and fresh cracked black pepper. This blend creates a sweet and tart vinaigrette that effortlessly harmonizes with all the other components of the salad, providing a bright and inviting flavor base.

Fresh ingredients needed to make the homemade Panera Fuji Apple Salad, including greens, apples, nuts, cheese, and dressing components.

Beyond the dressing, the namesake Fuji apple is central to this recipe. I find that using both fresh Fuji apple slices and crunchy Fuji apple chips truly amplifies the apple flavor and adds wonderful textural contrast. The fresh apple provides juicy sweetness, while the chips offer a concentrated apple essence and a satisfying crispness. To complete the salad, we layer in an array of fresh and flavorful additions:

Crisp Romaine Lettuce: Provides a sturdy and refreshing base.
Super Greens Blend: A mix of arugula, spinach, and red leaf lettuce adds peppery notes, earthy undertones, and vibrant color.
Thinly Sliced Red Onion: Offers a sharp, pungent bite that cuts through the sweetness.
Toasted Pecan Halves: Delivers a buttery, nutty crunch that is incredibly satisfying.
Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese: Provides a creamy, slightly salty, and pungent counterpoint that elevates the entire salad.
Halved Grape Tomatoes: Adds bursts of juicy freshness and a hint of acidity.
Sliced Grilled Chicken: For those seeking a protein-packed meal, perfectly grilled chicken breast is the ideal choice.

Each ingredient is carefully chosen to complement the others, creating a cohesive and incredibly delicious salad that balances sweet, tart, crisp, and creamy elements. This thoughtful combination is why this Panera Fuji Apple Salad copycat is a consistent favorite!

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions.

Crafting Your Homemade Panera Fuji Apple Salad: Step-by-Step

Creating this delicious Fuji Apple Salad at home is remarkably straightforward, starting with the heart of the salad: the dressing. A good vinaigrette can transform a simple bowl of greens into a gourmet experience, and this one is no exception.

Making the Fuji Apple Vinaigrette

To begin, prepare your sweet and tart vinaigrette. This dressing is incredibly easy to make and can be prepared in advance. Simply combine all the dressing ingredients — apple cider vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and fresh cracked black pepper — in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Give it a vigorous shake until everything is thoroughly combined and emulsified into a loose vinaigrette. Don’t worry if the oil and vinegar separate as it sits; this is natural. Just give it another good shake right before you’re ready to use it to bring it back together. The ease of preparation makes this vinaigrette a go-to for many other salads as well!

Vinegars and oil in a jar with seasoning, before being mixed to form vinaigrette.

Beautifully mixed vinaigrette in a jar, ready to dress the salad.

Assembling Your Salad Masterpiece

Once your vinaigrette is ready, the rest of the salad comes together quickly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce and your super greens blend. Drizzle a few tablespoons of the homemade vinaigrette over the greens and gently toss to coat them lightly. You want the greens to be dressed, but not drenched, allowing the other toppings to shine through. This initial dressing ensures every bite has that balanced flavor.

Next, arrange your lightly dressed greens onto individual plates. Now comes the fun part: adding all the delicious toppings! This is where you can truly customize each salad to personal preference. Generously top your greens with the fresh Fuji apple slices, crushed Fuji apple chips, thinly sliced red onion, toasted pecan halves, crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, halved grape tomatoes, and, if using, the sliced grilled chicken. Arrange them aesthetically to create an appealing presentation that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

A freshly assembled Panera Fuji Apple Salad, topped with chicken and all the vibrant ingredients, on a plate ready for serving.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. I love mine piled high with tender chicken and a generous amount of both fresh and chipped apples. However, some family members might prefer their salad without chicken, or perhaps opt out of the Gorgonzola. Setting out all the prepared toppings allows everyone to build their perfect salad, transforming mealtime into a fun, interactive “make-your-own” buffet. This strategy also makes it incredibly easy to cater to different tastes and dietary requirements simultaneously.

This Panera Fuji Apple Salad is fantastic for either lunch or dinner. It’s especially appealing in warmer months when you’re looking for a refreshing meal that doesn’t require slaving over a hot stove. It’s hearty enough to satisfy, yet light enough to leave you feeling energized and refreshed. Enjoy every delicious, homemade bite!

Close-up of the fully dressed Panera Fuji Apple Salad, showcasing the textures and colors of the fresh ingredients and grilled chicken.

Expert Tips & Handy Notes for Your Panera Fuji Apple Salad

To ensure your homemade Panera Fuji Apple Salad is consistently perfect, keep these helpful tips and notes in mind:

Vinaigrette Longevity: The homemade vinaigrette is wonderfully stable. If you have any leftover, store it at room temperature for up to a week. Avoid refrigerating it, as the olive oil will solidify, making it harder to use. Since all ingredients in the dressing are shelf-stable, room temperature storage is perfectly fine.
Perfect Grilled Chicken: If you’re incorporating chicken into your salad, I highly recommend preparing my Perfect Grilled Chicken recipe. It’s incredibly easy to make, yields juicy, flavorful chicken every time, and complements the salad beautifully. I often grill a larger batch of chicken at the beginning of the week to have on hand for quick lunches and effortless dinners, making this salad even faster to prepare.
Meal Prep Friendly: This recipe is ideal for meal prepping! To keep your salads fresh for several days, store the greens and other toppings separately from the vinaigrette. You can build individual salad containers with all the dry toppings (apples, pecans, onions, Gorgonzola, tomatoes, chicken) layered over the greens. Keep the vinaigrette in a small separate container. When you’re ready to eat, simply dress the salad and toss. Composed salads stored this way will maintain their freshness for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Preventing Apple Browning: To keep your fresh apple slices from browning, you can toss them lightly in a small amount of lemon juice or a fruit fresh solution before adding them to the salad. This is especially useful if you are meal prepping.
Toasting Pecans: Toasted pecans have a much deeper, nuttier flavor than raw ones. You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant, or spread them on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes.

Customizing Your Salad: Substitutions & Variations

One of the best aspects of making this Panera Fuji Apple Salad at home is the freedom to customize it to your heart’s content. While Panera strives for “fresh and clean,” their dressings can sometimes contain ingredients you might prefer to avoid. Making your own ensures you know exactly what goes into your meal. However, if you’re short on time, Panera does sell their accompanying Fuji Apple Vinaigrette separately.

Here are some creative substitutions and variations to make this salad uniquely yours:

Greens Galore: While I love the dynamic mix of crisp romaine, spicy arugula, earthy spinach, and tender red leaf lettuce for its complex flavors and textures, feel free to use your favorite super green salad mix if you prefer. Any blend with a good variety will work beautifully.
Apple Your Way: If you don’t want to use both fresh apple slices and apple chips, you can opt for just one. Both fresh and dried apples contribute wonderful flavor, so choose what you prefer or what you have on hand.
Onion Alternatives: Raw red onions provide a sharp, zesty kick. For a slightly milder and tangier flavor, consider using quick-pickled red onions. They add a fantastic burst of acidity that complements the apples perfectly.
Nutty Swaps: Pecans offer a rich, buttery flavor. A fantastic alternative is walnuts, which have a similar earthy and slightly bitter profile that pairs wonderfully with apples and Gorgonzola. Of course, if you have a nut allergy, simply omit them or substitute with roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds for crunch.
Cheese Choices: Gorgonzola is my personal go-to for its milder pungency compared to traditional blue cheese, offering a creamy, tangy depth. However, if you’re a true blue cheese aficionado, feel free to swap it in for an even bolder flavor. For a milder option, feta cheese or goat cheese can also be excellent choices, offering different textures and flavor nuances. For a dairy-free version, look for high-quality vegan blue cheese crumbles.
Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other favorite vegetables like cucumber, bell peppers, or even roasted sweet potato for extra nutrients and flavor.
Dress it Up: If you’re out of white balsamic, a good quality red wine vinegar can also work in the vinaigrette, though it will have a slightly different flavor profile.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust this recipe to match your personal taste and what’s available in your pantry. The versatility of this Panera Fuji Apple Salad makes it a joy to customize!

Another beautiful shot of the Panera Fuji Apple Salad, highlighting the fresh ingredients and the appealing arrangement on the plate.

More Great Dinner Salads to Explore

If you’re a fan of satisfying, wholesome dinner salads, you’ll love these other fantastic recipes:

BBQ Chicken Salad
Italian Chopped Salad
Taco Salad with Doritos
Cheeseburger Salad
Greek Chicken Salad
Pepita Crusted Salmon Salad
Asian Chicken Salad
Simple Dijon Salad with Poached Egg

Did you make this recipe? Let me know by leaving a review or comment! And be sure to sign up for my newsletter, and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 4 Salads

Panera Fuji Apple Salad (Copycat Recipe)

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
25 minutes

Recreate the famous Panera Fuji Apple Salad at home with this simple and delicious copycat recipe. Enjoy fresh greens, sweet Fuji apples, crunchy pecans, and a tangy homemade vinaigrette, all while saving money!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tablespoons White Balsamic Vinegar
½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¾ teaspoon Kosher Salt, Morton’s
½ teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
2 cups Romaine Lettuce, chopped
1 cup Super Greens, arugula, spinach, red leaf blend
1 Fuji Apple, sliced
1 cup Fuji Apple Chips, crushed
¼ Red Onion, thinly sliced
1 cup Pecan Halves, toasted
4 ounces Gorgonzola Cheese, crumbled
1 cup Grape Tomatoes, halved
16 ounces Grilled Chicken, sliced (optional, for non-vegetarian)

Instructions

In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the apple cider vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and fresh cracked black pepper. Shake well to thoroughly combine and form a loose vinaigrette. Set aside.

In a large salad bowl, place the chopped romaine lettuce and the super greens blend. Drizzle 3-4 tablespoons of the prepared dressing over the greens and gently toss to lightly coat.

Divide the dressed greens evenly among 4 plates. Top each salad equally with the fresh Fuji apple slices, crushed Fuji apple chips, thinly sliced red onion, toasted pecan halves, crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, halved grape tomatoes, and sliced grilled chicken (if using).

Add more vinaigrette to taste, if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious homemade Panera Fuji Apple Salad!

Notes

Notes & Tips

The vinaigrette holds up really well. If you don’t use it all, keep it at room temperature for up to a week. You don’t want to store it in the fridge because the oil will solidify. All the ingredients in the dressing are shelf-stable.

If you choose to use chicken for this salad, consider making my Perfect Grilled Chicken. It is super easy and just what this salad needs. I often grill some up once a week for quick lunches or easy dinners.

This recipe makes for great meal prep too. If you don’t dress the greens and keep the vinaigrette on the side, you can build the salad with all the toppings in a container and dress it when ready to eat. Composed salads will keep for up to 5 days in an air-tight container.

Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor significantly. You can do this in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant, or in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.

Substitutions

While I love the mix of crisp romaine, spicy arugula, spinach, and red lettuce, feel free to use your favorite super green salad mix.

If you don’t want to use apples two ways (fresh and chips), just use the fresh slices or the chips if you like. One or both are perfectly fine to use.

I prefer raw red onions on my salads, but you could also use pickled red onions for an extra tart flavor.

A great swap for the pecans is walnuts; they have similar flavor profiles and would both complement this salad well. Of course, leave them out if you can’t do nuts, or use roasted seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

Gorgonzola is my go-to because it is the less pungent sibling to blue cheese. But if you are a blue cheese lover, go for it and swap it for the Gorgonzola. Feta or goat cheese are also good, milder alternatives.

For a vegetarian salad, simply omit the chicken. For a vegan version, also swap the Gorgonzola for a plant-based cheese alternative.

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Panera’s Crisp Fuji Apple Salad