Candy Salad is a fun mishmash of sweet and salty flavors, featuring standouts like Whoppers, Reese’s, and chocolate-covered pretzels. It’s the perfect treat when you’re craving a combo of the most iconic candies in one bite or looking for a surefire hit at your next gathering!
Candy Salad
Before you jump to conclusions and think I’ve gone off the deep end, let me explain! Candy Salad is in the same league as those quirky combinations like Ambrosia Salad, Snickers Salad, or the ever-popular Orange Fluff Salad.
All right, it’s not technically a “salad” in the veggie and greens sense. It’s more of a dessert with a medley of candies.
But hey, if it’s whipped up in a salad bowl, why not embrace the name, right? 🙂 And if you’re doubting its legitimacy, just ask the legions of Candy Salad enthusiasts on TikTok where it took the platform by storm earlier this year!
Quick Tip
We mention several brand names in this post: Whoppers, Reese’s, Rolos, Milky Way, Pocky, Kinder, Cap’n Crunch, Lucky Charms, and Honey Oh’s. We respect trademarks and mention these by name because we truly believe they are of higher quality than others–plus, they are easily recognizable. We use these brands in our test kitchen, but of course, you’re welcome to use similar products under different labels.
So, How Do You Eat Candy Salad?!
Candy Salad is typically enjoyed as you would any other snack mix or dessert:
- Handfuls: We prefer a more casual approach — eat it by the handful! Simply grab a handful and enjoy, ensuring you get a mix of the candies.
- Cupfuls: To manage portions, especially at gatherings, you can serve Candy Salad into small cups or bowls.
- As a topping: Use it as an unconventional topping on ice cream, yogurt, or even cakes for an added candy crunch.
- With friends: Share the bowl with friends or family and enjoy the mix together. It’s a great treat to pass around during a movie night!
How To Make Candy Salad (Tips)
- Balance the flavors: We want a good mix of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy elements. The contrast will enhance the overall flavor.
- Keep it fresh: Use fresh candies. Old or stale candies can significantly impact the texture and flavor of the mix.
- Watch the size: Chop bigger candies into smaller sizes for easier mixing and a more even distribution of flavors in every bite.
- Make it pretty: Consider using clear serving bowls or jars. The vibrant colors from the various candies are very visually appealing!
- Make it yours: Tweak the ingredients based on personal preferences or dietary needs. Swap in sugar-free versions, or include nut-free options if allergies are a concern.
- Take a taste: Before finalizing your mix, taste it to ensure a harmonious blend of flavors and adjust as necessary.
Variations
Here are some variation ideas for Candy Salad:
- Nuts and crunch: Add roasted or candied almonds, peanuts, or cashews for a nutty crunch. You could also toss in some toffee bits for added texture.
- Caramel touch: Throw in some caramel bits, add Rolos, or chop up a few caramel-filled chocolates like Milky Ways.
- White chocolate: Swap out some of the milk chocolates for white chocolate pieces or even white chocolate chips.
- International candies: Add popular candies from other countries – think chocolate Pocky sticks from Japan or Kinder chocolates from Germany.
- S’mores version: Add broken graham cracker pieces, mini dehydrated marshmallows, and chocolate chunks to replicate the classic campfire treat.
- Health boost: For a slightly healthier twist, incorporate dark chocolate pieces, chocolate-covered fruit candies, or other more nutritious candies.
- Cereal fun: Add some of your favorite cereals like Cap’n Crunch, Lucky Charms marshmallows, or even Honey Oh’s for a unique twist.
Storage
Candy Salad Storage
- Airtight containers: To keep moisture out and maintain freshness, use airtight containers to store.
- Cool, dry place: Store Candy Salad away from direct sunlight to avoid melting or stickiness.
- Skip the fridge: Refrigeration can cause chocolate to “sweat” or develop a white bloom. It’s perfectly safe to eat, but it’s not nearly as attractive.
More No-Bake Dessert Recipes:
- Pretzel-Peanut Butter Bars with a chocolate topping
- No-Bake Cookies chocolate and peanut butter
- Trail Mix made five different ways!
- Peanut Butter Puppy Chow with peanut butter candies
- Mint Oreo Truffles using Mint Oreo cookies
Candy Salad
Equipment
- Large bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup Whoppers
- 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzels coarsely broken
- ¾ cup Mini Charleston Chews
- 1/2 cup Reese's Minis
- 1/2 cup Reese's Pieces
- 1 (4-ounce) bar Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme bar chopped
- 1 cup KitKat Minis
- 1 cup M&M's Sugar Cookie or your favorite flavor
Instructions
- Begin by coarsely breaking the chocolate-covered pretzels into pieces. Next, chop the Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme bar into small chunks, roughly the size of M&M's.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the candies together.
- Gently stir until the candies are combined. Perfect for parties, or just indulging!
Video
Recipe Notes
- Eat it by the handful!
- To manage portions, especially at gatherings, you can portion the Candy Salad into small cups or bowls.
- Use it as an unconventional topping on ice cream, yogurt, or even cakes for an added candy crunch.
- Share the bowl with friends or family and enjoy the mix together. It's a great treat to pass around during a movie night!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
