Fall is the season of crisp apples, cozy flavors, and hearty salads that feel both nourishing and comforting. This Maple Orchard Bowl brings together everything I love about the season: roasted sweet potatoes, crunchy apples, buttery avocado, and toasted cashews, all tossed over a bed of greens and finished with a silky maple balsamic vinaigrette.

It’s one of those recipes that feels as perfect for a weeknight dinner as it does for a holiday table. Every bite has a balance of sweet, savory, and creamy textures — and it’s endlessly adaptable depending on what’s in season at your local farmstand.

🥗 Ingredients

For the Salad:

2 cups mixed greens (I love an arugula + spinach mix)
1 medium sweet potato, cubed and roasted
1 crisp apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
1 ripe avocado, cubed
¼ cup raw cashews
2 tbsp pumpkin seeds (optional, for extra crunch)

For the Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette:

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (I love this one from Williams Sonoma)
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Pinch of sea salt

Tip: Toast your cashews for a deeper flavor — just a few minutes in a dry pan until golden.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Roast the sweet potato – Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss cubed sweet potato with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast for 25–30 minutes until tender and slightly crisp on the edges.
Make the vinaigrette – In a small jar or bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, Dijon, and salt until emulsified.
Assemble the bowl – Start with a bed of greens. Layer on roasted sweet potato, apple slices, avocado cubes, cashews, and pumpkin seeds.
Dress + serve – Drizzle with maple balsamic vinaigrette just before serving.

🍂 Why I Love This Bowl

Seasonal & nourishing – It captures the best flavors of fall in one bowl.
Quick to prep – Once the sweet potatoes are in the oven, the rest comes together in minutes.
Flexible – Swap cashews for pecans or walnuts, or add dried cranberries for extra sweetness.

The Maple Orchard Bowl is proof that salads don’t have to be boring — they can be colorful, cozy, and full of flavor. Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or bringing to a fall gathering, this recipe will quickly become a seasonal staple in your kitchen. 🍁