Level up your salad making skills with these crunchy salad toppings! From veggies to roasted chickpeas and pickled onions, we've got you covered!
Why add crunch to salads:
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Life's too short for a boring salad. The best way to make a crave-worthy salad is to add layers of flavor.
You can do that with sweet, savory, spicy, zippy, or crunchy toppings.
For this article, I focus solely on crunchy toppings and mix-ins! The textural contrast adds that something extra!
How to Make a Crave-worthy Salad:
There's four main elements to a salad:
- Greens - Use a combination of greens! Hearty greens like kale, radicchio, cabbage, and endive add extra crunch.
- Dressing - Try making your own or opt for the salad dressings in the refrigerated section near the produce. They're typically higher quality with less preservatives and taste better than the shelf-stable brands. Panera's balsamic dressing is a staple for us!
- Toppings - Think outside the box! Try to add creaminess, crunch, and zip for a truly delicious salad.
- Protein - Protein creates a well-balanced, filling salad. Try chicken, steak, tofu, shrimp, chickpeas, nuts, seeds, or boiled eggs.
These four elements give you ample opportunity to add flavor and texture! Don't be afraid to get creative.
If you don't like something, you don't have to use it next time!
Crunchy Toppings for Salads:
You might be surprised what you can throw on a salad. I won't knock a crispy crouton, but there's SO many other opportunities to add crunch.
Veggies
Let's start with veggies!
Raw
Raw veggies add snappy crunch and plenty of health benefits! They're nutrient-dense, low in calories, and full of essential micronutrients.
- Sliced onions - Any color!
- Thinly sliced radishes - Radishes add a punch of bitterness. It's best to thinly slice them so they don't overpower the salad.
- Snap peas
- Carrots - Julienne them or try matchstick carrots.
- Sweet peppers - Red bell peppers are the sweetest and best for you!
- Corn - Adds naturally sweet crunch.
- Cabbage
- Radicchio - It has a sharp bitterness so don't go overboard.
- Water chestnuts
- Jicama - Small dice it or cut it into matchsticks.
- Bean sprouts
Pickled
Pickled veggies are easy to make and last for weeks in the fridge! If you don't want to make them at home, you can find a variety of options at a well-stocked grocery store.
- Pickled onions - My favorite addition to salads! I add them every chance I get.
- Pickled shallots - Check out my easy recipe.
- Pickled asparagus - Find these at Costco!
- Pickled carrots
- Sliced pepperoncini
Roasted
Choose roasted veggies that get crunchier as they roast. For example, when I roast broccoli florets, the florets turn dark brown and crispy!
- Roasted broccoli - The longer you roast them, the crispier they get!
- Roasted cauliflower
- Roasted potatoes
- Roasted seaweed - Buy a pack of seaweed snacks and crumble on top of your salad.
Nuts & Seeds
Seeds
Another healthy option! Seeds are a good source of fiber, heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, and important vitamins. A little goes a long way.
- Pepitas - A specific type of pumpkin seed with no shell. You can buy a big bag at Costco.
- Sunflower seeds
- Sesame seeds - Adds a mild, nutty flavor and satisfying crunch.
- Chia seeds
- Hemp hearts - Hemp hearts are softer and add less texture than the other seeds.
Nuts
Roasted nuts are crunchier than raw nuts so keep that in mind. You can also try flavored or candied nuts for even more interest.
- Pistachios - One of the lower calorie options! One ounce of pistachios is 159 calories.
- Sliced almonds - Sliced almonds disperse more effectively throughout a salad. I buy a large bag at Costco.
- Walnuts
- Pecans - Sweet and buttery!
- Hazelnuts
- Candied nuts - For added sweetness.
Fruit
For the best crunch, look for ripe but firm fruit. Pears, apples, and peaches get mushy when overripe.
- Apples - Try a firm sweet-tart variety like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady.
- Firm pears - Better a little underripe than overripe. Thinly slice them.
- Pomegranate arils - Adds juicy crunch!
- Peaches
- Cucumbers - Sliced or small diced.
- Tomatoes
- Grapes - Another option for juicy crunch and natural sweetness!
Cereal
There's a wealth of granola options! Granola taste great on sweet salads with a vinaigrette dressing.
- Granola - Tastes great on sweeter salads like a kale salad with apples and goat cheese.
- Muesli
Chips
- Tortilla chips - Switch up the flavors. There's a ton of options! Regular, multigrain, or seasoned.
- Potato chips
- Apple chips - A healthier alternative!
- Doritos - Good on southwest or ranch-based salads.
Protein
Not all proteins add crispy crunch, but these ones do!
- Cooked bacon - Cook and crumble it yourself or use high-quality bacon bits.
- Fried chicken - Or chicken tenders.
- Fried tofu
- Seared shrimp - A low-calorie option that adds crunch AND plenty of protein.
Miscellaneous
- Roasted chickpeas
- Crunchy peas - My favorite brand is Bhuja Crunchy Seasoned Peas! They're addictively good and taste great in pasta salad.
- Asian style crunchy noodles
- Parmesan cheese crisps
- Pecan brittle - Adds sweetness to salads.
- Capers - A briny crunch!
- Wonton strips
- Croutons
- Pork rinds
- Fried shallots - You can fry your own. Peel and thinly slice them, then fry on medium-low heat in hot oil.
- Fried onions
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