I am a biggg salad girl in the summer. On a hot summer night, nothing is more refreshing than a delicious salad packed with flavor and nutrients! In the summer, I love topping my salad with fruit and giving them a sweeter twist.

This has been one of my go-to dinner’s lately, it is so simple and easy to make! I love the combination of the sweet strawberries with the tangy balsamic and goat cheese. The candied walnuts add a tasty sweet and salty crunch.

I make my own sweet balsamic dressing in my blender, it only requires 3 ingredients and is so delicious! It is also much lower in calories than typical sweet salad dressings. I served this salad with grilled chicken on the side, but you can add whatever protein source you feel like! I hope you love this recipe!

Ingredients

For the salad

3 cups mixed greens
8 strawberries (sliced)
1/4 of a red onion (thinly sliced)
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
2 tbsp raisins

For the candied nuts

1/4 cup walnuts
1 tsp olive oil or coconut oil
1 tbsp maple syrup, honey or stevia
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

For the dressing

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup blueberries (thaw completely if using frozen blueberries)
1 tbsp honey, maple syrup, or stevia

Instructions

Make the candied walnuts

Preheat your air fryer to 400°.
Add walnuts to a small bowl, drizzle with oil, and toss to coat. Add choice of sweetener, cinnamon and salt, and toss again until nuts are evenly coated.
Air fry for 4-5 minutes, shaking every minute or so until nuts are lightly golden brown. Be careful not to overcook, they burn easily! Remove from air fryer and set on a plate to cool.

Make the dressing

Add balsamic vinegar, berries and honey to a blender and blend until smooth.

Assemble the salad

In a bowl, layer the mixed greens, sliced strawberries, sliced red onion, crumbled goat cheese, and raisins.
Top with candied walnuts, and drizzle balsamic dressing over the top. Enjoy!

Strawberry Balsamic Summer Salad