Transform a bland bed of greens into a tantalizing masterpiece with just a few simple upgrades. The following ingredients help to add texture and flavor to any salad. So go get topping and wait for your diners to say: “Seconds, please!”
Crispy Halloumi
Bust out your frying pan, sizzle up a serving of halloumi, and pop some chopped up fried cheese on top of your greens. Don’t worry — pan frying won’t melt halloumi like many other kinds of cheese. Instead, searing this delicious and filling treat will create a slightly crunchy exterior with a soft yet somewhat chewy texture. Plus, since halloumi is brined, it adds a nice salty taste.
Crispy Onions
This is a winner salad topper — lightly fry onions in olive oil and then dehydrate to a crisp in either the oven or a dehydrator. These munchies are surprisingly sweet and totally addicting. Toss them in with your greens or simply mound them on top of your healthy veggie bowl. I sprinkle these candied onions on practically everything. Quite frankly, it’s one of my favorite recipes in my upcoming cookbook, FOOD YOU WANT For The Life You Crave!
Terra Chips
No croutons? No worries! Next time you’re craving a nice crunch on top of your creamy-coated greens, try adding Terra chips. The chips add texture and addictively delicious flavor to salads. Experiment with Terra’s different flavors to complement your dressing and taste preferences.
Seaweed Crisps
Seaweed isn’t just for sushi! Boasting beneficial nutrients and a rather addictive salty taste, next time you whip up a robust salad, you’ve gotta try little bits of nori on top. A few years ago, I stumbled across these crunchy seaweed chips called Chompers and have loved sprinkling them on my greens ever since. They come in a variety of flavors and you can pick up a pack right on Amazon.
Spiced Nuts
Pecans, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, macadamia, and the list goes on. Whatever your favorite, nuts add a fun crunch to salads. While they’re great straight up, if you’re looking for a spicy kick then try these maple cayenne pecans or these cumin cayenne roasted pistachios.
Dried Mango
If you crave a sweet/savory combo then you must try adding dried fruit into your salads. Mango’s sweet tartness and chewy texture is an upgrade from the traditional raisin, cherry, or cranberry (although, those are great options too).
Raw Broccoli Slaw
This yummy salad topper is basically a healthified version of traditional coleslaw. It’s made with shredded raw broccoli stalks in place of the cabbage. And what to do with the florets? Toss them into your salad too — the cruciferous veggie tends to absorb dressing/marinade flavors well, making them both nutritious and delicious.
