Charoset for Passover Seder, Appetizer or Snack Time

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This Ashkenazi-style charoset with a couple twists is perfect for a small seder dinner, or as an appetizer or snack! Easily doubled or tripled for a crowd!

For ease of browsing, find more Pesach recipes in this Passover post.

Charoset in a grey bowl with a copper spoon and some matzo crackers. — Charoset is a staple of a seder meal

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Why you'll love this recipe!

This charoset recipe is based on my taste memory of what I ate at Passover seders growing up, with a couple little twists. The basic Ashkenazic recipe for this seder staple is apples, toasted walnuts, cinnamon, red wine. To enhance it – I’ve added currants and some orange zest.

When I take my first bite of charoset each Passover, I wonder why I don’t make it more often. I love the crunchy apples against the more meaty nuts and that earthy, fragrant wine and cinnamon scent.

Whether you celebrate Passover or not, I encourage you to try a version of this to eat on crackers or even with cheese for a healthy and filling snack.

Ingredients you'll need

Ingredient shot labeled with charoset ingredients.

The basic ingredients for this dish are likely staples in your pantry. There are a few notable substitution and preparation guidelines.

Apples: I like to use a mix of sweet and tart apples. Stick to crunchier varieties like Fuji, rather than softer varieties like Red Delicious or MacIntosh.
Walnuts: I toast the walnuts for an extra depth of flavor. No walnuts? No problem. Use pecans.
Red Wine: I admit I grew up eating this with Manischewitz wine but please don't feel compelled to do the same. Any red wine will work or try grape juice or apple juice if you want it to be alcohol free
Cinnamon: Use more or less as your taste buds guide you.
Currants: If you want to use the dried fruit but don't have currants, try chopping up some raisins into smaller pieces. Or experiment with other dried fruits like apricot, dates, cherries or cranberries.
Orange zest: This adds a touch of freshness and bright flavor.

Steps to make this recipe

Angle shot of charoset ingredients in a red bowl with wine in a blue bowl behind.

1. Chop and toast your walnuts.
2. Peel, core and chop your apple and sprinkle with a bit of lemon juice to retard any browning.
3. Once the walnuts have cooled a bit, mix with the apples and if using , add the currants.
4. Add cinnamon, wine and orange zest.
5. Mix and taste for flavor, adjust if needed.

Check out my charoset web story for a quick visual guide to making this recipe.

Expert Tips and FAQs

Charoset gets better tasting with time so feel free to make this hours or even a day in advance.
Corollary to number 1: Leftovers also keep well.
The smaller you chop the nuts and apples, the better the charoset will stay on your matzo when you eat it.

What is charoset?

Charoset is a chopped fruit and nut-based mixture. If you are of Ashkenazic descent, like me, you may have grown up eating chopped apples and walnuts mixed with Manischewitz wine - this recipe is a variation of that style. If you are of Sephardic descent, your charoset likely has many dried fruits in it and may or may not have nuts. Another delicious variation is Iraqi charoset with walnuts and date syrup.

What is the meaning of charoset during the seder?

Charoset symbolizes the mortar that the Israelite slaves used to lay bricks. Like all traditional foods, variations abound. Traditionally charoset is served during the seder as a Hillel sandwich - which is charoset on matzo with horseradish. Sounds strange but it's actually quite delicious. Or maybe it just tastes good because by the time you eat it during a seder, you are so hungry you will eat anything!

Can I make charoset without the wine?

Absolutely, as mentioned above, there are many variations, including an Iraqi style that is just date syrup and nuts. Having said that, make any version, even with wine in the recipe, and substitute in apple or grape juice or even try pomegranate molasses or balsamic vinegar. Just taste and adjust with added sweetness if needed.

Charoset in grey bowl with copped spoon and matzo in a matzo platter. — Small batch is great but feel free to make more.

Other OMG! Yummy Passover Recipes

Check out my Passover post for all of my Pesach-ready recipes. And I would definitely recommend serving this with matzo ball soup, or brisket or as a light lunch with a salad, in addition to its traditional place on the seder table .

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P.S. If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating and/or a review in the comment section below. I so appreciate your feedback! AND find more inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Signup for my email list, too!

Yield: 2 cups

Small Batch Charoset

This small batch charoset with a couple twists is perfect for a scaled-down seder dinner, limited supplies or snack time! With the optional addition of orange zest and currants, this fruit and nut mixture is even more satisfying.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 medium sized apple, peeled, cored, chopped
Juice of ¼ of a lemon
½ cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
¼ cup currants (optional)
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 – 3 tablespoon of kosher wine or red wine
¼ teaspoon orange zest (optional)

Instructions

Chop and toast your walnuts
Peel, core and chop your apple
Sprinkle the apple with a bit of lemon juice to retard any browning
Once the walnuts have cooled a bit, mix with the apples and if using , add the currants
Add cinnamon and wine and orange zest if using.
Mix and taste for flavor, adjust if needed.