This healthy Charoset recipe is one of my favorite foods to make for Passover.
Best Charoset Recipe
During the Seder, this sweet, fruity dish holds a special, symbolic place, reminding us of the mortar the Jews used to bond the bricks of the pyramids while enslaved in Egypt.
How to Make Charoset
Wondering how to make Charoset? It’s one of those easy Passover recipes made with only 6 healthy ingredients.
All you need to do to make this Charoset recipe is chop up some apples then toss them in the food processor along with the items below.
Remember to pulse gently so the Charoset has some texture, it should be a little chunky like the photo, you don’t want it to turn into a paste!
Charoset
Ingredients
- 2 apples, peeled, cored and cut into cubes
- 2 cups walnuts, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ¾ cups currants
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine apples, walnuts, cinnamon, juices, and currants
- Pulse briefly until desired texture is achieved
- Serve
What is Charoset?
Are you wondering, what is Charoset?
Free exclusive eBook, plus recipes and health tips, delivered to your inbox.
Traditionally, European, or Ashkenazi Jews, use nuts, fruit, cinnamon, sweet wine, and sugar for this dish.
I make a lower carb Charoset, omitting the sugar and wine. Instead, I use a bit of fresh squeezed orange juice to up the flavor.
To further reduce the sweetness I use currants in place of raisins.
Sephardic Charoset
Jews of Middle Eastern descent, or Sephardic Jews, commonly use dates, figs, dried apricots, almonds, and sesame seeds to make Charoset.
Charoset or Haroset
Tomato or tomato? Charoset or haroset?
“Charoset” uses the guttural sound employed when this word is said in Hebrew, while “haroset” is the version of this word used in English.
Passover Food
In general, Middle Eastern Jews have a far richer culinary tradition than European Jewry and this classic Passover dish is no exception.
My healthy Charoset recipe is a blend of the two traditions, and much lower in sugar than typical Charoset recipes.
Gluten Free Passover Recipes
Charoset is something you can enjoy even if you have a gluten allergy.
My older son, diagnosed with celiac disease in 2001, has always adored this gluten free Passover dish.
Now when he comes home in the spring he asks me to make Charoset even if it’s not Passover and he eats it straight from the mason jar I store it in.
Seder Plate
I usually make one batch of Charoset for our Seder plate, and an extra batch for the boys to snack on.
Passover Charoset Recipe Easy
Haroset is just one of my easy Passover recipes. For more ideas, check out my full Passover Menu.
Apple Recipes
This Pesach dish is one of our favorite apple recipes. If you’re in an apple frame of mind, take a look at these:
Charoset Passover
What do you put in your Charoset? Leave a comment and let me know!
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first shared this Charoset recipe in 2008.
Elisheva says
Thanks for the timely recipe. You posted it enough days ahead so that we can all get ready!
Elana says
You’re welcome Elisheva!
Jay Alhadeff says
Does anyone have an idea for sugar free charoset? I’m trying to keep my sugar low
Judy M says
Try allulose and or stevia. Raisins and apples are high carb, btw
Dvora Krevat says
My kids made the same kind of seder plate your husband made, and we still have them even though no one lives at home anymore! LOL! We LOVE Charoset.
Elana says
Dvora, thank you! That is wonderful to hear :-)
Susan says
Hi Elana, this recipe looks extremely yummy and the middle eastern version does too! I’m 50% Ashkenazi but was not raised to be Jewish :-( so I’m interested in learning how you serve this with a meal and what other dishes would it accompany?
Thanks!
Susan
Elana says
Susan, great to see you here!I serve it at our seder and the boys eat it as a snack :-)
julie says
Hello
I notice you use a lot of honey or agave. Didn’t you at one point use another syrup that was lower in carbs? What was that?? I’ve read all your Passover recipes…you should make a cookbook just for that! They are amazing
Elana says
Julie, I no longer use agave in my recipes :-)
BigMoney says
Looks really nice!
Elana says
Thanks!
Hannah says
Thank you for this charoset recipe, I made it for my Passover Seder and the family actually LIKED it. Because sometimes you can make something without Manischevitz!
Question, though…I’ve been combing through your website for a rugelach recipe…would you happen to have one on here? I’ve been trying to figure out what I could make this Purim, and even though it’s come and gone, I’ve still got a craving for it!
Elana says
Hannah, I think that would be a great t-shirt:
Because sometimes you can make something without Manischevitz!
I don’t have a rugelach recipe but may create one for my next book :-)
Renee Penland says
Will regular Sunmaid raisins work in place of currants?
Elana says
Renee, I think those might work :-)
Rachel says
Are the currants dried or fresh? I have dried, but I’m not sure if I can find fresh ones in my area this time of year. I’ve never made this before and I’m very excited to try it! Thank you for your wonderful recipes.
Elana says
Rachel, they are dried :-)