Apple slaw is a year-round favorite that comes together quickly for a nutritious, colorful, and crunchy side to any meal. Make a big batch for an easy side to your weeknight dinners or as a crunchy addition to your family BBQ meats. This one is sure to be requested by your family and friends. 

Have you ever heard of apple slaw?

It’s a take on coleslaw, only way better. Loaded with apples, celery, cabbage, and golden raisins – plus an easy to throw together tahini dressing. This recipe is packed with healthy fats to keep you and your family full. 

Apple Slaw is sponsored by Crunch Pak®.

The hardest thing you’ll do for this recipe is chop the ingredients. Then simply toss everything together and you’ve got a ready-to-eat side that you’ll be happy to serve up again and again. 

We guarantee it!

Slaw or Coleslaw?

Coleslaw usually involves cabbage. But it can be used interchangeably when talking about chopped or shredded veggies that are mixed together. Some have a mayo-based dressing, but we switched things up with this apple slaw recipe. And we’re pretty sure you’re going to love it as much as we do. 

We kept red and green cabbage in this recipe and added crisp matchstick apples, golden raisins for some sweetness, nutty sunflower seeds, crunchy celery, and fresh chopped parsley. Since we kept the cabbage in this recipe, it can technically be called an “apple coleslaw”. But “apple slaw” just kind of rolls off of the tongue, doesn’t it?

Related: BLT Broccoli Slaw

Key Ingredients

Apple slaw is loaded with fresh ingredients. Of course, you can always substitute, add, or swap something that you don’t like or are allergic to (please swap it if you’re allergic). However, there are a few ingredients that really make this fresh side come to life so it’s a hit at your dinner table.

Crunch Pak® Apple Slices

We absolutely love using Crunch Pak’s bag of already-sliced apples. They are fresh, juicy, and crisp and part of the prep work is done for you. Their pre-cut apple slices come in 14 oz. or 24 oz bags. And our favorite part: it’s only 80 calories per serving, and you get a hearty dose of calcium. 

Look for them in the produce section of your grocery store. 

Cabbage

We already established that cabbage is a necessary ingredient when it comes to apple cabbage slaw. Grab red and green cabbage to add an extra pop of color and crunch. Simply shred one cup of the red cabbage and two cups of the green cabbage and toss them into your slaw. You’ll love that a head of cabbage is affordable and versatile. Be sure to use the leftover cabbage in tofu bowls, soups, or salads. 

You can find them in the produce section at your neighborhood grocery store. 

Tahini

If you haven’t had tahini before, it’s similar to peanut butter but it’s made with sesame seeds. It has an earthy, bitter flavor – but it’s not overpowering. And it’s not as sweet as peanut butter. This creamy and rich ingredient gives the dressing a unique Middle Eastern flare and adds healthy fats to this side dish. This is one of the key ingredients that makes this apple slaw recipe a favorite.

Look for tahini with peanut butter or in the international aisle. 

Cracked Pepper

If you have the chance to use cracked pepper instead of ground pepper, do it. Every time. When you grind the peppercorn yourself, you expose the sealed center and allow oxygen to meet with the peppercorns as they are cracked, releasing the flavor. You know how a fresh-cooked meal is way better than a microwaved dish? THAT’S the difference between cracked pepper and ground. 

Peppercorns are usually located by the spices and often come in a grinder, just in case you don’t have one at home. 

How to Make Apple Slaw

Step 1

Mix tahini, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and cracked pepper and set aside.

Step 2

Add apples, cabbage, edamame, chives, celery, sunflower seeds, golden raisins (optional), parsley, and ground pepper to a large bowl and toss.

Step 3

Pour the dressing over the apple slaw mixture and toss to coat.

Step 4

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and serve. 

How to Cut Apple Slices Into Matchsticks

You can make apple matchsticks by cutting thick and short slices that look like matches. They aren’t as difficult to cut as you might think. 

Get a large knife, a cutting board, and your apple slices. Put a row of apple slices together and turn the entire stack on its side so the skin is facing you and the flat, bottom edge is away from you. Cut thin slices, starting from the bottom edge, working your way toward the skin. And voila! You’ve got matchstick apples. 

Continue cutting the rest of your apple sticks. When you use Crunch Pak’s apples you get to skip coring the apples and go right to cutting thin slices.

Give it a try!

How to Shred Cabbage

There are two ways to shred cabbage – a knife or a mandolin. No matter which method you choose, start by cutting your head of cabbage into four quarters. 

Knife 

Hold onto the cabbage with one hand and use the other hand to cut thin strips of cabbage. Cut horizontally for shorter pieces and vertically for longer strips of shredded cabbage. 

Mandolin

Choose the blade that will give you the desired thickness. Firmly hold onto your cabbage wedge and run it back and forth on the blade. Be careful as you get to the bottom so you don’t cut yourself. Those blades can be very sharp.

Both methods are easy and you already have a knife on hand so you can shred your cabbage quickly.

Why We Love Crunch Pak®

Crunch Pak has been in business for over 20 years and grows their apples in Wenatchee Valley, WA – known as the apple capital of the world. They are passionate about creating balanced and yummy snacks that you and your kids will love.

As moms ourselves, we love buying their ready-to-eat snacks for busy days, road trips, summer camps, and more. They even do taste tests with kids at their local elementary school to make sure your kids will love their snacks.

Find out where Crunch Pak is sold near you!

Related: Crunch Pak: America’s Healthy Snacking Company

Fresh Apple Recipes

• Bakery Style Apple Slices – an easy apple pie filling baked in a sheet pan for on-the-go eating

• Apple Berry Fruit Smoothie – easy to blend with a beautiful purple color

• Sheet Pan Apple Pancakes – an easy make-ahead breakfast recipe

• Apple Hash – bring savory and sweet nostalgia to your kitchen with this apple recipe