If you have ever walked through the concourse at Arrowhead with the cold Midwest air on your face and a sea of red jerseys roaring in unison, you already know this: Chiefs Kingdom does food differently. Loud, bold, unexpected, a little chaotic, but somehow perfect. The Uncrustable Crunch fits right in. It is sweet, crispy, sticky, crunchy and wildly nostalgic, like someone dared a PB&J to become a tailgate legend and it rose to the challenge.
This copycat version brings that exact stadium madness straight into your kitchen. No ticket. No booming decibel record. No line at Section 103. Just a warm griddled Uncrustable, golden crispy chicken bites, bright sour apple slaw and a hot honey drizzle that ties the whole thing together. It is part comfort food, part chaos, completely Kansas City.
How to Make the Uncrustable Crunch (Stadium Style)
You’ll start by griddling Strawberry PB&J Uncrustables until they turn golden and crisp on the outside while the peanut butter and jelly melt into a warm, gooey center. That toasted exterior is the key, since it needs to stand up to all the toppings without falling apart.
Next, you’ll crisp up your chicken bites until the coating shatters with each bite. While they cook, you’ll toss together the sour apple slaw, that sharp, refreshing crunch that keeps the whole dish from becoming too sweet. A little apple cider vinegar, a little sweetness, a lot of brightness.
Then comes assembly, which is where Arrowhead does its magic. The Uncrustable becomes your base. Pile on the chicken, crown it with the green-apple slaw, and finish with a messy, dramatic drizzle of hot honey. It’s sweet, spicy, tangy, crunchy and just unhinged enough to feel like real stadium food.
Quick Stats
Ready in: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Serves: 4 fans
Best for: Game nights, tailgates, Chiefs watch parties, anytime you crave sweet–savory chaos
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Calories: 520 kcal
Total Fat: 23 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg
Sodium: 640 mg
Carbohydrates: 63 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugars: 22 g
Protein: 18 g
Ingredients
For the Base
4 Strawberry Uncrustables (PB&J, Smucker’s brand)
1 tbsp butter or neutral oil for griddling
For the Chicken
2 cups chicken bites or popcorn chicken, cooked until crispy
(air fryer or deep fryer both work great)
For the Sour Apple Slaw
2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 Granny Smith apple, julienned
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp maple syrup or sugar
1–2 tsp neutral oil
½ tsp mustard (optional)
Salt & black pepper to taste
For the Hot Honey
½ cup honey
1–2 tbsp hot sauce
Pinch of chili flakes
Optional: splash of apple cider vinegar
Optional Extras (Stadium Twists)
Crushed cornflakes or panko for extra crunch
Pickled jalapeños
Fresh parsley
Extra hot honey drizzle
Creamy ranch on the side (KC fans love their dips)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Sour Apple Slaw
Add cabbage, apple and green onion to a bowl.
Whisk vinegar, maple/sugar, oil, mustard, salt and pepper.
Pour over the slaw and toss.
Refrigerate while you prep the rest.
2. Make the Hot Honey
Warm honey in a small pan.
Stir in hot sauce and chili flakes.
Add a tiny bit of vinegar if you want it looser and tangier.
Keep warm for drizzling.
3. Cook the Chicken Bites
Air fry or deep fry chicken bites until crispy.
Toss lightly in hot honey or leave plain if you want the top drizzle to shine.
4. Griddle the Uncrustables
Heat a skillet over medium.
Add butter or oil.
Place frozen Uncrustables on the pan.
Cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden, crisp and lightly toasted.
5. Build the Uncrustable Crunch
Place each warm Uncrustable on a plate.
Pile 4–6 chicken bites onto the center.
Add a generous handful of apple slaw.
Drizzle with hot honey.
Serve immediately with a fork and a big Chiefs Kingdom grin.
Ingredient Substitutes
Uncrustables
Strawberry → Grape PB&J
Peanut butter → Sunflower butter versions
Or make your own sealed PB&J with sandwich crust cutters
Chicken
Frozen chicken bites
Fresh homemade nuggets
Air-fried breaded tenders (cut small)
Plant-based chicken bites
Sour Apple Slaw
Green apple → Pink Lady or Honeycrisp
Cabbage → Shredded Brussels sprouts
Green onion → Red onion (sharper) or chives
Hot Honey
Honey + sriracha
Maple syrup + chili flakes
Agave + cayenne
Sweet BBQ glaze for a KC twist
Tools
Nonstick skillet or griddle
Tongs
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Cutting board & sharp knife
Small saucepan (for hot honey)
Game Day Tips & Variations
Add More Heat: Mix chili crisp into your hot honey.
KC BBQ Version: Replace hot honey with spicy barbecue sauce.
Tailgate Trick: Keep Uncrustables warm in foil on a portable griddle.
Extra Crunch: Sprinkle crushed cornflakes over the slaw.
Kid-Friendly: Skip the slaw and hot honey, serve with plain nuggets.
What to Serve With
Pair your Uncrustable Crunch with:
KC-style BBQ chips
Loaded waffle fries
Frozen lemonade
Sweet cornbread muffins
Classic stadium nachos
Pickle spears for contrast
Stadium Story / Fun Fact
The Uncrustable Crunch debuted at Arrowhead as part of a push to showcase fun, nostalgic, social-media-ready foods. It quickly became one of the most talked-about items in the stadium, a mashup of childhood lunchbox and Sunday football energy. Chiefs fans joked that it “shouldn’t work but absolutely does,” and the combination of PB&J, crispy chicken and tangy apple slaw became an instant cult favorite in 2025.
FAQ
Can I use grape Uncrustables instead of strawberry?
Yes, the sweetness changes a bit, but it still works.
Do I have to griddle the Uncrustables?
Yes. It is the key to getting that crispy, sturdy base.
Can I make the slaw ahead?
Yes, up to 4 hours. Add apples right before serving so they stay bright.
Can I swap hot honey for BBQ sauce?
Absolutely. KC-style spicy BBQ works great.
How do I keep everything warm for a party?
Hold the chicken in a warm oven and griddle Uncrustables right before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store:
Chicken and slaw keep for 2–3 days refrigerated.
Do not store assembled Uncrustables, they get soggy fast.
Reheat:
Chicken: air fry 3–5 minutes to re-crisp.
Uncrustables: re-griddle 1–2 minutes each side.
Refresh:
If the slaw has released liquid, drain and toss with a splash of fresh vinegar.
Ingredients
- 4 Strawberry Uncrustables (PB&J, Smucker’s brand)
- 1 tbsp butter or neutral oil for griddling
- 2 cups chicken bites or popcorn chicken, cooked until crispy (air fryer or deep fryer)
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 Granny Smith apple, julienned
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or sugar
- 1–2 tsp neutral oil
- ½ tsp mustard (optional)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- ½ cup honey
- 1–2 tbsp hot sauce
- Pinch of chili flakes
- Optional: splash of apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Combine the cabbage, apple, and green onion in a bowl, whisk the vinegar, sweetener, oil, mustard, salt, and pepper together, pour it over the mixture, toss well, and refrigerate while you work. Warm the honey in a small pan, stir in the hot sauce and chili flakes, and add a touch of vinegar if you want it thinner or tangier, keeping it warm for drizzling. Cook the chicken bites in an air fryer or fryer until crispy, then either toss them lightly in the hot honey or leave them plain for a cleaner drizzle later. Heat a skillet with a little butter or oil and griddle the frozen Uncrustables for a couple of minutes per side until golden and crisp. To assemble, set each warm Uncrustable on a plate, stack a handful of chicken bites on top, add plenty of apple slaw, finish with a hot honey drizzle, and serve right away with proper Chiefs Kingdom enthusiasm.
