Crispy Air Fryer Apple Chips: Your Ultimate Guide to a Healthy & Delicious Snack
Craving a sweet, crunchy treat that won’t derail your healthy eating goals? Look no further than homemade Air Fryer Apple Chips! These deliciously sweet and perfectly crisp apple slices are transformed into a satisfying snack with just three simple ingredients and the magic of your air fryer. In under 25 minutes, you can enjoy a low-calorie, naturally sweet, and incredibly flavorful snack that’s perfect for munching anytime, anywhere.
Forget store-bought apple chips filled with added sugars and preservatives. Our recipe empowers you to create your own wholesome version, giving you complete control over the ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this recipe is incredibly easy to follow and yields consistently delightful results. Get ready to discover your new favorite way to snack!
Why Air Fryer Apple Chips Are a Game Changer
This air fryer apple chips recipe isn’t just quick and simple; it’s also incredibly effective at transforming humble apples into an irresistible snack. The air fryer utilizes circulating hot air to dehydrate the apple slices, creating a crispy texture reminiscent of traditional potato chips, but without the need for excessive oil. This method offers several key advantages:
- Healthy Indulgence: By dehydrating rather than deep-frying, these apple chips are significantly lower in calories and fat, making them an ideal guilt-free snack. They harness the natural sweetness of apples, often requiring no added sugar.
- Speed and Efficiency: Unlike traditional oven dehydration that can take hours, the air fryer significantly cuts down on cooking time. You can go from whole apples to crispy chips in under half an hour, making it perfect for last-minute snack cravings.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need apples and a couple of spices to create a truly delicious snack. This simplicity ensures a clean, natural flavor profile.
- Satisfies Sweet Cravings: When you’re longing for something sweet, these cinnamon-coated apple chips provide a wholesome and satisfying alternative to sugary desserts or processed snacks. The natural sugars in the apple, concentrated by dehydration, offer a delightful sweetness.
We absolutely love experimenting with our air fryer for healthier alternatives to classic snacks. While we’ve also enjoyed air fryer apple fries, which were a huge hit, our air fryer apple chips stand out for their exceptional low-calorie profile and impressive crispness. The air fryer consistently proves itself to be an invaluable kitchen appliance, offering a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite foods with less oil and more flavor.
Simple Ingredients for Flavorful Apple Chips
Preparing these delightful apple chips requires only a handful of readily available ingredients. Simplicity is key to letting the natural flavors shine through. Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need, along with helpful substitution suggestions to customize your snack to perfection. For all precise measurements and the full recipe, scroll down to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
- Apples: Today, we’re featuring Pink Lady apples. We find Pink Lady apples strike an excellent balance between tartness and sweetness, and they hold their shape beautifully when sliced thin. However, the beauty of this recipe is its versatility! Feel free to experiment with your favorite apple varieties.
- For Sweeter Chips: Opt for Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, Golden Delicious, or Ambrosia. These varieties are naturally sweet and will produce a wonderfully mild chip.
- For Sweet-Tart Chips: Granny Smith offers a lovely tart punch, while Braeburn provides a balanced sweet-tart profile similar to Pink Lady.
- Expert Tip: Firmer apples generally work best as they maintain their structure during dehydration. Avoid very soft or mealy apple varieties.
- Spices: We’re keeping it classic and incredibly flavorful with a blend of ground cinnamon and a touch of ground nutmeg. These warming spices perfectly complement the apple’s sweetness.
- Alternative Spices: If you love the taste of homemade apple pie, a ready-made apple pie spice blend would taste absolutely delicious on these chips. A pinch of allspice or ground ginger could also add a unique twist.
- Optional Sweetener: For a slightly sweeter chip, especially if using tart apples, you can lightly sprinkle the slices with a tiny bit of granulated sugar or brown sugar before air frying, though it’s often unnecessary thanks to the natural sweetness of the fruit.
How to Make Air Fryer Apple Chips: Step-by-Step
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. For your convenience, you can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the Apples: Slice Them Thin!
Using a mandolin, set to a thickness of 3mm or ⅛ inch, carefully slice your apples. There’s no need to peel them; the skin adds texture and extra nutrients. Start slicing from the bottom of the apple and work your way up. This method helps maintain a consistent slice size.
EXPERT TIP: Uniform slices are crucial for even cooking and crispness. If your slices are too thick, they won’t crisp up properly; if they’re too thin, they might burn. After slicing, gently shake the apple slices to dislodge any seeds that might be clinging. You should get approximately 20 slices per average-sized apple, but this can vary based on apple size and how precisely you slice. Always follow the safety guidelines for your mandolin to prevent injury.
- Air Fry to Perfection:
Arrange the sliced apples in a single layer on a grate-lined air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to steaming instead of crisping. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Air fry at 300°F (150°C) for 16-18 minutes.
During cooking, it’s essential to flip or shake the basket halfway through the cooking time (around the 8-minute mark). Then, give them another shake or flip at the 4-minute remaining mark. As the apples dehydrate, they will begin to shrivel. Some slices might stick together; gently separate them to ensure even airflow and crisping. After 16 minutes, most of your apple slices should be done.
- Cool for Crispy Results:
Once air fried, carefully remove the apple chips from the basket and transfer them to a cooling rack. This step is crucial! The apple slices will continue to crisp up as they cool down completely. It’s common for them to feel slightly pliable or soft immediately out of the air fryer, but they will harden and become wonderfully crunchy. If any slices still feel damp or squishy after cooling for a few minutes, simply return them to the air fryer for an additional 2 minutes until fully dehydrated.
- Season While Warm:
While the apple chips are still warm from the air fryer, sprinkle them generously with your cinnamon and nutmeg mixture. The warmth helps the spices adhere better to the chips, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. Adjust the amount of spice to your personal preference.
- Store for Freshness:
Allow the chips to cool completely before storing. Once cooled, transfer your homemade air fryer apple chips to a wide-mouth mason jar or any other airtight container. This helps maintain their crispness and freshness. Repeat the entire process for any remaining apple slices until all your apples are transformed into delicious chips. These make a fantastic and healthy snack that kids and adults alike will love throughout the day!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Apple Chips
You can use almost any apple of your preference, but some varieties yield better results. For a sweeter taste, opt for Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Ambrosia, Autumn Glory (which has a subtle hint of cinnamon naturally), or Red Delicious. These apples offer a high sugar content that caramelizes nicely during air frying. If you prefer a more balanced sweet-tart combination, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Braeburn are excellent options. Granny Smith, in particular, will give you a tangier chip, while Pink Lady and Braeburn offer a delightful complexity. Firmer apples tend to hold their shape better and crisp up more effectively, so consider that when making your choice.
To keep your homemade air fryer apple chips fresh and wonderfully crisp, it’s crucial to store them in an airtight container. We highly recommend using a wide-mouth mason jar, as it provides an excellent seal and looks great too! However, any container that seals tightly will work perfectly. Ensure the chips have cooled completely to room temperature before storing, as any residual warmth can create condensation and make them soggy. Stored properly at room temperature, your apple chips should remain fresh and crisp for up to one week.
If your apple chips are burning, there are a few common culprits to check. Firstly, the temperature might be too high. Air fryers can vary significantly in their heating capabilities, so what works for one model might be too intense for another. It’s always best to start with a slightly lower temperature and monitor closely. Secondly, your apple slices might be too thin, causing them to dehydrate too quickly and burn around the edges. Lastly, overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to uneven cooking, where some chips burn while others remain soft. Try setting your air fryer to a slightly lower temperature (e.g., 280°F instead of 300°F) and do a test batch with just a slice or two to find the optimal settings for your specific appliance. Remember to shake and flip frequently to promote even cooking.
Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Air Fryer Apple Chips
Your freshly made, crunchy air fryer apple chips are a delight on their own, especially when dusted with the warm aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg spices. However, their versatility extends far beyond just a simple snack. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your apple chip experience:
- Classic Snack: Enjoy them warm or at room temperature straight out of the jar. They’re perfect for curbing that mid-afternoon hunger or as a healthy alternative to popcorn during movie night.
- Breakfast Boost: Sprinkle a handful over your morning oatmeal, yogurt parfait, or even cold cereal for added crunch and natural sweetness.
- Dessert Topping: Crush them slightly and use them as a topping for ice cream, baked apples, or even a healthier twist on apple crumble.
- Lunchbox Hero: Pack them in school lunchboxes for a nutritious and delicious snack that kids will genuinely enjoy.
- Pair with Dips: For an extra treat, serve them with a side of plain Greek yogurt, a dollop of almond butter, or a light cream cheese dip.
- Savory Twist (Optional): While we love the sweet spices, you can also leave the apple chips plain or dust them with a pinch of allspice or even a very light dusting of sea salt for a sweet-and-savory contrast.
No matter how you choose to enjoy them, these homemade apple chips are a fantastic addition to your snack repertoire, offering a healthy and satisfying option for all ages.
Explore More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
The air fryer is a powerhouse appliance, capable of creating a wide array of delicious dishes, from healthy snacks to hearty meals. If you loved making these apple chips, you’ll be thrilled to discover more culinary possibilities with your air fryer. Dive into our collection of other fantastic air fryer recipes:
- Air Fryer Baked Apples
- Air Fryer Bagels
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
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Air Fryer Apple Chips
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3 Pink Lady Apples Sliced. You can most likely only fit one sliced apple in the air fryer at a time
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Things You’ll Need
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Mandolin
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Air fryer
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Wire cooling racks
Before You Begin
- Your apple chips may feel hard but not fully crisp immediately after you remove them from the air fryer. This is normal! They will continue to crisp up significantly as they sit out and cool completely.
- The spice mixture provided in this recipe should be sufficient for making 3-5 sliced apples, depending on how generously you season them.
- If you are slicing your apples manually instead of using a mandolin, your slices may be thicker or less uniform. Thicker slices will likely require additional cooking time in the air fryer to achieve the desired crispness.
- If your apple chips appear to be burning or getting too dark, try adjusting your air fryer to a slightly lower temperature (e.g., 280°F instead of 300°F). Each air fryer model can heat differently, so there might be a small amount of trial and error involved in finding the perfect temperature and time. It’s always a good practice to test a slice or two first to gauge how they cook in your specific appliance.
Instructions
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Using a mandolin, set to 3mm or ⅛ inch thickness, leaving the skin on, slice the apple starting on the bottom working your way to the top for consistent slices.
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Gently shake the slices to remove any loose seeds. You should end up with approximately 20 slices per apple, depending on its size and how thinly it’s sliced. Always prioritize safety when using your mandolin.
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Arrange the apple slices in a single layer in a grate-lined air fryer basket. Air fry at 300°F (150°C) for 16-18 minutes. Remember to flip or shake the basket halfway through cooking, and again at the 4-minute mark, to ensure even dehydration. The apple slices will begin to shrivel; separate any that stick together. Most chips should be done after 16 minutes.
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Remove the apple chips and immediately transfer them onto a cooling rack. They will firm up and become perfectly crispy as they cool down. If any pieces still feel damp or soft, return them to the air fryer for an additional 2 minutes.
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While the chips are still warm, sprinkle them evenly with the cinnamon and nutmeg mixture.
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Once completely cooled, store your crispy apple chips in a wide-mouth mason jar or any other airtight container to maintain freshness. Repeat this process for any remaining apples.
Nutrition
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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post was originally published here on April 2, 2021, and has been updated for clarity, detail, and enhanced user experience.