Crispy, sweet, and lightly spiced, these Cinnamon Apple Chips transform a simple fruit into a delightful, guilt-free snack.
What makes this recipe particularly appealing is its perfect balance of natural sweetness from apples and a warm, aromatic touch of cinnamon.
High in fiber and low in fat, these chips promote digestive health and are a nourishing alternative to store-bought sweets.
With minimal added sugar, they support a lighter, healthier lifestyle while still satisfying a craving for something crunchy and delicious.
These apple chips are ideal for everyday cooking because they require almost no active prep time, can be made in large batches, and store well, making them perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, or an anytime snack.
Must-Have Tools for Perfect Results
Mandoline Slicer
Effortlessly slices apples uniformly and thinly for even baking, preventing soggy or undercooked chips. Perfect for fruits and vegetables, it’s an essential tool for precision in everyday cooking.
Baking Sheets (2)
Provide a flat, stable surface to bake apple slices evenly. Durable sheets are multipurpose, ideal for roasting vegetables, cookies, or sheet-pan dinners.
Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats
Prevent sticking and make cleanup effortless, ensuring apple chips remain intact. These liners are versatile and heat-resistant, great for baking or rolling dough.
Mixing Bowl
A medium bowl is perfect for tossing cinnamon and sugar with apple slices evenly. Its general-purpose design makes it indispensable for mixing, marinating, or preparing salads.
Oven Thermometer (Optional)
Ensures your oven maintains a consistent low temperature for slow baking, guaranteeing perfectly crisp apple chips. It’s useful for baking precision and overall cooking accuracy.
Crunchy Apple Chips
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets:Set your oven to 200°F (93°C) to ensure a low and slow baking process, which is key for crisp, chewy apple chips. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup. Make sure the sheets are flat and stable in the oven for even baking.
- Core and Slice Apples:Use a corer to remove the apple cores completely, leaving the fruit intact for slicing. With a mandoline slicer, cut the apples into uniformly thin slices about 1/8 inch thick; this ensures even drying and consistent crispiness. Place slices on a clean surface or plate, checking for any seeds or thick pieces that may need trimming.
- Arrange Slices on Baking Sheets:Lay the apple slices on the prepared baking sheets in a single layer, ensuring that none overlap, which could cause uneven cooking. Leave a small gap between slices for proper air circulation so that each chip bakes evenly. Organize the sheets to fit comfortably in your oven, planning to swap positions midway through baking.
- Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:In a small mixing bowl, combine 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 2 teaspoons of sugar, stirring until evenly blended. Sprinkle the mixture gently and evenly over the apple slices on both baking sheets, coating each slice without letting it clump. This layer adds a warm, aromatic flavor that caramelizes slightly during baking.
- Bake Apple Chips Slowly: Place one baking sheet on the top rack and one on the lower rack of the oven, allowing air to circulate for even cooking. Bake for 2½ hours, rotating the sheets halfway through to ensure both racks receive equal heat. Keep the oven door closed as much as possible to maintain a steady temperature for slow dehydration.
- Finish Drying in Oven:Turn off the oven after the initial baking time, leaving the apple chips inside to continue drying for an additional hour with the door closed. This step ensures the chips achieve their ideal crispiness without burning or overcooking. Check for slight flexibility in the center before removing them completely.
- Cool and Store Chips: Remove the baked apple chips carefully from the sheets and place them on a wire rack or plate to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container to maintain crispness. These chips can last up to three days at room temperature, a week in the fridge, or several months in the freezer.
Notes
- Choose firm, crisp apples such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala for best texture and sweetness.
- Slice apples uniformly with a mandoline to ensure even baking and crispiness.
- Avoid overlapping slices on the baking sheet to prevent soggy chips.
- Adjust sugar to taste or use alternatives like coconut sugar for a healthier option.
- Apple chips can be stored at room temperature for 3 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or frozen for up to 6 months.
Chef’s Secrets For Crispy Perfection
For perfectly crisp apple chips, low and slow baking is key. Preheating the oven at 200°F ensures gradual dehydration, which locks in natural sweetness without burning.
Using a mandoline slicer guarantees uniform thickness, which prevents uneven cooking or soggy centers.
Sprinkling cinnamon and sugar evenly enhances caramelization and flavor depth, while leaving the chips in the oven after turning it off allows residual heat to finish drying them.
For extra crunch, consider flipping slices halfway through the cooling period to prevent moisture settling.
Serving Suggestions To Elevate Snack
These apple chips are a versatile snack perfect for any time of day.
Enjoy them alone as a guilt-free sweet treat, or pair with nut butter for added protein and healthy fats.
They also complement yogurt, oatmeal, or granola bowls, adding texture and natural sweetness.
For festive occasions, serve them alongside cheese platters or drizzle lightly with dark chocolate for an indulgent touch.
Their portability makes them an excellent lunchbox addition or a crunchy topping for smoothie bowls.
Storage Tips To Maintain Crispness
To keep apple chips crispy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature, away from moisture and sunlight.
If making larger batches, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Refrigeration extends shelf life up to a week but may soften the texture slightly; freezing preserves them for several months, just allow them to return to room temperature before snacking.
Always ensure chips are completely cooled before storage to prevent condensation and sogginess.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered
1. Can I use different apple varieties?
Yes! Firmer apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala work best. Softer apples may become chewy or overly sticky.
2. Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling is optional. Leaving the skin on adds fiber, nutrients, and extra color for a rustic look.
3. How thin should the apple slices be?
Slices should be approximately 1/8 inch thick. Thicker slices may remain chewy, while thinner slices crisp faster but can burn.
4. Can I make this recipe without sugar?
Absolutely! You can skip sugar for a naturally sweet snack or substitute with coconut sugar, maple sugar, or a sugar alternative.
5. Can I speed up the baking process?
The slow bake at low temperature is key for crispiness. Increasing heat will cook faster but may produce soft or burnt chips.
This recipe has been adapted and simplified from the original version by jessicainthekitchen. We’ve refined the steps for a smoother cooking experience and added helpful notes, nutrition insights, and essential kitchen tools to make it even easier for home cooks.
Jessica T. Brown is the founder of KitchenHush.com, a platform born out of her deep love for cooking and the quiet joy found in the kitchen. From a young age, Jessica discovered that the kitchen wasn’t just a place to prepare meals—it was a space for connection, creativity, and comfort. Inspired by those early memories, she created Kitchen Hush to share that experience with home cooks everywhere.