Crispy Baked Apple Chips Recipe

Sweet, tart, and warmly spiced with cinnamon, these apple chips are a favorite autumn snack. They bake into crisp, chewy slices that taste a little like apple pie and are incredibly simple to prepare.

In cooler months I love snacks that feel cozy and homemade. These baked apple chips fit the bill: minimal ingredients, minimal hands-on time, and a flavor that highlights fresh apples with a touch of cinnamon and sugar. They’re an easy, budget-friendly way to use up a bushel of apples and make a satisfying snack for both kids and adults.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Chips Recipe

These cinnamon apple chips are simple to make and full of fall flavor. They’re ideal for packing in lunches, serving as an afternoon snack, or stashing in a bowl for movie night. Key benefits of the recipe:

• Very easy: Only three ingredients and straightforward steps.
• Makes use of excess apples: A great way to avoid waste when apples start piling up.
• Full autumn flavor: Cinnamon and a light dusting of sugar bring out the apple’s natural sweetness.
• Fresher than store-bought: Homemade chips taste fresher and are more affordable than many prepackaged options.

Notes on Ingredients

This recipe uses just three ingredients. Use ripe apples for the best flavor and texture. Underripe fruit will be sharp, while overripe or very soft apples won’t dry as well.

• Apples – Small to medium apples work best. Varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Golden Delicious balance sweetness and texture as they dehydrate.
• Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon adds warm spice that complements the apple flavor.
• Sugar – Any sugar will work. Brown sugar gives a deeper, caramel-like note; granulated sugar keeps the flavor clean and bright.

What Kind of Apples To Use

You can use almost any apple. As the slices dry, flavors concentrate, so a sweet apple will become sweeter and a tart apple will become tangier. Choose based on the taste you prefer: sweeter varieties for a mellower chip, tart varieties if you want more bite.

How to Make Apple Chips

These apple chips are mostly hands-off. The oven does the work of dehydrating the slices.

• Prep: Preheat the oven to 200°F (about 95°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
• Slice the apples: Core the apples and cut them into very thin slices. A mandolin yields the most consistent results; a sharp knife works if you slice carefully.
• Season: Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle over the apple slices. A light dusting is enough—coverage on one side is fine.
• Bake: Arrange the slices in a single layer without overlapping. Place sheets on the top and middle racks and bake for about 2½ hours, swapping rack positions halfway through for even drying.
• Finish drying: Turn off the oven and leave the apple chips inside for another hour so they can finish dehydrating as the oven cools.
• Cool: Remove the chips and let them cool completely before storing or serving so they crisp up.

How to Cut Thin Apple Slices

The easiest way to get uniform thin slices is with a mandolin—remove the core first and use the guard. If you don’t have a mandolin, use a very sharp knife and steady hands, aiming for consistent thickness so all slices dry evenly.

Tips for Success

Follow these tips for the best texture and flavor:

• Don’t crowd the pan: Leave space between slices so air can circulate and they dry instead of steaming.
• Cool completely: Chips finish crisping as they cool; wait before tasting to get the intended texture.
• Make even slices: Consistent thickness prevents some pieces from burning while others remain soft.
• Peel or not: Leaving the peel on adds texture and color; peel first if you prefer a smooth chip.

How to Store Homemade Apple Chips

Store your baked apple chips depending on how long you want them to keep:

• Room temperature: In an airtight container away from direct sunlight, they stay fresh for about 3 days.
• Refrigerator: In an airtight container, chips can last up to a week.
• Freezer: Freeze in airtight bags (double-bagged or with excess air removed) for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge or enjoy straight from the freezer.

More Apple Ideas

If you enjoy these apple chips, try other simple apple recipes such as apple salads, maple-roasted Brussels sprouts with apples and pecans, baked apples stuffed with oats and cinnamon, or a mixed greens salad with apple and a tangy dressing. Apples are versatile and pair well with savory and sweet preparations.