Crispy Air Fryer Apple Chips are the best healthy snack recipe! Quickly dehydrate thin apple slices in the air fryer into crunchy perfection. Sprinkle with cinnamon for an easy and flavorful after school treat.
Three almost too-ripe apples stared back at me as I debated what to have for an afternoon snack.
My healthy side told me to grab an apple, my naughty side kept urging me to munch on some crunchy chips.
And then it occurred to me, why not make some crispy and crunchy apple chips in the Air Fryer?!
I had already experimented with the Air Fryer’s incredible capability of making seemingly soggy food come out super crispy, but dehydrating foods had been a little too daunting.
After a few trials runs, and about 2 apples worth of burnt chips, the Air Fryer Apple Chips code was finally cracked.
A way to make them perfectly crispy and crunchy, not wait an obscene amount of time, or have to cook up countless batches.
With the recipe you’ll find below you’re less than 15 minutes away from enjoying the BEST homemade apple chips. (Unlike baking apple chips which can take up to 3-4 hours to crisp up!)
Best Apples for Dehydrating
You can really use any type of apple. However, if you want the chips to taste naturally sweet, Gala and Fuji are the best to use.
Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, and Ambrosia are also great options.
If you want more tart apple chips, look for a variety such as Granny Smith.
How to Make Apple Chips
The basic steps for making apple chips are simple to follow:
- Thinly slice a medium-sized apple into chips using a mandoline.
You want them to be roughly 1/32″ thick. This is thin enough that they’ll easily dehydrate, but thick enough so they still hold their shape.
- Add half of the apple slices to the basket of a 6-quart Air Fryer, placing them in multiple layers.
You should be able to fit about 8-9 slices in a single layer. Try not to go more than 3 layers deep.
- Cook on 320° for 11-12 minutes, flipping them over every 4 minutes.
Be sure to completely remove the top layers so you can reach the bottom layer of slices.
- During the last few minutes of cooking, start removing the lightly browned and firm chips.
It’s OK if they are not completely crispy yet, the apple chips will continue to crisp up for a minute after they are removed from the air fryer. Repeat the above steps with the remaining apple slices.
- Serve immediately.
Sprinkle some cinnamon or apple pie spice for added flavor.
Meal Prep and Storage
- To Prep-Ahead: These chips are best when made and enjoyed immediately. But you can store them if needed.
- To Store: Let them cool completely and then keep in a container at room temperature that is loosely sealed for up to 2-3 days. Do not make it air-tight as the chips will get soggy.
- To Reheat: Pop them back in the air fryer for a minute or two to crisp them back up.
FAQs
Gala or Fuji apples are best since they are naturally sweet. For a tart apple chip, use Granny Smith apples.
When apple chips are made simply with apples, yes they are a healthy snack.
If the chips are cut too thick, or not baked long enough, they will likely turn out soft. Slice them thin and make sure to bake or airy fry for the recommended amount of time.
It is not necessary to peel the apples when making apple chips.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- The sweeter, the better. Choose naturally sweet varieties such as Fuji or Gala.
- Slice it right. You don’t want them too thick or too thin. Pull out that ruler, 1/32″ is the perfect thickness!
- Keep an eye on them. Smaller chips will cook up quicker. Be sure to check on the chips during the last few minutes of cooking and remove the ones that are turning brown.
- Sprinkle some cinnamon. Add a little more flavor once they’re done cooking.
- Loosely seal them. Place in a ziplock bag but only zip it up halfway. If it’s zipped all the way up, the chips will get soft.
More Apple Recipes
‘Tis the season for all things apple! Try out these other tasty apple recipes:
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Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized apple Gala, Fuji, or Red Delicious
- Cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Using a mandoline, thinly slice the apple into 1/32” thick pieces, stopping once you reach the core.
- Add half of the apple slices to the basket of a 6-quart Air Fryer, placing them in multiple layers.
- Cook on 320 degrees for 11-12 minutes, flipping them over every 4 minutes. Be sure to completely remove the top layers so you can reach the bottom layer of slices.
- During the last few minutes of cooking, start removing the lightly browned and firm chips. It’s OK if they are not completely crispy yet, the apple chips will continue to crisp up for a minute after they are removed from the air fryer. Repeat the above steps with the remaining apple slices.
- Enjoy immediately or store in a container that is loosely sealed. Do not make it air-tight as the chips will get soggy.
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Notes
- To Store: Let them cool completely and then keep in a container at room temperature that is loosely sealed for up to 2-3 days. Do not make it air-tight as the chips will get soggy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
