Crispy, cinnamon-dusted air fryer apple chips are the perfect alternative to potato chips you've been craving. This easy air fryer recipe transforms simple apple slices into a delicious snack that's both nutritious and satisfying.
Using your air fryer, you can quickly turn fresh apples into crisp, flavorful chips that rival any store-bought version. With just a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or apple pie spice, you'll create a snack that captures the essence of apple pie in a lighter form.
This recipe is versatile too - experiment with different apple varieties and spices like nutmeg to find your perfect combination. To get more greens into your recipe rotation make a couple batches of kale chips made in the air fryer.
Made with Grandaughters, they ate them as soon as they cooled.
- Suzieq81 on Pinterest
Ingredients needed:
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What are the best variety of apples to make into chips?
The best variety often comes down to personal preference. You might want to experiment with a few different types to find your favorite. Regardless of the variety, look for firm, fresh apples for the best results.
If you need help selecting an apple here are 5 varieties to choose from:
- Honeycrisp: These apples have a great balance of sweetness and tartness, and they maintain their flavor well when dried.
- Granny Smith: Their tart flavor intensifies when dried, creating a tangy chip. They're also firm, which helps them hold their shape.
- Fuji: These apples are naturally sweet and crisp, making them excellent for chips.
- Gala: Another sweet variety that crisps up nicely and retains its flavor well.
- Pink Lady: These have a good balance of sweet and tart, and their firm texture works well for chips.
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This is the best homemade seedless black raspberry jam recipe made with fresh or frozen black raspberries.
Mandolin vs knife for slicing apples for chips.
Using a mandolin or a sharp chef's knife are the most popular methods of slicing apples to make apple chips. I will give you instructions and tips for both methods and let you choose which slicing technique is best for you.
Using a mandolin to cut the apples
Safety should always be your top priority when using a mandolin. Take your time and remain focused throughout the process.
Apple Circles:
- Prepare: Wash and dry the apple. Set up the mandolin on a stable surface and adjust the blade thickness.
- Core the apple: Use an apple corer to remove the core, creating a hole through the center of the apple.
- Position for slicing: Place one end of the apple against the mandolin blade, with the cored center parallel to the blade.
- Slice and rotate: Carefully rotate the apple while slicing, creating circular slices around the circumference. Continue until you've sliced the entire apple.
- Finish up: Remove any remaining seeds from the slices and discard any unusable end pieces.
Half Moons:
- Prepare the apple and mandolin: Wash and dry the apple, set up the mandolin on a stable surface, and adjust the blade thickness.
- Halve and trim the apple: Cut the apple in half from top to bottom, removing the stem and blossom end.
- Position and slice: Place the flat side of the apple half against the mandolin's blade, holding it firmly with a safety holder.
- Slice repeatedly: Slide the apple down the mandolin in smooth, controlled motions until you've sliced the entire half.
- Finish and clean up: Remove any seeds from the slices, discard the core, and repeat the process with the other apple half if needed.
Using a Chef Knife to Slice Apples
Remember to keep your fingers curled under and away from the blade while slicing. Use a steady, controlled motion for safety and consistency.
- Prepare: Wash and dry the apple. Set up a cutting board on a stable surface with a damp paper towel under the board to help keep it from slipping. Ensure your chef's knife is sharp.
- Core the apple: Stand the apple upright and cut downward around the core, creating four large pieces. Alternatively, use an apple corer to remove the center.
- Position for slicing: Lay one apple piece flat on the cutting board, with the skin side facing your knife-hand.
- Slice thinly: Using a rocking motion with your chef's knife, cut thin slices from the apple piece. Aim for a consistent thickness (about ⅛ inch for chips).
- Repeat and finish: Continue slicing all apple pieces. Remove any seeds from the slices if needed.
How to make apple chips in the air fryer
- Thinly slice apples (⅛ inch) using a mandoline, or a chef knife as instructed above.
- Thoroughly mix the brown sugar, powdered sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Arrange apple slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Sprinkle slices with sugar-cinnamon mixture.
- Air fry for 15-20 minutes, checking every 5 minutes and flipping halfway.
- Remove when golden brown and dry to the touch. Let cool on a wire rack.
- Repeat with remaining slices. Store cooled chips in an airtight container.
How long to air fryer apple chips
Generally, air fry for 15-20 minutes at 320°F (160°C).
- Indicators that apple chips are close to being done:
- Color: They should be turning golden brown.
- Texture: They should feel dry to the touch.
- Consistency: Check every 5 minutes and flip halfway through cooking.
- Additional notes:
- Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your slices and your specific air fryer model.
- The chips will continue to crisp up as they cool after removal from the air fryer.
- If they're not crispy enough after cooling, you can air fry them for a few more minutes.
Storage Tips
- Cool completely: Allow the apple chips to cool fully at room temperature before storage. This prevents condensation inside the container, which can make the chips soggy.
- Use an airtight container: Store the cooled chips in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. This helps maintain their crispness by protecting them from moisture in the air.
- Add a moisture absorber: Place a small silica gel packet or a piece of paper towel in the container with the chips. This will absorb any excess moisture and help keep the chips crisp for a longer period.
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📝 Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
Many people make apple chips with the skin on due to the nutritional benefits and time savings. If you do leave the skin on, be sure to wash the apples thoroughly before slicing.
The benefits of leaving the skin on include higher nutritional value, added color and flavor, and quicker preparation. However, this may result in a slightly tougher texture, more curling during cooking, and potentially a bitter taste for some people, especially with tart apple varieties.
Peeling the apples can lead to a more uniform texture, and potentially crispier chips, and may be preferred by those who dislike apple skin. The drawbacks include loss of nutrients, increased preparation time, and the possibility of more browning during cooking.
Ingredients
- 4 apples
- 3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
- 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Thinly slice apples (⅛ inch) using a mandoline, or a chef knife.4 apples
- Thoroughly mix the brown sugar, powdered sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar, 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Arrange apple slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Sprinkle slices with sugar-cinnamon mixture.
- Air fry for 15-20 minutes, checking every 5 minutes and flipping halfway.
- Remove when golden brown and dry to the touch. Let cool on a wire rack.
- Repeat with remaining slices. Store cooled chips in an airtight container.
Nutrition
I am Sarah Mock. Welcome!
Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 16 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
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