Crispy Air Fryer Apple Chips: Your Ultimate Guide to a Healthy, Delicious Snack
Craving a sweet, satisfying snack that won’t derail your healthy eating goals? Look no further than these deliciously sweet and crisp air fryer apple chips! Incredibly easy to make with just three simple ingredients and your trusty air fryer, you can whip up your own batch of homemade apple chips in under 25 minutes. They’re the perfect low-calorie, naturally sweet treat to munch on whenever hunger strikes or a sweet craving takes hold. Forget store-bought versions loaded with added sugars and preservatives – these homemade delights offer pure, wholesome goodness with an unbeatable crunch.
Why This Air Fryer Apple Chip Recipe Is a Game-Changer
This air fryer apple chips recipe stands out for its incredible speed, simplicity, and health benefits. The air fryer acts as an efficient dehydrator, transforming thinly sliced apples into delightfully crisp, cinnamon-coated snacks without the need for excessive oil or deep-frying. This means you get all the satisfying crunch and sweet flavor of chips, but with significantly fewer calories and added fats.
The beauty of using an air fryer lies in its ability to circulate hot air evenly around the apple slices, promoting dehydration and achieving that perfect crispy texture quickly. Unlike oven baking, which can take hours for similar results, the air fryer slashes cooking time dramatically, making healthy snacking accessible even on the busiest days. It’s a fantastic alternative to traditional methods, offering a guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite foods. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with the air fryer; we’ve even created delicious air fryer apple fries, which were a huge hit! While those are a bit more indulgent, these air fryer apple chips remain a wonderfully light and flavorful option that everyone can enjoy.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Air Fryer Apple Chips
Making these wholesome apple chips requires minimal ingredients, proving that delicious and healthy snacks don’t need to be complicated. You’ll find all precise measurements, specific ingredients, and detailed instructions in the printable recipe version at the very end of this post. For now, let’s dive into the core components that make these chips so irresistible.
Ingredient Spotlight & Customization Tips
APPLE VARIETY – For this particular recipe, we’ve opted for Pink Lady apples. We’ve discovered that Pink Lady apples strike a delightful balance between tartness and sweetness, which translates beautifully into a flavorful chip. However, the world of apples is vast, and many varieties work wonderfully for air fryer chips. Feel free to experiment with your favorites! Fuji apples offer a consistently sweet and crisp texture, while Honeycrisp provides an excellent crunch and vibrant flavor. Gala apples are sweet and mellow, making them a great choice for a milder chip. If you lean towards a more tart profile, Granny Smith apples are fantastic and yield a pleasantly tangy snack. Braeburn apples offer a nice sweet-tart combination, and Golden Delicious or Ambrosia are perfect for those who prefer a purely sweet experience. The key is to choose an apple you enjoy eating fresh, as its inherent flavor will shine through in the chips.
SPICES & FLAVOR – We’re keeping the seasoning simple yet incredibly effective and flavorful with a classic combination of ground cinnamon and nutmeg. These warming spices perfectly complement the natural sweetness of the apples, creating an aroma and taste reminiscent of apple pie. For an even more complex flavor profile, you could easily substitute or add apple pie spice, which typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sometimes ginger or cardamom. Don’t hesitate to get creative with your spice blend! A pinch of allspice, a touch of cardamom, or even a very light dusting of ginger can add an exciting twist. For those who prefer a less sweet profile, a tiny sprinkle of sea salt can also enhance the apple’s natural flavors. The beauty of homemade snacks is the freedom to tailor them exactly to your taste preferences.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Own Air Fryer Apple Chips
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are provided to help you visualize each stage of making this delicious recipe. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, simply jump to the full recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the Apples: Begin by slicing your chosen apples thinly. We highly recommend using a mandolin, set to a thickness of 3mm or ⅛ inch. This ensures uniform slices, which is crucial for even cooking and consistent crispiness. Leave the skin on for added texture and nutrients. Slice the apple carefully, starting from the bottom and working your way to the top.
EXPERT TIP FOR MANDOLIN USE – Always prioritize safety when using a mandolin. Utilize the safety guard provided with your mandolin to protect your fingers. Additionally, once sliced, gently shake the apple slices to dislodge any seeds that may remain. You can expect to yield approximately 20 slices per medium-sized apple, though this can vary slightly based on the apple’s size and how it’s cut. Uniformity is key for the best results!
- Air Fry the Slices: Carefully arrange the apple slices in a single layer within a grate-lined air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding, as this can lead to steaming rather than crisping. Air fry your apple slices at 300°F (150°C) for approximately 16-18 minutes. It’s important to flip or gently shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and crisping on both sides. Then, check again at the 4-minute mark. As they cook, the apple slices will visibly start to shrivel up and may occasionally stick together; gently separate any clinging pieces to promote even dehydration. After the initial 16 minutes, most of your apple chips should be perfectly done, exhibiting a slightly golden and shriveled appearance.
- Cool and Crisp: Once the apple chips are cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a cooling rack. This is a crucial step! The chips will continue to crisp up as they cool down, transitioning from slightly pliable to wonderfully crunchy. If you find any slices that still feel damp or a bit squishy, simply return those specific pieces to the air fryer for an additional 1-2 minutes until they reach your desired crispness.
- Season While Warm: While the apple chips are still warm – this is when they will best absorb the flavors – generously sprinkle them with your cinnamon and nutmeg mixture. The warmth helps the spices adhere beautifully and infuses every chip with fragrant, comforting notes.
- Store for Freshness: To maintain their crispness and flavor, store your homemade air fryer apple chips in a wide-mouth mason jar or any other air-tight container. This prevents them from absorbing moisture and becoming soft. Repeat the air frying process for any remaining apple slices you have. These delicious, healthy apple chips are a fantastic snack that kids and adults alike will love enjoying throughout the day!
Expert Tips for Perfectly Crispy Apple Chips
Achieving consistently delicious and crispy air fryer apple chips is simple with a few key considerations:
- Slice Thin and Evenly: The thinner and more uniform your apple slices are, the faster and more evenly they will crisp. A mandolin slicer is truly a game-changer here, as it ensures consistent 1/8-inch slices. If slicing by hand, take your time to make them as uniform as possible.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Air fryers work by circulating hot air. Overfilling the basket restricts this airflow, leading to uneven cooking and less crisp chips. Cook in batches if necessary, allowing ample space around each slice.
- Monitor Closely: Air fryers vary in wattage and efficiency. The cooking times provided are a guide. Keep a close eye on your chips, especially during the latter half of the cooking process. Some air fryers might cook faster or slower.
- Flip and Shake: Regularly flipping the chips and shaking the basket ensures both sides are exposed to the circulating heat, promoting even dehydration and preventing burning on one side while the other remains soft.
- Crispness Develops Upon Cooling: It’s common for air fryer apple chips to feel slightly pliable or leathery when first removed from the appliance. Don’t be discouraged! They continue to crisp significantly as they cool on a wire rack. If after cooling they are still not as crisp as you’d like, return them to the air fryer for an additional 1-2 minutes per batch.
Creative Variations & Serving Ideas
While cinnamon and nutmeg are a classic and beloved combination, these air fryer apple chips offer a blank canvas for culinary creativity:
- Sweet Enhancements: For an extra touch of sweetness, a light sprinkle of brown sugar or maple sugar can be added along with the spices. You could also try a drizzle of honey or maple syrup *after* air frying, but be mindful that this can affect crispness.
- Different Spice Blends: Beyond apple pie spice, consider experimenting with pumpkin pie spice for an autumnal twist. A hint of ground cloves or ginger can add warmth, or a touch of cardamom can introduce an exotic note.
- Savory Twist: For a unique savory snack, try seasoning your apple chips with a sprinkle of sea salt and black pepper, or even a very light dusting of garlic powder and onion powder. This pairs surprisingly well with the apple’s natural sweetness.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, melt some dark or milk chocolate and drizzle it over a portion of your apple chips for a more decadent treat.
- Pair with Dips: Serve your crispy apple chips alongside a scoop of Greek yogurt, a dollop of almond butter, or a homemade caramel dip for an indulgent yet wholesome dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Apple Chips
The best type of apple for chips largely depends on your personal preference for sweetness and tartness, as well as their texture when dehydrated. If you desire a sweeter taste and a crisper result, opt for varieties such as Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Ambrosia, or Red Delicious. These apples typically have higher sugar content and less moisture, making them ideal for crisping. For those who prefer a delightful sweet-tart combination that adds a bit more zing to their snack, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Braeburn are excellent choices. Granny Smiths, in particular, hold their shape well and offer a tangy contrast to any added spices. Ultimately, any firm apple variety can be used, so don’t be afraid to experiment with what you have on hand!
Proper storage is essential to maintain the crispness and extend the shelf life of your homemade air fryer apple chips. The key is to protect them from moisture. You can store apple chips in an air-tight container, which effectively seals out humidity. We personally love using a wide-mouth mason jar for storage, as it’s both practical and visually appealing, but any container that can be sealed tightly will work perfectly. Ensure the chips are completely cooled before storing them; packing warm chips can create condensation and make them soft. Store them at room temperature in a dry pantry or cupboard, and they should remain fresh and wonderfully crisp for up to one week. If they lose a bit of their crispness, you can briefly reheat them in the air fryer for a minute or two.
If your apple chips are burning, it’s typically an indication that the temperature is too high, or they are cooking for too long. Air fryers can vary significantly in their heating elements and fan circulation, meaning what works perfectly in one model might lead to burning in another. It’s always best to start with a slightly lower temperature than suggested and then monitor closely. Try setting your air fryer to a lower temperature, perhaps 280°F (138°C), and begin by testing a small batch or even just a slice or two. This allows you to observe how they cook in your specific appliance and adjust the temperature or cooking time as needed. Remember to check and flip the chips halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and prevent scorching. Thinness of slices also plays a role; thinner slices will cook faster and are more prone to burning if the temperature is too high.
Elevate Your Apple Chip Experience
The beauty of these crunchy air fryer apple chips is their versatility. While they are utterly delightful on their own, a simple dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg spices truly ties all the flavors together, making them an irresistible treat. If you prefer a more subtle taste, you can certainly leave the apple chips plain, allowing the natural sweetness of the apple to shine through. For a unique flavor profile, consider dusting them with a pinch of allspice. Serve them warm straight from the air fryer for a comforting snack, or enjoy them at room temperature as a convenient grab-and-go option. They pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or coffee, or as a light dessert after a meal. Enjoy every healthy, crispy bite!
Explore More Air Fryer Delights
The air fryer is an incredibly versatile kitchen appliance, perfect for creating a wide array of healthy and delicious meals and snacks. If you loved these apple chips, you’re sure to enjoy exploring more possibilities with your air fryer. Here are some of our other favorite 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
I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!
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!
Print It
Pin It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
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
-
Mandolin
-
Air fryer
-
Wire cooling racks
Before You Begin
- Your apple chips may feel hard but not crisp as soon as you take them out of the air fryer. They will crisp as they sit out and cool.
- The spice mixture in this recipe should be enough to make 3-5 sliced apples.
- If you are not using a mandolin for this recipe, your apple slices may be thicker which means they might need more time in the air fryer.
- If your apple chips are burning, try setting your air fryer to a lower temperature. Each air fryer is different from one another which means there may be some trial and error with some air fryer recipes. It’s best to set the air fryer to a lower temp then test a slice or two and see how they come out.
Instructions
-
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.
-
Shake the slices to remove seeds. You should end up with about 20 slices per apple, slightly more or slightly less depending on the size of the apple and how it’s sliced. Please be sure to follow safety guidelines with your mandolin.
-
Add the slices to a grate-lined air fryer basket. Air fry at 300F for 16-18 minutes. Flip or shake halfway through, then again at the 4-minute mark. The apple slices will start to shrivel up and you will need to separate the ones that start sticking together. After 16 minutes most should be done.
-
Remove apple chips and set them onto a cooling rack. They will continue to crisp up as they sit. If any feel damp or still squishy, leave those in the air fryer for another 2 minutes.
-
While warm, sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
-
Store in a wide-mouth mason jar or air-tight container. Repeat the process for as many apples as you have.
Nutrition
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Follow on Pinterest @AmandasCookin or tag #AmandasCookin!
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.