These Apple Chips are light, crispy, and sweet with a warm cinnamon aroma. Made with just two ingredients and no added sugar, oven-baked apple chips make a healthy snack or a crunchy topping for autumn salads.
When fall arrives I always crave apples. After a summer of berries and peaches, there’s something satisfying about crisp, sweet apples. I enjoy them as a simple snack with roasted nuts and yogurt, as a topper for oatmeal, or folded into seasonal salads for extra texture. Homemade baked apple chips give that same sweet-crunch experience in a portable, shelf-stable form.
Growing up, my mom often packed store-bought apple chips in my lunch. I’ve moved on to fresh fruit for most meals, but I still love a crunchy, naturally sweet treat now and then. Homemade apple chips (and baked banana chips) are the perfect answer — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make at home.
Healthy apple chips
Making dried apple chips at home is simple and rewarding. The combination of apple and cinnamon captures the flavors of the season in a light, crisp bite. You don’t need a dehydrator: an oven or an air fryer is enough. Slice the apples thin, bake slowly, and you’ll get crunchy chips in a couple of hours. They’re a kid-friendly snack and a great, budget-friendly alternative to store-bought varieties.
This recipe is sugar-free and oil-free, relying on the apples’ natural sweetness and a dusting of cinnamon for flavor. Apples provide fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, while cinnamon adds warmth and potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
Which are the best apples for chips?
Not every apple variety makes a great chip. For the crispiest results choose firm, naturally sweet varieties such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Golden Delicious. These hold their shape during baking and develop a satisfying crunch. Softer apples like McIntosh, Cortland, or Red Delicious tend to turn mushy when dehydrated and are best avoided.
Chef’s Tip – Adjust to your preference. Use Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp for sweeter chips. If you like a tart bite, try Granny Smith or Pink Lady.
How to make apple chips
This dried apple chips recipe uses just two ingredients and no dehydrator. You can bake them in the oven or speed things up with an air fryer. Follow the simple steps below and refer to the recipe card at the end for full details.
- Preheat oven – Set the oven to 200°F (90°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice apples – Wash and core the apples, then slice thinly with a mandoline or sharp knife. Aim for about 1/8 inch thick; thinner slices yield crispier chips.
- Arrange slices – Lay the apple slices on the prepared sheet with space between each slice so air can circulate. Do not overlap.
- Season – Lightly sprinkle ground cinnamon on both sides of the slices.
- Bake – Bake at 200°F for 1 hour, flip each slice, then bake another hour. After baking, leave the apples in the turned-off oven to cool for at least 30 minutes so they crisp fully.
Air fryer apple chips
Place slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Sprinkle cinnamon on both sides and air fry at 300°F (150°C) for about 15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes. Let the chips cool in the air fryer for 15–30 minutes before serving to reach maximum crispiness.
Recipe tips
- Slice evenly: Aim for uniform slices no thicker than 1/8 inch. A mandoline makes this quick and consistent.
- Be patient: Low and slow baking at 200°F for around 2 hours gives the best texture. If you’re short on time, use the air fryer method.
- Finish in short intervals: If chips are still soft after cooling, return them to the oven in 10-minute increments until crisp.
- Ways to enjoy: Use apple chips as a crunchy snack, sprinkle them over salads, or crumble over oatmeal for added flavor and texture.
How to store apple chips?
Once completely cooled, store apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze cooled chips in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. To refresh frozen chips, thaw at room temperature and re-crisp in the oven for a few minutes.
More easy healthy snacks
- Banana chips
- Air fryer potato chips
- Air fryer zucchini chips
- Roasted almonds
- Carrot fries
- Air fryer chickpeas
- Protein balls
Apple Chips
Equipment
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mandoline slicer or sharp knife
Ingredients
- 3 large apples, cored (Gala, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious recommended)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 200°F (90°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Wash and core the apples, then slice them thinly (about 1/8 inch) with a mandoline or sharp knife.
Bake apple chips
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Arrange the slices on the baking sheet without overlapping so they can crisp evenly.
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Sprinkle ground cinnamon on both sides of the slices.
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Bake at 200°F for 1 hour, flip the slices, and bake another hour. Allow the chips to cool in the oven for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Air fry apple chips
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Place slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Sprinkle with cinnamon and air fry at 300°F (150°C) for about 15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes. Cool 15–30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Choose the right apples: Crisp varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious work best.
- Slice thin and even: Aim for about 1/8 inch for maximum crunch. A mandoline makes this easy.
- If not crispy: Return the cooled chips to the oven in 10-minute intervals until they reach the desired texture.
- Storage: Keep chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
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