Make healthy, budget-friendly apple chips in your oven. These thin slices bake low and slow until perfectly crisp, offering a satisfying crunch without a dehydrator.
Author:Cat
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:2 hours
Total Time:2 hours 15 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Snack
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 large apples (like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar or maple syrup (optional, for sweeter chips)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds nutrients and texture.
Core the apples.
Slice the apples very thinly, about 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick. A mandoline slicer is ideal for uniform thickness, which ensures even baking. If you don’t have one, use your sharpest knife and slice carefully.
In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and nutmeg (if using). If you are adding sweetener, sprinkle it over the apple slices.
Arrange the apple slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Try not to overlap them.
Sprinkle the cinnamon-nutmeg mixture evenly over the apple slices.
Bake for 1 to 2 hours, flipping the slices halfway through. The exact time will depend on your oven and the thickness of your slices.
Continue baking until the edges are lightly browned and the chips are dry and crisp to the touch. They should not feel soft or pliable.
Turn off the oven and let the chips cool completely inside the oven with the door slightly ajar. This helps them crisp up further.
Once completely cool, store the apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
For extra crispiness, ensure your slices are very thin and bake until they are completely dry.
If your chips are still a bit soft after cooling, you can return them to the oven for another 15-30 minutes at the same low temperature.
Store in an airtight container with a food-safe desiccant packet if you have one, to maintain maximum crispness.
These chips are a great healthy snack for school lunches or a light treat.