Crispy Apple Chips: Oven vs Air Fryer

Apple chips are a simple, wholesome snack made from just apples and cinnamon. Below are clear, reliable methods for making crisp apple chips in the oven or quickly in an air fryer, plus tips, storage advice, and ideas for using them.

Baked apple chips deliver a satisfying crunch and a touch of natural sweetness, making them an excellent, naturally gluten-free snack. These recipes do not require a dehydrator and involve minimal prep. Make a large sheet in the oven when you want a batch to keep on hand, or use an air fryer to make a small, hot, crispy portion in about 21 minutes.

Ingredients

• Apples – 2 crisp, sweet varieties work best: Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, Gala, or Cosmic Crisp. Tart apples such as Granny Smith are also fine if you prefer a tangy chip. Avoid very mealy varieties like Red Delicious for best texture.
• Ground cinnamon – about 1/4 teaspoon to lightly dust the slices; adjust to taste.

Instructions (Oven)

Baking is the preferred method when you want a larger quantity. It takes longer but allows you to make a full tray of evenly dried chips.

1. Preheat the oven to 200°F (about 95°C).
2. Core the apples and use a mandolin or a sharp knife to slice them very thin—about 1/8″ thick. Uniform slices produce the most consistent crispness.
3. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they do not overlap.
4. Lightly sprinkle the cinnamon over the apple slices so each piece has a hint of spice.
5. Bake at 200°F for about 3 hours, turning the slices halfway through to promote even drying.
6. Remove the chips and transfer them to a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes—this final rest lets them crisp up fully.

How to make them in an air fryer

The air fryer speeds up the process and is ideal when you want a smaller batch of hot, crispy chips to enjoy immediately. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your fryer.

1. Core the apples and slice them thinly (about 1/8″).
2. Lightly dust the slices with ground cinnamon.
3. Place the apple slices in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket. Most mid-size baskets hold around 9–12 slices at once depending on apple and basket size.
4. Air fry at 300°F (about 150°C) for 21 minutes, flipping the slices every 7 minutes for even browning and crisping.
5. Transfer the chips to a cooling rack and let them cool for 10 minutes to reach their best crisp texture.

Tips and tricks

• Store apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For the crispiest texture, enjoy them as soon as possible after cooling.
• Slice thickness affects cook time and texture: thinner slices crisp up faster and become more brittle, while thicker slices may remain slightly chewy.
• Do not overcrowd your baking sheet or air fryer basket; airflow around each slice is essential for even drying and crisping.
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• Cooling on a rack is important—skipping this step can leave chips soft instead of crisp.
• If you’re not baking right away, some cooks toss slices briefly in lemon juice to slow browning, but it isn’t necessary if you bake promptly after slicing.
• Seasoning variations: instead of—or in addition to—cinnamon, try a light dusting of sugar, nutmeg, allspice, ground ginger, or a pinch of cayenne for a spicy-sweet twist.

Ways to use them

Apple chips are versatile. Beyond snacking, use them to add texture and flavor to a variety of dishes:

• Salad topper – add crunchy apple chips to green salads or chicken salads for extra sweetness and bite.
• Dip vehicle – use them instead of crackers with sweet dips, nut butters, or cream cheese spreads.
• Breakfast boost – crumble over oatmeal, yogurt, or a smoothie bowl for a crunchy finish.
• Granola or parfait layers – fold into homemade granola or layer in parfaits for dried-apple flavor and texture.
• Grazing and charcuterie boards – scatter several chips across a cheese or snack board to balance savory bites with a crisp, fruity element.

More kitchen tutorials

Try other quick kitchen how-tos to broaden your at-home cooking skills:

• How to shred Brussels sprouts
• How to hard boil eggs
• Three ways to cook sweet potatoes
• How to roast red peppers
• How to sauté mushrooms