Air Fryer Apple Chips: Easy Crispy Cinnamon Apple Recipe
These crispy air fryer apple chips combine thin apple slices with warm cinnamon. As a result, you get a simple homemade snack without deep frying.
Thin apple slices become golden and crisp when prepared in an air fryer.
Easy Homemade Air Fryer Apple Chips
If you have fresh apples at home, this recipe gives you an easy way to turn them into a crunchy snack. First, the apples are sliced thinly. Then, cinnamon adds a warm and familiar flavor.
Meanwhile, the air fryer circulates hot air around the fruit. Because of that airflow, moisture gradually leaves the apple slices. The edges can then become crisp without using a large amount of oil.
In addition, this recipe is easy to customize. For example, you can leave out the sugar for a simple cinnamon version. Alternatively, add a little apple pie spice for a stronger fall flavor.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Apple Chips
Fortunately, you only need a few ingredients for this recipe. In fact, apples and cinnamon are enough for the basic version.
🍎 Fresh Apples
Choose two firm apples. Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady and Granny Smith all work well.
🌿 Ground Cinnamon
Cinnamon adds a warm spice flavor. Moreover, it pairs well with both sweet and tart apple varieties.
✨ Sugar — Optional
Sweet apples may not need extra sugar. However, you can add a small amount if you prefer a sweeter snack.
🧂 Salt — Optional
A small pinch of salt can balance the natural sweetness. Therefore, you only need a tiny amount.
How to Make Air Fryer Apple Chips
Prepare the Apples First
Before cooking, wash the fruit and dry it well. Next, prepare your knife or mandoline slicer. Keeping everything ready makes the process faster and easier.
Wash and Dry the Apples
First, wash the apples thoroughly under cool water. Afterward, dry the outside with a clean towel. You can leave the peel on.
Slice the Apples Thinly
Next, use a sharp knife or mandoline to create thin apple rounds. Aim for about 1/8 inch thickness. Then, remove any visible seeds.
Add Cinnamon and Seasoning
After slicing, place the apples in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle cinnamon over the fruit. If desired, add sugar and a small pinch of salt.
Then, toss everything gently. As a result, the seasoning should coat the slices more evenly.
Cook the Apple Chips
Once the apples are prepared, you can start cooking. However, avoid overcrowding the basket. Good airflow helps the fruit dry more evenly.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to about 325°F. Because air fryer models differ, your appliance may require a small adjustment.
Arrange the Apple Slices
Next, place the apple rounds inside the basket. A small amount of overlap is manageable. Nevertheless, avoid creating a thick pile.
Air Fry the Apple Chips
Cook the apples for about 8 minutes. Halfway through, flip or rearrange the pieces. Consequently, both sides have a better chance to dry.
If the slices still seem soft, continue cooking in short 1–2 minute intervals. However, watch them closely near the end.
Cool Before Serving
Finally, move the apple chips to a plate or cooling rack. At first, some pieces may still feel slightly flexible. However, they often become firmer as they cool.
Best Apples for Air Fryer Apple Chips
Different apples produce different flavors. Therefore, choose a variety based on whether you prefer sweeter or more tart chips.
Honeycrisp
Honeycrisp apples are naturally sweet. In addition, their strong apple flavor works well with cinnamon.
Fuji
Fuji apples are another sweet option. Because they have plenty of natural sugar, extra sweetener may not be necessary.
Gala
Gala apples provide mild sweetness. Also, they are easy to find in most grocery stores.
Granny Smith
Granny Smith apples taste more tart. For this reason, they pair especially well with cinnamon sugar.
Recommended Products for Air Fryer Apple Chips
You do not need many tools for this recipe. However, three products can make preparation easier: an air fryer, a mandoline slicer and ground cinnamon.
A Reliable Air Fryer
Ninja AF101 4-Quart Air Fryer
The Ninja AF101 is a compact countertop air fryer with a 4-quart capacity. In addition, it can air fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate.
Therefore, it can be useful for apple chips as well as vegetables, potatoes and other everyday recipes.
Check Price on AmazonA Slicer for Even Apple Rounds
OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer
Even apple slices usually cook more consistently. Therefore, a mandoline can save time and reduce uneven pieces.
In addition, the OXO handheld slicer is useful for potatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables.
Check Price on AmazonCinnamon for Warm Apple Flavor
McCormick Ground Cinnamon
Ground cinnamon gives homemade apple chips their familiar warm, sweet-spice flavor. Moreover, it works with both sweet and tart apples.
For example, use a light coating with Fuji or Honeycrisp apples. Alternatively, combine the cinnamon with sugar when using tart Granny Smith apples.
Check Price on AmazonTips for Crispy Air Fryer Apple Chips
Keep the Apple Slices Thin
Thin slices lose moisture faster than thick ones. Therefore, they have a better chance of becoming crisp.
By contrast, thick pieces may remain chewy in the center. For this reason, slice them as evenly as possible.
Do Not Overcrowd the Basket
Air needs room to circulate. Consequently, packing too many apple slices into the basket can slow the drying process.
Instead, cook in smaller batches when necessary. Although it takes a little longer overall, the texture can improve.
Watch the Final Minutes Carefully
As the apples lose moisture, they can brown quickly. Therefore, check the basket often near the end.
Also, remember that the chips continue to firm while cooling. You may not need to cook them until they feel completely crisp inside the hot basket.
Air Fryer Apple Chip Flavor Variations
Cinnamon Apple Chips
For a simple version, use fresh apple slices and ground cinnamon. Therefore, no added sugar is required.
Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips
For sweeter chips, mix cinnamon with a small amount of sugar. Then, sprinkle the mixture over the apple rounds.
Apple Pie Spice
Alternatively, replace plain cinnamon with apple pie spice. As a result, the chips develop a stronger fall-inspired flavor.
Plain Apple Chips
Finally, you can skip the seasonings completely. In that case, the natural apple flavor becomes the main focus.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Apple Chips
Air fryer apple chips work well as a simple snack. However, you can also use them as a crunchy topping or side.
Breakfast Ideas
For example, crumble the chips over oatmeal or yogurt. In addition, they pair well with granola.
- Greek yogurt
- Vanilla yogurt
- Oatmeal
- Granola
Snack and Dessert Ideas
Alternatively, serve the chips with peanut butter or almond butter. For dessert, they can add crunch to vanilla ice cream.
- Trail mix
- Peanut butter
- Almond butter
- Cheese boards
- Fall salads
- Vanilla ice cream
How to Store Homemade Apple Chips
Cool the Chips Completely
First, allow the chips to cool before storing them. Otherwise, warm fruit can release moisture inside the container.
As a result, the chips may soften more quickly. Therefore, wait until they reach room temperature.
Use an Airtight Container
After cooling, transfer the chips to a clean airtight container. Then, keep the container in a cool and dry location.
If the chips become slightly soft later, you can return them to the air fryer briefly. However, check them often because dried fruit can brown quickly.
Are Air Fryer Apple Chips Healthy?
Simple Ingredients
The basic recipe contains apples and cinnamon. Therefore, you know exactly what goes into the snack.
In addition, you control the amount of added sugar. For example, naturally sweet apples may not need extra sweetener.
No Deep Frying Required
Unlike traditional deep-fried snacks, these apple slices do not need to sit in a large amount of cooking oil.
Instead, the air fryer uses circulating hot air. Consequently, the fruit can dry and crisp with a much simpler cooking method.
Crispy Cinnamon Air Fryer Apple Chips
Thin apple slices seasoned with cinnamon and air fried until lightly golden and crisp.
Ingredients
- 2 medium firm apples
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, optional
- Small pinch of salt, optional
Instructions
- First, wash and thoroughly dry the apples.
- Next, use a mandoline or sharp knife to cut the apples into approximately 1/8-inch rounds.
- Then, remove visible seeds from the centers.
- Afterward, place the apple slices in a mixing bowl.
- Add cinnamon and optional sugar and salt.
- Next, toss gently until the seasoning is distributed.
- Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to approximately 325°F.
- Arrange the apple slices inside the basket without packing them too tightly.
- Then, air fry for approximately 8 minutes.
- Halfway through, flip or rearrange the slices.
- If needed, continue cooking in 1–2 minute intervals.
- Finally, transfer the apple chips to a plate or cooling rack.
- Allow them to cool before serving.
Recipe Notes
- Because air fryers vary, begin checking thin apple slices early.
- For better results, keep the slices close to the same thickness.
- Also, use the safety guard supplied with your mandoline slicer.
- If the basket is crowded, cook the apples in smaller batches.
- Finally, cool the chips completely before storing them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Apple Chips
Why are my air fryer apple chips not crispy?
The slices may be too thick or overcrowded. In addition, they may still contain too much moisture. However, remember that apple chips often become firmer during cooling.
Do I need to peel apples for apple chips?
No. You can leave the peel attached. In fact, the peel can add color to the finished chips.
Do I need oil for air fryer apple chips?
No oil is required for this basic recipe. Instead, the air fryer relies on circulating hot air to dry the apple slices.
How thin should I slice apples?
About 1/8 inch is a useful target. More importantly, try to keep each slice close to the same thickness.
Can I make apple chips without sugar?
Yes. For example, naturally sweet Fuji or Honeycrisp apples work well with cinnamon alone.
Which apples are best for air fryer apple chips?
Honeycrisp and Fuji are good choices for sweeter chips. On the other hand, Granny Smith works well if you prefer a tart flavor.
Can I make apple chips without cinnamon?
Yes. Simply leave out the cinnamon. As a result, the natural apple flavor becomes more noticeable.
Do apple chips become crispier after cooling?
Yes. At first, some pieces may seem flexible. However, they often become noticeably firmer after several minutes of cooling.
