It’s simple to make oven-dried apple chips at home—you don’t need a dehydrator, just patience while these healthy snacks bake to crispy perfection.
Well-made baked apple chips are every bit as satisfying as store-bought varieties. Because the slices dry low and slow, the apple flavor concentrates and the chips become delightfully crisp without added oil or sugar.
While air fryers and microwaves are handy for single servings or quick snacks, baking apple chips in the oven is ideal when you want to make a larger batch and fill your kitchen with that warm, autumnal aroma.
Why you’ll love this oven-dried apple chips recipe:
- No special equipment required—just an oven and a knife or mandoline.
- Super easy: slice, arrange, and bake.
- Make multiple trays at once to feed a crowd or stock the pantry.
- No added sugar or oil unless you want to—control the seasoning.
- Versatile snack: delicious on its own or used in many dishes.
- Apples are nutritious and high in fiber.
Ingredients
You’ll only need a couple of simple ingredients to make these oven-dried apple chips:
- Apples — Choose fresh, crisp apples. Sweeter varieties such as Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, Royal Gala, Pink Lady®, Red Delicious, or Fuji work especially well because their natural sugars concentrate as they dry.
- Cinnamon — Optional, to sprinkle on before baking. You can also use apple pie or pumpkin pie spice for a different flavor.
If your apples are already sweet, there’s no need to add sugar.
Equipment
A mandoline makes quick, even slices, but a sharp knife and a steady hand will do just fine. If you prefer apple rings, core the apples before slicing; otherwise simply remove any seeds from individual slices with the tip of a knife.
Directions
These steps will guide you to crisp, homemade apple chips:
- Preheat the oven to 225 °F (about 107 °C).
- Slice apples about 1/8 inch thick using a mandoline or a sharp knife. Try to keep slices uniform so they dry evenly. Remove seeds or cores as needed.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Do not overlap.
- Lightly sprinkle cinnamon over the slices if desired.
- Bake for roughly 2 hours, flipping slices after about 1½ hours. Exact time depends on your oven, apple variety, and slice thickness. Test a chip after the 2-hour mark—if it’s not crisp, continue baking until it reaches the texture you want.
Note: apple chips will continue to firm up as they cool on the pan, so aim for slightly less than perfectly brittle while they are still warm.
FAQ
They are likely underbaked. Return a few slices to the oven and test periodically until they are firm and crisp. Remember they will crisp further as they cool.
Yes. Tart varieties like Granny Smith can be dried this way, but you may prefer a light sprinkle of sugar or sweetener if you want a sweeter chip.
Color varies by apple type and moisture content. Apples with higher moisture or darker skins can yield darker chips; this doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem.
Ways to Use Dried Apple Chips
Oven-dried apple chips are versatile—try these ideas:
- Sprinkle over salads for a sweet, crunchy contrast.
- Top oatmeal or porridge for texture and natural sweetness.
- Garnish soups, especially autumnal blends like butternut squash-apple soup.
- Add to yogurt, chia pudding, or whipped cottage cheese for a snack or dessert.
- Make healthy apple nachos with nut butter, granola, and a few toppings.
- Use as a scoop for dips and spreads, such as an almond butter yogurt dip.
- Enjoy straight from the bowl or pack in lunchboxes for a wholesome snack.
Nut Butter Yogurt Dip
This simple dip pairs perfectly with baked apple chips. Combine:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons almond butter or your preferred nut butter
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, honey, or sweetener of choice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Stir by hand if your nut butter is smooth and runny; otherwise blend briefly in a food processor or blender for a uniform texture. Serve chilled alongside the chips.
Storage
Store cooled apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If they soften, you can refresh them briefly in a low oven to restore crispness.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away—so go ahead and make a batch of these healthy, flavorful apple chips.
More Healthy Apple Recipes
-
Crock-Pot Apple Butter (Sugar-Free or Low-Sugar)
-
Easy Microwave Baked Apples
-
Healthy Apple Nachos Recipe
📋 Recipe
Easy Oven-Dried Apple Chips Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 apples Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, Royal Gala, Pink Lady®, Red Delicious, or Fuji
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225 °F.
- Cut apples into slices about 1/8 inch thick using a mandoline or a knife.
- Place slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, without overlapping. Sprinkle with cinnamon if using.
- Bake for 1½ hours, then turn slices and bake an additional 30 minutes or until they reach desired crispness. Test one before removing all; they will crisp as they cool.
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 13g
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Protein: 1g
This recipe was originally published October 10, 2013, and has been updated to improve the reader experience.