Apple Chips Recipe (Healthy and Easy Homemade Snack)
Apple chips recipe is the perfect way to turn fresh apples into a healthy, crunchy snack that everyone will love. Made with just a few simple ingredients, these homemade apple chips are baked low and slow until crisp and full of natural sweetness.
Whether you enjoy them plain or dusted with cinnamon, they’re an easy, kid-friendly treat that’s great for meal prep, lunchboxes, or a guilt-free alternative to store-bought chips.
These crunchy, sweet treats are great for kids to have as snacks! Plus, they’re 100% organic and pure, especially if you’re using your own homegrown, organic apples.
We’ll be making this recipe using a dehydrator and it’s honestly a lifesaver! Not only can you use it to make apple chips, but also dried bananas, strawberries, tomatoes, or even mushrooms!
What are Apple Chips?
Apple chips are simply dehydrated apple slices, that look like potato chips but taste like delicious apples! It’s an incredibly popular and healthy snack that kids seem to absolutely love, and so do adults!
The name ‘apple chips’ comes from the fact that they look like potato chips but taste more like applesauce in the form of chips!
Apple chips are one of the best healthy treat snacks out there that you can easily make in the comfort of your own home and then know for sure that it doesn’t include any chemical preservatives or other harmful substances.
Why You’ll Love Apple Chips?
- Naturally sweet & healthy – Made from just apples (and optional spices), they’re a guilt-free snack.
- Crispy & addictive – Thinly sliced and baked low and slow, they come out perfectly crunchy.
- Simple ingredients – No fancy tools needed – just apples, a baking sheet pan, and your oven or dehydrator.
- Customizable flavors – Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice for extra fall vibes.
- Kid-friendly snack – A wholesome alternative to store-bought chips or sugary treats.
- Make-ahead friendly – They store well in an airtight container, perfect for lunchboxes or on-the-go munching.
Key Ingredients
All you need are two super simple things to get the best apple chips you’ve ever had! Let’s look at what these are:
- Food dehydrator: First of all, you’ll need a dehydrator to make these apple chips. When I wanted to purchase this product I went through all the stores in the mall and could not find the one I wanted. All they had was very small ones for just as much money. This one can make large quantities for a really good price!! I am so happy with this product. It’s quiet and the different temperature adjustments help dry it faster. If you don’t already own one, I highly recommend this wonderful little appliance.
- Apples: Of course, the next (and last) thing we’ll need is some apples! I’ve used homegrown apples, but there are many kinds of apples that you can use. Pick a variety that’ll hold up well in the dehydrator like Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith apples.
How to Make Apple Chips Recipe
Making these homemade apple chips is incredibly easy! This is a super easy recipe and the prep time is all about just prepping the apples. Here’s what you’ll need to do step by step to make this apple chips recipe:
First start by washing, rinsing, and slicing apples. You can use a sharp knife to slice them or a mandolin slicer.
Next, place the sliced apples on the dehydrator racks tightly one by another. Make sure to place them in a single layer.
Turn the dehydrator on and set the temperature to 135 F. Let it dehydrate and dry for 24 hours.
Once done, remove your apple chips from the racks. Your delicious homemade apple chips are ready to be served! Have it with some granola in the morning or oatmeal. You can also just munch on them as is because they’re just so tasty!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Tips for Perfect Apple Chips
- Use firm, crisp apples – They hold up better during baking and deliver the best crunch.
- Slice evenly – A mandoline slicer works best to get thin, uniform slices that cook at the same rate.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – Arrange slices in a single layer so they bake evenly and crisp up.
- Flip halfway through – This helps both sides dry out and get golden.
- Bake low and slow – A temperature around 135°F prevents burning and allows the apples to dehydrate properly.
- Let them cool completely – They’ll continue to crisp up as they cool on the pan.
- Re-crisp if needed – If they soften after storage, just pop them back in the oven for a few minutes.
Variation Ideas for Apple Chips
This delicious recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you’re looking to change things up here are a few ideas:
- Add cinnamon: You can make some cinnamon apple chips too! Just sprinkle some cinnamon on top of the slices before placing them in the dehydrator.
- Add other spices: You can also add other warm spices to your delicious chips. Nutmeg goes really well with cinnamon, or you can even try ground cardamom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crisp, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady work great because they hold their shape and have good natural sweetness. Granny Smith is also excellent if you prefer a tangy flavor.
No, peeling isn’t necessary—the skin adds flavor, texture, and nutrients. But you can peel them if you prefer a smoother bite.
Yes! You can make them in the oven at a low temperature (around 200°F/95°C). They’ll take 1.5–3 hours depending on thickness. A dehydrator is great for larger batches but not required.
Definitely—pears, bananas, and strawberries also make great homemade fruit chips with the same low-and-slow method.
How to Store Apple Chips
Store your delicious dried apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also use a glass jar instead or even a cotton bag as we do at my place. I store it in the pantry at room temperature.
When I wanted to purchase this product I went through all the stores in the mall and could not find the one I wanted. All they had was very small ones for just as much money. If you would like to purchase this dehydrator I will get a small commission. Thank you! 🙂
These apple chips are great to make Kompot (fruit drink) recipe.
Apple Chips Recipe (Healthy and Easy Homemade Snack)
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Apple Chips
- 20 lbs. apples
Instructions
How to Make Apple Chips
- First start by washing, rinsing, and slicing apples. You can use a sharp knife to slice them or a mandolin slicer.
- Next, place the sliced apples on the dehydrator racks tightly one by another. Make sure to place them in a single layer.
- Turn the dehydrator on and set the temperature to 135 ℉. Let it dehydrate and dry for 24 hours.
- Once done, remove your apple chips from the racks. Your delicious homemade apple chips are ready to be served! Have it with some granola in the morning or oatmeal. You can also just munch on them as is because they’re just so tasty!
Notes
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This recipe was originally posted on Sep 16, 2014 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
