Here's how to make dehydrated apple chips in a dehydrator. These cinnamon apple slices turn out crispy and crunchy, or chewy if you like dried apple rings, and you only need 4 simple ingredients.
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Apple chips are one of my favorite ways to use up a big bag of apples in the fall. They're great for lunch boxes, road trips and hikes, and they're delicious crumbled over oatmeal. If you're in the mood for warm, soft cinnamon apples instead, try my Air Fryer Apples.
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What Are Apple Chips?
Apple chips are thin apple slices dried until they're crisp and crunchy. Here's why I love this version:
- Just apples, lemon, water and cinnamon, with no added sugar or oil.
- Crispy and crunchy, or chewy if you take them out early.
- Mostly hands-off, since the dehydrator does the work.
- A fun way to use up apple season.
The Ingredients
- Apples: I use Honeycrisp, but any firm, crisp apple works.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice helps keep the slices from browning. Lime juice works too.
- Water: Just a tablespoon to thin out the lemon juice.
- Cinnamon: Apple and cinnamon are the perfect pair.
See the recipe card below for exact amounts.
What Are the Best Apples for Dehydrating?
Firm, crisp apples dehydrate best. Very juicy, soft or mealy apples take longer and tend to shrivel. The flavor gets stronger as they dry, so pick an apple you already love.
- For sweeter chips: Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, Gala or Golden Delicious.
- For tangier chips: Granny Smith, McIntosh or Jonagold.
I like sweeter apples so I don't need any added sugar. If your apples are waxed, soak them in hot water with a splash of vinegar and rub them clean first.
How to Make Apple Chips
Here's how I make apple chips in my dehydrator.
Dehydrated Apple Slices
Step 1: Slice. Wash and dry the apples. Core them for apple rings, or slice straight through the whole apple for star-centered chips and pick out the seeds. Either way works, and there's no need to peel them. Slice them about ⅛ inch thick with a mandoline or a sharp knife.
Step 2: Make the lemon water. In a large bowl, stir together the lemon juice, water and cinnamon.
Step 3: Toss. Add the apple slices and toss until they're evenly coated.
Step 4: Arrange. Lay the slices in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, with a little space between them for airflow.
Step 5: Dehydrate. Dehydrate at 125 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius) for 9 to 10 hours, rotating the trays every few hours if needed.
Step 6: Cool. Let the chips cool completely. They keep crisping up as they cool.
How to tell they're done: tear or snap a cooled chip in half. If no moisture beads up along the break, they're ready. If they bend instead of snap, give them more time.
How Long to Dehydrate Apples
It depends on the thickness of your slices, the type of apple, your dehydrator and even the weather. Here's what works for me at 125 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius):
| Texture | Slice thickness | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Crispy apple chips | ⅛ inch | 9 to 10 hours |
| Chewy dried apple slices | ⅛ inch | 4 to 6 hours |
| Thicker, softer slices | ¼ inch | Longer than 10 hours; start checking at 10 |
Toni's Recipe Tips
- Slice evenly: Even slices dry at the same rate, which is why I reach for a mandoline.
- Don't overcrowd: Keep the slices in a single layer with space around each one. Overlapping slices stay limp. Work in batches if you need to.
- Expect the time to vary: The apple, the slice thickness, your machine and the humidity in your kitchen all change the drying time.
- Let them cool: Apple chips keep crisping as they cool, so taste one after it's cooled.
- The yield: One medium apple makes about 1 ounce (28 grams) of apple chips.
Ideas I Haven't Tried Yet
I always make these with cinnamon in my dehydrator, so I haven't tested these yet, but they'd be fun to try:
- Pumpkin pie spice or chai spice in place of the cinnamon.
- Cocoa powder for chocolate apple chips.
- A little brown sugar tossed with the slices for caramel-style apple chips, or with tart apples.
- The air fryer: it runs much hotter than a dehydrator, so the timing will be very different. Keep the slices in a single layer and watch them closely.
- Air drying: in a warm, dry climate, some people hang slices on a string for a few days.
If you try one, let me know in the comments!
Storage Instructions
Once your apple chips are fully dry and snap in half, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Check the container over the first few days. If you see any moisture, dehydrate them a little longer. Smaller containers help keep them crisp, since moisture gets in each time you open one.
Serving Recommendations
- Crumble them over oatmeal or my Peanut Butter Jelly Overnight Oats.
- Use them as a topping for an Easy Strawberry Smoothie Bowl, pancakes or waffles.
- Toss them into homemade granola or trail mix.
- Float a few in a mug of Instant Pot Apple Cider.
- Pack them with other crunchy snacks like my Easy Air Fryer Kale Chips.
- Bake up more apple treats like Healthy Apple Pie Baked Apples or Apple Oatmeal Cookies.
FAQs
For crispy apple chips sliced about ⅛ inch thick, I dehydrate them at 125 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius) for 9 to 10 hours. For chewy dried apple slices, take them out at 4 to 6 hours. Thicker slices, juicier apples and humid weather all add time.
No. I leave the peel on for color and less prep. Just wash and dry the apples well before slicing.
You can do either! I've made them both ways. Coring gives you apple rings, and slicing straight through the whole apple gives you pretty chips with a star in the center. Just pick out any seeds.
The lemon juice helps keep the apple slices from browning while they dry. Lime juice works too.
They need more time. Let a chip cool completely, then snap it. If it bends, put the trays back in the dehydrator and check again every hour.
No. These are made with just apples, so they have the natural sugars and carbs from the fruit. There's no added sugar or oil.
One medium apple makes about 1 ounce (28 grams) of dried apple chips, depending on the apple and how thin you slice it.
Did you make these dehydrator apple chips? I'd love to hear how they turned out! Leave a 🌟 star rating and a 📝 comment below, and tag me on Instagram so I can see your photos.
More Vegan Fall Recipes
Dehydrator Apple Chips (Cinnamon Apple Slices)
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Ingredients
- 2 large apples I use Honeycrisp
- ½ lemon juiced
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Wash and dry the apples. Core them, or leave them whole and pick out the seeds after slicing. There's no need to peel them.
Slice the apples about ⅛ inch thick with a mandoline or sharp knife.- In a large bowl, stir together the lemon juice, water and cinnamon.
- Add the apple slices and toss until they're evenly coated.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, leaving a little space between them.
- Dehydrate at 125 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius) for 9 to 10 hours, rotating the trays every few hours if needed, until crisp.
- Let the apple chips cool completely so they crisp up. Enjoy, or store them in an airtight container.
Notes
- For chewy dried apple slices, dehydrate for 4 to 6 hours instead.
- Drying time varies with the type of apple, the thickness of the slices, the humidity and your dehydrator.
- The chips keep crisping as they cool, so let them cool before you taste one.
- One medium apple makes about 1 ounce (28 grams) of apple chips.
Andrea says
so crisp and delicious!
nancy says
i really should use my dehydrator.... these looks so healthy and tasty!
Andrea says
These apple chips are so worth it!
Teodora says
So easy to make it at home! Perfect healthy snack or addition to an oatmeal
Andrea says
Oooo love the idea to top it on oatmeal!
Vannessa says
You mention these are keto, but have a net carbs of 52 g of carbs per serving and I'm not quite sure how much a serving is?
Toni says
Thanks so much for catching that! These are made with just apples, so they have the natural carbs from the fruit and aren't a keto snack. I'm updating the post so that's clear. The recipe makes 2 servings. Enjoy!
Daniela says
Thank you for the detailed instructions to make Apple Chips
Andrea says
They're the best kind of snack!
Jacqui says
I can’t wait to get a dehydrator - recipes like these are so inspiring!
Andrea says
You're going to loveeeee these apple chips when you do!
Katie says
This recipe is so delicious! I love making these apple crisps and having them for a later day!
Andrea says
They're the perfect snack to munch on throughout the day!
Lucy says
These apple chips are such a delicious snack. Apple and cinnamon are the perfect combination.
Andrea says
Right?! They compliment each other so well!
Tavo says
My favorites! Thanks for the recipe. Now making them homemade!
Andrea says
Same! So easy and delicious to make at home!
Tina says
These apple chips are so easy to make and such a delicious snack!
Andrea says
Agreed! So good!
Amanda says
Apple chips are my favorite! Yum!
Andrea says
One of a kind!
Gina H. says
These apple chips are soo good!!! Yum!
Andrea says
Crispy and delicious!
Janaye says
Apple chips are the best! I used to be obsessed as a kid
Andrea says
They are! So tasty and crisp!
Erin says
Should the recipe say 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon?It just says "1/2 cinnamon". I have it in my dehydrator now, and they smell so good! Can't wait to test them when they're dry!
Andrea says
Yay! So glad you gave them a go! And yes 🙂 Thank you!
Sab says
These are SO DELICIOUS!!! I was just gifted a bag of these. She shared the recipe with me and I can't wait to make my own in my Excalibur.
I never knew I could get such crunch from dehydrating fruit - I always imagined it'd be leathery. So many ideas are going through my head now. I need to play with my dehydrator more. Thank you for the delicious recipe and inspo!
Andrea says
Wow that is so nice of your friend to share these apple chips with you 🙂 I hope you can enjoy them just the same when you make them! Have fun with your dehydrator! 🙂