Air Fryer Apple Chips: A Delectable, Healthy Snack

Apple chips are a delicious and healthy snack that can be made in an air fryer in under 20 minutes. The process is simple: thinly slice apples, coat them in lemon juice or cinnamon, and then cook them in the air fryer for 10-20 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. The result is a crispy, crunchy treat that can be enjoyed as a snack or used to top oatmeal, salads, or cheese plates.

Choosing the right apples

When preparing your apples, make sure to wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt. If your apples have wax, rub them with vinegar to remove it before slicing and dehydrating. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline to cut thin, even slices of apple, aiming for a thickness of about 1/8 of an inch.

The type of apples you use ultimately comes down to personal preference, and you can dehydrate almost any apple. Just keep in mind that the flavor of the apples will intensify as they dehydrate. So, if you're looking for a sweeter or sharper flavor, choose your apples accordingly.

Preparing the apples

Firstly, select the apples you want to use. It's recommended to choose a firm, crisp apple variety, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Gala, or Granny Smith. Avoid juicier apples as they will take longer to dehydrate. If you want to avoid added sugar, opt for a naturally sweet variety.

Once you've chosen your apples, give them a good wash to remove any dirt. If the apples have a waxy coating, rub them with vinegar to remove it. This step is important to ensure the apples are clean and ready for slicing.

Next, you'll need to slice the apples. Using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, cut the apples into thin, even slices. Aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch. You can slice the apples into rounds or use an apple corer to remove the core first and then cut the apples into slices. If you're using a knife, try to make the slices as uniform as possible for even cooking.

After slicing, you can remove any seeds or stems from the middle slices. At this point, you can also toss the apple slices with a small amount of lemon juice to prevent browning. This step is optional but can help keep the apples looking fresh.

Now, you can add your chosen seasonings to the apple slices. Cinnamon is a classic pairing and adds a wonderful flavour. You can also experiment with other spices like nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, or ginger. A light sprinkling of sugar can also be added if you have a sweet tooth. Toss the apple slices in a bowl with your chosen seasonings to ensure they are evenly coated.

Once your apples are sliced and seasoned, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer or dehydrator. Remember to arrange the slices in a single layer and avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.

By following these steps, you'll have perfectly prepared apples ready for making delicious and healthy apple chips!

Air fryer settings

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to the desired temperature before adding the apple slices. The ideal temperature range for making apple chips is between 300°F to 350°F (150°C to 180°C). You can experiment with different temperatures within this range to find your preferred level of crispness.
• Single layer arrangement: Place the apple slices in a single layer on the air fryer trays or basket. Avoid overlapping the slices too much as this can affect even cooking and crispness. If needed, cook the apples in multiple batches to ensure proper air circulation.
• Flip and rotate: During the cooking process, it is important to flip and rotate the apple slices regularly. This ensures even cooking and prevents sticking. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to flip and rotate every few minutes.
• Cooking time: The cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer model, the thickness of the apple slices, and the desired level of crispness. On average, apple chips will take between 8 to 20 minutes to cook. However, it is important to monitor the apple chips closely as they can go from perfectly dehydrated to burned within a minute.
• Checking for doneness: To check if your apple chips are done, look for signs of hardening with a little flexibility. They should be crisp but not burnt. Remove them from the air fryer when they reach your desired level of crispness.
• Cooling process: Once the apple chips are cooked, transfer them to a cooling rack or plate and allow them to cool completely. They will continue to crisp up as they cool, so don't be concerned if they are still slightly soft when you take them out of the air fryer.
• Storage: Store your apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. They will stay crisp for about 2 to 10 days, depending on the humidity in your environment. For longer-term storage, you can freeze the apple chips in an airtight bag or container for up to a year.

Drying the apples

The first step in making apple chips is to prepare the apples. Wash and dry the apples, and remove any dirt that might be on the skin. If your apples have wax, rub them with a little vinegar to help remove it. You can core the apples if you want, but it's not necessary. Just pop out and discard any seeds in the center of your slices.

Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to cut thin, even slices of apple. The slices should be about 1/8 of an inch thick. If you're using a mandoline, be very careful, as they can be dangerous.

Once your apples are sliced, place them in a large bowl and sprinkle with cinnamon. Toss the apples until they are evenly coated. You can also add other spices like nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or cloves.

Now you're ready to start drying the apples. Place the apple slices in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in batches.

Set your air fryer to a low temperature, somewhere between 125-350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the apples for 8-16 minutes, flipping and rotating the slices every few minutes to ensure even cooking.

The apples are done when they are hardened but still have a little bit of flexibility. They will continue to crisp up as they cool, so don't worry if they're still a little soft. Remove the apples from the air fryer and let them cool for 5-10 minutes.

Your apple chips are now ready to enjoy! They will be crispy, delicious, and healthy. You can store them in an airtight container for up to a week.

Crisping the apples

The "crisping" phase is the second phase in the apple chip-making process, after the \"drying\" phase. This phase is crucial to achieving the desired crispiness of the apple chips. Here are the steps to follow for optimal results:

• Once the apples are dried out, increase the temperature of your air fryer to a higher setting, such as 325 degrees Fahrenheit or 150 degrees Celsius. The specific temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model.
• During this phase, the cooking process will be much faster, so it's important to stay close to the air fryer and pay attention to avoid overcooking or burning the chips.
• Check, flip, and shake the apple chips frequently, approximately every 90 seconds to 2 minutes. This ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.
• The chips will start to curl and gain color quickly. Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from perfectly dehydrated to burned within a minute.
• Remove any chips that are browning faster than the others to avoid overcooking.
• The total cooking time during the crisping phase will vary depending on the thickness of the apple slices and the amount you are cooking. It typically takes 4 to 8 minutes, but it could be longer or shorter.
• Once the chips are done to your desired level of crispiness, transfer them to a cooling rack or plate and let them cool completely. They will continue to crisp up as they cool, so don't worry if they still feel slightly soft or flexible after removing them from the air fryer.
• For maximum crispiness, it is recommended to enjoy the apple chips 10 to 20 minutes after they come out of the air fryer. However, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

By following these steps and keeping a close eye on your apple chips during the crisping phase, you should be able to achieve the desired level of crispiness and enjoy delicious, healthy snacks!

Frequently asked questions