Air Fryer Dried Apples: A Quick, Easy Snack

Air fryers are a great way to make dried apples, also known as apple chips. They are a delicious, healthy snack and can be made in under 20 minutes. The process involves thinly slicing apples and cooking them at a low temperature in the air fryer until most of the water has been removed. You can also sprinkle cinnamon or other spices on the apples for extra flavor. The exact cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your apple slices, but typically apple chips are cooked at around 300-350°F for 8-20 minutes.

Choosing the right apples

When selecting apples for dehydration, consider the sugar content and firmness of the fruit. Apples with higher sugar content, such as Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Red Delicious, will result in sweeter apple chips. These varieties are ideal if you plan to use the dehydrated apples as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes. On the other hand, if you prefer a tart and crisp apple chip for snacking, choose apples with lower sugar content, such as Granny Smith, Macintosh, Cortland, or Jonagold. These apples have a sharper flavor and hold their shape well during the dehydration process.

In addition to the variety, you should also consider the size and juiciness of the apples. Larger apples will yield larger apple chips, and cheaper apples can be a cost-effective option, especially when making a large batch. It is recommended to avoid particularly juicy apples, as they will take longer to dry out.

When preparing the apples, wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. If the apples have a waxy coating, rub them with vinegar to remove it before slicing. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to cut the apples into thin, even slices, preferably no thicker than 1/8-inch. Remove any seeds or core, and consider soaking the apple slices in an acidic solution, such as lemon juice or vinegar, to prevent browning and soften the structure.

Preparing the apples

Firstly, select your apples. You can use any variety of apples you like, but it's recommended to avoid particularly juicy apples as they will take longer to dry out. If you want to avoid added sugar, choose naturally sweet varieties like Honey Crisp, Gala, Pink Lady, Fuji, or Golden Delicious. For a sharper flavor, go for Granny Smith, Jonagold, or McIntosh apples.

Once you've selected your apples, give them a thorough wash to remove any dirt or residue on the skin. If your apples have a waxy coating, you can rub them with vinegar to remove it. This step will ensure that your apples are clean and ready for slicing.

Next, you'll want to slice your apples into thin, even slices. Aim for a thickness of about 1/8 of an inch. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to achieve even slices. Remove any seeds or the core as you slice, and cut the apples into rounds or other desired shapes.

After slicing, you have the option to soak the apples in an acid bath to prevent browning. This step is optional but can help maintain the color of your apple chips. Prepare a solution of either 1 teaspoon of citric acid, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, or 1 tablespoon of vinegar per quart of water. Soak the apple slices in this solution for about 10 minutes, then drain and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

Now, it's time to season your apples. You can sprinkle them with a variety of spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or a combination of your choice. Give the apples a good toss to ensure they are evenly coated with the spices.

Finally, arrange the apple slices in a single layer on a tray or in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. This step is important to ensure even cooking and proper dehydration. If you are using an air fryer, you can stack the apple slices, but be sure to give them enough space to allow for air circulation.

Once you've prepared your apples, you can move on to the next step of drying them in the air fryer. Follow the temperature and timing guidelines provided in the various sources to achieve the desired level of crispness and doneness.

Air fryer settings

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Start by preheating your air fryer. The ideal temperature for preheating is between 300°F and 350°F (150°C to 180°C). This temperature range will ensure that your apple slices dehydrate effectively without burning.

Cooking the Apple Chips:

After preheating, it's time to cook the apple chips. Place the apple slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer without overlapping. Overlapping slices may affect even cooking.

For the initial cooking phase, set the air fryer temperature between 300°F and 320°F (150°C). Cook the apple slices at this temperature for 15 to 20 minutes. It's important to flip and rotate the apple slices every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.

Checking for Doneness:

After the initial cooking phase, check the apple chips for doneness. They should appear dried out, with no shiny or wet spots, and the edges will start to shrivel slightly. However, they may not be fully crispy at this point.

Crisping the Apple Chips:

If you prefer crispier apple chips, you can increase the air fryer temperature to 325°F to 330°F (165°C). Continue cooking for an additional 4 to 12 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. It's crucial to keep a close eye on the apple chips during this phase, as they can burn quickly.

Cooling and Storing:

Once your apple chips have reached the desired level of crispiness, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool completely. They will continue to crisp up as they cool. Store the cooled apple chips in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to a week, or in the freezer for a longer shelf life.

Drying the apples

Wash your apples thoroughly to remove any dirt from the skin. If your apples have wax on them, rub them with vinegar to help remove it.

Using a sharp knife or a mandolin, cut the apples into thin, even slices, about ⅛-inch thick. You can also use a mandolin slicer to get uniformly thin slices. Remove any seeds or core.

Although peeling and coring the apples is not necessary, you can choose to do so if you prefer. If you do core the apples, you can slice the parts of the apple furthest from the core to avoid having it in your apple slices.

Add lemon juice to the apple slices to prevent browning. You can also sprinkle them with cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or a combination of these spices. Toss the apple slices in a bowl to ensure they are evenly coated.

Place the apple slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to air fry the apples in batches.

Set your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) and air fry the apples for 14-16 minutes, tossing the slices every 5 minutes or so. The apples are done when they are hardened but still have a little flexibility, as they will crisp up as they cool.

Remove the apples from the air fryer and let them cool. They will continue to crisp up as they cool, so don't worry if they are still a little soft.

Storing the apples

Properly dehydrated apples can be stored for up to six months in small batches in airtight containers. You can also freeze them for up to a year. To store dehydrated apples, first let them cool on the pan or rack for about 30 minutes—this is called conditioning. Then, place them in an airtight container—preferably a glass jar—in a dark location.

If you've made a large batch of dried apples and want to make them last as long as possible, it's important to store them properly to ensure they don't spoil and stay at their freshest. If you're storing them at room temperature, dried apples will last about 6 to 12 months. Place them in a tightly sealed, airtight container or a heavy-duty plastic bag. Store them in a cool, dry area that's not too humid. If your environment is hot and humid, it's better to store dried apples in the refrigerator, where they will keep for about the same amount of time.

You can also freeze dried apples to extend their shelf life. Place them in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and store them in the freezer, where they will keep for 12 to 18 months, and even longer.

To check if your dried apples have gone bad, look for any changes in their smell or appearance, and discard them if they seem off. If there is any mold, discard the apples immediately.

Frequently asked questions