Air Fryer Fruit Chips: A Healthy, Easy Snack

Fruit chips are a great, healthy snack and can be made easily in an air fryer. Apple chips are a popular choice and can be made with just apples and cinnamon, with the option of adding sugar for a sweeter taste. The apples should be thinly sliced, and the air fryer should be set to around 300°F for 15-20 minutes, with the apples being flipped every 5 minutes. The apples will crisp up as they cool, and can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Choosing the right apples

When selecting apples for making chips, opt for varieties that are naturally sweet. This way, you can enjoy the sweetness of the chips without adding any extra sugar. Some of the best options for sweet apples include Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, Gala, and Piñata®. These apples will give your chips a delightful sweetness that is sure to satisfy your cravings.

Another factor to consider is the size of the apples. If you're making apple chips for kids, smaller apples like Gala are ideal as they provide just the right portion size.

In addition, you'll want to choose apples that hold up well during the cooking process. Apples such as Golden Delicious are known to perform well in the oven or air fryer, ensuring your chips turn out crispy and tasty.

It's also worth mentioning that while red and delicious apples are a popular choice for apple chips, you can use your favourite variety or whatever you have on hand. Granny Smith apples, for example, offer a tart, zippy flavour that can be a great starting point for those who prefer a less sweet option.

Lastly, remember that the key to making apple chips is dehydrating the apple slices, so choose apples that have a good balance of moisture to ensure they don't turn out too chewy or hard.

Preparing the apples

Firstly, select your apples. You can use any variety of apple you like, but some popular choices include Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples. You can even mix different types of apples for a colourful bowl of chips! It is recommended to use fresh, sweet apples.

Next, wash and thoroughly dry the apples. You do not need to core or peel the apples, but make sure they are clean.

Now it's time to slice the apples. The key to successful apple chips is thin, even slices. The recommended thickness is about 1/8 of an inch. You can use a mandoline slicer to achieve uniform slices, or you can carefully use a sharp knife. Try to be as consistent as possible with the thickness to ensure even cooking.

Once your apples are sliced, it's time to add some flavour. Place the apple slices in a bowl and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. You can also add a teaspoon of sugar if you prefer your chips on the sweeter side. Mix the apples gently to ensure they are fully coated with the cinnamon and sugar, if using.

Now you are ready to place the apples in the air fryer. Place the spiced apple slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, trying not to overlap the slices too much. Depending on the size of your air fryer, there may be some overlap, but try to keep it to a minimum. If you have a metal rack, you can place it over the apples to prevent them from flying up into the fan while cooking.

And that's it! Your apples are now ready for the air fryer. Follow the cooking instructions in your chosen recipe, and enjoy your delicious, healthy snack!

Seasoning the apples

Preparing the Apples:

Before seasoning, you'll want to thinly slice your apples. The recommended tools for this are a mandoline slicer, which can get you the most consistent results, or a sharp knife if you have a steady hand. The slices should be around 1/8th of an inch thick, and you'll want to remove any seeds. You don't need to core or peel the apples, but if you're not using a mandoline, try to get your slices as thin and even as possible.

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon is the most popular seasoning for apple chips. You can use ground cinnamon, sprinkling it over the apple slices to taste. You can also make a cinnamon-sugar mixture by combining cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and sprinkling it over the apples. This adds a sweet component to your apple chips.

Other Seasoning Options:

While cinnamon is a classic, you can also experiment with other spices like cardamom, nutmeg, apple pie spice, or pumpkin pie spice. You can also add a dash of honey, maple syrup, or vanilla extract to your apple chips for extra sweetness. If you're making apple chips for a holiday gathering, you could try a cinnamon-sugar mixture with a dash of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a festive touch.

Seasoning Technique:

After slicing your apples, place them on a flat surface and sprinkle your chosen seasoning(s) over them. You can also place the apple slices in a bowl and toss them with the seasoning to ensure an even coating. Make sure to season both sides of the apple slices.

Once seasoned, arrange the apple slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Air-frying the apples

Preparation

First, prepare your apples by washing and drying them. You can use any type of apple you like, but some popular choices include Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, or Granny Smith. You will need one or two apples, depending on their size.

Next, use a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife to cut the apples into thin slices, about 1/8-inch thick. You don't need to core or peel the apples, but remove any seeds. If you are using a mandolin, the thinnest setting (around 2.5mm) is recommended for the best results.

Seasoning

Place the apple slices in a bowl and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. You can also add other spices like cardamom, nutmeg, apple pie spice, or pumpkin pie spice for a varied flavour. For a sweeter treat, combine the cinnamon with a teaspoon of sugar and sprinkle this mixture over the apples.

Air-frying

Preheat your air fryer to between 300-380 degrees Fahrenheit. How long you cook the apples for will depend on your air fryer and the level of crispness you want to achieve, but generally, the apples will need to cook for around 15-20 minutes.

Place the apple slices in the air fryer basket, trying to keep them in a single layer. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to do this in several batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. Place a metal rack or trivet over the apples to prevent them from flying around while cooking.

Cook the apples for around 15 minutes, flipping them every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. Then, increase the temperature to 330 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for another 8-12 minutes, again flipping halfway through. Keep a close eye on the apples, and remove any slices that are browning too quickly.

Cooling and serving

Once cooked, remove the apples from the air fryer and place them on a plate or cooling rack to cool. They will continue to crisp up as they cool, so leave them for at least 5 minutes, but 15-30 minutes is best.

Your apple chips are now ready to eat! They are best served on the day they are made, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Enjoy!

Storing the apple chips

Choosing the Right Container

It is recommended to store your apple chips in an airtight container. This could be a glass mason jar or a regular airtight container. Using an airtight container helps to keep the apple chips fresh and prevents them from going stale.

Absorbing Excess Moisture

To maintain the crispness of the apple chips, it is suggested to place a paper towel in the container. The paper towel will help absorb any excess moisture, keeping your chips crunchy.

Storage Temperature

Apple chips are best stored at room temperature. There is no need to refrigerate them.

Homemade apple chips have a relatively short shelf life. They are best served on the day they’re made or within a few days. The chips tend to lose their crispness over time, even when stored in an airtight container. However, they remain delicious, just not as crunchy.

Storing the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

If you are making cinnamon apple chips, you can prepare the cinnamon sugar mixture ahead of time. Simply combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and store it in an airtight container at room temperature until you are ready to use it.

Frequently asked questions