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Whenever those cinnamon apple chips start roasting in the oven, my kitchen smells like a dream. You barely need any work—just some apples, cinnamon, and maybe a little sugar. They're packed with flavor and don't take much time at all. I always grab these when I need an after-school bite or something tasty for hikes. My whole crew loves them.
I first gave these a go when I had way too many apples one fall, but now it's a comfy treat I make no matter the season. It feels good knowing every crunchy bite is simple and real.
Irresistible Ingredients
- McIntosh apples: slice them as thin as you can for that sweet meets tangy mix they bake up both soft and crisp
- Cooking spray: a quick spritz keeps those slices from sticking plus cleaning up is a breeze
- Granulated sugar: totally up to you just adds a gentle sweetness especially great if your apples are really tart try superfine for even coating
- Ground cinnamon: deepens the flavor and adds classic warmth make sure you’re using fresh for the richest taste
Simple Steps
- Cool and Store:
- Let everything cool right on the tray. This last bit makes the chips extra crisp and keeps steam from making them soggy in storage. Once cooled, stash them in an airtight container at room temp for up to four days.
- Bake Slow and Easy:
- Heat up the oven to 200°F. Spread the trays inside and bake for two to three hours—peek at them after two. The chips should look dry around the edges but still a touch soft in the center. This mellow bake keeps 'em from burning and turns them crunchy.
- Set Up Baking Sheet:
- Spray your baking sheets or use parchment so nothing sticks. Lay out your apple pieces in a single, even layer. Slices touching or overlapping will end up chewy instead of crisp so leave space or grab a second tray.
- Coat Slices:
- Move your apple slices to a big bowl and toss on the cinnamon and sugar. Use your hands to spread the goodness on every slice. Getting every side coated is key for that sweet swirl in every bite.
- Slice 'Em Up:
- Remove the cores from your apples and cut them into even slices—try for about one-eighth to one-fourth inch thick. Keeping slices the same thickness helps everything bake up just right.
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I always use apples from a nearby orchard in the fall and love seeing my kids sneak warm chips before they’ve cooled. We all fight for the crunchiest ones—it gets silly!
Keeping Them Fresh
Don’t rush to store your apple chips—wait until they’re totally cool or you’ll end up with sticky chips from leftover steam. Pop them in a jar or zip bag and leave them on the counter. Missing some crunch? Toss them in a low oven for a few minutes and they’ll crisp up again.
Swaps and Switches
Fuji or Honeycrisp apples make things even sweeter if that's your style but I always come back to McIntosh for their tart juicy bite. Sugar is optional or swap it for coconut sugar for a softer flavor. Feeling autumn vibes? Use pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon for something different.
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How to Serve
Throw these in a lunchbox or set them out with cheese and nuts for a no-fuss snack. Crumble a few on top of your morning oatmeal for extra crunch. My crew loves dipping them in peanut butter for car rides—it's a treat every time.
Where They Come From
Making apple chips at home comes from the old-school tradition of saving fruit for later by drying it. For ages, families have cut up apples to dry as a sweet bite for winter or just to use up extras during apple season. Tossing in cinnamon makes it taste like those cozy fall desserts everyone loves.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Which apples should I use?
McIntosh gives a good sweet-tart flavor, but Fuji or Honeycrisp are tasty choices too.
- → What's the best thickness for slicing?
Go for ⅛ up to ¼ inch thick. Try to cut them all the same so they bake evenly and all get crispy.
- → Is it okay to skip the sugar?
You bet. Just leave the sugar out if you want, and let the apples and cinnamon do their thing on their own.
- → How do I make sure they stay crisp?
Let them get totally cool before sealing into a container. If you can, keep the chips from piling on each other.
- → Do I have to peel the apples?
Nope. The peel brings extra texture and a bit of nutrition. But you can peel them if you want smoother chips.