Save My daughter came home from school asking why store-bought apple chips cost so much, and I realized I'd been overthinking snacks for years. That afternoon, I grabbed two apples, a pinch of cinnamon sugar, and fired up the air fryer—twenty-five minutes later, we had something that tasted like a fancy health food store creation but took almost no effort. The kitchen smelled like warm cinnamon and caramelized fruit, and she actually asked for seconds instead of reaching for the usual processed stuff.
I brought these to a potluck once thinking they were too simple, but they disappeared before the brownies did. One friend asked for the recipe because her kid refused store-bought snacks but couldn't get enough of these, and that's when I realized how much simpler life gets when you just make things yourself.
Ingredients
- Apples: Two large crisp varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp work best because they hold their shape and get properly crispy rather than turning into mush, and honestly, the apple quality is what makes or breaks this whole thing.
- Granulated sugar: Two tablespoons is enough to caramelize slightly during cooking—use less if you're watching sugar or prefer them less sweet.
- Ground cinnamon: One teaspoon gives that warm spice note without overpowering the apple flavor, though you can adjust based on how much you love cinnamon.
- Olive oil spray or nonstick cooking spray: Optional but genuinely helpful for getting those edges extra crispy and golden instead of just dried out.
Instructions
- Slice your apples thin and even:
- Wash and core your apples, then slice them about 1/8-inch thick—thick enough to hold their shape but thin enough to crisp properly. A mandoline slicer keeps them uniform so they cook at the same rate, but a sharp knife works fine too.
- Make your cinnamon sugar blend:
- Mix two tablespoons sugar with one teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl—nothing fancy, just stir it together so it's evenly combined.
- Prepare your air fryer:
- Lightly spray the basket with oil spray if using, which helps them crisp up beautifully on all sides.
- Arrange and season:
- Lay apple slices in a single layer—they shouldn't overlap or they'll steam instead of crisp. Work in batches if needed, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over them.
- First cook:
- Air fry at 350°F for 7 to 8 minutes until the edges start turning golden. You'll hear them sizzle slightly and smell that amazing caramelized cinnamon smell.
- Flip and finish:
- Turn each slice over and cook another 5 to 7 minutes until they're fully golden and crispy. Keep peeking at them because ovens vary and you want that perfect crispness without burnt edges.
- Cool properly:
- Transfer chips to a wire rack to cool completely—they crisp up even more as they cool, which is when they really become addictive. Repeat with any remaining apple slices.
Save There's something quietly satisfying about making snacks that feel like you tried harder than you actually did. These chips proved to me that the simplest recipes sometimes deserve the most love.
The Timing Game
Every air fryer runs a little differently, and I learned this the hard way when my first batch got darker than I wanted. Now I set a timer for the halfway point so I remember to flip them, and I check at around the 10-minute mark to see how they're progressing—this two-minute window of peeking usually tells me exactly how much more time they need. Your first batch is basically a test run, so don't stress if it's not perfect.
Storage and Keeping Them Crispy
Crispy chips go soft pretty quickly if you store them wrong, so an airtight container is non-negotiable—I learned this when I left a batch out and they turned into apple leather by the next day. Three days in the pantry is about the limit, though honestly I've never had any last that long. If you need them to last longer, keep them in the freezer and re-crisp them in the air fryer for a minute before eating.
Ways to Serve and Customize Them
These chips are perfect on their own as a standalone snack, but I've also crumbled them over Greek yogurt for a quick breakfast, dunked them in almond butter for an afternoon energy boost, and even made a salad crouton situation by tossing them with a bit of honey. Once you master the basic version, you can experiment with different spice blends—cocoa powder and cinnamon, chai spices, or even a tiny sprinkle of sea salt for sweet and salty chips that feel fancy.
- Try crushing some chips and mixing them into oatmeal or yogurt parfaits for texture and sweetness.
- Store them in multiple small containers so you're less tempted to eat them all at once.
- Make a double batch because they disappear faster than you'd think, especially if anyone finds out you made them.
Save These chips proved that you don't need fancy equipment or complicated recipes to make something people actually want to eat. Keep making them for yourself first, and share them when you feel like spreading that cinnamon-sugar joy around.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of apples work best for making chips?
Firm and crisp apple varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp hold their shape well and create the best texture for chips.
- → How thin should apple slices be for optimum crispiness?
Slices about 1/8-inch thick ensure even cooking and a nicely crisp texture when air fried.
- → Can I use oil or spray to improve crispness?
Lightly spraying the air fryer basket with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray helps prevent sticking and enhances chip crispness.
- → What is the ideal cooking temperature and time in the air fryer?
Air frying at 350°F (175°C) for 7–8 minutes per side yields a perfectly golden and crisp chip.
- → How should apple chips be stored after cooling?
Store completely cooled chips in an airtight container to maintain their crispness for up to three days.
