Description
Oven-Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips are a healthy, sweet snack. Learn my easy method for crispy, flavorful apple chips perfect for any time!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 4–5 large firm apples (Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp work best)
- Prep Essentials:
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup cold water
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pure maple syrup (optional, for brushing)
- Finishing Touch:
- Pinch of fine sea salt
Instructions
- Prep Your Apples:: First things first, get those apples ready! Wash them well, then core them. I don’t peel mine; honestly, the peel gives a nice bit of texture and fiber, plus it’s less work. Slice them super thin, like paper-thin, using a mandoline if you have one. This is key for crispy apple chips. I remember trying to slice them by hand once, and my chips were all different thicknesses, which meant some burned while others were still soft. Learn from my oops!
- The Lemon Bath:: In a medium bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice and cold water. Dunk your apple slices into this mixture for about 5 minutes. This little bath prevents them from browning, which is super important for pretty chips. I once skipped this step thinking, “Eh, it’ll be fine,” and my chips came out a bit dull and dark. Not a disaster, but not as lovely as they could be.
- Season & Arrange:: Preheat your oven to a low 200°F (95°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Drain the apple slices thoroughly and pat them *really* dry with a clean kitchen towel. This is crucial for crispiness! Lay them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets, making sure they don’t overlap. Sprinkle generously with ground cinnamon and a tiny pinch of sea salt. If you’re using maple syrup, brush a super light layer on top now.
- First Bake & Flip:: Pop those trays into your preheated oven. Let them bake for about 1 hour. This low and slow method is what makes genuinely crispy oven-baked chips. After an hour, gently flip each apple slice. You’ll notice they’re starting to dry out and might even feel a little leathery. Don’t worry, that’s part of the process! My first time, I thought I’d ruined them, but nope, just keep going!
- Second Bake Until Crispy:: Return the trays to the oven for another 30-60 minutes. Keep a close eye on them during this second round, especially towards the end, as they can go from perfectly crisp to burnt pretty quickly. You want them to feel dry and crisp to the touch. Honestly, the smell filling your kitchen right now is probably amazing – that warm cinnamon apple scent is just the best.
- Cool & Enjoy:: Once your apple chips are done, turn off the oven and leave them in there with the door slightly ajar for another 15-30 minutes. This helps them crisp up even more as they cool down gradually. When they’re completely cool, they’ll be perfectly crisp and ready for snacking. I always try one while it’s still warm, it’s a little softer but still so good!