There are simple and healthy snacks that taste like home, slow afternoons and hands slicing with patience. Air fryer apple chips were born exactly like this: from two apples and the desire to prepare something genuine, light and fragrant, almost an apple dessert, but without the guilt.
The air-fried dried apples are a small discovery: you don’t need to keep the oven on for hours nor special equipment. Just very thin slices and a few minutes of cooking to obtain homemade crunchy apples, light and naturally sweet. Perfect to serve a vegan and vegetarian snack suitable for the whole family, just like oven-baked kale chips, they are ideal for anyone looking for a simple alternative to packaged snacks, or for those who want something tasty without guilt.
If you’re wondering how to dry apples in an air fryer, know that it’s easier than you think: a moderate temperature, a few minutes and the cooling time will do the rest, making them even crispier.
These light apple chips are also perfect to enrich yogurt, decorate an apple cake or complete a spoon dessert with a crunchy note that smells of fruit and simplicity, just like my crispy oven-dried strawberries.
An ancient small gesture, reinterpreted with a modern tool, to bring something made with care and attention to the table. Are you ready to discover how to make delicious apple chips with me? Let’s head to the kitchen, but first I remind you to check my Facebook page and my Instagram profile to stay updated on all new recipes.
Also take a look at these tasty apple recipes:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very inexpensive
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: Air frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients to make air fryer apple chips
- 2 apples (green or red)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp sugar
Tools to make air fryer dried apples
- Air fryer
- Mandoline
- Bowl
Steps to make air-fried dried apples
To make crunchy air-fried dried apples, wash the apples under running water and dry them carefully, without peeling them. Remove the core using an apple corer, keeping the apple whole and making a regular central hole (alternatively, you can remove it after slicing using a small round cutter or the cap of a plastic bottle).
Slice the apple into thin rounds, trying to get slices of the same thickness so they cook evenly; if you can’t cut them freehand, use a mandoline.
Gather the slices in a bowl and sprinkle them with lemon juice, distributing it well to prevent browning. Dust with a little sugar (if desired), gently tossing to coat all the rounds evenly.
Arrange the slices in the air fryer basket, placing them on the rack without overlapping, leaving space between each slice and positioning something on top to hold them in place so they don’t move in the fryer (I used metal straws, but cutlery could work too).
Cook them at 320°F for about 10 minutes, turning them halfway through to dry them evenly. Then continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes at 212°F.
Let them cool completely before serving: it is during cooling that they will become even crunchier.If you can’t dry all the apples at once, proceed in two batches.
Be careful not to burn the apples. If they darken a little it’s not a problem — they will be even crunchier — but take care not to overdo it.
Storage notes and tips
Air fryer apple chips keep perfectly for 4–5 days, provided they are completely cool before storing. Place them in an airtight glass jar or a well-sealed container, away from humidity and heat sources. Moisture is their only enemy: if they lose crispness, just put them back in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes at 248°F to make them crunchy again.
To get truly crispy air-fried dried apples, it is essential to cut the slices very thin and all the same thickness. The more uniform they are, the more even the cooking will be.
If you want light and natural apple chips, you can skip the sugar: apples, especially when ripe, are already sweet. For a fragrant variation, you can add a pinch of cinnamon before cooking.
These homemade crunchy apples are perfect as a healthy snack, ideal for an afternoon treat, to enrich your morning yogurt or to decorate an apple cake with a rustic, genuine touch.
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FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Do air fryer apple chips really become crunchy?
Yes, they become crunchy especially after they have completely cooled. Just out of the fryer they may seem a little soft, but once cool they will reach the right texture.
Can you make apple chips without sugar?
Of course. Apples are naturally sweet, especially when very ripe. Omitting the sugar will give you lighter, more natural apple chips.
Which apples are best for air fryer chips?
Firm and slightly tart apples are ideal, as they hold up better to cooking and become crunchier once dried.
Are apple chips a healthy snack?
Yes, they are a healthy apple-based snack, light and not fried, perfect for a simple snack or to accompany yogurt and desserts.
