The secret is simply how thin you cut the apple. You can slice it with a knife for slightly softer apple chips or use a mandoline slicer if you want them thinner and extra crispy.

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Easy One Ingredient Air Fryer Apple Chips

Apple season always leaves me with a few apples sitting around in the kitchen, and this is probably one of the easiest things you can make with them.

You do not need sugar, oil, flour, or any other ingredients. It is literally just an apple sliced thinly and cooked in the air fryer.

What I especially like about these apple chips is that you can decide how crispy you want them. Cut the apple into thin slices with a knife for a little more bite, or use a mandoline to make very thin slices that become much crispier.

They are naturally sweet from the apple itself and make such a simple snack when you want something crunchy without opening a bag of regular chips.

Why You Will Love These Apple Chips

• Only one ingredient: All you need is one medium apple.
• No added sugar: The natural sweetness of the apple is enough.
• No oil needed: The apple slices can go straight into the air fryer.
• Adjustable texture: Thinly sliced apples become crispier, while slightly thicker slices stay a little softer.
• Great for leftover apples: It is an easy way to use one apple before it sits around for too long.
• Easy to customize: Keep them completely plain or add cinnamon if you want a warmer apple flavor.

What You Need

One medium apple: That is it. Choose an apple you already enjoy eating because there are no other ingredients covering its natural flavor.

You can optionally add cinnamon after slicing or once the apple chips are finished, but I usually like keeping them completely simple.

Which Apples Are Best for Air Fryer Apple Chips?

You can use almost any apple for homemade apple chips. The biggest difference will be how sweet or tart the finished chips taste.

Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp are good options when you prefer naturally sweeter apple chips. Granny Smith is a great choice if you like a more tart flavor.

Since this recipe does not contain added sugar, choosing an apple you already like eating on its own is the easiest way to get the flavor you want.

Do You Need to Peel the Apple?

No. I leave the skin on because it saves another preparation step and works perfectly well for apple chips.

Simply wash and dry the apple before removing the core and slicing it.

How Thin Should You Slice Apples for Apple Chips?

This is probably the most important part of the recipe because the thickness changes the final texture.

If you slice the apple thinly with a sharp knife, you will get easy homemade apple chips with slightly more chew in the center.

If you want really crispy apple chips, a mandoline slicer is the easiest option. It creates thin and even slices, which means they cook more evenly and lose moisture faster in the air fryer.

Whichever method you use, try to keep the slices roughly the same thickness. Very thin pieces may be ready earlier than thicker ones.

How to Make Apple Chips in the Air Fryer

Start by washing and drying one medium apple.

Use an apple corer to remove the center, then cut the apple into thin slices. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer for thinner and crispier chips.

Place the apple slices into the air fryer basket. Try to spread them out so the hot air can circulate around the slices rather than packing them tightly together.

Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for about 12 to 15 minutes. Turn the apple slices after about 6 to 7 minutes so both sides can dry and brown more evenly.

Check them regularly during the final few minutes. Thin slices can become golden much faster than thicker ones, so remove individual chips earlier if needed.

Let the finished apple chips cool for several minutes before eating. They may still feel slightly soft when they first come out of the air fryer but become firmer and crispier as they cool.

How to Make Extra Crispy Air Fryer Apple Chips

If you want your air fryer apple chips really crispy, start with very thin slices.

A mandoline is especially useful here because every slice has approximately the same thickness. This helps them cook evenly instead of having a few burnt pieces while thicker ones are still soft.

Also give the slices enough room in the basket and turn them during cooking. Finally, do not judge their texture immediately after removing them. Let them cool first because the apple chips continue to crisp as they sit.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Apple Chips

Slice evenly. Similar sized apple slices will finish cooking at roughly the same time.

Use a mandoline for extra crunch. The thinner the apple slices, the easier it is to create crispy chips.

Turn the slices. Flip them about halfway through so both sides are exposed to the circulating air.

Watch the last few minutes. Air fryers vary and very thin apple slices can brown quickly.

Remove smaller pieces first. Not every apple slice will be exactly the same size, so there is no problem taking a few out before the rest.

Let them cool. This is when the texture becomes noticeably crispier.

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Air Fryer Apple Chips

These easy air fryer apple chips are made with just one apple and no added sugar or oil. Slice them thinly for a naturally sweet and crispy snack that is ready in about 15 minutes.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer apple chips, apple chips air fryer, apple chips recipe, crispy apple chips, healthy apple snack, homemade apple chips

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes minutes

Total Time 17 minutes minutes

Servings 1 servings

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Apple corer
• Sharp knife or mandoline slicer

Ingredients

• 1 medium apple

Optional

• Ground cinnamon to taste

Instructions

• Wash and dry the apple. Remove the core with an apple corer.
• Cut the apple into thin, even slices. Use a sharp knife for slightly thicker chips or a mandoline slicer for thinner and crispier apple chips.
• Arrange the apple slices in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space for the hot air to circulate.
• Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 12 to 15 minutes.
• Turn the apple slices after about 6 to 7 minutes. During the final few minutes, check them regularly and remove thinner slices once they are lightly golden.
• Let the apple chips cool for at least 5 minutes. They will become firmer and crispier as they cool.

Notes

For crispier chips: Use a mandoline to cut the apple into very thin, even slices.

Air fryers vary: Check the chips regularly during the last few minutes because thin slices can brown quickly.

Oven option: Place thin apple slices in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at about 200°F (95°C) for 2 to 2½ hours, turning halfway through, until dried. Let them cool completely to crisp up.

Storage: Apple chips taste best fresh. Store leftovers at room temperature in a container once completely cooled, but keep in mind they gradually lose their crispness.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: approximately 95 kcal
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Protein: 0.5 g

Nutrition will vary slightly depending on the size and variety of apple.

Why Are My Apple Chips Not Crispy?

If your apple chips are still soft, the first thing to check is the thickness of the slices.

Thicker apple slices hold more moisture and therefore take longer to become crisp. They can still be delicious, but the texture will be closer to dried apple than a thin crunchy chip.

For crispy apple chips, use a mandoline and cut the slices as thinly and evenly as possible.

Also remember that the chips become crispier after they leave the air fryer. Give them at least a few minutes to cool before adding more cooking time.

Why Are My Apple Chips Burning?

Apple slices are naturally high in sugar, which means thin pieces can brown quickly once most of their moisture has disappeared.

If some slices are getting dark before the others are ready, simply remove those pieces first.

It is also worth checking your chips a little earlier the first time you make the recipe. Air fryer models vary in power, and a very thin apple slice will cook much faster than a thicker one.

Do Apple Chips Get Crispier as They Cool?

Yes. This is one of the most important things to remember when making homemade apple chips.

The slices can still feel slightly flexible when you first remove them from the air fryer. As they cool and the remaining steam escapes, their texture becomes firmer.

Let them sit for at least 5 minutes before deciding whether they need additional air frying.

Can You Make Apple Chips Without Sugar?

Absolutely. These apple chips air fryer are made without any added sugar.

Apples already contain natural sugars, and their sweetness becomes more concentrated as some of the water is removed during air frying.

If you prefer sweeter chips, simply choose a naturally sweet apple variety such as Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp.

Do You Need Oil for Air Fryer Apple Chips?

No. There is no need to coat the apple slices in oil before air frying them.

The goal is to remove moisture from the apple rather than fry it in fat, so the slices can go directly into the air fryer basket.

Apple Chip Flavor Ideas

I usually keep these apple chips completely plain because the apple already brings plenty of flavor. But you can easily change them when you want something a little different.

Cinnamon apple chips: Sprinkle a little cinnamon over the apple slices before or after air frying.

Apple pie version: Add a small amount of apple pie spice for a warmer flavor.

Extra sweet: Choose Fuji, Gala, or another naturally sweet apple instead of adding sugar.

Sweet and tart: Pink Lady works especially well when you want a balance between both.

Tart apple chips: Use Granny Smith for a noticeably more tart snack.

How to Make Apple Chips in the Oven

If you do not have an air fryer, you can make apple chips in the oven too. The main difference is that the oven method takes quite a bit longer because the apples dry slowly at a low temperature.

Cut the apple into thin slices and arrange them in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake at about 200°F (95°C) for approximately 2 to 2½ hours, turning the slices halfway through. Once they look dry, remove them and let them cool completely.

For one apple, the air fryer is much quicker, which is why it is my preferred method.

How to Store Homemade Apple Chips

These homemade apple chips are best shortly after making them, when the texture is at its crispiest.

If you have leftovers, first let them cool completely. Any remaining warmth can create moisture inside the container and make the chips softer.

Store them at room temperature and enjoy them within the next few days. They are still good if they soften slightly, but freshly air fried apple chips have the best crunch.

How to Make Soft Apple Chips Crispy Again

If stored apple chips become a little soft, put them back into the air fryer for a minute or two.

Keep a close eye on them because previously dried apple slices can brown very quickly. Let them cool again before eating.

When to Eat Air Fryer Apple Chips

These apple chips are easy enough to make whenever you have one apple left and want a quick snack.

• As a simple afternoon snack
• With Greek yogurt or Skyr
• On top of oatmeal
• With homemade granola
• As a crunchy addition to a lunch box
• As an easy fall snack

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do apple chips take in the air fryer?

At 320°F (160°C), thin apple slices take approximately 12 to 15 minutes in my recipe. The exact time depends on the thickness of your slices and your air fryer, so start checking them during the final few minutes.

What temperature should I use for air fryer apple chips?

I make these apple chips at 320°F (160°C). This gives the slices enough time to lose moisture without using an extremely high temperature.

Should I peel apples for apple chips?

No. You can leave the peel on. Simply wash and dry the apple before removing the core and slicing it.

Do I need a mandoline slicer?

No. A sharp knife works too. However, a mandoline makes it much easier to create very thin and evenly sized slices, which generally results in crispier apple chips.

Why are my air fryer apple chips chewy?

The apple slices may be slightly too thick or may simply need more time to cool. Thin slices lose moisture faster and create a crispier result.

Can I use any type of apple?

Yes. Sweet varieties such as Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady make naturally sweeter chips, while Granny Smith gives them a more tart flavor.

Are these apple chips made without added sugar?

Yes. The basic recipe contains only one medium apple. Cinnamon is optional, and no additional sugar or oil is needed.

More Easy Apple Recipes

If you have more apples waiting in the kitchen, try one of these easy recipes next:

• Apple Cinnamon Waffles
• Breakfast Apple Yogurt Bowl
• Baked Apple Rice Paper Pockets
• Homemade Air Fryer Granola

Final Thoughts

These apple chips for the air fryer are proof that a really good snack does not need a long ingredient list. One apple, a few minutes of preparation, and the air fryer are all you need.

Slice the apple with a knife when you like a little more chew or use a mandoline when you want really thin and crispy apple chips. Let them cool before eating and you have an easy naturally sweet snack with no added sugar or oil.

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