Apple Chips with Cinnamon Recipe | Crispy & Healthy Snack
1. Introduction
There’s nothing quite like a crispy, sweet snack that’s both healthy and satisfying. Apple chips with cinnamon combine the natural sweetness of apples with the warmth of cinnamon, creating a delightful treat you can feel good about. Whether you’re craving a light snack, something to accompany your afternoon tea, or a crunchy topping for your oatmeal, these homemade apple chips are the perfect solution.
What makes this recipe so fantastic is how simple and versatile it is. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal preparation, you can enjoy a guilt-free snack that’s low in calories but full of flavor. Plus, they’re completely customizable – add more cinnamon, switch up the sweeteners, or try different apples for unique flavor combinations!
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make these apple chips with cinnamon from scratch, share tips for achieving the perfect crispiness, and offer ideas for variations to suit different dietary preferences. Let’s dive in!
2. Ingredients Breakdown
Let’s go over the key ingredients you’ll need to make apple chips with cinnamon:
Main Ingredients:
- Apples (3-4 medium-sized apples): The star of the dish! Apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp work best for this recipe, as they offer a balance of tartness and sweetness. Granny Smith apples, in particular, add a tangy kick to the chips that pairs well with the cinnamon. Fuji and Honeycrisp apples, on the other hand, offer a naturally sweeter taste.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp): Cinnamon adds a warm, comforting spice that perfectly complements the sweetness of the apples. You can increase or decrease the amount depending on how strong you want the cinnamon flavor to be.
- Sweetener (optional, 1-2 tbsp of maple syrup or honey): While apples have a natural sweetness, a drizzle of maple syrup or honey can elevate the flavor and add a touch of extra sweetness. If you prefer to keep it sugar-free, you can skip this step entirely.
- Lemon Juice (1 tsp): A quick squeeze of lemon juice prevents the apples from browning and enhances their flavor. It also helps bring out the natural sweetness of the apples.
- Sea Salt (a pinch): A touch of sea salt can help balance the sweetness and bring out the depth of flavor in the apples.
Common Substitutions and Dietary Preferences:
- Sugar-Free Option: If you’re watching your sugar intake, you can skip the maple syrup or honey and let the natural sweetness of the apples shine through.
- Dairy-Free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free, so you can enjoy these apple chips without any concern. However, if you want a richer flavor, you can add a tiny drizzle of coconut milk to the apple slices before baking.
- Spices: If you’re a fan of warm spices, feel free to experiment by adding nutmeg or cloves along with the cinnamon for a more complex flavor.
- Other Apple Varieties: While Granny Smith, Fuji, and Honeycrisp are great choices, you can experiment with other varieties like Pink Lady or Gala apples for different flavor profiles. Just keep in mind that the texture might vary slightly.
3. Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Apples
- Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). This low temperature will help dehydrate the apples, ensuring they become crispy without burning.
- Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. You can peel them if you prefer, but I recommend keeping the skin on for added texture and nutrients.
Step 2: Slice the Apples
- Slice the apples thinly, aiming for about ⅛ inch thick slices. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer for even, consistent slices. The thinner the slices, the crispier your apple chips will be.
- Remove the core using an apple corer or by carefully cutting around it with a knife. If you’re using a mandoline slicer, you can slice the apples in a circular shape, eliminating the need to core them separately.
Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon Mixture
- In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon with a pinch of sea salt. If you’re using a sweetener like maple syrup or honey, drizzle it over the apple slices.
- Toss the apple slices gently in the cinnamon mixture, making sure they are evenly coated. You can do this by placing the apples in a large bowl and stirring carefully or by using your hands.
Step 4: Arrange the Apples on a Baking Sheet
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange the apple slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Be sure not to overcrowd the apples, as this can prevent them from becoming crispy. If necessary, use multiple baking sheets to give them enough space to bake evenly.
Step 5: Bake the Apple Chips
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the apples for about 1.5-2 hours, flipping them halfway through. The exact baking time may vary depending on the thickness of the slices, so check them after an hour and adjust the time as needed.
- Keep an eye on the apple chips during the final 30 minutes to ensure they don’t burn. They should be golden and crisp when done.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
- Once the apple chips are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
- Serve immediately as a snack or store them for later. The chips will continue to crisp up as they cool.
4. Tips and Variations
- Perfecting Crispiness: If you find that your apple chips aren’t as crispy as you’d like, return them to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, keeping a close eye on them. They’ll crisp up more as they cool down.
- Batch Cooking: Since apple chips are great for snacking throughout the week, you can easily double or triple the recipe. Just ensure you have enough baking sheets for all the slices.
- Flavor Boost: For a more decadent treat, sprinkle cocoa powder or drizzle dark chocolate on top after baking. The combination of apple, cinnamon, and chocolate is irresistible.
- Fried Version: For a quicker, although slightly less healthy version, you can also fry the apple slices in a hot pan with a bit of oil and sugar for a crispy texture.
5. Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a dip: Serve your apple chips with cinnamon alongside a caramel dip, honey yogurt, or even a chocolate ganache for extra indulgence.
- Use as a topping: Crumble the chips over a bowl of oatmeal, yogurt, or a smoothie for added crunch and flavor.
- Tea Pairing: These chips make an excellent addition to your afternoon tea or coffee. Pair them with a hot cup of chai or a green tea to balance the sweetness.
6. Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Storing: Store the apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They should stay crisp if stored properly.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the apple chips in a zip-top bag for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature, or re-crisp them in the oven at 200°F for 10 minutes.
- Reheating: If you want to reheat the chips, pop them back into a low oven (around 200°F) for about 5-10 minutes to restore the crispiness.
7. Recipe Notes
- Can be prepped ahead of time: The apple chips can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. This is a great option for meal prepping or for when you need a snack for later in the week.
- Use a mandoline for uniform slices: A mandoline slicer ensures all your apple slices are the same thickness, which leads to even baking and perfectly crisp chips.
8. Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
| Calories | 130 |
| Fat | 0.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 34g |
| Sugar | 28g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Sodium | 1mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Calcium | 10mg |
| Iron | 0.3mg |
Note: Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
9. Recipe Card Summary
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1.5-2 hours
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3-4 medium-sized apples
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 200°F (95°C).
- Slice apples thinly and remove the cores.
- Toss apple slices with cinnamon, sweetener, lemon juice, and salt.
- Arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 1.5-2 hours, flipping halfway through.
- Let cool and enjoy!
Notes:
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Nutrition:
- 130 calories per serving.
10. Final Thoughts or CONCLUSION
Making apple chips with cinnamon is a delightful and healthy way to enjoy the natural sweetness of apples. These crispy, sweet chips are easy to prepare, and with just a few ingredients, you have a snack that’s both delicious and nutritious. Whether you’re enjoying them on their own, as part of a dessert, or paired with a warm beverage, these apple chips are sure to become a favorite in your snack rotation.
I’d love to know how your apple chips turn out! If you make them, leave a comment below and let me know what variations you tried. Enjoy!