How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Apple Chips Every Time

Air Fryer Apple Chips

Crispy, healthy apple chips made in your air fryer with just apples, coconut oil, and cinnamon. A perfect guilt-free snack.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 22 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Course: Air Fryer, Quick Meals, Snacks

Cuisine: American

Calories: 85

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 1-2 medium apples (like Fuji or Honeycrisp)
• coconut oil spray for coating the slices
• ground cinnamon to taste

Method

 

1. Preheat your air fryer to 300°F.
2. Wash the apples and slice them very thinly—about 1/8-inch thick. A mandoline slicer makes this easy. You can core them first or leave the cores in if you prefer.
3. Lightly spray both sides of the apple slices with coconut oil, then sprinkle with cinnamon.
4. Arrange the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap too much. Air fry for 12 minutes.
5. Flip the slices with tongs and air fry for another 10 minutes, until golden and crisp.
6. Transfer the chips to a plate; they will continue to crisp up as they cool for 1-2 minutes. Enjoy immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 85kcalCarbohydrates: 22gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2mgFiber: 4gSugar: 16g

Notes

For extra crunch, let the chips sit uncovered for a few minutes after cooking. If you like sweeter chips, add a light dusting of granulated sugar or a sugar substitute before air frying. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days—though they rarely last that long. Avoid overlapping the slices too much in the basket, or they won't crisp evenly. These chips are fantastic on their own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a healthy-ish dessert.

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Why These Air Fryer Apple Chips Are a Game Changer

I used to buy those overpriced bags of apple chips at the store, you know the ones. They’re like eight bucks for a tiny bag that disappears in five minutes. And half the time they’re either stale or way too sweet. So I started messing around in my kitchen, trying to figure out how to make my own.

Let me tell you, these air fryer apple chips changed everything. They’re crispy, they’re cinnamon-y, and they come together in under 30 minutes. No joke. I’ve made them for my kids as an after-school snack, brought them to parties, and even snuck a batch into my work bag for those 3 PM cravings.

What I love most? They actually feel like a treat but they’re basically just fruit. No weird ingredients, no added sugar (unless you want some), just apples, a little coconut oil, and cinnamon. My friend Sarah, who’s always on some new diet, texted me after trying them: “These are dangerous. I ate the whole batch.”

So yeah, I’m pretty obsessed. And I think you will be too.

What You’ll Need for This Air Fryer Apple Chips Recipe

The beauty of this crispy apple snack is how simple the ingredients are. You probably have everything in your kitchen right now.

• Apples I’m partial to Fuji or Honeycrisp for their natural sweetness and firm texture. But honestly, any apple works. Granny Smith gives you a tarter chip, Gala is a solid middle ground. Just pick something you like eating raw.
• Coconut oil spray This is key for getting that golden crispness. You could use olive oil spray too, but coconut oil gives a subtle sweetness that pairs so well with the cinnamon. If you don’t have spray, just brush the slices lightly with melted coconut oil.
• Ground cinnamon The star player here. I go heavy on it because I love that warm, cozy flavor. But feel free to adjust to your taste.

That’s it. Three ingredients. I told you it was simple.

One thing I learned the hard way: apple chip thickness matters a lot. Too thick and they’ll be chewy, too thin and they’ll burn before you know it. Aim for that sweet spot around 1/8-inch. A mandoline slicer makes this so much easier than trying to do it by hand. I picked mine up at Target for like fifteen bucks and it’s been a lifesaver.

How to Make Air Fryer Apple Chips: Step by Step

Alright, let’s get into the actual process. I’ll walk you through the four main stages so you know exactly what to expect.

Stage 1: Prepping the Apples

Start by washing your apples really well. You’re eating the skin, so you want it clean. Then you’ve got a choice: core them first or leave the cores in. I usually core them because I don’t love dealing with seeds later, but honestly, if you’re using a mandoline, the core slices come out looking kinda cool with that star pattern in the middle.

Slice them as thin as you can about 1/8-inch thick. This is where the mandoline really shines. If you’re using a knife, take your time and try to keep the slices even. Uneven slices mean uneven cooking, and nobody wants burnt edges with a raw middle.

Stage 2: Seasoning the Slices

Lay your apple slices out on a cutting board or plate. Lightly spray both sides with coconut oil you don’t need a lot, just a nice even coating. Then sprinkle cinnamon over them. I use my fingers to flip each slice and dust the other side too. It’s a little tedious but totally worth it for that even flavor.

Here’s a tip I wish someone had told me: if you want to prevent apple browning, you can soak the slices in a little lemon water for a few minutes before seasoning. But honestly, once they’re cooked, you won’t even notice the browning. The cinnamon covers it up nicely.

Stage 3: Air Frying to Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 300°F. Arrange the slices in a single layer in the basket. This is super important don’t overlap them. I know it’s tempting to cram them all in at once, but they need room for the hot air to circulate. If you have a smaller air fryer like mine, you’ll need to do this in batches. That’s fine, just takes a few extra minutes.

Air fry for 12 minutes. Then flip each slice with tongs they’ll be starting to curl and look a little golden. Air fry for another 10 minutes. Watch them closely in those last few minutes. Smaller chips crisp up faster and can burn if you’re not paying attention. I’ve definitely had a few batches that came out a little too well done because I got distracted by my phone.

Stage 4: Cooling and Enjoying

Transfer the chips to a plate. Here’s the thing they’ll feel a little soft right out of the air fryer. Don’t panic. They continue to crisp up as they cool for 1-2 minutes. It’s like magic. Once they’re cool enough to handle, you’ll hear that satisfying crunch when you bite into one.

I always sneak a few straight from the air fryer basket. Can’t help it. The smell of cinnamon and warm apples is just too good to resist.

Helpful Tips for the Best Results

After making these homemade fruit chips about a dozen times, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make a real difference.

• Use a mandoline slicer Seriously, it’s the best tool for getting those thin, even slices. Your knife skills might be great, but a mandoline is faster and more consistent.
• Cook in batches I know it’s annoying, but overcrowding leads to soggy chips. Give them space.
• Watch the last few minutes Smaller slices cook faster. Keep an eye on them and pull out any that look done early.
• Let them cool completely They’ll firm up as they sit. Don’t rush this step.
• If chips fly around Some air fryers have strong fans that blow lightweight apple slices around. If that happens, you can put a metal rack on top to hold them down.

Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic cinnamon apple chips, you can start experimenting. Here are some fun twists:

• Different spices Nutmeg, cardamom, apple pie spice, or even a pinch of ginger all work beautifully.
• Savory version Skip the cinnamon and try Tajin or a little chipotle powder for a spicy kick.
• Sweetener option If you want sweeter chips, add a light dusting of granulated sugar or a sugar substitute before air frying.
• Different apples Each variety gives a slightly different result. Honeycrisp is sweet and crisp, Granny Smith is tart and firm, Pink Lady is a nice balance.

The base recipe is so simple that you can really make it your own. That’s the fun part.

How to Store Apple Chips

So you made a big batch. Now what? How to store apple chips properly is the key to keeping them crispy.

Let them cool completely first. Then transfer them to an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for about 3 days. Maybe 5 if you’re lucky. Honestly, they never last that long in my house.

If they start to lose their crunch after a day or two, just pop them back in the air fryer at 250°F for about 5 minutes. Good as new.

One thing I’ve learned: don’t seal them up while they’re still warm. That trapped steam will make them soft and sad. Let them breathe first.

These chips are perfect on their own, but I also love serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a healthier dessert. Or you can chop them up and sprinkle over yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions

I really hope you give these air fryer apple chips a try. They’ve become a staple in my kitchen and I bet they will in yours too. Tag me when you make them I want to see your crunchy creations! And if you’re looking for more healthy snack ideas, check out my Pinterest board for all my favorite air fryer recipes.

Source: Nutritional Information