Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium Apples (such as Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady):Â Choose firm, crisp apples for the best texture. These varieties hold their shape well during baking and offer a balanced sweetness. Avoid softer apples like McIntosh, which can become mushy.
- 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar (or Coconut Sugar):Â Provides classic sweetness and helps with caramelization and crisping. Coconut sugar can be used for a slightly different flavour profile. Adjust amount to your preference.
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon:Â Adds the essential warm, cozy spice flavour that pairs perfectly with apples. Use good quality ground cinnamon for the best aroma and taste.
- Optional: Pinch of Nutmeg or Allspice:Â For added warmth and complexity, a tiny pinch of nutmeg or allspice can be included with the cinnamon and sugar.
- Optional: Lemon Juice (1 teaspoon, if prepping apples ahead): Tossing apple slices in a little lemon juice can help prevent excessive browning if you aren’t baking them immediately after slicing.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 225°F (110°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures easier cleanup. Using parchment paper is highly recommended for achieving maximum crispiness without the need for oil.
- Wash and Core Apples:Â Thoroughly wash the apples under running water. You can leave the skin on for added fibre and colour, or peel them if you prefer. Using an apple corer or a small knife, carefully remove the core from each apple.
- Slice Apples Thinly:Â This is the most crucial step for achieving crispy chips. Aim for slices that are about 1/8-inch (approx 3mm) thick. A mandoline slicer is the best tool for achieving consistently thin and even slices, which ensures they bake evenly. If using a knife, use a very sharp one and take your time to slice as uniformly as possible. Discard the end pieces or save them for another use. Thicker slices will result in softer, chewier apple pieces rather than crisp chips.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets:Â Lay the apple slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Make sure the slices are not overlapping, as this will cause them to steam rather than crisp up. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your oven and baking sheets.
- Mix Topping:Â In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon (and any optional spices like nutmeg or allspice). Stir well to ensure the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar.
- Sprinkle Over Apples: Lightly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the apple slices on the baking sheets. You don’t need to completely coat them; a light dusting is sufficient. You can adjust the amount based on how sweet you like your chips.
- Bake Low and Slow:Â Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour.
- Flip the Slices:Â After 1 hour, carefully remove the baking sheets from the oven. Using tongs or your fingers (be careful, they will be hot), flip each apple slice over. This helps ensure both sides dry out and become crispy.
- Continue Baking:Â Return the baking sheets to the oven and continue baking for another 1 to 1.5 hours. Keep a close eye on them during the last 30 minutes. Baking time can vary significantly depending on the thickness of your slices, the moisture content of the apples, and your specific oven. The apples are done when they are dried out, slightly curled at the edges, and feel crisp to the touch (they will crisp up more as they cool). Some thinner slices might be ready sooner, so you can remove them as they finish. Avoid over-baking, as they can burn quickly towards the end.
- Cool Completely:Â Once baked, remove the baking sheets from the oven. Let the apple chips cool on the baking sheets for about 10-15 minutes. They will become much crispier as they cool down. After the initial cooling, transfer the chips to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature. This step is essential for maximum crispness. Do not store them until they are 100% cool.
- Store: Once completely cool, store the cinnamon sugar apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 20g
- Fiber: 4g