Air Fryer Apple Chips

Last summer, I was hunting for something to snack on that didn't feel like a compromise—not a chip, not candy, just something that tasted indulgent but didn't leave me feeling guilty. My air fryer had been collecting dust, and on a whim, I sliced up some apples thin enough to see light through them, tossed them with cinnamon sugar, and twenty minutes later walked away with something that tasted like a fair-ground treat made healthy. My kids actually asked for seconds, which honestly never happens with my snack experiments.

I brought a batch to book club last month, and three people asked for the recipe before anyone had even finished their first handful. There's something about offering people homemade apple chips that changes the conversation—suddenly everyone's talking about air fryer hacks and sneaking healthy snacks, and it becomes this shared moment of mutual kitchen enthusiasm.

Ingredients

• Apples (2 large, crisp variety like Fuji or Honeycrisp): Crisp varieties hold their shape better and won't turn mushy—this is the whole foundation of the recipe working.
• Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): This caramelizes slightly in the heat, creating that addictive sweet crust.
• Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): The warm spice cuts through the sugar's sweetness and makes you feel like you're eating something almost sophisticated.
• Olive oil spray or nonstick cooking spray (optional): A light spritz helps them get even crispier, though it's truly optional if you prefer them less oily.

Instructions

Prep Your Apples:

Rinse them under cold water, then use a sharp knife or mandoline to slice them about 1/8-inch thick—thin enough that they'll actually crisp up, not thick enough that they'll stay chewy in the middle. The core comes out cleanly if you angle your knife right, and honestly, leaving the skin on gives you more nutrients and a prettier chip anyway.

Mix Your Magic:

Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and give it a quick stir. This is when your kitchen suddenly smells like autumn, even if it's the middle of July.

Prepare Your Air Fryer:

If you're using the oil spray, give the basket a light coating. This step is honestly optional, but it does make a difference in the final crispness.

Layer It Right:

Arrange your apple slices in a single layer—they should touch but not overlap. If you're doing multiple batches (which you probably are), don't feel rushed; the ones waiting won't oxidize or brown if you work through this step methodically.

Season Generously:

Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the apples. You want coverage, but it doesn't need to be perfectly precise; some chips will be sweeter than others, and that's actually part of the charm.

First Cook:

Set your air fryer to 350°F and let them go for 7 to 8 minutes. They'll start smelling impossibly good around minute 5, which is when you know they're working.

The Flip:

Open the basket carefully (the steam is real), flip each chip, and return them for another 5 to 7 minutes. Watch them in that final stretch—the line between perfectly golden and slightly burnt is thinner than you'd think, but they'll still taste good either way.

Cool Like You Mean It:

Transfer them to a wire rack immediately. They'll seem soft at first, but as they cool, they harden up into that satisfying crunch you're after. This is patience paying off in real time.

Save

There's a moment when you pull these out and they're still warm, and you grab one that's just barely holding together, and it shatters on your tongue into apple and cinnamon and sugar—that's the moment this becomes something more than a snack. It becomes a small act of taking care of yourself that actually tastes like treating yourself.

Slicing Like a Pro

A mandoline slicer will change your life here, honestly. It keeps your fingers safer and gives you uniform thickness, which means everything cooks at the same rate. If you don't have one, a very sharp knife works fine—just take your time and make sure your cutting board isn't sliding around on you.

Storage and Keep

Once they're completely cooled, an airtight container will keep them fresh for three days, though they rarely last that long in my house. If they do soften up from humidity, a quick 2-minute reheat in the air fryer at 300°F brings them back to life.

Make It Your Own

This is one of those recipes that invites experimentation. You can dial back the sugar if you prefer a lighter touch, swap in a sugar substitute if that matters to you, or even experiment with other spices—nutmeg, cardamom, or a touch of vanilla all work beautifully here. The base technique is solid; the flavoring is entirely up to your mood.

• Try pairing them with Greek yogurt for a more substantial snack with protein.
• A sprinkle of sea salt on top before air frying adds unexpected depth to the sweetness.
• Different apple varieties will give you different flavor profiles, so don't feel locked into just one type.

Save

These chips prove that the best snacks are the ones you actually want to eat, and that your air fryer is capable of so much more than frozen fries. Make a batch this weekend and see what happens.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What apple varieties work best?

Choose crisp apples such as Fuji or Honeycrisp for optimal texture and natural sweetness.

→ How thin should the apple slices be?

Slice apples approximately 1/8-inch thick to ensure even crisping during air frying.

→ Can I make the chips less sweet?

Yes, reduce the sugar amount or substitute with a preferred sugar alternative to adjust sweetness.

→ How do I get the chips extra crispy?

Lightly spray the air fryer basket or apple slices with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray before air frying.

→ What is the best way to store the apple chips?

Keep cooled chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain crispness.

→ Can I use other spices besides cinnamon?

Yes, experiment with spices like nutmeg or ginger to vary the flavor profile.