If you’re looking for an easy fall snack that is sweet, crispy, and made with simple ingredients, this Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips Recipe is a great one to try. Thinly sliced apples are lightly coated with cinnamon sugar and slowly baked until they become deliciously crisp around the edges.
These homemade apple chips are perfect for fall snacking, lunchboxes, after-school treats, or a simple dessert when you want something sweet without making a complicated recipe. They also make a beautiful addition to a fall snack board or dessert table.
The best part is that you only need a few basic ingredients to make them. Once the apples are sliced, the oven does most of the work.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to add these homemade apple chips to your fall recipe collection.
Easy to make: You don’t need complicated cooking techniques or special ingredients.
Simple ingredients: Apples, cinnamon, sugar, and a small amount of oil are all you need.
Perfect for fall: The combination of apples and cinnamon gives these chips a warm, cozy fall flavor.
Great snack: They are easy to portion and enjoy throughout the day.
Family-friendly: The sweet cinnamon flavor makes them appealing as a snack for both kids and adults.
Customizable: You can adjust the amount of cinnamon and sugar depending on how sweet you want your apple chips.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of ingredients for this recipe.
Apples
Choose firm, fresh apples that hold their shape well when baked. Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith are all good choices. You can also mix different apple varieties for a combination of sweet and slightly tart flavors.
Granulated Sugar
Sugar adds a light sweetness and helps create the delicious cinnamon-sugar coating. You don’t need a lot because apples already contain natural sweetness.
Ground Cinnamon
Cinnamon gives the apple chips their classic warm, cozy flavor. For the best taste, use fresh ground cinnamon.
Oil
A small amount of neutral-flavored oil helps the cinnamon sugar stick to the apple slices and encourages even baking. You can use a mild vegetable oil, avocado oil, or another neutral oil.
What Are the Best Apples for Apple Chips?
The best apples for apple chips are firm varieties that don’t become overly soft during baking.
Honeycrisp is a great choice if you like sweet, crisp apple chips.
Granny Smith works well if you prefer a more tart flavor that contrasts with the sugar.
Fuji and Gala are naturally sweet and work especially well for a sweeter snack.
Pink Lady apples provide a nice balance between sweetness and tartness.
You don’t have to use only one variety. If you have several apples available, you can experiment with different types to find your favorite combination.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 225°F (107°C).
Apple chips need to bake slowly so the moisture can gradually evaporate from the apples. A lower oven temperature helps them dry out without burning the cinnamon sugar.
Line one or two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This makes cleanup easier and helps prevent the apple slices from sticking.
Step 2: Wash and Slice the Apples
Wash and dry the apples thoroughly.
You can leave the skin on, which adds color, texture, and extra fiber. Remove the apple cores and seeds.
Using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer, cut the apples into very thin slices. Aim for slices around ⅛ inch thick.
Try to keep the slices as evenly sized as possible. If some pieces are much thicker than others, they may need different amounts of baking time.
Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
Stir well until the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar.
This simple mixture gives the apple chips their sweet and warming flavor.
Step 4: Arrange the Apple Slices
Place the apple slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets.
Try not to overlap the slices. Giving each piece enough space allows air to circulate and helps moisture escape during baking.
If necessary, use two baking sheets rather than crowding all the apples onto one.
Step 5: Add the Cinnamon Sugar
Lightly brush or spray the apple slices with a small amount of neutral oil.
Then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the apples.
You don’t need a heavy coating. A light dusting is enough to give the chips plenty of flavor without making them overly sweet.
For an even coating, you can gently turn the apple slices over and season the other side as well.
Step 6: Bake the Apple Chips
Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 1½ to 2½ hours, depending on the thickness and moisture content of the apples.
After about an hour, check the slices and rotate the baking sheets if your oven cooks unevenly.
The apples will gradually shrink and become drier as they bake.
Step 7: Flip the Apple Slices
Carefully flip the apple slices about halfway through baking.
This helps both sides dry more evenly.
Continue baking until the slices are dry and lightly crisp around the edges.
Remember that apple chips can become noticeably crispier as they cool, so don’t worry if they still have a little flexibility when they first come out of the oven.
Step 8: Cool Completely
Remove the apple chips from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheets or a wire rack.
Allowing them to cool is an important part of the process because the texture continues to firm up as they reach room temperature.
Once completely cool, they are ready to enjoy.
How Do You Know When Apple Chips Are Done?
Apple chips can be slightly tricky because they may not feel completely crisp immediately after leaving the oven.
Look for slices that have:
- Shrunk noticeably
- Lost most of their moisture
- Slightly browned edges
- A dry surface
- A crisp or firm texture after cooling
If the chips are still soft after cooling, you can return them to the oven for another 15–20 minutes and check them again.
The exact baking time depends on the type of apple, thickness of the slices, and how much moisture the apples contain.
Tips for Making Crispy Apple Chips
Slice the Apples Thinly
Thin slices generally produce crispier apple chips. A mandoline slicer can make it easier to create evenly thin pieces.
If using a knife, take your time and try to maintain a consistent thickness.
Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet
Arrange the apples in one layer with minimal overlapping.
Crowded slices can trap moisture and may take longer to dry.
Keep the Oven Temperature Low
Apple chips are best made with a low and slow baking method. A high temperature can cause the sugar to brown or burn before the apples have had enough time to dry.
Let Them Cool
Don’t judge the final texture while the chips are still hot.
They often become considerably crispier as they cool.
Watch the Last Part of Baking
The final stage can happen quickly. Once the moisture has mostly evaporated, apple slices can go from lightly browned to overly dark fairly quickly.
Keep an eye on them during the final portion of baking.
Can You Make Apple Chips Without a Mandoline?
Yes. A mandoline simply makes it easier to create evenly thin slices.
You can use a sharp kitchen knife instead. The most important thing is to cut the apples as evenly as possible.
If the slices aren’t exactly the same thickness, don’t worry. Simply remove the thinner, crispier pieces as they finish while allowing thicker slices to continue baking.
Should You Peel the Apples?
No, peeling is not necessary.
Leaving the peel on gives the apple chips a pretty appearance and provides additional texture. It also saves preparation time.
However, if you prefer a softer texture or simply don’t like apple peel, you can peel the apples before slicing.
Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips Variations
Once you’ve made the basic recipe, there are several ways to change the flavor.
Apple Pie Apple Chips
Add a small amount of nutmeg and ground ginger to the cinnamon sugar mixture for a flavor inspired by classic apple pie.
Maple Cinnamon Apple Chips
Replace some of the granulated sugar with maple sugar or use a light maple-flavored seasoning after baking.
Extra Cinnamon Apple Chips
If you love cinnamon, simply increase the amount slightly. Be careful not to use so much that it overwhelms the natural apple flavor.
Cinnamon Vanilla Apple Chips
A small amount of vanilla-flavored sugar can add another layer of sweetness and warmth.
Tart Apple Chips
Use Granny Smith apples for a naturally tart version. The contrast between the tart apples and sweet cinnamon sugar is especially delicious.
What to Serve With Apple Chips
These cinnamon sugar apple chips are delicious on their own, but you can also use them in other snacks and desserts.
Serve them alongside:
- Greek yogurt
- Oatmeal
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Ice cream
- Applesauce
- Peanut butter
- Caramel dip
- Homemade trail mix
You can also crumble the apple chips over yogurt or oatmeal to add a crispy texture.
How to Store Homemade Apple Chips
Allow the apple chips to cool completely before storing them.
Place them in an airtight container at room temperature. A container with a little room around the chips is preferable so they don’t become crushed.
If moisture gets into the container, the chips can lose some of their crispness.
If they soften during storage, you can place them back in a low-temperature oven for a short time to help remove some of the moisture. Let them cool completely again before storing.
For the best texture, enjoy homemade apple chips relatively soon after making them.
Can You Make Apple Chips Ahead of Time?
Yes. Apple chips are convenient to make ahead because they can be prepared before you need them.
They’re especially useful for fall gatherings, school snacks, family movie nights, or weekend meal preparation.
Make sure they are completely cooled before placing them into a storage container.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of apples are best for cinnamon apple chips?
Firm apples such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith are excellent choices. Sweet apples create sweeter chips, while Granny Smith provides a more tart flavor.
Why aren’t my apple chips crispy?
The most common reason is that they still contain too much moisture. Continue baking them at a low temperature and allow them to cool completely before deciding whether they need more time.
Can I make these apple chips without sugar?
Yes. The apples can be baked without the sugar if you prefer a naturally sweet snack. The cinnamon will still provide plenty of warm flavor.
Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?
Yes. Brown sugar can give the apple chips a deeper caramel-like flavor. However, because brown sugar contains more moisture, keep a closer eye on the chips as they bake.
Do apple chips need to be refrigerated?
They generally don’t need to be refrigerated when properly dried and stored in an airtight container. Refrigeration can introduce moisture and may affect their crisp texture.
Can I use different kinds of apples together?
Absolutely. Combining sweet and tart apple varieties can create a more interesting flavor.
Helpful Equipment
You don’t need much equipment to make this recipe, but the following items can make the process easier:
- Large baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Sharp knife or mandoline slicer
- Small mixing bowl
- Pastry brush or oil sprayer
- Wire cooling rack
- Airtight storage container
Why This Is a Great Fall Snack
Few ingredients capture the feeling of fall quite like apples and cinnamon. These apple chips combine the natural sweetness of fresh apples with a light cinnamon-sugar coating to create a snack that feels seasonal without requiring a complicated recipe.
They’re also easy to customize. You can make them sweeter, use tart apples, add other warm spices, or simply leave out the sugar.
Whether you’re preparing snacks for the family, looking for something to serve at a fall gathering, or just want a simple homemade treat, these cinnamon sugar apple chips are worth adding to your recipe collection.
Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 225°F (107°C). Line one or two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the apples. Wash and dry the apples. Remove the cores and seeds, then slice the apples very thinly, about ⅛ inch thick. You can leave the peel on.
- Make the cinnamon sugar. Add the granulated sugar and cinnamon to a small bowl. Stir until evenly combined.
- Arrange the apples. Place the apple slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Avoid overlapping the slices so they can dry evenly.
- Add the oil and cinnamon sugar. Lightly brush or spray the apple slices with the oil. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the slices. For more flavor, carefully flip the slices and season the other side as well.
- Bake. Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 1½ to 2½ hours, depending on the thickness and moisture content of the apples.
- Flip halfway through. Carefully flip the apple slices about halfway through baking. Rotate the baking sheets if needed so the apples bake evenly.
- Check for doneness. Continue baking until the apples are dry and lightly crisp around the edges. The exact baking time will vary depending on the apples and your oven.
- Cool completely. Remove the apple chips from the oven and let them cool completely. They will become firmer and crispier as they cool.
- Serve. Enjoy the cinnamon sugar apple chips once completely cooled.
Notes
- Use firm apples for the best texture.
- Slice the apples as evenly and thinly as possible so they bake at the same rate.
- A mandoline slicer can make it easier to achieve thin, consistent slices.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheets or overlap the apple slices.
- Apple chips may still have a little flexibility when they first come out of the oven but will crisp up as they cool.
- If the chips aren't crisp after cooling, return them to the oven for another 15–20 minutes and check again.
- Baking time can vary depending on the apple variety, slice thickness, and moisture content.
- Allow the chips to cool completely before storing.
Storage
Store completely cooled apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep them away from moisture to help maintain their crisp texture.This Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips Recipe is an easy way to turn fresh apples into a crunchy, flavorful snack using just a few simple ingredients.
The key to great apple chips is patience. Slice the apples thinly and evenly, bake them slowly at a low temperature, and give them plenty of time to cool after baking.
Once you get the basic method right, you can experiment with different apples and spices to create your own favorite version.
If you love simple homemade fall snacks, these cinnamon sugar apple chips are a delicious recipe to keep on hand throughout the season.
