Easy Crispy Baked Apple Chips

The smell of cinnamon-sugar apples slowly baking fills my kitchen every fall, and these baked apple chips never fail to bring back memories of my grandmother’s cozy afternoons.

What began as a budget-friendly solution has become one of my favorite simple pleasures.

You slice, you season, you wait—and somehow those ordinary apples transform into something that makes the whole house smell like autumn.

Why this Baked Apple Chips always gets requests from family

My grandkids grab handfuls straight from the cooling rack before I can even store them properly.

The natural sweetness concentrates as the moisture evaporates, leaving behind these perfectly chewy-crisp rounds that somehow taste more like apple than fresh apples do.

I love how forgiving this recipe is—thick slices become chewy treats, thin ones turn beautifully crisp. You can’t really mess it up, and that’s exactly what I need on busy weekends when I’m prepping snacks for the week ahead.

My heartwarming cinnamon spiced apple compote uses similar spices, but these chips give you that satisfying crunch that fresh fruit just can’t match.

What you will need to make this Crispy Baked Apple Chips

• 3 large apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith work beautifully), sliced paper-thin
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (adjust to taste—I sometimes use a bit less)
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (the good stuff makes a difference)
• Cooking oil spray for the wire rack

I always choose firm, crisp apple varieties because they hold their shape better during the long, slow baking process.

Softer apples tend to get soggy rather than achieving that perfect baked apple chips texture we’re after.

A sharp knife or mandoline slicer helps create uniform thickness, though I’ve made plenty of batches with slightly uneven slices that turned out just fine.

My Method for Crispy Baked Apple Chips

1. Set your oven to 225°F and position the rack in the center. Place a wire cooling rack inside a large rimmed baking sheet and lightly spray it with cooking oil.
2. Wash and core your apples, then slice them into rounds about 1/8-inch thick. I leave the skin on because it adds lovely color and extra nutrients to the finished chips.
3. Toss the apple slices in a large bowl with sugar and cinnamon until every piece is lightly coated. The sugar helps draw out moisture while the cinnamon adds that warm spice we all crave.
4. Arrange the seasoned slices on your prepared wire rack in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. Crowded apples steam instead of crisping up properly.
5. Bake for 2 hours and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes, flipping each slice halfway through the cooking time. You’ll know they’re ready when they feel dry to the touch but still have a slight bend to them.
6. Cool completely on the rack before storing. They’ll continue to crisp up as they reach room temperature, so don’t worry if they seem a bit soft when you first remove them from the oven.

The kitchen fills with the most wonderful cinnamon-apple scent around the halfway point.

I usually hear the gentle sizzling sound of moisture evaporating during the first hour, then everything goes quiet as the apples concentrate their flavors.

My kitchen secrets for getting this Crispy Baked Apple Chips just right

Temperature control makes all the difference with these chips. I’ve learned that 225°F gives you the perfect balance between dehydrating the fruit and avoiding any browning or burning around the edges.

The wire rack setup is crucial because it allows air to circulate underneath each slice.

I tried making baked apple chips directly on parchment paper once, and the bottoms stayed stubbornly chewy while the tops crisped up. Don’t rush the cooling process—those chips need at least 20 minutes to reach their final texture.

I store mine in a glass jar with a tight lid, though they rarely last more than three days in my house before someone finishes them off.

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Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

I’ve had great success with Honeycrisp, Gala, and even tart Granny Smith varieties.

Each apple type brings its own personality to the finished chips—Honeycrisp creates sweeter, more delicate chips, while Granny Smith delivers a pleasant tartness that balances beautifully with the cinnamon sugar coating.

Avoid using Red Delicious or overly soft apples, as they tend to become leathery rather than crisp. The key is choosing apples that are firm and fresh, regardless of the specific variety.

How should I store my homemade apple chips?

Store your cooled baked apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. I like using glass jars because you can see how many are left, though any sealed container works perfectly fine.

If your chips lose some of their crispness after a few days, pop them back in a 200°F oven for 5-10 minutes to refresh their texture. Let them cool completely before storing again.

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Can I make these without added sugar?

You can definitely skip the sugar if you prefer a more natural sweetness from the apples themselves. The cinnamon still adds wonderful flavor, and many apple varieties provide plenty of natural sugars on their own.

For a different twist, try substituting the granulated sugar with a light dusting of coconut sugar or even a tiny pinch of sea salt mixed with the cinnamon.

My zesty grape and apple salad taught me how different seasonings can highlight apple’s natural flavors in unexpected ways.

What’s the best way to slice apples evenly?

A mandoline slicer gives you the most consistent results, but a sharp chef’s knife works just fine with a bit of patience. I aim for slices about 1/8-inch thick—thin enough to crisp up properly but thick enough to maintain some apple texture.

Take your time with the slicing process. Uniform thickness means all your chips will finish cooking at the same time, preventing some from burning while others stay chewy.

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I hope you’ll share your own baked apple chips creations and any creative flavor combinations you discover along the way!

You can find more of my favorite seasonal recipes and kitchen tips by following me on Pinterest, where I’m always posting new ideas for turning simple ingredients into something special.

My favorite occasions to make Crispy Baked Apple Chips

These chips have become my go-to contribution for school potluck events and weekend hiking trips.

They pack beautifully in small containers and never leave anyone feeling weighed down like store-bought snacks sometimes do.

I also love having a batch ready when friends drop by for afternoon coffee.