Quick Air Fryer Apple Chips

These quick air fryer apple chips turn simple apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon into a crunchy, naturally sweet snack you’ll love. In just 10–15 minutes of prepping and about 8–10 minutes cooking per batch (plus some cooling time), you’ll have an easy two-ingredient treat perfect for lunchboxes, snacking, or sprinkling on yogurt and oatmeal.

The process is straightforward: thinly slice firm apples (around 1/8 inch), dust them with ground cinnamon, air fry in a single layer, then let them cool 15–30 minutes so they get perfectly crispy. You’ll appreciate how low-mess and flexible this method is, plus the fact you can store these chips for several days without losing their crunch.

Transform everyday apples into a crunchy, naturally sweet snack using only two ingredients and your air fryer. This quick recipe takes 10–15 minutes of prep, about 8–10 minutes cooking per batch, and then a cool-down period of 15–30 minutes to make sure your chips get that satisfying crisp.

In this post, I’ll walk you through an easy step-by-step: slicing, sprinkling cinnamon, air frying in a single layer, and cooling. I’ll also share which apple varieties work best, my favorite tips to get consistently crispy chips, and storage suggestions so you can make a batch ahead for lunchboxes, snacks, or breakfast toppings like yogurt and oatmeal.

Why You’ll Love These Chips

• Two-ingredient snack – Just apples and cinnamon stand between you and this crunchy, tasty treat. It doesn’t get much simpler! If you love ultra-simple air-fried fruit snacks, try Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips next.
• Healthy alternative – These chips curb your crunchy cravings without added sugar or preservatives—snacking guilt-free is totally doable here.
• Kid-friendly – With natural sweetness and a fun crunch, kids love munching on these, making it an easy way to sneak in extra fruit.
• Budget-friendly – One apple gives you a generous serving of chips, so you’re saving money compared to store-bought snacks that often come with extra cost and packaging.
• Quick air fryer recipe – Your air fryer does most of the work in under an hour, with minimal chopping and cleanup—perfect for busy days. Craving a savory version? Check out Homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips.

Ingredients and Apple Picks

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 apple (firm, like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, for best texture)

How to Make Apple Chips

1. Wash apples and dry them thoroughly.
2. Slice apples about 1/8 inch thick using a mandoline or sharp knife.
3. Lay slices flat on a clean surface and evenly sprinkle with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

4. Arrange cinnamon-dusted slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket without crowding; cook in batches if needed.

   

5. Set the air fryer to 380°F and cook for 8–10 minutes.
6. Flip the slices at about the 5-minute mark to crisp both sides.

7. Remove the chips and let them cool 15–30 minutes (at least 5 minutes) until fully crisp.

   

Crisping Tricks and Timing

One trick to perfect apple chips is nailing that crispy texture. Using slices thicker than ⅛ inch usually leads to chewy chips instead of crunchy, so I highly recommend a mandoline slicer to get even, thin slices. The same thin, even slicing is what delivers shatter-crisp results in crispy sweet potato chips, too.

Another tip: don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Lay your apple slices in a single layer with space between each slice. If you need to, cook them in batches to avoid soggy or uneven chips. That single-layer rule also holds for salt and vinegar zucchini chips.

Temperature matters, too. Cooking above 350°F risks burning the edges before the centers crisp, while too low a temp means longer cooking and rubbery chips. I stick with 380°F, flipping halfway through, and I keep an eye on them after 10 minutes to avoid burning.

For extra crunch, allow the chips to cool completely right in the air fryer basket. They’ll crisp up even more as they cool, making each bite satisfying.

Image: mollyshomeguide.com / Photographer Molly

These crispy apple chips are wonderful on their own as a guilt-free snack, but don’t stop there! They add a nice crunch when sprinkled over yogurt or your morning oatmeal for a little sweetness and texture. They’re also perfect paired with an afternoon cup of tea or coffee. My kids love taking them to school in lunchboxes along with their favorite nut butter dip. Because they’re light and crunchy, these chips are also tasty crushed over ice cream or tossed into trail mix with nuts and dried fruit for a quick snack on the run.

Flavor Variations and Substitutions

This simple recipe is easy to make your own by switching up a few things:

• Apples: Any apple really works! Go for sweeter varieties like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala for naturally sweet chips, or use Granny Smith for a tart twist. They also shine in a Classic Apple Crumble. Just slice them evenly so they cook right.
• Cinnamon: While classic cinnamon never fails, try a pinch of apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, or nutmeg for different flavor vibes. If pumpkin spice is your thing, you’ll also love these Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts. Feeling adventurous? Add some cardamom or skip spices and sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt for a savory note.
• Optional additions: Want your chips sweeter? A light sprinkle of coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener before air frying does the trick. Just watch carefully because added sugars can burn quickly.

Storing for Lasting Crispness

Keep Crispy: Let your apple chips cool completely before putting them away. This is super important for keeping that crunch! Store them in an airtight container or mason jar at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh and crispy for about 5–7 days. If you see any moisture in the container, toss in a paper towel to soak it up and keep chips crisp. These storage tips also work for other homemade chips, like our Homemade BBQ Chips.

Long-term Storage: If you want to keep chips longer, vacuum sealing or storing them in an airtight container with a silica gel packet helps extend their life up to 2–3 weeks. Just keep them in a cool, dry spot out of sunlight.

Refresh: If your chips start to lose their crunch, no worries! Pop them back in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes at 300°F or spread them on a baking sheet and warm in the oven for a few minutes—they’ll crisp right back up.

Preparation Time 10-15 minutes Cooking Time 8-10 minutes Total Time 33-55 minutes Level of Difficulty Easy

Questions About Apple Chips

• What apples work best? Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples hold up well and balance sweet and tart nicely; Granny Smith gives a tart punch. Always pick firm, unbruised apples and use similar sizes so everything cooks evenly.
• How thin should I slice the apples? Shoot for about 1/8 inch thick. A mandoline slicer helps keep thickness consistent—thicker slices turn out chewy, not crunchy.
• What temperature and time should I use? Set your air fryer to 380°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. If edges brown too fast, lower temp to about 325°F and add a couple more minutes. Keep an eye on your specific air fryer model and adjust as needed.
• Why aren’t my chips getting crispy? Usually it’s slices being too thick, overcrowding the basket, or not cooling them long enough. Make sure slices lay flat with space around them, cook in batches if needed, and let the chips rest 15–30 minutes after cooking for max crispness. For more troubleshooting and crisping tips, check the step-by-step guide to ultra-crispy sweet potato chips.
• Can I use other spices or sweeteners? Absolutely! Try apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or a pinch of cardamom. A little coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener works if you want sweeter chips, but watch carefully as sugar burns fast.
• How should I store them and how long do they keep? Cool completely first, then store in an airtight container at room temp for 5–7 days. For longer freshness, vacuum seal or use a container with a silica packet to extend to 2–3 weeks. Add a paper towel if you see moisture inside the container.
• Can I refresh stale chips? Yes! Reheat in the air fryer 1–2 minutes at 300°F or warm on a baking sheet in the oven to bring back the crunch.
• Can I cook more than one batch at once? Only if you can arrange the slices in a single layer with plenty of air flow. Overlapping causes soggy spots, so cooking in separate batches usually gives the best results.