This Best Dehydrated Apple Chips recipe is made with a dehydrator. It’s easy to prepare, crispy, delicious, and healthy—a perfect snack anytime! These are the guilt-free snacks we all love, especially the kids! They’re so addictive—they never last long in our house!
Homemade or Store-Bought?
Apple chips have been one of my kids’ favorite snacks since they were little. I used to buy them from the grocery stores, but they always came in small packages and were quite expensive. So one day, I decided to make them at home. At the time, I didn’t have a dehydrator, so the oven was my only option. The kids were happy to enjoy their favorite snack, and I was glad to make something nutritious for them. However, the homemade version lacked the crunch of store-bought chips, and using the oven felt inconvenient and not very energy-efficient. That all changed when I got a dehydrator! The apple chips turned out perfectly crisp, just like the store-bought ones, but even better. I often make apple chips during the Fall and Winter, when apples are available abundantly. I make them in a big batch, which is worth the time and effort.
Which Apples to Choose?
I’ve tried a variety of apples for this recipe, including Elstar, Gala, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith. Most of the time, though, I stick with Gala apples because of their naturally sweet flavor. I recommend experimenting with different types of apples to discover your favorite!
The Equipment for Best Dehydrated Apple Chips
There are plenty of kitchen gadgets available on the market, and while I haven’t tried them all to compare, I’m quite happy with the ones I use and would highly recommend them:
We’ve had this WMF dehydrator for many years, which has never given us any issues. It’s easy to use, simple to maintain, and the trays are even dishwasher safe. We love its sleek design, excellent quality, and compact size—it fits perfectly in a corner of our kitchen counter. During the winter months, we often use it to dehydrate apple and orange slices.
This high-quality mandoline is a must-have tool for any kitchen. It’s perfect for slicing fruits and vegetables with precision. It features five adjustable cutting thicknesses (ranging from 1 mm/0.04 in. to 5 mm/0.2 in.) and includes a practical finger guard for safe use.
How to Make the Best Dehydrated Apple Chips
The steps are incredibly easy to follow. Here’s how to make the perfect apple chips recipe!
- Rinse the apples and wipe them dry with a kitchen towel.
- Using a mandoline slicer, set the thickness to 3 (see picture above), which gives the apple slices about ⅛ inch thickness. I prefer not to core the apples since the seeds usually fall off on their own, and I just love the little star shapes that appear in the center on some of the slices. 🤩
- Set the dehydrator to 70°C and let it run for 7 hours, following the manufacturer’s instructions. There’s no need to rotate the apples, the dehydrator will signal when it’s done.
That’s it! Enjoy your homemade apple chips as a healthy snack anytime. 😊
Tips & Notes
- For evenly sliced apple chips that dehydrate perfectly, using a mandoline is the way to go. It ensures consistent thickness and saves you time and effort. Just be careful—the blade is sharp!
- When arranging the slices, place them in a single layer with some space between each piece to allow for proper airflow. Try to avoid overlapping as much as possible.
- The drying time will vary based on the thickness of the apple slices, the type of dehydrator you’re using, and how crispy you prefer your chips. Thicker slices will take longer to dry, while thinner ones will crisp up more quickly. Adjust the drying time to achieve your desired texture.
- Let the apple chips cool completely before removing them from the trays. The chips continue to crisp up once they are cooled down from the dehydrator.
- For longer-lasting crispness, store the apple chips in an airtight container or a sealed glass jar.
Stay Connected!
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Best Dehydrated Apple Chips Recipe
Equipment
- Mandoline
- Dehydrator
Ingredients
- 2 Gala Apples
Instructions
- Rinse the apples and wipe them dry with a kitchen towel.
- Thinly slice the apples to about ⅛ inch thick.
- Place the apple slices onto the dehydrator trays.
- Set the timing to 7 hours, 70°C, and press start.
Notes
- Use a mandoline: For evenly sliced apple chips, a mandoline guarantees consistent thickness, saving time and effort.
- Arrange slices properly: Place the slices in a single layer, with space between each piece, to allow for proper airflow and avoid overlapping.
- Adjust drying time: Drying time depends on slice thickness, dehydrator type, and desired crispiness. Thicker slices take longer to dry, while thinner ones crisp up more quickly.
- Cool before removing: Let the chips cool completely on the trays before removing them, as they continue to crisp up while cooling.
- Storage: Keep the apple chips in an airtight container or sealed glass jar for longer-lasting crispness.
