Pin Crispy apple chips are my answer for those autumn days when you crave something sweet yet wholesome. These playful Jack o Lantern design chips use the air fryer for guaranteed crunch capturing all the fun of fall without any heavy oils. Kids become instant fans once you serve them these spiced smiley disks and they are a breeze to whip up for Halloween festivities or everyday snacking.
The first time I shaped faces into apple chips my youngest giggled for half an hour straight. Now these are our must have treat for pumpkin carving nights.
Ingredients
- Apples: Choose firm crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji. These varieties hold up well to air frying giving you chips that do not fall apart or lose flavor. Avoid soft apples as they can turn mushy. I like buying from local orchards for the best sweetness and crunch.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and a comforting autumn flavor. Try organic cinnamon for richer aroma. Freshly ground always packs more punch.
- Granulated sugar (optional): Brings extra sweetness and helps the chips caramelize a bit. If you love tart snacks feel free to leave out.
- Lemon juice: A splash keeps your apple slices from browning. Look for fresh lemons or high quality bottled juice without added sugars for best results.
- Cold water: Serves as the soaking liquid with lemon juice protecting both color and texture.
Instructions
- Prepare Lemon Water:
- Mix two cups of cold water with two tablespoons lemon juice in a large bowl. This step is essential for keeping your apple chips looking bright and fresh rather than turning brown during slicing and air frying.
- Slice the Apples:
- Wash your apples thoroughly and dry them. Using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife slice apples crosswise into rounds about one eighth of an inch thick. Aim for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking. Carefully pop out any seeds and trim away the tough cores from each slice.
- Carve the Faces:
- With a small paring knife or mini Halloween cookie cutters gently cut Jack o Lantern faces into the apple slices. Go slowly for safety. Kids can join in using cutters with adult supervision. This step adds lots of festive charm.
- Soak the Slices:
- Place your shaped apple slices into the lemon water and soak for five minutes. This keeps the slices from browning and also helps maintain crispness. After soaking drain well then lay the slices out on paper towels to pat completely dry.
- Arrange in Air Fryer:
- Place your apple slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure none of them overlap which can cause steaming and sogginess. If you have lots of slices work in small batches. This attention to spacing ensures maximum crunch.
- Season the Chips:
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Use a spoon or your fingers to lightly dust the mixture over the apple slices. For a less sweet chip use just cinnamon. For extra fall flavor sprinkle a tiny bit of nutmeg or pumpkin spice.
- Air Fry to Perfection:
- Set your air fryer to three hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the slices for twelve to fifteen minutes flipping them halfway through. Check frequently as air fryers and apple thickness can change cooking times. Look for chips that are golden and crisp not burnt.
- Cool and Crisp:
- Transfer finished chips to a wire rack. Let them cool until fully crisp. Enjoy once cooled or store for snacking later.
Pin My favorite part has always been adding extra cinnamon. Sometimes my kids sneak nutmeg in too for a flavor twist. Every year we carve faces together and compete for the silliest looking Jack o Lantern chip and it always becomes the highlight of apple season.
Storage Tips
Once completely cooled store your apple chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If you live somewhere humid add a piece of paper towel in the container to soak up extra moisture. Avoid refrigeration which can make chips go soggy.
Ingredient Substitutions
Try pears instead of apples for a subtle and sweet variation. If you are watching your sugar skip the granulated sugar altogether or swap for coconut sugar which has a more caramel note. For a spicy edge mix in a tiny pinch of cayenne or ginger with your cinnamon.
Serving Suggestions
Stack these chips in small treat bags for a Halloween party or tuck them in lunch boxes for a wholesome surprise. They also pair well with yogurt or can be scattered atop oatmeal for a special autumn touch. For gatherings present them in a colorful bowl with edible eyes for extra fun.
Pin These festive apple chips will bring smiles at any autumn gathering. Enjoy making them your own with creative faces and favorite spice blends.
Recipe Q&A
- → How thin should the apple slices be?
Slicing apples to about 1/8-inch thickness achieves a crisp texture in the air fryer and prevents burning.
- → Do I need to peel the apples?
Leaving the skin on adds color and nutrients, but peeling is optional based on preference.
- → Can I use different apple varieties?
Sweet, crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji work best, but any firm apple will yield good results.
- → How do I store the chips?
Once fully cooled, keep chips in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain crispness.
- → What flavors can be added?
A pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice complements cinnamon and enhances fall flavors perfectly.
- → Why soak apples in lemon water?
Lemon water prevents browning and helps preserve the apples' fresh, vibrant appearance during cooking.