Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips: The Best Homemade Healthy Snack

Looking for a snack that’s crunchy, sweet, and surprisingly healthy? These Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips are about to become your new obsession. Whether you’re trying to cut back on processed snacks or just craving something cozy and fall-inspired, apple chips hit the spot. With just three ingredients and no frying involved, they’re a guilt-free treat you can feel good about. Even better, they’re easy to customize with your favorite apples and spices.

Check out our easy take on caramel apples if you’re looking to level up your fruit snack game:
Don’t miss our Caramel Apple Slices.

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Why Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips Are the Perfect Guilt-Free Treat

What Makes Them So Addictive Yet Healthy

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips are the rare kind of snack that satisfies your sweet tooth without wrecking your diet. They’re naturally sweet thanks to the apples, and the light dusting of cinnamon and sugar brings a comforting warmth that tastes like fall in every bite.

Here’s the kicker — they’re baked, not fried, which means zero added fat. Unlike store-bought chips loaded with preservatives, these are clean, simple, and honest. Just apples, a sprinkle of sugar, and a pinch of spice.

They’re also:

• High in fiber
• Free of refined oils
• Naturally gluten-free
• Kid- and lunchbox-friendly

It’s not often you find a treat that checks all those boxes.

Benefits of Making Apple Chips at Home

Making your own apple chips at home puts you in the driver’s seat. You can choose the type of apple, the amount of spice, and even experiment with sugar alternatives like coconut sugar or monk fruit.

Plus, homemade apple chips:

• Cost significantly less per serving than store-bought
• Let you avoid artificial flavors or preservatives
• Can be prepped in bulk and stored for the week

If you’ve got a mandoline and an oven, you’ve already got most of what you need.

Looking for more apple-based snack ideas?
Check out our delicious Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies:
Discover great ideas like this one

Comparing Store-Bought vs. Homemade Apple Chips

Let’s quickly compare:

Feature	Store-Bought Apple Chips	Homemade Apple Chips
Added Sugar	Often high	You control it
Preservatives	Common	None
Texture	Usually ultra-crispy	Crispy to chewy, your choice
Flavor Customization	Limited	Unlimited options
Cost per serving	Higher	Lower

It’s easy to see why homemade is the winner here — especially when you want to avoid unnecessary additives.

Ingredients and Tools You Need to Make Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips

Making Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips at home is surprisingly easy — and the best part? You likely already have everything you need in your kitchen. Let’s break down the ingredients and tools that make this snack a success.

Best Types of Apples to Use for the Crispest Results

Not all apples are created equal when it comes to baking them into chips. The texture, moisture level, and natural sweetness can make or break the final product. Here are some top apple choices and why they work (or don’t):

Apple Variety	Best For	Notes
Fuji	✅ Yes	Sweet, low moisture, crisps well
Gala	✅ Yes	Balanced sweetness, firm texture
Pink Lady	✅ Yes	Sweet-tart, thin skin
Granny Smith	⚠️ Maybe	Crisp but tart, better with more sugar
Honeycrisp	❌ No	Too juicy, softens too quickly

Check out our flavorful Cardamom Cognac Apple Cake for another brilliant use of apples:
Looking for inspiration? Try this

For the crispiest chips, go with Fuji or Gala. Their firm flesh and low moisture content mean you’ll get that satisfying crunch without drying them to a rubbery chew.

Must-Have Kitchen Tools for Perfect Thin Slices

While you can slice apples with a knife, using a mandoline slicer or benriner ensures consistent, super-thin slices — which is the secret to even dehydration and crispness.

Here’s your basic toolkit:

• Mandoline slicer – for ultra-thin, uniform apple slices (1/16” thick is ideal)
• Parchment paper – prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier
• Baking sheets – you’ll need 2–3 to fit all your slices
• Oven – set at a low temp (200°F to 225°F) for slow dehydration
• Large bowl – to toss apples with cinnamon and sugar
• Optional: Apple corer, to remove the seeds cleanly without breaking the rings

Looking for another way to enjoy apples?
Don’t miss our Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip – it’s a fan favorite!
Check it out here

The Simple 3-Ingredient Magic

The beauty of this recipe is how simple it is. You only need three ingredients:

• 4 medium apples (like Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

That’s it!

Want to spice it up? You can:

• Swap cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice
• Add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom
• Go spicy with a dash of cayenne
• Use coconut sugar or monk fruit for a refined sugar-free option

It’s easy to turn this basic snack into something uniquely yours.

For more handheld apple desserts, you’ll love our flaky apple pastries:
Discover great ideas like these Apple Hand Pies

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Crispiest Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips

Getting the perfect apple chip texture — crispy on the outside with just the right amount of chew — takes a bit of patience and technique. But trust us, once you master the method, you’ll want to make a double batch every time.

How to Prep Your Apples Like a Pro

Start with fresh, firm apples. Wash them well, especially if you’re keeping the skin on — that’s where much of the fiber is. You don’t need to peel them.

Pro tip: Slice your apples crosswise through the core to create beautiful ring-shaped chips.

Here’s what to do:

• Remove the stem but keep the core.
• Slice apples using a mandoline to about 1/16-inch thick (super thin).
• Pop out the seeds gently without breaking the rings.

Too thick? They’ll stay soft. Too thin? They’ll burn. Aim for that sweet spot.

Looking for more fall-ready snacks with real fruit flavor?
Check out this Christmas Apple Cranberry Spritzer — it’s also an orphan link worth exploring.

Tossing the Cinnamon-Sugar Blend Evenly

Now that your slices are ready, it’s time to coat them with that irresistible cinnamon sugar blend.

Here’s how:

• In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon
• Add the slices to a large bowl
• Either:
  • Toss the apples in the bowl, or
  • Use your fingers to rub the cinnamon sugar directly onto each slice (more even flavor)

This step is where the flavor magic happens. You don’t want clumps or dry spots — be thorough but light-handed.

The Art of Baking Low and Slow

Here’s where patience pays off. Baking at a low temperature ensures the apples dry out without burning or turning brown.

Baking instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°F (93°C)
2. Line 2–3 baking sheets with parchment paper
3. Arrange the slices in a single layer, not overlapping
4. Bake for 1.5 hours, then flip each slice
5. Bake for another 1 hour
6. Turn off the oven, and leave the trays inside overnight

You want them to be completely dry. Letting them cool in the oven helps remove any leftover moisture, resulting in a light, crisp texture.

Baking Schedule & Texture Comparison Table

Bake Time	Texture	Crispiness
2 hours	Chewy	Low
3 hours	Semi-crisp	Medium
3 hours + overnight rest	Fully dried	High

Want that potato-chip-style snap? Stick to the full 3+ hours with cooling inside the oven.

Storage Tips to Keep Them Crisp

Homemade apple chips may be delicate, but they’re easy to store — and re-crisp if needed.

Here’s how to store them:

• Keep in an airtight container
• Store at room temperature for up to 7 days
• If they get soft, re-crisp in the oven at 200°F for 20–30 mins

Avoid plastic bags — they trap moisture and ruin the crunch.

Want to try another cozy fall favorite?
Check out our Baked Chicken with Apples for a savory twist on apple goodness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips

Conclusion: Make a Batch, Snack Smarter

Whether you’re prepping for a cozy fall weekend or just want to ditch the junk food, Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips are the sweet spot between healthy and indulgent. With just three ingredients, they’re simple, fun to make, and totally customizable.

Snack smarter, one crisp bite at a time.

Don’t miss our roundup of delicious fall cookies to go with your apple chips:
Discover great ideas like these Chewy Pumpkin Cookies

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