15 Minute Back to School Recipe: Apple Chips
It's Back to School Time!
Can you believe that the summer is almost over??!
This week, my daughter, Olivia, goes back to school so that means it's time to make some healthy and delicious lunchboxes!
I came up with a few lunch box ideas that are not only quick, easy and delicious, but also approved by my daughter! (And I think we all know that that is the most important thing! Lol!)
I'm super excited to share these 15 minutes Back-to-School recipes with you. I hope they will make school lunch boxes a little easier for you, as we head into the new school year.
Apple Chips
My kids love apples! I am always buying apples because it's one of their favorite snacks.
Usually, I slice up the apples and put them in a resealable bag as a school snack for Olivia, but this time, I wanted to try something different.
My air fryer had been sitting untouched on my counter, so this was the perfect opportunity to try to make some apple chips in the air fryer!
Apple chips are seriously so easy to make! I only used 2 ingredients, apples and cinnamon. And in 10-12 minutes, you have some deliciously crispy apple chips!
Three Tips for Awesome Apple Chips
To make these apple chips, there are a few simple tips to ensure that the apple chips turn out well!
Tip #1: Slice the apples as thinly as possible with a knife, or use a mandolin.
Thinner apple slices means crispier apple chips. But if the apple slices are thicker, it's not the end of the world. They won't be as crispy and will turn out chewy, like a dehydrated apple slice, if you've ever had that. I actually don't mind chewy apple slices, so you may find that your kids prefer that texture.
Tip #2: Check the apple slices during cooking and turn/reposition as needed.
The air fryer will blow hot air around the apple slices, which may cause some of them to move around. Check the apple slices periodically and move them back into a single layer for maximum crisping during cooking. Also, remember to remove any apple slices that are getting too brown or are burning.
Tip #3: Eat straight away for crispy chips!
After the chips are removed from the air fryer, they will crisp up even more, which makes them extra yummy to eat! The chips are best eaten straight away, but if you do want to store them, I think its best to store them in a resealable bag with as much air squeezed out of it as possible. The chips will probably not be as crispy the next day as they are right out of the air fryer. But they will become chewy like thick dehydrated apple slices, which I like too.
An Oven Option
If you don't have an air fryer, don't worry! You can make these apple chips in the oven too.
To make them in the oven, just preheat the oven to 300 deg F. Place the apple slices on a lined tray in a single even layer. You may need two trays to put all the apple slices on. Then bake for 40-45 minutes till the apple slices are golden brown and crispy.
For Lunch or a Snack
These apple chips would be great in a lunchbox or as an after school snack.
You could make these apple chips in the morning, before school, then pop them into you kiddo's lunchbox.
I think these apple chips would work best in a bento box style lunch box, since the compartments seal up tightly. This would prevent the apple chips from losing their crispness. You could also throw them into a small resealable bag.
Or just whip up these apple chips in less than 15 minutes after school, for a fun snack!
I hope you give these apple chips a try! They are seriously such a quick and easy snack to make, and it really helps to add variety to a kids' lunch box.
If you try this recipe, snap a photo and share it on social. Tag me nourish_with_renata on IG or Facebook. I'd love to see what you make!
Apple Chips
These quick and easy apple chips can be a great lunch box addition or after school snack
- 1 apple, (your favorite like Gala apples)
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
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Carefully slice apple into very thin slices, approx. 1/8" thick. Alternatively, use a mandoline to slice the apple.
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Add apple slices to a large bowl and sprinkle over cinnamon. Mix thoroughly.
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To cook in the air fryer: lay apple slices in an even layer in the air fryer basket (you will likely need to do a couple of batches to cook the entire apple). Cook in the air fryer at 350 deg F for 10-12 minutes or until the apple chips are golden brown. Remember to check the apple slices 2-3 times during the cooking process, so you can reposition them or move them back into a single layer.
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To cook in the oven: preheat the oven to 300 deg F. Line or lightly grease two cookie sheets. Lay the apple slices on the cookie sheets in a single, even layer. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the apple slices are golden brown and crispy.
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After cooking, remove the apple slices from the air fryer basket/cookie sheets and transfer to a plate to continue crisping up for a few minutes, or till cool enough to handle with your fingers.
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Enjoy immediately!
You can store apple chips in a resealable bag. They may not be as crispy as they are right after cooking, but they will still be chewy and delicious!