These healthy Homemade Baked Apple Chips for Kids are a simple and fun snack! They’re lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, naturally sweet, and made with just two ingredients. We love having these on hand for snack time, lunchboxes, or even as a crunchy topping for yogurt or oatmeal.
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Table of Contents
Apple chips are especially popular in the fall, when apples are in season and cozy snacks are on repeat, but honestly, this is a year-round recipe in our house. They’re a great way to use up extra apples and feel like a fun “crunchy snack” without relying on packaged options.
Ingredients for Apple Chips for Kids
Here is what you'll need for the apple chips - so simple!
- Crisp apples (like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Cosmic Crisp work well!)
- Apple pie spice (if you don't have any, cinnamon and nutmeg work great)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Most recipes online suggest making apple chips with a mandolin. I personally do not advise this as I find mandolins to be quite dangerous, especially if you aren't experienced with them. You can slice the apples with a knife but it is tricky to get the pieces thin enough. I recommend using a spiralizer! These are much safer than a mandolin, and makes the chips nice and thin.
Wash and remove apple cores. You can leave the peel on.
Using a spiralizer, spiral the apple into thin slices.
Spread the slices out in a single layer on two parchment-lined baking sheets and sprinkle lightly with apple pie spice.
Bake at 225°F for 2 to 2 hours and 15 minutes, or until the apples are dry and crisp around the edges. Let them cool completely on the trays.
Important note: Keep the slices in a single layer without any touching or overlapping, this helps ensure the chips will crisp up evenly.
Substitutions
- Cinnamon: No apple pie spice? No problem! Cinnamon on its own, or with a dash of nutmeg works great.
Looking for other snacks that taste like store-bought options but even better!? Try out my Homemade Pop Tarts or these Yummy Homemade Goldfish Crackers.
I also have this guide with over 25 snack ideas for kids!
Equipment
- Apple corer - very helpful so you don't have to worry about seeds being left in!
- Spiralizer - highly recommend this safer option over a mandolin or knife
Storage
Let the apple chips cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. Make sure they’re fully crisp before storing, any leftover moisture can make them chewy or shorten their shelf life. If they do soften, pop them back into a low oven for 5–10 minutes to re-crisp.
Dietitian Mom Tip
Pair these apple chips with yogurt or cheese for a more satisfying snack. For younger children, the texture is important: the chips should be baked until very dry, crisp and delicate enough to crumble easily with light pressure. A fully crisp chip may be easier to manage than one that is chewy, leathery or sticky.
Always check the texture of your individual batch before serving. If the chips remain hard, chewy or break into sharp pieces, they may not be appropriate for younger children. Serve your child seated and closely supervised, based on their individual eating abilities.
FAQ
Firm, crisp varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady hold their shape well and produce the best crunch.
Chewy apple chips usually just need more time in the oven. Make sure the slices are very thin, spread out in a single layer with no overlapping, and bake them until the edges are completely dry and lightly curled. They’ll crisp even more as they cool.
Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Apple corer
- 1 Spiralizer
Ingredients
- 2 Apples
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 225°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Wash the apples and remove the cores.
- Use a spiralizer to slice the apples into thin, even rings.
- Spread the slices out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets, making sure none of them overlap. Sprinkle the apples lightly with apple pie spice (½ teaspoon per baking sheet, spread evenly).
- Bake for 2 to 2 hours and 15 minutes, or until the slices are fully dry and crisp around the edges, checking them toward the end of the cook time to make sure they don’t over-brown. Let the apple chips cool completely on the baking sheets before storing.
Notes
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