{Homemade is Better} - Dried Apples and Apple Chips

Apple Fest continues!  And why shouldn't it.  Apples and fall go together like peanut butter and jelly {or something like that}.

Growing up, my mom had a dehydrator and she made all kinds of great things but I think our family favorite was probably the dried apples {but the fruit leather was right behind it}.  I wish I had a dehydrator but turns out you don't really need one in order to make yummy dried apples and apple chips.  All you need is apples and an oven.  How easy and healthy is that?

Peel, or don't peel - I did both - your apples.  Slice them to your desired thickness.  I used a mandoline.  For apple chips I made 1/8" slices and the dried apples 3/16" slices.  Put the apples on a cooling rack set on a cookie sheet and place in 250 degree (F) oven and forget about them.  Okay, so don't really forget about them.  I didn't pay close attention to the time but it was between 1-2 hours.  It really depends on your oven, the thickness of the slices, and what you want - is it crispy chips or chewy apple slices.  It's really up to you.  And when they are done you have some healthy snacks.

{Why is homemade better?}  Compare to the ingredients in Target brand Dried Apples

 

Seneca Original Crispy Apple Chips

Of course, you can jazz up your apple slices as well.  Which is what I did thanks to some ideas I found on the internet.

1. Cinnamon Apple Chips
2. Strawberry Apple Chips
3. Caramel Apple Chips
4. Maple Walnut Apple Chips

These dried apples and apple chips would not have been possible without the inspiration from these great recipes:

Oven Dried Cinnamon Apples from Lauren's Latest

Oven-Dried Apple Chips {Two Ways!} from Our Best Bites

How to Make Your Own Apple Chips from Henry Happened

Maple Walnut Apple Chips from Kitchen Simplicity

Cinnamon Apple Chips from Baked By Rachel

Caramelized Apple Chips from Tracey's Culinary Adventures

Be sure to check them all out!

I am sharing at these parties.