It’s fall, which means apple-picking season, which means cider, pies, and this treat—Dehydrated Apples (Dried Apples in Oven)—a versatile and sweet gem that is as nutritious as it is delicious.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 120 minutes
Yields: 4 servings
So, you fancy a bit of fruity nibbles that last longer than a week or two? Look no further than this recipe for Oven-Dried Apples (or Dehydrated Apples, if you prefer big words)! It’s easy as pie and gives you a lip-smacking treat that takes the humble apple to another level. Plus, it’s a smart way to stock up on one of your favorite fruits.
If you think about it, drying fruits is an amazing move to keep them from going rancid. I imagine back in the days of the pioneers on the prairie they utilized this trick every year. And this apple recipe is a sister to the likes of oven-dried banana chips, perfect pear slices, or even some dehydrated grapes. While you may be tempted to use all your apples for my Slow-Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples, set some aside and try this recipe. The secret? You just need some crisp apples from your fruit bowl and a sprinkle of cinnamon to create a bit of spicy aromatherapy action.
Ingredients
Does it get any simpler than this? Here’s what you’ll need…
- 3 large apples
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225°F.
- Use a mandoline on the thinnest setting to slice the apples.
- Line 2 or 3 baking pans with parchment paper.
- Spread the apple slices out on the paper. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the apples.
- Bake for 1 ½–2 hours, flipping once, until they’ve dried out.
- Remove from the oven. Let cool on the sheets.
- Store in a sealable jar to keep fresh.
Tips & Tricks
- The thinner your apple slices, the quicker they will dehydrate.
- When using the mandoline, start at the bottom and slice through the core. The pips should fall out; if they don’t, use a toothpick and pop them out.
- Maintain a low oven temperature to dehydrate the apples without cooking them.
- Keep a close eye on the apples, especially toward the end of the baking time.
- Flip the apple slices more than once if they don’t seem to be dehydrating evenly.
- The longer the slices cool, the crispier they will become.
Serving Suggestions
These delectable Dehydrated Apples are a dream come true in lunch boxes, or as a to-go snack. Pair them with a wedge of cheese or a handful of nuts for a satisfying, nutritious snack. They are also an enjoyable addition to your breakfast, dished up with pancakes, granola, or a bowl of yogurt.
FAQs
Nearly all apples will work, but I prefer the sweeter ones: Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji.
Just pop them back in the oven to dry out a little more. Don’t rush the process by increasing the temperature though!
That’s what it’s there for! Times will differ based on the model, size, etc. so consult the manual.
It’s not required, but if you would like the slices to retain their original, natural color, bathe them in a mix of lemon juice and water for a couple of minutes.
Dehydrated slices are more dense in terms of sugar and calories; that’s because you’ve removed the water used to dilute them. For the same reason, they may lose some of their vitamin C and antioxidants.
Variations
Dehydrated Spiced Apples: Add a mix of nutmeg, clove and ginger to the cinnamon for an extra kick.
Dehydrated Apples and Pears: Mix it up by blending in some sliced pears with your apples.
Chocolate-Dipped Dehydrated Apples: To make this dessert, coat half of each apple slice in dark chocolate after they come out of the oven.
Dehydrated Apples with Maple Glaze: As the name suggests, lightly brush each apple slice with pure maple syrup before dehydrating.
How to Prep and Store Your Oven-Baked Apples
You can absolutely whip up your Oven-Baked Apples in advance (it’s sort of the point). By baking them, you’re preserving them, so you can use them as snacks or toppings further on down the road. Just keep them in an airtight container and they’ll keep at room temperature for several weeks. And no need to reheat—just grab and eat!
Dehydrated Apples
Ingredients
- 3 large apples
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225°F.
- Use a mandoline to slice the apples on the thinnest setting.
- Line 2 or 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Spread the apple slices out on the paper. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the apples.Bake for 1 ½–2 hours, flipping once, until they have dried out. Remove from the oven. Let cool on the sheets. Store in a sealable jar to keep fresh.
Notes
- When using the mandoline, start at the bottom and slice through the core. The pips should fall out; if they don’t, use a toothpick and pop them out.
- Flip the apple slices more than once if they don’t seem to be dehydrating evenly.
- The longer the slices cool, the crispier they will become.
Nutrition
