Apple & Pear Chips
One of my favourite seasonal snacks is apple chips. They pack up perfectly for the lunch box or car ride, and are a nice alternative to everyday crackers and baked goods. Traditionally made with cinnamon, sugar and apple slices, I’ve made them a little healthier by replacing the processed sweetener with pure maple syrup.
Prep time for these crisps is less than 10 minutes, but baking time can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, depending on how thick the apples are sliced. I recommend cutting them no thicker than ¼ inch to ensure a crispy, warped exterior.
The same chips can also be made with pears. Leave the core intact and remove the seeds once the pear is sliced. Swap the cinnamon for some ground ginger and bake them using the same method.
In addition to serving these to the kids, I like to add apple and pear chips to my cheese boards when I’m entertaining in the fall and winter. A crumbly blue or tangy goat cheese nicely compliments the pear pieces, while aged cheddar is a natural accompaniment to the apple chips.
Tell me, what snacks are you making with your apples right now?
Homemade Apple Chips
You’ll Need
- 2 apples
- 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Prep and Cook
- Preheat oven to 200°F.
- Wash and core each of the apples. Slice the apples on mandolin, or with a knife, cutting each slice no thicker than ¼ inch.
- In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup and cinnamon and set aside.
- Lay the apples on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and brush each with the syrup mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 2 to 4 hours, or until the chips are crispy.
Good to Know: To reduce the baking time, wedge the oven open with a wooden spoon. This will allow the moisture to escape and will help the apples slices to become crispy sooner.
