Homemade Apple Chips

I was inspired by this post over on FabFrugalFood a couple months ago and immediately set out to create my own apple chips. As mentioned in the past, Donnie won't let me anywhere near a mandoline slicer. Fine - I have other sharp tools to play with.

I bought this for about $5 at A Kitchen Shop in Hawley, PA:

Crinkle cutters are very cheap and versatile. Buy one here from Amazon.

You can make a batch of FFG's Cinnamon Curry flavoured chips, which are excellent, or you can experiment with your own seasonings and marinades.

• Healthy Slice of Apple and Cheddar: apple slices + sprinkle of nutritional yeast
  
• Apple Pie: baste w/maple or agave syrup + apple or pumpkin pie spice
  

To make your own apple chips, core and peel about 6 medium apples. Reserve the apple skins if you want to prepare them like the chips!

Cut using a mandoline or a crinkle cutter. Poach for 3-4 minutes in a pot of simmering cinnamon stick-infused water. Dry on paper towel and spread out on a silpat-covered baking tray.

Don't have a Silpat?? Buy one from Amazon. Be aware they come in different sizes.

Season well with your preferred spice blend. I particularly like using garam masala for a touch of sweet and savoury.

Spice Hunter is an inexpensive source of decent quality spices that can be found at local groceries. Only one of their spice blends contains gluten, the Grill Shakers Rib Seasoning. The cumin in their garam masala blend adds a nice warmth and smoky note.

Bake at 250F until the apple chips reach desired crispness, about 1 hour for chewy and 2 hours for super crisp. They will become slightly more crisp as they cool.

Crunchy bite-size apple chip

I store my apple chips in old canning jars. Make sure your chips are cool before putting them into the jar!