It was over 40 degrees Celius most days last week, and while I avoided using the oven or stove as much as possible I strangely had the dehydrator running almost everyday. Yes, it does make the house a little too warm for comfort (even with the air conditioning on), but in order to preserve my many recent bulk buys of delicious seasonal fruit I’m willing to make a concession. I’m still getting through preserving my 4kg haul of strawberries but am thankful all the apples and stonefruit are done. My Excalibur dehydrator is never more handy than for helping me enjoy the bounty of summer fruit harvests for the next few months!
As with all dried fruit, dried apples can be much more expensive to buy than the fresh fruit itself. As long as you have a dehydrator you can make A LOT of apple chips for the same amount of money as a few seasonal apples. Home dried fruit is also free of sulphate preservatives and although the dehydration times are long, it’s all passive “cooking time” – just check back on the fruit in 8 or so hours.
While I more regularly wash, slice and dry my fruit without much more preparation, sometimes you crave something a little bit special – like these vanilla spice apple chips. Dipped in a lemon juice bath to stop the fruit browning and sprinkled with mixed spices and vanilla powder, these may well be the best thing you’ll make in your dehydrator in a while 😉
- 2 cups water
- juice of one lemon
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp vanilla powder
- 2 large red eating apples
- In a large bowl combine water and lemon juice and put aside. Mix spices and vanilla powder in another, smaller bowl and put aside.
- Slice apples with a mandolin or food processor attachment. Dip apple slices prepared lemon water and then place on mesh lined dehydrator sheets. Sprinkle with spice mix from smaller dish and dehydrate at 105F for 8 hours or until dried and leathery.
Comments 19
Holy yum!! These look delicious!! I’ve not got a dehydrator but I’ve thought about buying one. I currently make slow roasted tomatoes in a very low heat oven and they are always so good.
Author
They are so delicious Jan! I love the sound of your slow roasted tomatoes, the flavour must be so amazingly intense 😀 Thanks for the comment lovely!
Yay, we’re apple chip twins! I’ve been dehydrating up a storm all week as I’m going awaycamping this weekend…I did cinnamon apple chips. They’re so yummy.
I’m pretty new at the dehydrating so I’m still learning the ropes, but loving the variety of things I can make. It’s opened up a whole new world of food, hehe. x
Author
Sorry I haven’t replied sooner Caeli, I feel so rude for leaving you hanging for so long 🙁 So cool we are apple chip twins, I bet your were delicious!
And even though I’ve had my dehydrator for a year, every recipe is still a learning experience. It’s fun to experiment though!
That’s okay Ally 🙂
Yes I’m kind of just getting to the experimental stage, so far I’ve done pretty basic stuff – fruits and veggies, fruit leathers, and almond/flax and veggie crackers. All have been awesome so far, so I guess it’s time to expand…:)
Author
I’ve been dehydrating pretty much the same things as you Caeli 🙂 Sometimes I do some cookies or pancakes etc, but mostly it’s all just been about preservation. We should find some fancy stuff to make and compare notes 😀
These look SO GOOD, Ally! Wow! Can’t wait to try these…. Thanks for another fun recipe (my son will surely love)!
Author
I hope you and your son love them Colleen 😀 Sorry for the late reply too, I missed the notification for your comment last week!
YUM! I definitely have to get my hands on a dehydrator.
Author
Thanks Lila! I love my dehydrator, it’s so handy for preserving seasonal produce 🙂
These looks so delicious! I don’t have a dehydrator, but I wonder if this would work in the oven at low heat … I may have to experiment;)
Author
You might be able to do it on a low heat, they won’t come out exactly the same (as the oven is still ‘cooking’ them) but it’s definitely worth a go 😀 Let me know how it goes!
Hi Allison,
Dried apples have long been my go-to healthy, grab and go snack so your recipe is right up my alley! It’s always a pleasure to explore your blog.
Thank you so much for sharing this yummy recipe on the Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Blog Hop! I appreciate it!
All the best, Deborah
Author
My pleasure Deborah, thanks for hosting the party, it’s always a pleasure to link up 🙂
Thanks for sharing on Mostly Homemade Mondays! This is another great post 🙂 I don’t have a dehydrator yet, but really hope to get one for my birthday this summer. I look forward to reading what you post tomorrow when the link up goes live 🙂
Sincerely,
Kelli @ The Sustainable Couple
http://www.thesustainablecouple.com
Author
Thanks for hosting Kelli, it’s always a pleasure to link up at Mostly Homemade Mondays! Hope your dehydrator wishes come true 😀
Yum! I got a dehydrator over Christmas and have been wanting to dehydrate apples. I love apple crisp but they are so expensive, especially when I eat the entire bag in on sitting. Thanks for sharing your recipe. Visiting from Waste Not Want Not Wednesday!
Author
My pleasure Lauren, thanks for the comment 😀 Can’t wait to see on your blog what you get up to with that new dehydrator!
These look scrumptious! =)