How to Make Dried Apple Rings in the Oven
Dried Apple Rings are proof that not everything good in life is illegal, immoral, or fattening. That’s because these oven-dried apples rings recipe is as sweet as candy but takes only two ingredients.
So read on to learn everything you might want to know about dehydrating apples. Or just grab your apples, hit that Jump to Recipe button, and let’s make some dried apple rings!
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Ingredients
These dried apple rings use only two ingredients, apples and lemon juice. Just like with my strawberry applesauce, you’ll want the right apple.
The most important thing for this dried apple recipe is to pick a apple varietal that is firm and not mushy like a Red Delicious. The best apple is a sweet apple like a Honeycrisp or Honeycrisp cross or a tart apple like a Pink Lady.
If you love apples, check out my other apple recipes like this strawberry apple pie or blackberry apple pie, sourdough apple cake or sourdough apple muffins. Or try some savory apple recipes like my apple pie baked beans, caramelized onion and apple waffles, chicken and apple meatballs, or apple bourbon pork tenderloin.
Please see the recipe card below for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations and substitutions
- Add cinnamon or other spices by dusting after dipping the apple rings into the lemon juice and before baking.
- Have fun oven-drying! Try making dehydrated strawberry chips or dehydrating cherry tomatoes next.
Recipe tips and tricks
Mandoline safety
You can use a a mandoline to slice your apple rings, but please do it safely. Use the holder to reduce the risk of cutting yourself, or buy cut-resistant gloves. I heard way too many stories about the mandoline when I was writing this piece on hazards in the kitchen.
Making the dried apple rings
Start by preparing the apples. Depending on your apples, you may find it best to core and slice one apple at a time so that they don’t start to brown before you dip them in your lemon juice and water.
Lay each apple ring on your baking mat or rack as you go. They can be touching, but don’t overlap them.
Dry your apple rings in your dehydrator or in your oven at 175 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three hours until the apples are your desired texture. I like my dried apple rings still a bit chewy, but you can dehydrate them longer if you like a crisp dried apple.
Recipe FAQs
Lemon juice primarily is used to prevent the apple from turning brown during the drying process. But it can also have antimicrobial properties if you want to keep your dehydrated apples for longer than a day or two.
Of course. If you want to add spices to this recipe, you would add them after dipping into the lemon juice and before baking. But if you’ve got great tasting apples, they shouldn’t need anything else.
In my house, about an hour. In all seriousness, dehydrated apples will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for days regardless of how dry you’ve made them. If you’ve completely dried them to crispy, they’ll keep for months. If your dried apples are still a bit sticky, you will want to eat them right away.
Related recipes
If you love these dried apple rings, you’ll love some of the other Ugly Duckling Bakery snacks like:
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-heart 💜💜💜💜💜 rating in the recipe card below. Let me know how much you loved it, or any problems you had, in the comments section further down.
Recipe
Dried Apple Rings
Equipment
- Apple corer
Ingredients
- 1 lemon
- 2 apples
Instructions
- Juice the lemon and combine the juice in a bowl with an equal amount of water.1 lemon
- Core the apples. Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, carefully cut rings about 2 millimeters (about ⅛ inch) thick.2 apples
- One by one, dunk both sides of the apple slices into the lemon juice and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. You can crowd the apple slices but do not overlap them.
- Using the dehydrator setting on your oven if you have one, bake at 175°F for 2 or more hours, longer if you want the apple rings to be crispy. Flip them over after about an hour.
Notes
Nutrition
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I just tried making these dried apple rings, and they turned out amazing! The step-by-step instructions were super easy to follow. I added a sprinkle of cinnamon, and the flavor was incredible. Thanks for sharing such a delicious and healthy snack idea! Can’t wait to try experimenting with other fruits too!
I just tried making these dried apple rings, and they turned out amazing! The step-by-step instructions were super helpful, and I loved the tip about slicing them evenly. Can’t wait to snack on these this fall! Thank you for the great recipe! 🍏✨