📋 Instructions

1. 1Heat the air fryer — Set the air fryer to 150 C (300 F) and let it preheat for 5 minutes. A hot basket starts drying immediately instead of slowly warming the slices.
2. 2Core and slice the apples — Core the apples and slice them crosswise into 2 mm rounds with a mandoline. Even thickness is the single biggest factor in whether the batch crisps evenly.
3. 3Soak in lemon water — Drop the slices into the lemon water and leave them for 5 minutes. The acid stops the cut surfaces from turning brown before they hit the heat.
4. 4Dry and season — Drain the slices and pat both sides dry with a towel, then toss with oil if using, cinnamon, and salt. The slices should feel tacky, not wet, when they go in.
5. 5Air fry the first batch — Arrange slices in a single layer in the basket and cook at 150 C (300 F) for 12 minutes. Edges will look dry and slightly curled at this point.
6. 6Flip and finish — Flip each slice and cook 8 to 10 more minutes at 150 C (300 F). Chips are done when the centers feel firm and the edges are light amber; they will crisp fully as they cool.
7. 7Raise the heat for the last minute — If the chips still feel soft, cook 1 to 2 minutes at 175 C (350 F). Watch closely: the color shifts from pale gold to dark brown in under a minute.
8. 8Cool on a rack — Transfer chips to a wire rack in a single layer and cool for 10 minutes. They reach final crunch at room temperature, not in the basket.