Air Fryer Caramelized Apple Cider with Cinnamon Chips
A warming spiced apple cider drink elevated with crispy caramelized cinnamon-sugar apple chips made in the air fryer. The chips add a sweet crunch and visual appeal to this cozy beverage, infused with star anise, cloves, and a hint of vanilla. Perfect for autumn gatherings or quiet afternoons.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Wait
- 10 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Makes
- 4 servings (about 1 cup per serving with chips)
Steps
Before you start
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes
- Slice apples thin and uniform (about ⅛ inch) for even cooking
- Have a small saucepan ready for warming the cider
- Gather your spices so they're ready to add
Prepare apple slices
- Wash the apples and pat dry.
- Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice each apple crosswise into thin ⅛-inch rings, keeping the skin on for visual appeal and texture.
- As you slice, remove the core portions from each ring (or core the apple first if preferred).
- Discard any bruised spots.
- You should have about 36–42 rings total.
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Ready when: Apple slices are uniform in thickness and the core portions are removed
Tip: Thin, uniform slices cook evenly and crisp up properly. If your apples are very large, cut rings in half to fit the air fryer basket better.
Season and oil the chips
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and sea salt.
- Lightly brush both sides of each apple slice with neutral oil using a pastry brush (you should use about 1 tablespoon total).
- Working in batches, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over both sides of the oiled apple slices, pressing gently so it adheres.
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Ready when: Apple slices are lightly oiled and coated on both sides with the cinnamon-sugar mixture
Tip: Don't oversaturate with oil—just a light brush prevents sticking without making the chips greasy. A light touch with seasoning avoids clumping.
Air fry the chipsOven 375°F / 190°C
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Arrange the seasoned apple slices in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if necessary (they can overlap slightly, but arrange so air can circulate).
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket gently halfway through, until the chips are golden, crispy, and the edges begin to caramelize.
- The slices should feel dry and crunchy when cool.
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Ready when: Apple slices are golden, crispy, and feel dry to the touch; edges are slightly darkened and caramelized
Tip: If your air fryer is small, cook the apples in two batches rather than overcrowding, which traps steam and prevents crisping. They will continue to crisp as they cool.
Warm the spiced cider
- While the chips are cooking, pour the apple cider into a medium saucepan and place over medium heat.
- Add the brown sugar, star anise pods, cloves, and cinnamon stick pieces.
- Stir occasionally and heat until small bubbles form around the edge and wisps of steam rise from the surface—do not boil.
- This takes about 8–10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
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Ready when: Cider steams gently at the edges; no rolling boil, and vanilla is incorporated
Tip: Gentle heat coaxes the most flavor from the spices without boiling off the delicate apple notes. Boiling can make star anise taste bitter.
Strain and serve
- Pour the warm cider through a fine mesh strainer into a heat-safe pitcher to remove the whole spices.
- Divide the strained cider evenly among four 12-ounce mugs (about 8 fl oz per mug).
- Top each mug with 8–10 of the warm cinnamon chips, arranging them upright or leaning against the rim for visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while the chips are still warm and crispy.
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Ready when: Cider is strained, distributed into mugs, and topped with warm apple chips
Tip: Serve immediately so the chips stay crispy. If chips soften over time, they can be re-crisped in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 2–3 minutes.
Good to know
Tips
- For deeper caramelization on the chips, increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (205°C) and reduce cooking time to 10–12 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- The cinnamon chips are the star here—serve them warm for maximum crispness and flavor impact. They soften if left in the warm liquid too long, so add them just before serving.
- Make extra chips and serve them alongside as a snack or garnish for other fall desserts and beverages.
- If you don't have an air fryer, bake the apple chips on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 300°F (150°C) for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crisp.
Make ahead
The apple chips can be made up to 2 hours ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Warm the cider fresh just before serving, then top the mugs with chips.
Storage & reheating
Best served fresh. Leftover cider can be refrigerated in a covered container for up to 4 days and reheated gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Cinnamon chips are best consumed within 2 hours but can be re-crisped as noted in the tip. Chips do not freeze well due to their delicate texture.
Substitutions
- Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, firm and unblemished → Fuji or Pink Lady apples. These hold their shape well and have a good balance of sweetness and tartness for chips.
- star anise pods → 1 additional cinnamon stick (3-inch piece) or ½ tsp ground anise seed. Use if you prefer to avoid star anise or want a more purely cinnamon-forward flavor.
- unsweetened apple cider (or fresh-pressed juice) → Apple juice (unsweetened) or a blend of apple juice and brewed chai tea. Fresh cider gives the best flavor, but quality apple juice works in a pinch. Chai tea adds extra spice complexity.
- pure vanilla extract → ¼ tsp ground nutmeg or cardamom. Nutmeg or cardamom offer a warmer, spicier finish if you prefer to skip vanilla.
