I should be embarrassed that I ate half of these right out of the oven…
UPDATED: I added instructions for how I made them in my new KitchenAid Air Fryer Countertop Oven using the “Dehydrate” Function. (See photos under recipe.)
They are seriously addictive! Beware ( :
I have always loved dried fruits and I wondered if I could make my own using the KitchenAid 12″ Countertop Convection Oven – I thought the lowest temperature and the convection fan might just do the trick – and it did!! Plus, with two oven racks you can make a lot at one time! I sprinkled one rack of apple slices with cinnamon and kept one rack plain. They make your whole house smell of warm apples and cinnamon! YUM! Plus, dried fruit that you buy at the store is usually pretty expensive and most have added preservatives – these are just apples (and cinnamon if you like!)
Ingredients
- 2-3 apples (I used Honeycrisp)
- cinnamon if desired
Instructions
- Slice and core apples (I left the peel on, you can remove if you like). I used the KitchenAid Spiralizer to slice and core the apples to 4mm thickness
- Sprinkle the apples with cinnamon if desired
- Place the slices directly on the oven racks.
In Air Fryer Countertop Oven with Dehydrate Function
- Set oven to dehydrate - 150 degees, 6 hours.
- Place apple slices on both the air fry basket (in top slot) and on oven rack (in bottom slot)
- Dehydrate to desired consistency. (For chewy texture, you won't need the full 6 hours.)
In Regular or Countertop Convection Oven:
- Set oven to Bake
- Set temperature to "Warm" - this will be about 150 degrees F.
- Allow them to dry to desired chewiness.
- Mine took 3 hours. They shrunk quite a bit and felt leathery on the outside. The cinnamon ones tend to finish a little sooner, I think the cinnamon helps draw or absorb some of the moisture.
- Turn the oven off and allow them to cool in the oven.
- I store them in an airtight container for a few days or in the refrigerator for longer - but they probably won't last that long!
Nutrition (approx. data estimated via online nutritional calculator.)
Tina: Can I do these without a convection oven, or do you believe the convection is important for the success of this recipe? I’m very interested to try it. Thanks! (Amy)
Hi Amy!
My sister made them without a convection oven. It will just take a bit longer. Just dry/cook them to your desired level of chewy or crispness. You can open the oven door slightly periodically to allow the moisture out of the oven.
Enjoy!
Tina