Okay, so you know how sometimes you just CRAVE something sweet and comforting, but you don’t want to go full-on pie or cake? Yeah, me too! That’s where these amazing apple fries come in. Seriously, they’re like the best little warm hug for your taste buds. Forget those greasy fairground versions; we’re baking these babies for a healthier, just-as-delicious treat. I first whipped these up on a rainy afternoon when the kids were begging for a snack, and I didn’t have any cookies or anything pre-made. I just looked at a pile of apples on the counter and thought, “Hmm, what if…?” And let me tell you, it was a stroke of genius! They were gone in minutes, and now they’re a regular request around here. They’re ridiculously simple, packed with cozy cinnamon flavor, and just the right amount of sweet. You are going to LOVE them.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Fries
Okay, so why are these baked apple fries going to become your new go-to snack or simple dessert? Let me count the ways!
- They are SO easy. Like, seriously, maybe 10 minutes of actual work. Win!
- The flavor is pure cozy comfort. Warm apples, sweet cinnamon, just perfection.
- They’re baked, not fried, which means way less mess and a little bit healthier.
- Kids (and grown-ups!) devour them. They’re just fun to eat!
- You probably have everything you need in your kitchen right now.
See? What’s not to love about these amazing apple fries?
What You Need to Make Delicious Apple Fries
Alright, gather ’round! The beauty of these apple fries is how simple the ingredients are. You don’t need anything fancy, just some pantry staples and a few good apples. Here’s what you’ll want to grab:
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch thick fries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
See? Easy peasy! You’re probably already halfway there.
Equipment for Making Apple Fries
Good news! You don’t need any special gadgets for these apple fries. Just the basics will do. Grab a couple of mixing bowls, a sturdy peeler and corer (or just a knife!), a baking sheet, and some parchment paper.
How to Prepare Your Apple Fries
Okay, now for the fun part! Making these apple fries is super straightforward, almost ridiculously so. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a warm, cozy treat in about 30 minutes. Seriously, it’s that fast!
Preparing the Apples for Apple Fries
First things first, let’s get those apples ready! Grab your apples and give them a good wash. Then, you’ll want to peel them. After peeling, use your corer to get rid of that middle seed part. Now, the important bit: slicing! You want to slice your apples into pieces about 1/2-inch thick. Think of them like thick-cut fries. Try to keep them roughly the same thickness so they bake evenly. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but aiming for consistency helps!
Coating the Apple Fries Perfectly
Time to get those apple fries coated in all that deliciousness! Get two bowls ready. In one, mix your sugar and cinnamon together. Set that aside for a sec. In the other bowl, toss your apple slices with the melted butter. Make sure each slice gets a little buttery love! Next, sprinkle the flour over the apples and toss again until they’re lightly coated. This helps the cinnamon sugar stick and gives them a nice little crisp edge. Finally, add that cinnamon sugar mixture you made earlier and toss everything together until those apple slices are beautifully coated in sweet spice.
Baking Your Apple Fries
Almost there! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper – this makes clean-up a breeze and prevents sticking. Spread your coated apple fries out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. You don’t want them overlapping too much, or they’ll steam instead of bake. Pop them in the hot oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You’re looking for them to be tender when you poke them with a fork and maybe just starting to get a little golden and caramelized around the edges. They’ll smell amazing when they’re done, trust me!
Tips for Perfect Apple Fries
Want to make sure your apple fries turn out absolutely perfect every single time? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way:
- Pick the Right Apples: You want an apple that holds its shape when it bakes. My favorites for apple fries are Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji. They’re sweet and firm! Avoid really soft apples like Red Delicious, they can get mushy.
- Don’t Skimp on the Coating: Make sure those apple slices are really well coated in the flour and cinnamon sugar mixture. That’s what gives them that delicious crispy-chewy texture and all that flavor.
- Single Layer is Key: When you put them on the baking sheet, make sure they aren’t piled on top of each other. Giving them space lets the air circulate and helps them bake up properly instead of steaming.
- Watch ‘Em Closely: Oven temperatures can vary! Start checking your apple fries around the 15-minute mark. They’re done when they’re tender but still have a little bite, and the edges are starting to look golden.
Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be crunching on perfect apple fries in no time!
Variations and Serving Suggestions for Apple Fries
Okay, so these apple fries are fantastic just as they are, warm out of the oven. But if you’re feeling a little adventurous or just want to mix things up, there are tons of ways to play with them!
For a little extra something, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to the cinnamon sugar mix for extra warmth. A tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt after they bake is surprisingly delicious and just makes the sweetness pop! You could also add a tablespoon of chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, to the coating mixture before baking for a little crunch.
Now, for serving! These apple fries are practically begging for a dipping sauce. Warm caramel sauce is a classic, of course. But they’re also amazing with a dollop of vanilla yogurt (maybe with a tiny drizzle of maple syrup!) or even just a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the warm fries. Honestly, you can’t go wrong!
Storing and Reheating Apple Fries
Got any of these delicious apple fries leftover? Lucky you! Just pop them in an airtight container once they’ve cooled completely. They’ll keep in the fridge for a couple of days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, the best way to reheat them is in the oven or a toaster oven at around 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes. This helps them crisp back up a bit. The microwave works too, but they’ll be softer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Fries
Okay, so you’ve got questions about these amazing apple fries? Totally understandable! Here are some things people often ask:
Can I use different types of apples?
Absolutely! Like I mentioned, I love using Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji because they hold their shape so well. But you can experiment! Just steer clear of super soft ones like Red Delicious, or they might turn to mush. Granny Smith would work great too if you like a tarter fry!
Can I make these apple fries in an air fryer?
Oh yes! An air fryer is fantastic for these. Just follow the coating steps, then arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Air fry at around 375°F (190°C) for about 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they’re tender and caramelized. Keep a close eye on them as air fryers can cook faster!
Can I reduce the amount of sugar?
You can definitely play with the sugar! The recipe as written gives a nice sweet coating, but if you prefer them less sweet, feel free to cut back a tablespoon or two. You could also try using coconut sugar or even a sugar substitute, though the texture might be slightly different.
Are these apple fries gluten-free?
As written, no, because of the all-purpose flour. But you can easily make them gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free all-purpose blend. The coating should still work beautifully!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Apple Fries
Just a quick note about the nutrition info for these apple fries: please remember that these are just estimates! The actual numbers can change depending on the specific apples you use, the brand of butter, and so on. Think of it as a helpful guideline, not an exact science!
Share Your Apple Fries Creation
Alright, you’ve made them, you’ve devoured (most of) them… now show them off! I’d absolutely LOVE to see your apple fries! Leave a comment below and tell me how they turned out, or even better, snap a pic and tag me on social media so I can see your delicious creations! Happy baking!
Print
Baked Apple Fries: 30-Minute Cozy Snack
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy apple slices baked with cinnamon sugar.
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch thick fries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, toss apple slices with melted butter.
- Sprinkle flour over apples and toss to coat.
- Add cinnamon sugar mixture to apples and toss until evenly coated.
- Spread apple fries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized.
Notes
- Best served warm.
- Can be served with a dipping sauce like caramel or yogurt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Keywords: apple, fries, dessert, baked, cinnamon