Crispy Apple Skins

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Crispy Apple Skins: A Zero-Waste Fall Snack

When fall baking gets rolling, I always end up with piles of apple peels. A lot of times I’ll save them for making homemade apple vinegar — but sometimes I turn them into a quick little snack instead: crispy apple skins. Think of them as nature’s answer to chips, only sweet, spiced, and light as air.

A Snack That’s Fun

and

Healthy

This is one of those recipes that feels almost too simple, but kids love it, and you’ll feel good handing it to them. Apple peels are full of fiber and antioxidants, and instead of tossing them, you’re turning scraps into something crunchy and delicious. It’s the perfect little after-school snack or cozy fall movie-night treat.

Customize the Flavor

Here’s the best part: you can make these your own. Keep them classic with cinnamon sugar, cozy them up with apple pie spice, or even throw in a little cayenne for sweet heat. However you season them, they’re a quick way to use every last bit of your apples.

Zero Waste, Maximum Flavor

Crispy apple skins are one of those little kitchen tricks that make you feel clever. They’re fast, customizable, kid-approved, and waste-free, a win all around.

Crispy Apple Skins

Turn leftover apple peels into a crispy, zero-waste snack! These apple skins are tossed with butter and your choice of sweet, spicy, or savory seasonings, then baked until crunchy. Perfect for fall and a delicious way to use every part of the apple.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Ingredients

Peels from 2–4 apples (washed well)
1-2 tsp melted butter (or coconut oil)
1-2 tsp seasoning blend of choice

Seasoning Options

Fall Spice

1-2 tsp cinnamon sugar
1-2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp sugar (optional for extra sweetness)
1-2 tsp apple pie spice + 1 tsp sugar (optional for extra sweetness)
1-2 tsp gingerbread spice + 1 tsp sugar (optional for extra sweetness)

Cinnamon-Cayenne Sugar (Sweet Heat)

2 tsp sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon + ⅛–¼ tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)

Smoky Heat

1 tsp paprika + ½ tsp chili powder + 1 tsp sugar (sweet-smoky-spicy)

Herb-Salted

1–2 tsp dried rosemary or thyme + pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Coat peels: Toss apple peelings in melted butter until lightly coated.
Season: Sprinkle with your chosen seasoning blend (1 tsp for fewer peels, 2 tsp for more). Toss again to coat evenly.
Bake: Spread peels in a single layer. Bake 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway, until crisp. Thicker peels may need up to 25 minutes.
Note: If you use a paring knife to peel, more apple flesh will stay attached, which makes them heartier but also slower to crisp. If you use a vegetable peeler, you’ll get thinner skins that bake faster but with less apple attached.
Cool: Let cool completely — they’ll crisp more as they cool.
Enjoy: Store in an airtight jar for 2–3 days.

Prep tip

If your apples are waxed, scrub them first with a warm water rinse and a baking soda + kosher salt rub to remove the coating before peeling.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!