The 6th Annual October Unprocessed is well underway and I’m doing my best to stick to my pledge. I don’t approach this challenge with the absolutes that some do (hence the almond milk latte I had this morning) but I do use it as an opportunity to be more mindful of what I’m eating and explore new options.
One of my weaknesses – where I’m most likely to succumb to processed foods – would be the seduction of the crunch that crackers and chips provide. I have a homemade cracker recipe that rocks the house but when I saw this recipe posted on the MyFitnessPal.com blog, I knew this is one of those recipes that I pin to my Pinterest board that I’d actually make. A little sweet without any added sugar, a different way to use all the gorgeous seasonal apples and spiced with seasonings that make the house smell delicious.
While the sheets of dried apples were cooling on the counter I kept finding excuses to walk through the kitchen. It’s a miracle frankly, that I didn’t polish them off before I could store some to enjoy another day.
- 3 medium apples – I used Honeycrisp and Granny Smith
- 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp ground ginger
- 1½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1½ tsp ground cloves
- Preheat the oven to 200°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray with nonstick spray.
- Wash and thinly slice the apples using a mandoline (watch those fingers!) with their core intact, picking out the seeds as necessary. Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet.
- Mix the spices together in a small bowl or jar. Lightly sprinkle over the side of the apples that's up, using a small spice shaker or your fingertips trying to spread as evenly as possible.
- Bake the chips for 1½ hours. Remove from the oven, carefully flip the chips with your fingers or a spatula, and sprinkle the new sides with spice blend. Put the chips back in the oven for another hour. When the hour is up, check on the chips. If they are about as crispy as you'd like, turn the oven off but keep the chips in the oven as it cools down. This will allow them to reach maximum crunchiness.
- NOTE: If you prefer softer, chewier apple chips, reduce the baking time and pull them out when they have reached your desired consistency.
- Store chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keep the extra spice blend in an airtight container, as well, and use it in your favorite fall recipes.
Nutritional information per serving: Calories: 104; Total Fat: 0g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat:0 g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 5mg; Carbohydrate: 28g; Dietary Fiber: 9g; Sugar: 17g; Protein: 0g
Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 62mg; Iron: 17%; Vitamin A: 2%; Vitamin C: 23%; Calcium: 10%
