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Homemade Dried Apples (Czech Křížaly)

Every autumn, apples are widely harvested in the Czech Republic. Nearly everyone has access to apples from their own trees or generous neighbors. Drying apple slices is a great way to preserve them. Czechs call this healthy snack "Křížaly!"

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
10 hrs
Total Time
10 hrs 20 mins
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: Czech

Ingredients

  • 10 apples
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice Optional: If you want, you can soak the apples in a mixture of water and lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the apple skins. Cut out the core using an apple corer.
  2. Cut the apples into ⅛-1/6 inch thick rings. To prevent browning, soak them in a mixture of several cups of water and lemon juice.
  3. Lay out the apple slices on the dehydrator trays in a single layer, close together but not overlapping.
  4. Set the dehydrator to 150 °F and turn the timer on for 8-12 hours, depending on your preference. For a leathery texture, use the shorter time, and for fully dried apple chips, use the longer time.

Notes

  • EQUIPMENT:
  • For a better-tasting experience, always peel the apples and remove their cores before drying.
  • Softer apple slices with a shorter drying time of 6-8 hours are intended for short-term consumption.
  • Store well-dried apple chips (10-12 hours) that break when bent in an airtight container in a dry, dark place. They will keep to a next apple harvest!
  • EQUIPMENT: For this recipe, you will need a food dehydrator, a vegetable peeler, and an apple corer.