Apple Chips vs. Dried Apples: What's the Difference?
October is National Apple Month, and there’s no better time to talk about this fall favorite. Both apple chips and dried apples start with the same fruit, but they end up as two very different snacks. If you’ve ever wondered which one is right for you, here’s how they compare and when to reach for each.
What Are Apple Chips?
Apple chips are thin apple slices dried until they're light and crisp. Think of them as the crunchy cousin in the dried fruit family.
To make them, apples are typically sliced thin and dried until nearly all of their moisture is gone. Fresh apples are mostly water, so removing it concentrates their natural sweetness and flavor. With so little water left, the slices turn firm and crisp, which gives them that satisfying snap.
Our Apple Chips Snack Packs are made with just one ingredient: USA-grown apples, sliced and gently dried until crisp. There's no added sugar, no preservatives, and nothing artificial, and they're non-GMO, kosher, and vegan. Each snack pack is easy to toss in a bag on your way out the door.
What Are Dried Apples?
Dried apples are soft and chewy, with a taste closer to fresh apple and a concentrated sweetness that comes from the fruit itself.
The drying stops earlier than the drying of apple chips, while more moisture remains in the fruit. That leftover moisture keeps them soft, pliable, and chewy.
Our Organic Dried Apples are certified organic and made with just one ingredient: apples, sliced and gently dried to keep a satisfying, chewy bite. Like our apple chips, they have no added sugar or preservatives, and they're non-GMO, kosher, and vegan. Choose snack packs for on the go, or a multi-serving bag for baking and sharing.
Apple Chips vs. Dried Apples: Which Should You Choose?
The biggest difference is texture. Apple chips are crisp and crunchy. Dried apples are soft and chewy. Your pick depends on how you like to snack.
Reach for apple chips when you want:
- A crunchy alternative to potato chips
- A lightweight snack for lunchboxes or the office
- A topping that adds crunch to yogurt or salads
Reach for dried apples when you want:
- A chewy, fruit-forward snack that tastes like fresh apple
- An ingredient for baking, homemade trail mix, spiced apple compote, or peanut butter overnight oats
- A sweet bite to pair with cheese or nuts
The Best of Both Worlds
Plenty of our customers keep apple chips in the pantry for crunchy cravings and dried apples on hand for baking season. Heading out on a fall hike? Pack a little of each. (Need more ideas? Check out our fall hiking snack guide.)