If you are thinking about dehydrating apples this year in your Ninja Foodi, let me tell you it’s fantastic. I’ve used our classic dehydrator system like this for years. T
his is our second one as I’ve noticed the heating element seems to give out in time.
When I used this dehydrator, it took all night and a few more hours early morning. So I was waiting for a total of 12+ hours.

I am living out here in the country with many old apple trees. I hate to see them go to waste. This has been a fantastic year for apples, and we have six apple trees. So I decided to use my Ninja Foodi to make a healthy snack for my family. Another perk of doing this is keeping with our $60 grocery shopping budget.
I’ve been sharing my Ninja Foodi posts here if you are new around here. I did a complete review of it here. I couldn’t be more impressed with this machine. I almost love it MORE than my Kitchenaid mixer, which is my first true love.
More Meal Planning Stuff:
- 25 Cheap Snacks to Buy in Bulk
- How to Make Crocktober Work for Your Budget
- How Does the FlashFood App Work?
- My Weekly Grocery Shopping Trip & Meal Menu
- How to Stock Your Fridge on a Budget
How to Make Dehydrated Apples in the Ninja Foodi
Items Needed:
- Lemon Juice- I used 2 tsp.
- 3 Apples- I used Medium Sized Apples 2 sour 1 gala
- Knife or Apple Slicer/Corer- I used this apple slicer and corer and slice the apples in half from it.
- Peeler
- Cinnamon- optional
Let’s Move On To How Prep The Apples
I’ve tried the classic apple peeler in the past, and it works great at first. T en it becomes a pain in the butt. After spending money on two different ones, I stick to the apple slicer and corer.
We do not spray our apples, and if you have your apple trees, you may notice they don’t look like the store ones.
But I can assure you they taste just as good when you cook with them.

You will want to core and slice your apples. I cut the apples in half again with the apple slicer like this.

I also peel them by hand. Of course, M kids will eat the apples how they are now, but I thought it would be easier to peel the skin off if they decide it’s too chewy or something crazy.

I recommend getting a peeler that has a double edge. It works fast, and it’s sharp! B careful if you get a brand new one not to cut yourself.
Check for any edges that have part of the core etc., left. C t that off. I always run my finger along the top to ensure it doesn’t have any complex pieces left.
Are you tired of looking at the Ninja Foodi on your counter? Ch ck out these cute Food Cover-ups!

I put all my apple slices in a bowl and added 2 tsp of Lemon Juice. I wooshed them around for a few minutes. You want to make sure every piece is coated in lemon juice.
I did one apple with the peel and the other two without. This is because I like to test out what my kids will eat.
Be sure to save all your peels and cores for your compost pile and your animals.

I grabbed a paper towel and laid the apples out on it.

Pat dry the apples to remove access juice.

Get your Ninja Foodi ready. Mi e came with this rack which is perfect for drying more apples. If you have a Foodi, you know it is on the small side of specific meals. The stand gives you extra space.

I learned the hard way; you don’t want to fill it up entirely. You need room for the air to flow and dry the apples properly.
The last thing I did was sprinkle cinnamon on the top apples. I love the Saigon Organic Cinnamon from BJs. For $4.99, you can’t beat the price.

This was my first time doing it in the Ninja Foodi, so I made sure to leave room between the apple slices.
More Ninja Foodi Stuff:
- Easy Restaurant Quality Ninja Foodi Yeast Rolls
- Upside Down Taco Nachos in the Ninja Foodi
- Easy Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie in Ninja Foodi
- Easy Way to Make Hot Dogs in Ninja Foodi
- 7 Easy Staple Meals You Can Make For Cheap
Ninja Foodi Settings
I put my apples on the bottom and top. Cl sed the air fryer lid.
I hit the dehydrate button and set the temperature to 135° and seven hours.
The best part about this is after seven hours; it shuts off. Which means I woke up to dried apples that the Ninja Foodi perfectly did.
Results

I love how these turned out. They taste delicious. Se n hours may seem long, but this was a welcome hello than my traditional dehydrator. I l ve how it turns off after setting the time.

I put ours in a Ziploc bag because they probably won’t last more than a day. Since it is such a small serving, you could have fresh apple slices each day during apple season. After baking multiple pies and apple crisp, I’m ready to only peel and core three apples for a snack 🙂
My kids liked these too. Ours is a tad bit sour because I didn’t add any sugar, making me like them even more. I love sour stuff. In t e next batch, I’ll add a tiny bit of sugar.
If you want your apples to be more of a chip texture, slice thinner or in circles and dehydrate an hour or so longer.
Give them a try in your Foodi, and let me know how it goes in the comments below. Or connect by email below.
PIN OR SAVE FOR LATER NINJA FOODI RECIPES:
- Easy Venison Roast with Veggies Recipe in Foodi Ninja
- How to Cook a Whole Chicken in Ninja Foodi
- Easy & Delicious Pizza Pasta Bake in Ninja Foodi
- Ninja Foodi Mac & Cheese Recipe
- Healthy Vegetarian Lasagna In Ninja Foodi
,
Tova
Sunday 1st of May 2022
Thanks for the detailed instructions! I don't see a dehydrator setting on my ninja foodi. Could it be called something else? Would it be the air fryer setting? TIA!
Tasia
Thursday 5th of May 2022
Yours may not have it then. Mine has the actual dehydrator button. :(
mark asquith
Monday 23rd of November 2020
hi Tasia , I've just received my Foodi and will be trialling some of your recipes! Quick question ondehydrating - can the dehydrated fruit pieces be frozen afterwards? thankyou! Mark, England
Tasia
Saturday 28th of November 2020
I personally haven't done that, but I know you can certainly store dried fruit in the freezer. Excited for you with the Ninja Foodi journey.
Angel
Monday 31st of August 2020
Newbie dehydrator here.-To use these in a pie, how would I go about that? As in rehydrating them?
Tasia
Tuesday 1st of September 2020
Hey Angel. I haven't personally used dried apples in a pie, but here is how you can go about doing it. Heat juice or cider to a boil and pour over dried apples; let stand for 1 hour. Cook apples in juice for 10 to 15 minutes or till tender. Then you can follow the rest of your pie recipe as normal.
Anthony
Wednesday 6th of May 2020
I bought the 5 layer rack and placed thin slices on all 5 layers. Set the 6.5L Foodi for 10 hours and ran over night. Awoke to crispy and delicious apple chips. We tried the sweet potato chips but they wont dry to crispy. Loving the Foodi. Thank you for the cinnamon tip! :) cheers stay safe
Tasia
Wednesday 6th of May 2020
Awesome glad to hear it! I can't wait for apples again this year.
Jackie
Saturday 21st of March 2020
Looks delicious will any apple work well or should I use a sour apple like Granny Smith?
Tasia
Saturday 21st of March 2020
You can use any apple. If you want a sweeter apple I would go for Gala or Fuji. We used the apples we had available for free. Granny smith are good if you don't want a very sweet dried apple.