CINNAMON APPLE TIDBITS

Makes a quart of apple tidbits This recipe is just like our Apple Rings, only it adds cinnamon and makes the apple pieces into little tidbits, perfect for munching on and adding to trail mixes. With the addition of cinnamon, these are deliciously tasty. We like this recipe even more than the apple rings, simply because we can make more apples in less time with our dehydrator. If you’re using an oven, make sure that the apples don’t overlap or they won’t be able to properly dry out. INGREDIENTS • 5 large apples (a mild flavor like Fuji, York, or Gala) • 1 Tbsp (15 ml) cinnamon INSTRUCTIONS AND HOW KIDS CAN HELP 1. Peel and core your apples. 2. Dice apples into ¼-inch pieces (lay out the pieces on the tray or baking sheet as you go so that you know how many apples to dice; each of our trays fit about 4 large apples). 3. Toss the apples with cinnamon until coated. 4. Dry in dehydrator on medium heat for up to 4 hours until apple bits are dry on the outside yet still spongy and flexible on the inside. 5. Alternatively, bake in oven on a baking sheet at 170 degrees for 6–8 hours, checking for firmness.

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Cinnamon apple tidbits are apple rings' faster little sibling — apples diced into ¼-inch pieces, tossed with a generous tablespoon of cinnamon, and dried until leathery outside and still spongy within. A dehydrator turns out a whole quart in about four hours; the oven at 170°F takes the longer shift. They're trail-mix gold.

Pro Tips

• Lay the diced pieces out on the trays as you cut — it's the only way to see how many apples your trays actually hold before you've diced the whole bag.
• Mild apples are the move: Fuji, York, or Gala dry sweet and tender, while tart apples dry puckering and sharp.
• Keep the pieces in a single layer without touching — overlapping apple holds moisture and won't properly dry out.
• Pull them while the outsides are dry but the insides are still spongy and flexible; fully crisp pieces are over-dried and lose the chew that makes them tidbits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a dehydrator or an oven better for apple tidbits?

Both work — the dehydrator takes up to 4 hours on medium heat, while the oven needs 6–8 hours at 170°F with firmness checks. The dehydrator fits more apples in less time.

Do I need to peel the apples?

The recipe peels them, because skins dry leathery and turn tough around the soft flesh. If you like that chew, leave the peels on — nothing goes wrong.

How do I store cinnamon apple tidbits?

Airtight at room temperature, the drier they are the longer they last. Spongier-centre batches are best eaten within a couple of weeks.

What do I use apple tidbits for?

Straight snacking and trail mix, exactly like the Apple Rings they're based on — the tidbit size just makes them easier to mix by the handful.

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