Homemade Dried Apples (Czech Krizaly)
Apples are widely harvested in the Czech Republic every autumn. This time of year, nearly every Czech has easy access to apples thanks to their own backyard trees or generous neighbors. Drying apple slices is a fantastic way to process apples. Czechs call this healthy snack krizaly!
Ingredients
- 10 apples
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice optional, if you want to soak the apples in a mixture of water and lemon juice to prevent them from browning
Instructions
- Use a vegetable peeler to remove the apple skins.
- Cut out the core with an apple core remover.
- Cut apples into 1/8-1/6" thick rings. To prevent the apples from browning, soak them in a mixture of several cups of water mixed with lemon juice.
- Lay out the apple slices on the dehydrator trays, in a single layer, close together but not overlapping.
- Set the dehydrator to 150°F (65°C) and turn the timer on for 8-12 hours, depending on whether you want dried apples with a leathery texture (shorter time) or fully dried apple chips (need longer to dry).
Notes
- For a better-tasting experience, always peel the apples and remove their cores.
- Softer apple slices with a shorter drying time (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 for a year or more.
- EQUIPMENT: For this recipe, you will need a food dehydrator, a vegetable peeler, and an apple core remover.