Amazing apple cinnamon chocolate crisps in 3 steps

When the air gets that first crisp chill, all I want are simple, comforting flavors, and that’s why these apple cinnamon chocolate crisps are my absolute go-to! Hi, I’m Anna! 👩‍🍳 Cooking is my passion, and here on Mom’s Kitchen I share simple, delicious recipes that bring joy and warmth to your table. I truly believe that the best meals don’t require hours of fuss; they just need a little love and testing. Whether you love spending time in the kitchen or you’re just looking for easy ideas for everyday meals, I’m so happy to inspire you with my recipes. This particular treat is my secret weapon for busy weeknights because it’s completely no-bake! I developed this recipe after trying to satisfy a massive craving using only pantry staples I had on hand during a crazy busy school week. It transformed a handful of dried apples and chocolate into something truly magical. Thank you for being part of this flavorful journey! 💛 I’ve tested this method countless times to ensure it’s foolproof—perfect for beginners!

Simple Ingredients for apple cinnamon chocolate crisps

You won’t believe how few things you need to pull these incredible apple cinnamon chocolate crisps together. Seriously, check your pantry—you probably have most of this already! My goal here is always absolute clarity. I want you to feel confident grabbing these items because every single measurement matters when you’re working with melted chocolate.

Required Components

Ingredient	Measurement	Prep Note
Dark Chocolate	12 ounces	Finely chopped
Crispy Rice Cereal	2 cups	Standard size
Dried Apples	1 cup	Finely chopped
Ground Cinnamon	1 teaspoon	Measuring spoon required
Flaky Salt	1/4 teaspoon	For sprinkling

Ingredient Clarity and Substitutions

The chocolate choice is crucial here. We must use dark chocolate, about 60% cacao or higher. The slight bitterness really cuts through the sweetness of the apples and balances the cinnamon spice. Don’t substitute with chocolate chips unless you absolutely have to, as chips contain stabilizers that make them harder to melt smoothly. For the dried apples, make sure they are chopped quite small—we want little bursts of tartness, not big chewy chunks. If you can only find large dried apple pieces, give them a quick, rough chop yourself! And please, measure that cinnamon carefully; too much and it overpowers everything.

Why You Will Love These apple cinnamon chocolate crisps

Honestly, once you see how fast these come together, they’ll become a staple in your house just like they are in mine. I promise you less time worrying about baking times and more time enjoying a truly special treat. These apple cinnamon chocolate crisps are pure comfort food without the oven heat, which is perfect for those sticky summer days or when you just don’t want to turn the stove on!

• They are completely no-bake, meaning zero oven time required.
• The active mixing time is ridiculously short—we are talking minutes!
• They satisfy that craving for something both crunchy and chewy all at once.
• The flavor combination is sophisticated yet totally familiar and cozy.

Quick Preparation Highlights

Because there’s no baking involved, the entire process hinges on efficient melting and mixing. You spend maybe ten minutes actually stirring things together. The only real waiting game is the chilling time in the fridge, which is mandatory for them to set nicely. This makes them perfect for last-minute dessert planning or even a quick afternoon snack when the kids get home from school.

Cozy Flavor Profile

Oh, the flavor! If you adore apple pie but hate making pie crust, this is for you. The warm, earthy notes of cinnamon mingle beautifully with the slight tartness of the dried apples. Then, BAM! You get that rich, satisfying snap of dark chocolate. It’s the perfect balance—sweet, spiced, and just a tiny bit salty thanks to that little sprinkle of flaky sea salt I insist you add at the end. It’s seriously addictive.

Essential Tools for Making apple cinnamon chocolate crisps

You don’t need a fancy stand mixer or a dozen gadgets for these treats, which is another reason I love them so much! Having the right basic setup, however, makes sure your apple cinnamon chocolate crisps come out perfectly formed and not a melted mess. Trust me, a few simple items make all the difference in achieving that perfect snap.

• A heat-safe bowl for melting the chocolate over a double boiler setup.
• A sturdy spatula or wooden spoon for thorough mixing.
• A standard baking sheet for spreading out the mixture.
• Parchment paper or wax paper to line the sheet—this is non-negotiable for easy release!

Step-by-Step Instructions for apple cinnamon chocolate crisps

Alright, grab your ingredients! This is where the magic happens, and I promise you, it moves fast once you start stirring. We need to focus on gentle heat for the chocolate, as scorched chocolate tastes bitter and ruins the whole batch of apple cinnamon chocolate crisps. Since this is no-bake, we aren’t worried about oven temperatures, but we do need to pay close attention to the stovetop.

Preparing the Base Mixture

First things first: line that baking sheet with parchment paper. I usually use about two large sheets so they overlap a bit—that way, I know nothing will stick! Now, let’s tackle the chocolate. You need a saucepan with just a tiny bit of water simmering gently—barely a bubble breaking the surface. Place a heat-safe bowl on top of the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. This is your double boiler, and it melts the chocolate slowly and evenly. Add your 12 ounces of finely chopped dark chocolate to the bowl and stir it constantly until it’s completely smooth and glossy. Don’t walk away during this part! Once it’s liquid velvet, take the whole bowl off the heat immediately. We don’t want it getting too hot.

Next, we incorporate the flavor and crunch. Into that melted chocolate, stir in your 2 cups of crispy rice cereal, the 1 cup of finely chopped dried apples, and the full teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix everything together until every single piece of cereal and apple is coated in that beautiful dark chocolate. You need to work quickly here because the chocolate starts to firm up as it cools down.

Forming and Setting the Crisps

Once everything is coated—and I mean *everything*—grab a spoon. I use a standard tablespoon to drop small, irregular mounds of the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. Don’t try to make perfect circles; these are supposed to look rustic! They should be about the size of a large cookie. As you drop them, take your tiny pinch of flaky salt and sprinkle just a whisper over the top of each crisp. That salt is essential for making the chocolate flavor pop!

When your sheet is full, it’s time for them to chill out. Carefully transfer the whole tray into the refrigerator. They need at least 30 minutes in there to fully harden. If your fridge is packed, you can let them sit on the counter for an hour, but the fridge ensures they get that satisfying, snappy texture we are looking for. Don’t rush this part!

Tips for Perfect apple cinnamon chocolate crisps

Even though these treats are no-bake, there are still a couple of spots where things can go sideways if you aren’t careful. The biggest mistake people make when creating apple cinnamon chocolate crisps is overheating the chocolate. If the chocolate gets too hot or has even a drop of water splash into it before you remove it from the heat, it can seize up and become grainy. We want smooth, flowing chocolate! Learning how to melt chocolate safely is a key skill for any home baker.

Another thing to watch out for is the coating process. Make sure you stir that cereal and apple mixture until you see no dry spots left at the bottom of the bowl. An uneven coating means some bites will be pure cereal, and we want a balanced bite every time. If the mixture starts getting too stiff before you finish dropping spoonfuls, just put the bowl near the warm saucepan for thirty seconds to loosen it up again. A little patience here pays off big time! If you are interested in learning more about the science behind food preparation, you might enjoy reading about the chemistry of chocolate.

Storing Your apple cinnamon chocolate crisps

These treats are best kept cool to maintain that wonderful crunch. Remember that note I put in the recipe card? Chilled storage is the secret weapon for keeping your apple cinnamon chocolate crisps crisp! Unlike baked cookies, these rely on the chocolate staying firm. If you leave them out on a warm counter, the chocolate can soften and they’ll become a sticky mess quickly.

Storage Method	Duration	Reheating Advice
Airtight Container (Fridge)	Up to 1 week	None needed; enjoy cold
Airtight Container (Counter)	1-2 days (Cool Room Only)	Transfer to fridge if room is warm

I never try to reheat these since they are no-bake, but a quick 5 minutes in the freezer can sometimes refresh them if they’ve been sitting out too long.

Reader Questions About This Recipe

I get so many questions after people try these for the first time! It’s wonderful to see everyone making their own batch of apple cinnamon chocolate crisps. Here are a few things folks ask me most often when they are getting ready to mix up their first tray. If you want to know more about me and my kitchen philosophy, check out my About Me page!

Can I use different types of chocolate?

You certainly can, but the resulting flavor profile changes! If you use milk chocolate, the crisps will be much sweeter, and you might want to skip the salt entirely. White chocolate works too, but it doesn’t have that rich depth to balance the cinnamon and apples. If you use white chocolate, just be extra careful when melting it, as it burns much faster than dark chocolate.

How long do these crisps stay fresh?

They are best enjoyed within the first three to four days, strictly kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Because they have dried fruit and no baking process to kill off any natural moisture, they can start to get a little soft around day five or six, especially if your kitchen is humid. Eat them fast!

Can I add nuts to the apple cinnamon chocolate crisps?

Absolutely! If you want a little extra crunch or protein, nuts are a fantastic addition. I recommend toasting them lightly first—it really wakes up their flavor. Walnuts or pecans chop up beautifully and pair wonderfully with the cinnamon and apple. Just make sure to add them right when you mix in the cereal and apples, so they get fully coated in the chocolate.

Nutritional Estimate for apple cinnamon chocolate crisps

Now, I always like to give a little heads-up on what you’re eating, even with a simple treat like this. Since these apple cinnamon chocolate crisps are no-bake and rely on chocolate, the fat content is a bit higher than a standard rice cereal bar, but that’s where the flavor comes from! These numbers are just estimates based on the standard dark chocolate and cereal brands I use in my kitchen, so yours might vary slightly.

Estimated Nutritional Breakdown

Nutrient	Estimate Per Crisp
Calories	112
Total Fat	6 g
Carbohydrates	15 g
Protein	2 g

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