Apple season has arrived, which means it’s time for all things pomme: fresh apples, dried apples, apple sauce, apple pie, apple cake and one of the newer apple treats — crisp, sweet apple chips.

Baked or freeze-dried, they’re made from a range of apple varieties. Some are made crisp by coating them with oil, but most are a single-ingredient treat.

Frugal foodies will argue that apple chips are over-priced — and simple to make at home in an air fryer.

But snackers lacking the tools or ambition to DIY chips will find bags of these snacks in various spots around the market, including the snack aisle, the produce section or in the vicinity of dried fruit. Interestingly, while a multitude of companies produce the chips and slices, many brands are only available regionally — or online, where they’re sold in bulk.

Curious to know if any of these deliver the kind of apple goodness we crave, we crunched through a mound of chips and slices we found at local markets.

The sweetest of the lot are freeze-dried, followed by those that list apples as the one and only ingredient.

Less sweet and more crisp: chips that incorporate oil, even though they also have added sugar.

Great chips are pleasantly crunchy and deliver a burst of fresh apple in every bite. Bad apple chips are soft and bland, or taste more like oil than apple.

Note that all apple chips lose their crunchy texture if left unsealed, which means they’re not a great snack for parties or snack buffets.

Here are the details on the most crunch-worthy apple slices, and the soft, oily chips to avoid.

Nutrition info refers to 1 ounce, or about 12 chips.

Trader Joe’s Apple Chip Duo

These zippy slices of crinkle-cut red and green apples are crisp and have as much flavor as a juicy, fresh piece of fruit — plus they are reasonably priced. 100 calories, no fat, no sodium, 18 grams sugar, 8 grams fiber, 1 gram protein. $2.49 for 2 ounces.

Rind Apple Chips

Some may balk at the appearance of these rustic, un-peeled, brown chips, but they have big apple flavor and a pleasant, crunchy texture. 100 calories, no fat, no sodium, 17 grams sugar, 1 gram fiber, 1 gram protein. $3.98 for 2.7 ounces at Walmart.

Bare Organic Crispy Reds Apple Chips

These tasty, crisp chips are pricey, especially since it’s hard to stop from crunching through the entire bag by yourself. The flavor is top-notch, but be aware that these begin to turn sticky within minutes of opening the bag. 110 calories, no fat, no sodium, 20 grams sugar, 4 grams fiber, no protein. $5.57 for 3 ounces at Whole Foods.

Bare Granny Smith Apple Chips

If you like the sour kick of a Granny Smith apple, you’ll appreciate these lively chips. They are tasty, if a bit tart. These have the same quick-to-get-sticky issue as the red apple chips. 110 calories, no fat, no sodium, 17 grams sugar, 5 grams fiber, no protein. $4.49 for 3.4 ounces at Raley’s.

Seneca Pink Lady Apple Chips

Craving potato chips? These apple chips are the next best thing, especially for anyone with a sweet tooth. These are huge, crisp chips, even if the oil dulls the apple flavor. 150 calories, 8 grams fat, 10 mg sodium, 10 grams sugar, 2 grams fiber, no protein. $2.99 for 2.5 ounces at Raley’s.

Seneca Original Apple Chips

The flavor of oil diminishes these gorgeous chips. That said, they deliver lots of crunch and would taste great with a slightly sweet dip. 140 calories, 6 grams fat, 15 milligrams sodium, 11 grams sugar, 2 grams fiber, 2 grams protein. $2.99 for 2.5 ounces at Raley’s.

Good & Gather Freeze Dried Apple Slices

These puffy apple slices with shiny skin are a bit bland but OK in a pinch. 96 calories, no fat, no sodium, 23 grams sugar, 4 grams fiber, .5 grams protein. $4.99 for 1.25 ounces at Target.

Great Value Freeze Dried Fuji Apple Fruit Crisps

Applesauce fans will love these extra-soft, peel-free slices. These are great for young eaters, but they lack the charm of a fresh Fuji. 110 calories, no fat, no sodium, 21 grams sugar, 3 grams fiber, no protein. $3.28 for 1 ounce at Walmart.

Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.com.