Place the apple chips in a food processor and purée for about 30 seconds. Pour the ground apple chips into a large bowl with the oats, pecans, flaxseeds, zest, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the syrup with the melted butter and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir very well until combined. Spread the granola evenly over a large sheet pan and place in an oven that has been preheated to 300 degrees. Remove from the oven after 15 minutes and stir, then spread the granola out again over the sheet pan and bake for another 15 minutes.Remove from the oven and let the granola cool completely before breaking it apart. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.