With a food dehydrator, you have the ability to preserve a wide range of nutrient-rich foods that can be enjoyed year-round. By drying at low temperatures, dehydrating preserves the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and active compounds found in fresh produce and meats.
However, not all foods dry equally well in a dehydrator. Some break down or take too long to dry properly. In this post, we'll provide a comprehensive guide to choosing foods that are best suited for dehydration, along with tips for optimal results. When it comes to selecting the best foods for your new dehydrator, fruits are a great place to start.
Some of the most popular and easy-to-dry fruits include apples. Whether sliced, chopped, or cut into rings, apples are a classic dehydrating staple. Their low moisture content allows them to dry quickly. Apples also retain their crunchy texture well.
Bananas: Bananas dry into soft, pliable chips that easily rehydrate. Slice them about 1/4 inch thick before dehydrating. For an antioxidant boost, leave the peels on.
Berries: Berries such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries can be dried whole. Large berries like cranberries work well sliced or smashed. All berries concentrate on their natural sweetness during drying.
For a delicious tropical treat, slice fresh pineapple into rings or chunks and dry them out. The enzyme bromelain remains active, promoting digestion.Citrus slices: Drying citrus slices infuses them with zest. Try drying orange, grapefruit, tangerine, or lemon slices.
They add a bright flavor to foods and drinks.Kiwi: Kiwi halves or rounds are dry to a soft yet chewy texture. Their skins can be left on or peeled off, depending on personal preference.Mango: Like pineapple, mangoes dry well when sliced into chewy chips.
Be sure to remove the large pit first.Figs: Moist yet low in water, figs dry with their fragile skins intact. Snack them dried or added to baked goods.Of course, this list only scratches the surface.
Fresh or frozen fruit can potentially be dehydrated, including melons, peaches, plums, grapes, nectarines, and more. Experiment to discover your favorite things! Experimenting with fruit combinations is encouraged, such as chips mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg, or lime zest.
When dehydrating vegetables, look for low-moisture varieties that dry within 8-12 hours. High-water-content vegetables are more susceptible to rotting or molding during drying. Some great vegetable options for dehydrating include tomatoes. Whether you prefer cherry, grape, or sliced Roma tomatoes, the concentrated flavors of dehydrated tomatoes make your cooking more flavorful.
Carrots: Baby carrots or thinly sliced medium carrots crisp up nicely. Their sweetness blooms during drying.Peppers: Colorful bell peppers as well as spicy varieties like jalapeños and chipotle peppers retain their heat dried.
Onions: Thin half-moons or slices of sweet onions dry hard and crunchy, intensifying their flavor. Dehydrated onions also dehydrate well.Mushrooms: Button mushrooms, shiitakes, and moreos develop an umami-rich depth of flavor when dried.
Zucchini and summer squash: Thin rounds or matchsticks dry to a crispy chip-like texture, perfect for snacking or seasoning.Corn: Remove the corn from the cob before dehydrating individual kernels. The natural sugars caramelize during drying.
Green beans: When left whole or snapped into single-serve pieces, green beans concentrate their bright flavor when dehydrated.Broccoli and cauliflower: Break the broccoli and cauliflower into florets before drying them into vitamin-packed morsels.
Sweet potatoes and winter squash: Cubed sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and pumpkin are dehydrated and retain their nutritional value in a crunchy chip form.Kale and spinach: Dehydrated kale and spinach retains much of its nutritional value in a crunchy chip form.
Remove thick stems first.Of course, feel free to experiment with your own garden bounty or unique varieties available locally. Just make sure to choose low-moisture vegetables that will dry completely within 12 hours.
Blending dried vegetable powders into recipes adds nutrition. When choosing protein-rich foods for dehydrators, opt for lean cuts that dry within a reasonable time frame. The process enhances the meaty umami flavors. Popular low-fat meat varieties to dehydrate include beef, thinly sliced top and bottom round steaks, which dry into a healthier beef jerky within 8-10 hours.
Venison: Due to its lean nature, venison jerky dries deliciously with a variety of seasonings.Turkey: Slices of extra lean turkey breast make a lower-sodium substitute for beef jerky.
Chicken: Chicken breast cutlets or tenderloins are dry-cured into a chewy snack that can be eaten plain or with dipping sauces.Salmon: Wild- caught salmon fillets are sliced thinly and produce nourishing fish jerky high in omega-3s.
A tip for drying meat is to first marinate slices in naturally antiviral ingredients like tamari, soy sauce, or Bragg's liquid aminos, blended with spices for 1-2 days before dehydrating. This enhances the flavor while tenderizing the proteins. Always dry meat to 160°F or higher and remember that some items like ground meat are not recommended for drying at home.
Herbs and Seasonings: Don't forget to use your dehydrator to preserve the harvest from your herb garden . Drying fresh herbs locks in their potent volatile oils , making them space-efficient to store year-round.
Excellent herbs and spices to dehydrate include:Basil: Stack basil leaves loosely on trays to dry whole or crumble them into fragrant pieces.Rosemary: Dry rosemary sprigs whole to crackle and crumble into savory rubs or pastas later.
Oregano: Spread oregano on a single layer for quick, effective drying.Dill: Dill sprigs and feathery fronds dry beautifully, maintaining their vibrant color.Mint: All types of mint , including spearmint, dry with an inviting aroma.
Break leaves from stems before drying.Thyme: Leave thyme on delicate stems while drying for easy removal.Parsley: Both curly and flat leaf parsley dry to a vibrant dark green, keeping their chlorophyll intact.Chilies: Whole or split, mild to scorching hot chilies retain their warmth when dried. If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds first.
Dry spices such as cinnamon sticks, nutmeg pieces, whole peppercorns, and more can be added directly to dishes and drinks for instant flavor impact. Properly stored, dried herbs retain potency for 6-12 months.Specialty items: With some unique preparation, specialty ingredients can also be dehydrated to extend your culinary creativity.
Consider experimenting with:Fruit leathers: Blend fresh or frozen fruit purées, spread thinly onto trays and dry into healthy fruit roll-ups.Coconut flakes: Toast coconut slices or shreds into flaky delicate chips with intensified coconutty sweetness.
Seaweed sheets: Thin nori sheets dry quickly for snacks, sushi wraps, or broth fortification.Nuts: Dry shelled nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pecans for a buttery crunch and long-lasting use.
Whole grains: Sprouted grains, quinoa, and amaranth are fluffed up with more intense flavors than toasted. Pasta: Thin strands of vermicelli or angel hair pasta powder work well for adding texture to soups, risottos, and baked goods.
Miso paste: Homemade miso from soybeans and koji molds are ideal for gentle oven or dehydrator drying.Kombucha: Spread unflavored kombucha onto a lined tray to dry into crunchy crisps for nibbling or reconstituting in sparkling water.
Yogurt: Thin yogurt spreads chewy for portable breakfasts, snacks, or rehydrating to use as a creamy condiment.Be open to trying unique ingredients. The possibilities for preserving your dried items with obvious or unexpected applications are endless.
Tips for Drying Success: Finally, here are some general tips to keep in mind when drying produce, meats, or specialty items:Cut foods into uniform thin pieces or slices less than 1⁄4 inch thick for efficient drying.
Layer foods in a single layer, leaving space between pieces for air circulation.Dry one type of food per tray to prevent cross-contamination of flavors, colors, or macronutrients.
Regularly rotate trays from front to back and top to bottom for even drying. Check the food periodically and remove any pieces as they dry for storage.