Air fryers are famous for cooking crispy and tasty meals in very little time, but can they also be used as food dehydrators? This article explains how air fryers work, and compares air fryers and dehydrators and whether these competing appliances can do both jobs well. If you are looking to use your dehydrator or you want to invest in a food dehydrator, read on to learn more.
How Does an Air Fryer Work?
An air fryer uses hot air that circulates food at high speed for a crispy finish much like frying. It contains a heating element and a powerful fan that circulates heat around the food you place in its basket or tray while cooking. This technique delivers crunchy textures using minimal oil and is a healthier option than traditional deep frying. Air fryers have temperature ranges usually between 325°F and 450°F, which makes them perfect for roasting, frying, and baking. They’re one of the most versatile appliances in the kitchen, able to make everything from French fries and chicken wings to roasted vegetables and baked goods.
Designed small and with user-friendly controls, they are ideal for busy households. If the idea of adding one to the kitchen is appealing, check out an Air Fryer on Amazon’s best-selling models with a great performance-to-convenience ratio.
What is a Food Dehydrator?
Commercial dehydrators are meant to dry foods, without losing nutrients and taste. Instead of using hot air to cook food, as an air fryer does, dehydrators operate at much lower temperatures (usually between 90°F and 160°F) and circulate steady airflow over extended periods to turn fruits, vegetables, herbs, or meat into jerky. Using low-temperature heat, food is dehydrated rather than cooked away losing flavor or nutrition.
A dehydrator is great for making healthy snacks such as fruits, beef jerky, or vegetable chips. Many food dehydrators have several trays, so you can dry a lot of food all at once. The Septree™ 8-Tray Food Dehydrator is a good choice for anyone who wants to invest in one. It also has nice features such as preset heat temperatures and even drying technology to make it easier to create your snacks in-house.
Air Fryer vs. Dehydrator: Key Differences
While both appliances use airflow to process food, they serve different purposes:
|
Feature |
Air Fryer |
Dehydrator |
|
Temperature Range |
325°F–450°F (high heat for quick cooking) |
90°F–160°F (low heat for slow moisture removal) |
|
Functionality |
Creates crispy textures in minutes |
Preserve food by gently removing water content over hours |
|
Capacity |
Usually a single basket or tray (limited space) |
Multiple trays for larger batches of food |
|
Time Required |
Cooks food quickly |
It takes several hours to complete the drying process |
If you want an appliance that does double duty, both cooking and dehydrating, carefully consider your needs before deciding which is right for you. For more serious dehydration needs or larger quantities of dried snacks, a dedicated high-quality dehydrator like the Septree™ model may be a more useful investment.
Understanding how these differences play out can help you figure out whether or not your air fryer can pull double duty for your needs; or if you’ll want to look to a dedicated dehydrator appliance for your cooking tasks.
Is It Possible To Dehydrate Food In An Air Fryer?
You can dehydrate food in an air fryer, but there are a few caveats. Meanwhile, most modern air fryers come with a “dehydrate” function, something you can do at low temperatures. This in turn makes them suitable for simple dehydration tasks such as drying fruit slices or herbs.
But traditional air fryers that lack this function might not always be the best fit for this type of cooking, given their typically higher minimum temperature settings and, in some cases, smaller cooking chambers. Dehydrating needs low heat and constant air circulation over hours, which most regular air fryers may not be able to maintain effectively.
If you plan on this dual-use purpose, however, be sure that your air fryer has adjustable temperature settings and enough space to spread out the food in a single layer.
How to Dehydrate Food in an Air Fryer
If you are ready to dehydrate some food with your air fryer, use these tips for great results:
-
Choose the Right Foods: Start with thinly cut fruits like apples or oranges while also using herbs, such as basil or parsley.
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Use Low Heat: Set that air fryer to its lowest temperature (preferably below 150°F). If your model has a “dehydrate” function then use that.
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Spread Out Food Evenly: Do not overcrowd the basket or tray. Even dehydration depends on proper airflow
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Check Frequently: Because air fryers work at a higher temperature than dehydrators, check your food often to make sure it doesn’t dry out or burn.
-
Experiment with Timing: The food you put in an air fryer will dehydrate faster than food in a dedicated dehydrator — the heat is much more intense. Adjust timing accordingly.
This method of preparing snacks like dried fruits or jerky without spending extra money on appliances is the perfect way to get started.
Do You Need to Buy a Stand-Alone Dehydrator or Use an Air Fryer?
The choice comes down to your needs and how often you want to dehydrate food:
- If you're an infrequent user who seeks fast results without investing in various appliances, using your air fryer as a dehydrator is a realistic option.
- But if you dehydrate significant amounts of food regularly or need precise control over temperature and timing, it might be worth investing in a dedicated dehydrator, such as the Septree™ 8-Tray Food Dehydrator.
Dedicated dehydrators are made for this and come with multiple trays and steady low-temperature settings to guarantee you even drying each time.
If you want to try out some dehydrator recipes designed for dehydrators or dual-purpose machines, have a look at Septree’s recommendations.
Conclusion
Although an air fryer can serve as a dehydrator under certain circumstances, it isn’t always the most efficient tool for the task. If you want versatility in your kitchen appliance lineup or you want to make some dried snacks at home, homemade dried snacks now and then, your air fryer may do just fine. But if you take your dehydration seriously, you may find you are happier with a dedicated device designed just for this. Whether you go for one appliance or both is up to your cooking habits and kitchen needs but either way, there’s no limit to the creative possibilities.
Learn more↓
Dehydrator vs Air Fryer: Which One Is Best for Your Kitchen?