How to dehydrate fruits + veg
My name is Kiesha, and I am a gadget addict in recovery. I don't buy them often anymore {except for my latest purchase}, but once I learned all the things you can do with a dehydrator, I was on board. I spent weeks researching and decided I needed the largest one I could get {God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change}. It comes as no surprise that I don't use it daily but it's really great for making a batch of snacks.
{see my banana chips here}
The dehydrator
I have the Excalibur dehydrator, and it is a workhorse. Excalibur is the creme de la creme of dehydrators {I will give my budget recommendations below}. You can opt for a smaller size, but I tend to go all in. I love this machine. It makes the best kale chips, dehydrated nuts, dried fruits and veggie snacks, fruit roll-ups, gummies, and even yogurt in it.
It's a great way to get more plants in your diet, eat more raw food, and get the kids involved. I'm a big believer in eliminating processed food where you can, and love aspire to make most of my food, the old fashioned, boring way {slowly}.
I love Excalibur. It's the Grand Poobah of machines. Here is the smaller version. Nesco makes some great mid-range and affordable machines like this, that, and this.
You may want this too.
Razzle Dazzle them
The possibilities are endless with a dehydrator-
- fruits {dried cranberries, raisins, cherries, apple slices, fruit pops, fruit leather}
- vegetables {eggplant chips, carrot chips, onion rings, kale chips}
- turn the broth into bouillon cubes
- gummies for homemade vitamins {like elderberry}
- jerkies {watermelon, banana, meat}
- turn herbs into powder {onion, spinach, turmeric, garlic}
It saves me money and it's great to use when you see food going bad. It's a last-ditch effort to give food new life.
Try my recipes below
Citrus fruit
- Use any citrus of choice
- Sprinkle with sugar {optional}
- Use a serrated knife to cut 1/8-1/4" slices {the thicker the slice, the longer it will take} or a mandoline
Dehydrator Method: 135° for 7 -15 hours or until firm and dryOven: 200° Line a baking sheet with a Silpat mat or parchment paper. Place on the sheet and bake for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Be sure to check the fruit in the last 30 minutes to ensure it doesn't burn.Storage: I prefer to freeze mine.Enjoy as a snack, use in water, top on yogurt!
Banana Chips
Cut bananas into 1/4 inch slices
Line your dehydrator with non-stick sheets
Lay banana slices in a single layer
Dehydrate at 135 degrees F for 6-10 hours or until leathery
Oven- 2 hours 250°These are so good and sweet.
Carrot Chips
- Carrots {I prefer heirloom for color}
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Everything But the Bagel seasoning
- Turmeric {all seasonings to taste}
- Use a serrated knife to cut thinly {the thicker the slice, the longer it will take} or a mandoline
Slice carrots long, they shrink significantly. I cannot convey this enough.
Dehydrator Method: 125° for 6-10 hours or until firm and dryOven: 200° Line a baking sheet with a Silpat mat or parchment paper. Place on the sheet and bake for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Be sure to check the fruit in the last 30 minutes to ensure it doesn't burn.Check out this article for tips on storage.This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.