Air Fryer Dehydration: Can It Preserve Fruits?

Dehydrating fruit is a great way to create healthy snacks for work, school lunches, breakfast, and more. It can be done in an oven or a dehydrator, but using an air fryer is a simple, quick, and inexpensive method. Air fryers circulate hot air around food, cooking it at very high temperatures for short periods of time. To dehydrate, the same process is used but at a much lower temperature. Many air fryers have a 'dehydrate' setting, but if yours doesn't, you can simply set it to the lowest temperature possible.

How to dehydrate fruit in an air fryer without a dehydrate setting

Yes, you can dehydrate fruit in an air fryer without a dehydrate setting. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit

Slice your chosen fruit into thin slices or strips. Aim for slices less than half an inch thick to speed up the dehydration process and ensure they don't crumble once dried. You can leave small fruits like berries and grapes whole. If you're using oranges, you can slice them with the rind still on for decorative dried fruit slices.

Step 2: Set Up the Air Fryer

Place a few slices of fruit in the air fryer basket at a time, ensuring they don't overlap. Leave some space between the bottom of the basket and the bottom of the air fryer for good air circulation. If you have parchment paper, lining the air fryer with it will make cleanup easier and prevent sticking.

Step 3: Dehydrate the Fruit

Set your air fryer to its lowest temperature setting, ideally 175°F (80°C or lower if possible). Dehydrating fruit can take anywhere from one to six hours, depending on the fruit. Check the fruit regularly to prevent burning. The fruit is done when the centers are hard to the touch.

Step 4: Cool and Store

Once the fruit is dehydrated, let it cool for at least six hours, but preferably up to 24 hours. This step continues the drying process. Then, you can store the dehydrated fruit in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Tips:

• If your air fryer has a dehydrate setting, use it instead of the lowest temperature setting.
• Soak the fruit in lemon juice or sugar water before dehydrating to enhance preservation and add flavour.
• Pat the fruit dry with a clean cloth before placing it in the air fryer.
• Shake the basket every hour or so to turn the fruit and ensure even drying.

Pros and cons of using an air fryer vs. a dehydrator

Using an air fryer to dehydrate fruit is a great option if you don't want to invest in a separate dehydrator, but there are pros and cons to both methods.

Air Fryer Pros:

• Air fryers are versatile and can be used for many different cooking functions, including baking, roasting, broiling, and reheating food, in addition to dehydrating.
• Dehydrating fruit in an air fryer can be quicker than using a standard oven or a dehydrator, taking around 4 hours, though this will depend on the fruit.
• Air fryers are generally less expensive than buying pre-dried fruit in stores.
• Air fryers are ideal for those who are new to dehydrating and want to try it out without investing in a separate appliance.
• Many air fryers have a built-in "dehydrate" button, which makes the process simple.
• Air fryers are very effective at dehydrating and produce evenly dried fruit.
• Air fryers are safe and reduce the risk of food being exposed to pests, air pollution, dust, and other hazards associated with traditional drying methods.

Air Fryer Cons:

• Air fryers may not be suitable for dehydrating large batches of fruit, as they have limited space.
• You may need to cut fruit into smaller pieces to fit inside the air fryer.
• Air fryers may not be able to run for as long as dehydrators, so they may not be ideal for dehydrating foods that take a long time.

Dehydrator Pros:

• Dehydrators are designed specifically for dehydrating food, so they are very efficient at this task.
• Dehydrators have multiple levels of mesh screens, allowing for bulk quantities of food to be dehydrated evenly.
• Dehydrators run at very low temperatures, ensuring that food dries without cooking.
• Dehydrators have good air circulation, with built-in fans that help distribute the hot air evenly.

Dehydrator Cons:

• Dehydrators are more limited in functionality compared to air fryers, as they can only be used for dehydrating food.
• Dehydrators typically take longer to dehydrate food compared to air fryers, as they use the "low and slow" cooking method.
• Dehydrators may be more expensive than air fryers, especially if you are investing in a separate appliance just for dehydrating.

In summary, both air fryers and dehydrators are effective for dehydrating fruit, but air fryers offer more versatility and may be more convenient for those who want to try out dehydrating without investing in a separate appliance. Dehydrators, on the other hand, are more specialized and may be better suited for those who plan to dehydrate large batches of food or need to run the appliance for extended periods.

How to dehydrate fruit in an air fryer with a dehydrate setting

Dehydrating fruit in an air fryer is an easy and inexpensive way to create tasty, healthy snacks. Many air fryers have a built-in dehydrate setting, but if yours doesn't, you can still dehydrate fruit by setting the fryer to the lowest temperature and following the steps below.

Firstly, prepare your fruit. Slice your chosen fruit into thin slices or strips, aiming for a thickness of around 5-6mm. You can leave smaller fruits like berries and grapes whole. If you are dehydrating oranges, you can slice them into thin discs, leaving the rind on to add colour to your creations.

Next, place the fruit in the air fryer basket. Ensure the slices do not overlap and that there is a space between the bottom of the basket and the bottom of the air fryer to allow for good air circulation. If your air fryer has a dehydrate setting, use this. If not, set the temperature to the lowest possible setting, ideally 175ºF or lower.

After 30 minutes, flip the fruit slices and allow them to dehydrate for another 15 minutes. Check regularly to prevent burning. You will know they are done when the centres are hard to the touch. Repeat this process until you have dehydrated all your fruit.

Using parchment paper to line your air fryer can make cleanup easier and help prevent sticking.

Once your fruit is dehydrated, remove it from the air fryer and leave it to cool for at least six hours, but preferably 24 hours if possible. This step will continue the drying process and lock in flavour. After this, you can store your dehydrated fruit in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Fruits that are good for dehydrating

Dehydrating fruit is a great way to preserve the flavour of the ripest fruits all year round. It is also a way to make fruit last longer and easier to transport. Dehydrated fruit is also a tasty and healthy snack.

There are many fruits that are good for dehydrating, and it is a simple process. Firstly, it is important to pick peak-season produce. Rinse, scrub and peel the fruit. Then, thinly slice the fruit with a sharp knife. The slices should be consistently sized, around ⅛ to ¼ inch thick, as they will dry at the same rate.

Some fruits, such as apples and bananas, can brown, so it is recommended to dip them in citrus water to avoid this. Fill a bowl with equal parts lemon juice and water, and soak the slices for 10 minutes. Then, pat the fruit dry with a paper towel.

Some fruits that are good for dehydrating include:

• Bananas
• Apples
• Strawberries
• Mangoes
• Pineapples
• Tomatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Peaches
• Plums
• Apricots
• Oranges
• Grapefruits
• Lemons
• Limes

The dehydration process can be done in an oven, air fryer, or dehydrator. If using an oven, preheat it to the lowest setting, usually 200°F. Place the fruit slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake until completely dried out. This usually takes around 6 hours.

Air fryers also have a dehydrating mode. Place the fruit in the basket and set the air fryer to the 'dehydrate' mode. If your air fryer does not have this mode, set it to the lowest temperature setting, 80 degrees Celsius or lower. Check the fruit every hour and shake the basket to turn the fruit.

Dehydrators are also simple to use. Place the fruit on the trays and set the temperature and timer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

How to store dehydrated fruit

Dehydrating fruit is a great way to preserve your favourite fruits and ensure they last longer. Once you've dehydrated your fruit, it's important to store it correctly to maintain its shelf life. Here are some tips on how to store dehydrated fruit:

• Allow the fruit to cool completely before storing. The air surrounding warm fruit will have a higher moisture content, which can lead to condensation in your storage container and reduce the shelf life of the fruit.
• Conditioning is an important step before storing dehydrated fruit. Place the fruit loosely in jars and shake the jars once a day for seven to ten days. If you notice any condensation, return the fruit to the dehydrator for further drying.
• Use airtight containers or freezer bags for storage. If using plastic bags, opt for freezer bags, which are thicker than regular sandwich bags. Remove as much air from the bag as possible before sealing.
• Vacuum sealing is ideal for extending the shelf life of dehydrated fruit as it removes air, keeping moisture and mould at bay.
• Store dried fruit in small batches to maintain freshness and minimise the risk of contamination. Storing individual servings also means you won't be opening and closing the container frequently, thereby reducing the introduction of air that can lead to moulding and spoilage.
• Label each container with the contents and the date packaged. This helps you keep track of the age of your dried fruit and ensures you consume older items first.
• Store containers in a cool, dry, and dark location. Exposure to light will degrade dried fruit, reducing its shelf life. The ideal temperature for storage is 60°F (15°C) or lower.
• Dried fruit can be stored at room temperature for up to a year if stored correctly. However, for longer-term storage, consider storing dried fruit in the freezer.

Frequently asked questions