Dehydrating Herbs: Air Fryer Magic

Dehydrating herbs in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to preserve your herbs for future use. It is also a great way to save money, as dried herbs can be costly. The process is simple: wash and dry your herbs, place them in the air fryer, and fry at a low temperature for a few hours, or until they are visibly dry. This method is much faster than air-drying, which can take at least a week, and it preserves the nutrients, flavour, aroma, and potency of the herbs.

Why dehydrate herbs?

Dehydrating herbs is a great way to preserve your summer harvest and make it last longer. It is a different method from air-drying or oven-drying, as it quickly cooks herbs at a low temperature, removing all the moisture and yielding better results.

Dehydrating herbs is the best way to preserve the flavour, aroma, and potency of herbs. It also preserves their nutrients, and they keep for longer. Dehydrated herbs are superior to dried herbs bought at the grocery store, as they are much more flavourful.

The drying process for air-drying is much longer, generally taking at least a week. This process does not preserve the nutrients, flavour, and aroma in the same way that dehydrating does. Mould is also a risk if there is a lot of humidity in the air, especially for herbs with a high moisture content, such as basil, chives, and mint.

Oven-drying does not remove moisture in the same way as dehydrating and cooks at higher temperatures, so the herbs get cooked in the process, removing some of the potency and flavour. This means you will likely need to use more of them in your cooking.

Dehydrating herbs is also a convenient way to dry herbs, as it doesn't tie up your oven, and uses less space and energy. It is also faster than air-drying, which is important when drying herbs with a high moisture content, as it reduces the risk of mould.

Dehydrating vs. drying herbs

Dehydrating herbs is a different method of drying from air-drying or oven-drying. Dehydration involves quickly cooking the herbs at a low temperature to remove all moisture, resulting in better preservation of nutrients, flavour, aroma, and potency. The process also reduces the risk of mould, which is common in herbs with high moisture content, such as basil, chives, and mint.

Air-drying herbs is a longer process, generally taking at least a week, and it does not preserve the nutrients, flavour, and aroma as effectively as dehydration. Additionally, air-drying requires low humidity and good air circulation for success.

Oven-drying herbs is not recommended as even the lowest temperatures can destroy much of the flavour, oils, and colour. Oven-dried herbs may also need to be used in larger quantities due to the loss of potency and flavour.

The air fryer method of dehydration has several advantages over other methods. It does not heat up the house like an oven, and it is more convenient as it does not tie up the oven. Air fryers also use less space and energy than ovens, and the dehydration process is much faster than air-drying.

Best herbs for air fryer dehydration

Dehydrating herbs in an air fryer is a great way to preserve their flavour and aroma. The dehydration process can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the type of herb, the moisture content, and the humidity in your area.

Basil

Basil is a popular herb for dehydration. It has a high moisture content, so it's important to wash and thoroughly dry basil before placing it in the air fryer. You can dehydrate basil at a temperature of around 135°F (57°C) for 3 to 4 hours.

Oregano

Oregano is another excellent candidate for dehydration in the air fryer. It is often tastier when dried, and you can dehydrate it at a similar temperature and time as basil.

Thyme

Thyme is a good choice for dehydration as well. To prepare thyme for dehydration, strip the leaves from the stems, as the stems are not typically used in cooking.

Rosemary

Rosemary has thicker stems and leaves, so it will take longer to dehydrate than more delicate herbs. It's a great option for adding flavour to dishes, and you can dehydrate it at a lower temperature of around 325°F (162°C) for 3 to 5 minutes.

Mint

Mint is a refreshing herb that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. It has a high moisture content, so make sure to pat it dry thoroughly before placing it in the air fryer. Dehydrate mint at a lower temperature to preserve its flavour and aroma.

Parsley and Cilantro

While you can dehydrate parsley and cilantro in an air fryer, these delicate herbs may require a gentler drying method to prevent them from wilting or burning.

Step-by-step guide to dehydrating herbs in an air fryer

Dehydrating herbs in an air fryer is a great way to preserve your summer bounty. It is a simple, fast, and cost-effective way to dry herbs before they go bad. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get the best results:

Step 1: Prepare the herbs

Pick fresh herbs from your garden or buy them from a farmer's market. Remove any dead foliage and trim the stalks. For herbs like basil, mint, and oregano, pinch off the leaves, while for herbs like dill and thyme, trim the stalks.

Step 2: Clean and dry the herbs

Give the herbs a thorough wash to remove any dirt, debris, or pests. Then, dry them with a paper towel or dishcloth to remove as much excess moisture as possible.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for dehydrating herbs is around 130°F to 135°F (57°C). However, if your air fryer does not go that low, you can set it to 350°F or even 360°F, but you will need to reduce the cooking time accordingly.

Step 4: Prepare the herbs for the air fryer

Place the herbs in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. It is important to weigh down or cover the herbs to prevent them from flying around inside the air fryer. You can use a metal rack, a piece of aluminum foil, or kitchen twine to hold them down. If your air fryer has a top grate or rack, you can place it over the herbs.

Step 5: Dehydrate the herbs

Place the air fryer basket or tray into the air fryer and dehydrate the herbs for 3-4 minutes at 350°F or 360°F. If you are using a lower temperature of 130°F to 135°F, the dehydration time will be longer, ranging from 1-3 hours. Check the herbs every 30 seconds to a minute, especially if you are using a higher temperature, to ensure they do not burn. The herbs are done when they are visibly dry and crumble easily.

Step 6: Cool and store the herbs

Once the herbs are dehydrated to your desired level of crispiness, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate or a sheet of parchment paper to cool completely. Then, transfer them to airtight containers such as glass jars or plastic bags. Label the containers and store them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

By following these steps, you can easily dehydrate herbs in your air fryer and enjoy their flavor and aroma all year round!

How to store dehydrated herbs

Once your herbs are dehydrated, it's important to store them properly to ensure maximum flavour and freshness. Here are some tips on how to store dehydrated herbs:

Use Airtight Containers

Oxygen will cause herbs to degrade over time, so it's best to store dehydrated herbs in airtight containers. Glass jars, metal tins with screw-top lids, or jars with clamp-on lids are ideal. Avoid using plastic containers, as they may leach chemicals into your herbs.

Keep Out of Direct Sunlight

While displaying your herbs in the sun may look aesthetically pleasing, sunlight will damage the potency of the herbs. Store them in a dark cabinet or cover them with a curtain if necessary. Using dark-coloured glass jars can also help block potential light exposure.

Store in a Cool, Dry Location

Keep your herbs away from heat sources, such as stoves or steamy bathrooms. A cool bedroom or root cellar is ideal.

Label with Harvest or Purchase Date

Keep track of the age of your herbs by labelling their harvest or purchase date. Different herbs have different shelf lives, typically ranging from one to three years. Even with proper drying and storage, herbs will gradually lose potency over time, so it's important to replenish them when needed.

Keep Herbs Whole

Storing herbs in their whole form helps them last longer. If possible, store the whole herb and grind or crush it just before use. This will result in a fresher and stronger product.

Frequently asked questions