Air Fryer Lavender Drying: A Quick, Easy Guide

Dried lavender is a fragrant flower with a multitude of uses, from cooking to aromatherapy. There are several ways to dry lavender, including using a dehydrator, an oven, or an air fryer. Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to dry herbs and flowers, preserving their flavour and fragrance. This introduction will explore the process of drying lavender in an air fryer, including the benefits, step-by-step instructions, and comparisons to other drying methods.

Air fryer temperature settings for drying lavender

Yes, you can dry lavender in an air fryer. To do so, you will need to set your air fryer temperature to either 350 °F to dry your lavender or 130 °F to dehydrate it.

Drying and dehydrating are two different processes. Dehydrating is about drying herbs at a low temperature, while drying is done at a higher temperature.

Drying Lavender in an Air Fryer

• Set the air fryer temperature to 350 °F.
• Wash the lavender and pat it dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• Remove any parts of the plant that you do not want to preserve, such as stalks, stems, leaves, buds, or skins.
• Place the lavender in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray.
• Place a metal rack over the lavender to prevent it from flying about, or tie the lavender with twine before placing it into the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 3-4 minutes or until visibly dry.
• Once done, remove the lavender from the air fryer and place it on a sheet of parchment paper to cool completely.
• Store the dried lavender in airtight containers.

Dehydrating Lavender in an Air Fryer

• Set the air fryer temperature to 130 °F.
• Wash the lavender and pat it dry.
• Spread the lavender evenly in the air fryer basket or tray and cover it with a rack, or tie the lavender with twine.
• Start the air fryer and check the lavender every half hour. The process can take anywhere from 1-3 hours, depending on the amount of lavender and the density of the plant material.
• Check if the lavender is ready by seeing if it crumbles easily in your hands.
• Once done, remove the lavender from the air fryer and place it on a sheet of parchment paper to cool completely.
• Store the dehydrated lavender in airtight containers.

Dried and dehydrated lavender can be stored whole or crushed, depending on your preference and intended use.

Preparing lavender for the air fryer

Once you have harvested your lavender, it's time to prepare the flowers for drying. Remove any excess leaves from the lower half of the stems, as these can cause the lavender to become damp during the drying process. Rinsing the stems is optional, but if you do rinse them, make sure they are completely dry before placing them in the air fryer.

When your lavender is ready, set your air fryer temperature to between 350°F and 360°F. Place the lavender in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you are concerned about the lavender being blown around, you can place a metal rack on top or tie the stems together with string or twine.

Air fry your lavender for 3-4 minutes, or until it is visibly dry and crumbly. Once it is done, remove the lavender from the air fryer and place it in a bowl or on a sheet of parchment paper to cool completely before storing.

Air fryer drying time and process

Drying herbs in an air fryer is a simple and quick process. It is an excellent way to preserve herbs from your garden for future use. The first step is to set your air fryer to the correct temperature. For drying herbs, the temperature should be set to 350-360°F. If you are planning to dehydrate your herbs, a lower temperature of 125-150°F is recommended.

Once the air fryer is preheated, you can prepare your herbs. Start by washing the herbs and patting them dry with a paper towel or dish towel. This step ensures that any excess moisture is removed. Next, remove the stems from the herbs, unless you prefer to keep them intact. You can now place the herbs in the air fryer basket. It is important to place them in a single layer to ensure even drying.

To prevent the herbs from flying about during the air frying process, you can cover them with a metal rack or tie them with twine. Now, you are ready to start the air fryer. For drying, the herbs will need 3-4 minutes at 350-360°F. They are done when they look dry and crumble easily in your hands. The dehydrating process, on the other hand, takes longer, ranging from 1-3 hours at the lower temperature setting. Check the herbs every half hour, and they are ready when they crumble easily.

Once the herbs are done, remove them from the air fryer and place them in a bowl or on parchment paper to cool completely. This step is crucial to ensure that the herbs are ready for storage. Finally, you can store your dried or dehydrated herbs in airtight containers. You can choose to store them whole or crush them, depending on your preference and intended use.

Storing dried lavender

Once you've dried your lavender, it's important to store it properly to ensure it lasts for many years. The key considerations are dryness, darkness, and airtightness.

Firstly, it's crucial to ensure that your lavender is completely dry before storing it. This process can take around two to four weeks, and you'll know it's ready when the flowers and leaves become sharp and start to fall off the stems. If you store lavender that isn't fully dry, moisture can cause mould to develop and ruin your flowers.

When it comes to storage, it's best to use airtight containers such as glass jars, metal tins, or sealed plastic bags. This helps retain the fragrance and protects the lavender from moisture and pests. Additionally, you should choose a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat or humidity. Sunlight can cause the colour of the lavender to fade, and humidity can make it stale. A dark corner of a corridor or a cool, shaded place is ideal.

If you're storing lavender bundles with flowers left on the stem, you can hang them on a door inside your wardrobe, where they will fragrance your clothes for about six months. For dried buds or flowers, airtight containers are the best option to preserve their freshness for a long time.

Dried lavender buds can be stored in various containers, including mason jars, non-transparent jars, plastic, glass, or metal containers. Small amounts can be kept in mason jars, while larger amounts can be stored in recycled plastic water bottles using a wide-neck funnel. Stackable plastic storage boxes with lids are also a good option, although it's best to avoid transparent boxes to prevent colour fading.

With proper storage, dried lavender can last for several years. To enhance the fragrance, you can add some lavender essential oil to the flowers or squeeze or crush them to release their scent.

Other methods for drying lavender

There are several methods for drying lavender, each with its own advantages and considerations. Here are some alternative methods to air frying:

Hanging Lavender to Dry

Hanging lavender to dry is a common and traditional method. This method can add a rustic decorative touch to your space. Here's how to do it:

• Cut the lavender stems, leaving at least six inches of stem attached. You can always trim the stems later.
• Gather the stems and tie the ends together securely with a rubber band, yarn, twine, thread, twist ties, or floral wire.
• Hang the lavender upside down using a hook, clothesline, or by attaching clusters to a twine with wooden clothespins.
• Choose a dry location out of direct sunlight, and ensure the room temperature is moderate and not too humid.
• Allow the lavender to dry for about a week to 10 days. The drying time may vary depending on the warmth and humidity of the room.

Using a Screen

This method is similar to hanging but uses a screen to lay out the lavender stems. Here's how:

• Place a clean window screen flat, elevating it from the surface using books or bricks to allow air circulation underneath.
• Lay the lavender stems in a single layer on the screen.
• Cover the tops of the stems with a cotton sheet or thin towel to protect them from dirt.
• Let the lavender dry for about seven to 10 days, depending on the humidity.

Using an Oven

Using an oven is a quicker way to dry lavender compared to the previous methods. Here's the process:

• Preheat your oven to a low temperature, ideally around 110°F (43.3°C).
• Lay the lavender stems on a baking sheet, optionally lined with parchment paper.
• Place the sheet in the oven and dry the lavender for about an hour.
• Remove the sheet and gently turn the stems over to ensure even drying.
• Repeat the process of rotating the lavender every hour for three more hours.
• After a total of about four hours, turn off the oven and let the baking sheet cool down inside before removing it.

Drying Lavender in a Dark Room

This method helps preserve the colour of the lavender by avoiding direct sunlight. Here's how to do it:

• Harvest the lavender before it's fully in bloom by cutting the stems at the base just before the buds open.
• Cut the matured lavender flowers just above the leaves, aiming for the longest possible stem.
• Gather a handful of lavender and cut the bottom to make the ends even.
• Tie the stems together with a rubber band, keeping the bundles around 3/4" or smaller to prevent mould and ensure even drying.
• Find a dry, dark place that doesn't receive much sunlight, such as a shed or garage.
• Hang the lavender bunch upside down using a hook, nail, or by tying a string to a rack or rope.
• Let the lavender dry for two to four weeks. Check periodically, and it's ready when the flowers easily fall from the stems.

Drying Lavender in the Sun

This method is quicker than drying in a dark room but will cause the lavender to fade to a pale purple colour. Here's how to do it:

• Harvest the lavender just before the buds open, cutting at the base of the stems to preserve as much stem as possible.
• Place the lavender on a block of wood or a wooden cutting board. Avoid using metal or plastic trays as they can get too hot or melt.
• Move the wood block to a sunny spot, either indoors or outdoors, ensuring it gets plenty of sunlight.
• Allow the sun to dry the lavender completely. This should take less than a week. Check periodically, and the lavender is ready when the flowers crumble easily from the stems.

Frequently asked questions