Air Fryer Dehydration: Can You Dry Fruit This Way?

Air fryers are incredibly versatile kitchen appliances that can be used for a variety of purposes, including dehydration. Dehydrating fruit in an air fryer is a simple process that can save you money and help reduce food waste. It is also a great way to create unique, healthy snacks at home.

Air-dried fruit as Christmas decorations

Air-dried fruit is a great way to add a natural, festive touch to your Christmas tree. It's easy to make, smells delicious, and gives your home a beautiful, earthy feel. Plus, it's a lot cheaper than buying dried fruit slices from the store.

How to Make Air-dried Fruit Decorations

The first step is to select your fruit. Citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are great options, but you can also use apples and pears. If you want to get creative, try mixing different types of oranges or other citrus fruits to add some variety in color.

Slice your chosen fruit thinly, aiming for a thickness of around 1/4 inch. This will ensure the slices dry properly without crumbling. If you're using apples or pears, you can dip them in a solution of water and lemon juice to prevent discoloring.

Next, place your fruit slices into the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Set your air fryer to the lowest heat setting possible, ideally around 135ºF to 175ºF. You can also use the dehydrator setting if your air fryer has one.

After 30 minutes, flip the fruit slices over and allow them to dehydrate for another 15-30 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning, and take them out when the centers are hard to the touch.

Once your fruit slices are fully dehydrated, let them cool. Then, you can poke a small hole near the rind and thread some string or twine through to hang them on your tree.

Additional Tips

Using parchment paper to line your air fryer can make cleanup easier and prevent the fruit from sticking to the basket. You can also add some eco-friendly glitter to your decorations for some extra sparkle.

If you want to get really creative, try making dried fruit garlands or adding spices like cloves and cinnamon sticks for a festive touch. You can even add a few drops of essential oil to enhance the fragrance of your decorations.

So, this Christmas, why not give air-dried fruit decorations a try? They're a fun, eco-friendly way to add some natural beauty to your holiday celebrations.

How to dehydrate fruit in an air fryer

Dehydrating fruit in an air fryer is an easy and quick way to preserve your favorite fruits. It is also a lot cheaper than buying dried fruit from the store. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to dehydrate fruit in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the fruit

Slice your chosen fruit into thin discs, aiming for a thickness of less than half an inch. This will ensure that the fruit dries quickly and thoroughly without burning or crumbling. You can use a variety of fruits, such as oranges, blood oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes.

Step 2: Place the fruit in the air fryer

Lay a few slices of fruit in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Make sure there is space between the bottom of the basket and the bottom of the air fryer for good air circulation. If your air fryer has a built-in dehydrate function, use that setting. Otherwise, set your air fryer to the lowest heat setting possible, ideally 175°F or lower.

Step 3: Dehydrate the fruit

For the first 30 minutes, leave the fruit slices untouched. Then, flip them over and allow them to dehydrate for another 15 minutes. Check the fruit regularly to prevent burning. The fruit is done when the centers are hard to the touch, and the rind has not started to turn brown. You may need to repeat this process in batches until you have dehydrated all your fruit.

Step 4: Clean-up and storage

Using parchment paper to line the air fryer before dehydrating can make clean-up easier and help prevent the fruit from sticking to the basket. Once the fruit is done, store it in an airtight container. Dehydrated fruits can be added to cereals, baked goods, or trail mixes, or used as decorations.

Pros and cons of using an air fryer vs. dehydrator

Air fryers and dehydrators are both useful appliances for drying out fruit, but they have different pros and cons.

Air Fryer Pros:

• Air fryers are versatile and can be used for air frying, baking, roasting, broiling, and reheating food.
• They heat up quickly and can cook food faster than an oven.
• Air fryers are generally compact and take up less counter space.
• They are relatively affordable.
• Air fryers are easy to use and require little to no interaction during the cooking process.
• Air fryers can be used to dehydrate a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, meat, seeds, and nuts.
• Air fryers do not require the use of oil or butter, making them a healthier option.
• Many air fryers have a "dehydrate" setting, making it convenient to dehydrate food.
• Air fryers can be used to make healthy snacks, such as fruit chips, vegetable chips, and beef jerky.

Air Fryer Cons:

• Air fryers have limited capacity and may not be suitable for large families. They are usually best for families of four or fewer.
• Overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to uneven cooking, with the interior food steaming instead of air frying.
• Air fryers may not produce the same consistent results as ovens and can sometimes cook foods unevenly.
• Air fryers typically have a higher temperature range (325°F – 450°F) and may not have a low enough heat setting for effective dehydration.

Dehydrator Pros:

• Dehydrators are specifically designed for dehydrating food, and they use low-temperature dry air to effectively remove moisture.
• They are ideal for making dried fruit, beef jerky, crackers, chips, granola bars, and more.
• Dehydrators are perfect for those on raw food diets or those who want to prep survival packs.
• Dehydrators can hold a low temperature for a longer period of time, which is necessary for effective food dehydration.
• Dehydrators typically have a temperature range of 90°F – 145°F, which is suitable for dehydration.
• Dehydrators allow you to dry out fresh fruits and vegetables without losing nutrients.
• Dehydrators require very little to no interaction during the cooking process.

Dehydrator Cons:

• Dehydrators have a single cooking method and can only be used for dehydrating food.
• They can take up a lot of counter space, especially if you need a larger machine for bigger batches.
• Dehydrators typically take longer to dehydrate food compared to air fryers.
• Dehydrators may not come with included recipes, so you may need to find or adapt recipes online.

Air fryer temperature and time settings for dehydrating fruit

Dehydrating fruit in an air fryer is a simple process that can be done in a few hours. The temperature and time settings will depend on the type of fruit being dehydrated and the desired level of dryness.

Most fruits are dehydrated at temperatures between 125°F and 135°F (46.6°C and 57.2°C). For example, strawberries, grape tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, and kale should be dehydrated at 175°F (79.4°C) for about 4 hours. Apples can be dehydrated at 150°F (65.5°C) for 14-16 minutes.

When dehydrating fruit in an air fryer, it is important to cut the fruit into thin slices, usually about 1/4 inch thick. This will ensure that the fruit dries evenly and completely. It is also important to ensure good air circulation by leaving space between the slices and not overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Additionally, some air fryers have a built-in dehydrate function, which can be used according to the manufacturer's instructions. For air fryers without a dehydrate function, the lowest heat setting possible is recommended, usually around 175°F (79.4°C). The fruit should be flipped over halfway through the dehydration process and checked regularly to prevent burning.

By following these temperature and time settings, you can successfully dehydrate fruit in an air fryer, creating healthy and delicious snacks that can be stored for up to several months.

How to store air-fried fruit

Once you've dehydrated your fruit in the air fryer, it's important to store it properly to maintain its quality and maximise its shelf life. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store air-fried fruit:

• Cooling: Before packaging, ensure that the fruit is completely cool to the touch. Warm fruit can cause condensation, providing enough moisture for mould to grow and reducing the shelf life of the dried fruit.
• Containers: Store the dried fruit in clean, dry, insect-proof containers. You can use glass jars with airtight seals, plastic freezer containers with tight-fitting lids, or plastic freezer bags. Vacuum packaging is also a good option, as it removes air, keeping moisture and mould away from the fruit. If using freezer bags, remove all air from the bag before sealing.
• Sulfured Fruit: If you are storing sulfured fruit, do not store it in metal containers. Place the fruit in a plastic bag before putting it in a metal container. The sulfur will react with the metal and cause off-flavours.
• Batches: Store dried fruit in small batches to maintain freshness and minimise the risk of contamination. Storing individual servings will ensure that you aren't repeatedly opening and closing the container, introducing air that can lead to moulding and spoilage.
• Labelling: Label each container with the date it was packaged. This will help you keep track of the age of the contents and ensure that you use older items before they lose their freshness.
• Storage Location: Store dried fruit in a cool, dry, and dark location. Exposure to light and heat will degrade the quality of the dried fruit. The ideal storage temperature is 60°F (15°C) or less.
• Shelf Life: Properly stored dried fruit can last up to a year. However, check the fruit regularly during storage to ensure that it is still dry. If condensation appears, the fruit will need to be dried again.
• Opened Containers: Once a container of dried fruit has been opened, it is best to store it in the refrigerator or freezer to preserve its freshness.
• Inspection: Always inspect dried fruit before consuming it. If you see any mould, discard the fruit immediately. When in doubt, throw it out.

Frequently asked questions