Delectable Dehydrating: Air Fryer Foodie Experimentation

Air fryers are incredibly versatile kitchen appliances that can be used for dehydration. Dehydrating food is a process of removing excess moisture from food, which helps to extend its shelf life. Air fryers achieve this by circulating warm air around the food, slowly removing moisture without cooking it. This process can be used for a variety of fruits, vegetables, and meats. For example, you can make banana chips, apple chips, carrot chips, beef jerky, and dried almonds in an air fryer. The dehydration process in an air fryer usually takes between 1 to 6 hours, depending on the food.

Dehydrating fruit in an air fryer

How to Dehydrate Fruit in an Air Fryer:

Firstly, wash and cut your chosen fruit into thin slices or strips. The recommended thickness varies from less than half an inch to 5-6mm. Smaller fruits like berries and grapes can be left whole.

Next, pat the fruit dry with a clean cloth. You can also soak the fruit in various liquids to enhance preservation or add flavour. For example, lemon juice can preserve the colour of the fruit. You can also soak the fruit in sugar water or citric acid and water.

Place the fruit in the air fryer basket, ensuring the slices do not overlap and that there is space beneath the basket for good air circulation. If your air fryer has a dehydrate function, use this setting. If not, set your air fryer to the lowest temperature setting possible, ideally between 120-160°F.

The dehydration time will depend on the fruit, but it can take anywhere from one to six hours. Check the fruit regularly to ensure it is not burning. You will know the fruit is done when the centre is hard to the touch.

Once the fruit is dehydrated, remove it from the air fryer and leave it to cool for at least six hours, but preferably 24 hours. This step will continue the drying process. Then, store the fruit in a cool, dark place in an airtight container.

Tips:

• Using parchment paper to line the air fryer can make clean-up easier and help prevent the fruit from sticking to the basket.
• You can rehydrate dehydrated fruit by placing it in a bowl of fresh water or milk and allowing it to soak for 10-20 minutes.

Dehydrating vegetables

Dehydrated tomatoes, zucchini, kale, and carrots are all delicious and nutritious snack options. Other options include peas, corn, and mushrooms, which can be added to soups and stews and will rehydrate as they soak up the broth.

How to dehydrate vegetables in an air fryer:

First, wash and slice your chosen vegetables into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Then, place the slices in a single layer inside the basket of a 6-quart air fryer, ensuring proper spacing to allow for air circulation. Set the temperature to 175 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry for 3-4 hours, depending on the vegetable.

Suggested uses for dehydrated vegetables:

Dehydrated zucchini or yellow squash can be added to boiling water when cooking pasta, stirred into soups, or rehydrated and folded into roasted vegetables. Dehydrated carrots can be used in a similar way, added to pasta, soups, or roasted vegetables. Dehydrated kale can be ground into a fine powder and used in smoothies or baked goods, or sprinkled on top of salads or popcorn for a crunchy texture.

Dehydrating meat

Most air fryers have a dehydrator setting, which can be used to dehydrate meat. To dehydrate meat in an air fryer, follow these steps:

Prep your meat

Slice your chosen cut of meat into thin strips or small chunks, no thicker than 1/4 of an inch. Freezing the meat for 30 minutes before slicing will make it easier to cut. Ensure that you trim off any excess fat, as this can impact the long-term storage of your dehydrated meat.

Season your meat

Once you have cut your meat, it is time to season it. You can use a variety of spices and salts to add flavour to your meat, and the addition of salt will also help draw out moisture.

Place the meat in the air fryer basket

After seasoning, carefully place the meat in the air fryer basket, ensuring that the pieces do not touch and that there is good spacing between each slice. This will allow for proper airflow and even dehydration.

Set the temperature and time

Set your air fryer to a low temperature between 120-160°F. Dehydrating meat takes a long time, usually around 4-8 hours, as the goal is to slowly remove moisture without cooking the meat.

Check the meat periodically

You can check the meat at the 4-hour mark and again at the 6-hour mark to see if it has reached your desired level of dehydration. For a chewier texture, you can remove the meat earlier, while leaving it in for longer will result in a crunchier snack.

Store the dehydrated meat

Once the meat is dehydrated, you can store it in resealable plastic bags in the refrigerator. Dehydrated meat can last up to one week in the refrigerator or up to 4 years if stored in vacuum-sealed bags.

Dehydrating herbs

• Pick fresh herbs: Choose the fresh herbs from the top of the plant, as this encourages further growth. Pinch off the leaves for herbs such as basil, mint, and oregano, and trim stalks for herbs like dill and thyme.
• Remove leaves from stems: You can do this by hand or with an herb stripper.
• Clean and rinse herbs: Washing the herbs helps remove any dirt, debris, or pests that may be on the plant. It also helps you identify and remove any bad leaves.
• Dry the herbs: Place the herbs on paper towels and pat them dry with more paper towels to remove excess moisture.
• Place herbs in the air fryer: Put the herbs in a single layer in the air fryer drawer or basket. If you are drying more than one type of herb, use a mesh muslin bag or place a rack over the herbs to prevent them from blowing around.
• Set the temperature and time: Use the dehydrator function on your air fryer and set the temperature to 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit (depending on your air fryer model). Dehydrate for 3-4 hours or according to your air fryer's operating manual.
• Let the herbs cool: Once the dehydrating process is complete, let the herbs stand for about 15 minutes before storing them.
• Store in airtight containers: Store the dehydrated herbs in sealed glass jars or Ziplock bags. If you want them to last longer, don't break up the leaves until you are ready to use them. They will potentially last up to 2-3 years if left whole and 1-2 years if crushed.

By dehydrating herbs in an air fryer, you can preserve the flavor, aroma, and potency of your fresh herbs, and enjoy them for months or even years to come!

Dehydrating nuts and seeds

Air Fryer Settings

Firstly, check your air fryer's settings. Most air fryers have a "dehydrate" button, but if yours doesn't, you can still dehydrate by manually adjusting the temperature and time settings. Set your air fryer to a low temperature, usually between 120-140°F, and be prepared to wait several hours for your nuts and seeds to dehydrate.

Preparing Nuts and Seeds for Dehydration

Before placing your nuts and seeds in the air fryer, slice them thinly and evenly. This will ensure they dry out thoroughly and evenly. You can also season your nuts and seeds before dehydrating. Cinnamon is a great option for sweet snacks, or you could try sea salt for a savoury treat.

Place your nuts and seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece to allow for good airflow. Set your air fryer to 140°F and leave for around 8 hours. Check your nuts and seeds after 4 hours and again after 6 hours to ensure they don't over-dry. You can remove them earlier if you want a chewier texture, or leave them in longer for extra crunch.

Storing Dehydrated Nuts and Seeds

Once your nuts and seeds are dehydrated, store them in an airtight container. They will keep for several weeks in the pantry, or you can extend their shelf life by storing them in the fridge.

Frequently asked questions