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Can you dehydrate in an air fryer is a frequently asked question. Yes, you can dehydrate with your air fryer, but you need to follow the correct steps, this is what we will talk about today.
We all love dehydrated food not only they are delicious, but also nutrients are more easily absorbed by our bodies. This article will show you the complete guide about dehydrating in the air fryer. And nowadays, most air fryer brands have an air fryer dehydrator combo to make it even easier.
You may like dehydrating fruits in the air fryer but not all fruits are safe and delicious to dehydrate. Toward the end of this article, you will find 6 recognized recipes for dehydrating in the air fryer. And there are so many ways to dehydrate such as air-dried, which way is healthier? Keep scrolling to avoid missing a word.
Can You Dehydrate in an Air Fryer, and How Does it Dehydrate?
You can dehydrate in an air fryer by setting the lowest temperature possible. And the good news is that, nowadays, you can find an air fryer on the market with a dehydration setting.
Still, without the dehydration setting, you will achieve the best result.
- Place your food in a single layer
- Use the mandolin to ensure that your slices are equal and thin.
- Set the lowest temperature in your air fryer and start dehydrating
You already know that an air fryer circulates hot air around the food, making it crispy. It means it uses high temperatures to cook your food to your desire. But now, how is it possible to dehydrate food in it?
As I mentioned above, you need to set the lowest temperatures possible. Doing so will remove the moisture from your meal without cooking it.
What 5 Fruits You Can Dehydrate in the Air Fryer
Apple
Take your apple and slice ⅛-inch thick crosswise rounds. And ensure that you remove the core by using a cutter. After that, take a bowl and put two tablespoons of lemon juice and a cup of water to soak your apple for about 15 minutes.
And for the 15 minutes of soaking, keep stirring the apple slices at irregular intervals. When the 15 minutes collapse, drain the slices and ensure they are completely dry.
Take your air fryer basket, arrange the slices well, and turn the dehydrator settings. Or, if your air fryer model does not feature the dehydrator, use the lowest temperature. And the air frying process will take about three hours.
Banana
Peel your small banana and then slice it diagonally (1/8-inches thick and about ½ a cup). Take your fresh lemon juice and brush it on both sides of your sliced bananas.
Using a single layer, arrange your slices in your air fryer basket, then insert them into the air fryer. Switch your air fryer on, select the dehydrating setting, and you’re good to go.
Stay calm if your air fryer does not have the dehydrating setting because you are still sorted. Just set the lowest temperature possible to avoid cooking the fruit. I recommend you set it up to 160 degrees F and air fry it for three hours.
Strawberry
Hull two cups of strawberries and wash them. Slice the strawberry into quarter inches of thick berries. Please do not brush lemon juice on the strawberry slices.
Now, arrange the slices in the dehydrating tray in a single layer and put them into your air fryer basket. And return the basket to the air fryer.
Ensure you have done everything before switching the dehydrator setting. If your air fryer does not have that feature, use a temperature of 160 degrees F to dehydrate. After four to six hours of air frying, depending on the slices’ thickness, your snacks will be ready.
Pepper
Take your peppers and put them in the air fryer basket. If your air fryer does not have a dehydrating setting, you must set the temperature to as low as 200 degrees F.
Now for the pepper, it will take approximately 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how large or small they are. Air fry the pepper at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes for the best outcome.
And please often check the progress. You can add five more minutes if they need to be well-dried on completion. Allow them to cool down before placing them in your ¼ jar.
Oranges
Wash one orange and allow it to dry, and use a knife to slice it into equal pieces. Take your dehydrating tray and arrange the slices in a single layer, then place them in the air fryer basket.
Having your air fryer right by your side, switch the dehydrator setting. And set the temperature to 135 degrees F to start dehydrating. Air fry the orange for six hours for the snacks to be ready, although it will depend on their thickness.
If you want to store them for future consumption, ensure that you put them in airtight containers. And the orange snack will serve you for a long time of up to four years.
Pineapple
Peel your pineapple and slice it into 2mm thick pieces; using a mandolin is the best way to get the finest chops. Take your dehydrating tray and arrange the slices in a single layer, then put them into an air fryer basket.
Slide the air fryer basket to the air fryer and switch the dehydrator setting, and you’re good to go. Or you can set the temperature to 135 degrees F if your air fryer model does not have a dehydrator.
The finishing time may vary depending on the slices you make. But it will take approximately six hours to dehydrate. Your snacks will be ready to enjoy, and you can store them in a well-sealed container.
Can You Dehydrate Meat in an Air Fryer
Yes, you can dehydrate meat in an air fryer, here is how to go about it. Put the steak strips onto the air frying tray and ensure they don’t touch. Take your meat and cook for three minutes using the steak setting and a temperature of 350 degrees F.
Once the inside temperature reaches 160 degrees F, switch your settings to dehydrating. The dehydration process will take about two hours.
Is it Healthy to Eat Dehydrated Foods?
Yes, it is healthy to eat dehydrated foods. Dehydrated foods only keep their vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients, removing water content. In other words, dehydrated meals tend to be snacks, raisins or banana chips, and more.
Dehydrated foods are healthier as they are all-natural. It’s like eating raw vegetables and fruits. Dehydrated vegetables and fruits are raw, only that they have been dried out.
Also, the dehydrated vegetables, fruits, or meat you are about to consume have no fat content. Due to these reasons, it’s clear that dehydrated foods are the healthiest snacks you can consume.
Does Raising the Temperature Fasten the Dehydration Process?
Remember, our main goal is to dehydrate food and not cook it, so raising the temperature will cook it. As mentioned earlier, you need to use the lowest temperature possible when dehydrating.
The dehydration process is the slow removal of water from your food. So it needs low heat but a longer time to remove the moisture. Thus, it would help if you used a lower temperature of about 120 to 160 degrees F for the best dehydrating results.
Dehydrating vs. Freezing, Which is Better?
You could be wondering which is better between dehydrating and freezing, but it’s good that you are here to know. Freezing allows food to stay for a longer time when stored than dehydrating. Freeze-drying freezes meals faster and uses pressure or heat to remove moisture.
Dehydrated foods only stay longer when stored. But can still last for about four years in a sealed vacuum. And freeze-dried meals last for up to 15 years.
Even if the freezing technique is long-lasting, its storage items are expensive. It means a standard consumer may not afford such items.
Dehydrating is cheaper since you can find a dehydrator setting in an air fryer. The good news is that you can find an air fryer for as low as 100 dollars to serve you for years. Aside from dehydrating fruit using an air fryer, you can alternatively use a Vacuum packaging machine that seals the fruits in vacuum manner thus preserving also the fruit.
What is the Difference Between Air-Dried and Dehydrated
However similar air-dried and dehydrated may sound, there is always a key difference. And I am happy you searched for this question; I cannot hesitate to answer.
Air-dried means that the solvent has been removed from liquids or solids. The air-dried process only takes place via evaporation without involving heat.
Dehydration requires the lowest heat for you to get the best result. So, dehydrated means that water has been removed from any water-containing compound. Both need moisture removal, leaving a solid, although through different techniques.
Is it Good to Rehydrate Foods after Storing them for a While?
The answer is yes; you can rehydrate foods after storing them. All you need to do is to put them in fresh milk or water for about ten to twenty minutes to soak.
Try this with your dehydrated bananas, berries, apples, carrots, vegetables, and fruits. The rehydrating outcome will amaze you.
How Long do Dehydrated meals Stay Before Spoiling?
Dehydrated meals can serve you long before spoiling. For instance, averagely dehydrated meals can stay for about ½ a year to one year without going bad. And they do not use preservatives to stay for that long.
But to add more time to the dehydrated meals, storing them in a well-sealed vacuum bag is good. The sealed vacuum bag will keep your food’s moisture and air, allowing it to stay for about four years.
Dehydrated meals are a survival life hack when stored in a well-sealed vacuum. The foods can help when you are stuck somewhere and are carriable.
Final Thoughts
Dehydrating in an air fryer is healthier, cheaper, and easier. You only need to set the lowest temperature possible or use an air fryer dehydrator combo.
Since your main aim is to remove moisture, ensure that you do not cook your food by keeping an eye. Remember to leave a comment if you still have any questions, we will appreciate it if you like this article.