How to Dry Apples

Dried apples are a healthy snack and can be stored and refreshed for use in pies, applesauce and cakes. Note that 1 c. dried apples yields about 1 1/4 c. cooked apples.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• apples
• dehydrators
• kitchen trays
• Apples
• Dehydrators
• Kitchen Trays

Dehydrator or Oven Drying

1. Pick pesticide-free, ripe, firm apples.

2. Wash, core and peel the apples.

3. Cut apples into wedges and slice into 1/4-inch-thick slices, or slice the apples into rings.

4. Dip apple slices in an ascorbic acid mixture (1/4 c. lemon juice to 1 qt. water) - to keep them from turning brown as they dry.

5. Place the slices one layer deep on kitchen trays. Do not overlap the slices.

6. Dry at 115 degrees F for 6 to 8 hours.

7. Turn the slices after 4 hours and rotate the trays if needed.

8. Test for dryness after 6 hours and then every 2 hours until no moisture remains in the center of the slices.

Sun Drying

1. Prepare the apples as described in steps 1 to 3 above.

2. Dip apple slices in an ascorbic acid mixture (1/4 c. lemon juice to 1 qt. water) to keep them from turning brown as they dry.

3. Lay treated slices on trays.

4. Cover with cheesecloth and place in a well-ventilated area in full sunlight.

5. Turn slices every few hours.

6. Take trays inside at night. Drying takes two to three days.