How to Make Dehydrated Food
Dehydration is a time-honored way to preserve foods without refrigeration or the canning process. You can make dehydrated food in a food dehydrator or in the oven. Preparing the food for dehydration takes a bit of effort, but once complete the process of drying the food for later use is very simple. Most fruits and vegetables can be dehydrated. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Vegetable peeler (optional)
- Electric dehydrator or cookie sheets
- Wire racks
- Airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags
Instructions
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Prepare the food to be dehydrated. Wash fruits and vegetables to remove any contaminants. For some fruits and vegetables, the preparation may include peeling the skins using a sharp kitchen knife or vegetable peeler.
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Slice the food into even and uniform slices using the knife. The food should be no thicker than ¼ inch.
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Lay the food in a single layer on the racks of the dehydrator. If you are using the oven, lay the food in a single layer on wire racks placed over a cookie sheet.
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Turn on the dehydrator and let the food dry for at least 8 hours before checking for doneness. If you're using the oven, turn your oven to the lowest setting and place the cookie sheets inside. Begin checking for doneness after approximately 6 hours.
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Check for doneness after the allotted time. The food should be dry to the touch with no stickiness, yet still be slightly pliable, meaning that you can bend it slightly without the food crumbling or breaking.
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Continue the drying process for another hour or two if needed. If you're using the oven method for drying, turn the food over on the racks when you do your first check for doneness.
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Allow the food to cool when the dehydrating process is complete.
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Store the food in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags until needed.
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Tips & Warnings
The more moisture content the food has when it is fresh, the longer it will take to dehydrate. Some foods, such as tomatoes and peaches, can take up to 24 hours to fully dry. Always use the best-quality food for dehydration. Overripe fruits and vegetables should not be dehydrated.
