How to Dry Apples

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Things You'll Need

  • apples

  • dehydrators

  • kitchen trays

  • Apples

  • Dehydrators

  • Kitchen Trays

Dry Apples

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.

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Dehydrator or Oven Drying

Step 1

Pick pesticide-free, ripe, firm apples.

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Step 2

Wash, core and peel the apples.

Step 3

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

Step 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.

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Step 5

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

Step 6

Dry at 115 degrees F for 6 to 8 hours.

Step 7

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

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Step 8

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

Sun Drying

Step 1

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

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Step 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.

Step 3

Lay treated slices on trays.

Step 4

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

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Step 5

Turn slices every few hours.

Step 6

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

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