Are you a foodie looking for a new way to prepare your old favorites? Or, are you a nature enthusiast in need of a way to make meals and snacks more portable?
Whatever your motivation, dehydrated food may be the answer.
It might not sound appealing at first, but there are lots of foods that taste delicious after they’ve been dehydrated.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of dehydrating food and which foods you should dehydrate first.
Benefits of Dehydrating Food
Why would anyone want to dehydrate their food? There are actually a lot of benefits that come with dehydrating your food, including the following:
- Great taste: Dehydration takes the water out of the food, which makes the flavor stronger
- Lower cost: Store-bought dehydrated foods are expensive, especially if you’re shelling out the extra money for healthy, organic options — doing it yourself can help you save a lot of cash
- Healthier options: Making almost anything yourself is healthier than buying it in the store because you have full control over the ingredients and don’t have to worry about weird additives or chemicals in your food
- Portability: When you dehydrate food, it’s light and easy to pack — you don’t have to worry about lugging around bulky storage containers
- Less waste: Dehydration is a great option for preserving food that’s about to spoil — this significantly cuts down on the billions of dollars worth of food that gets wasted every year
As you can see, even if you’re not a camper or an emergency preparedness enthusiast, there are still plenty of reasons to dehydrate your own food.
Top 10 Best Foods to Dehydrate
If you’re convinced that dehydrating food is a good idea but aren’t sure what to dehydrate first, keep reading. Listed below are ten of the best foods to dehydrate:
1. Kale
With the right seasoning, you’ll have a hard time distinguishing kale chips from regular potato chips. In addition to a great flavor, you’ll also get a big dose of essential micronutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K.
Simply chop some kale and toss it with a little olive oil, then add in your favorite seasonings.
Worried about your fat consumption? You can also skip the oil and toss your kale chips with lemon or lime juice.
2. Potatoes
Dehydrated potatoes are great to have on hand for quick meals. In addition to using them to make mashed potatoes, you can also throw them into a meatloaf or meatball recipe to bind the other ingredients together.
Since potatoes are inexpensive, you can easily make a large batch of dehydrated potato flakes to keep in your pantry. That way, you’ll always be prepared.
3. Bananas
Banana chips are a great sweet treat to pull out when you’re kids are clamoring for sugar. Eat them on their own, dip them in some peanut or almond butter, or mix them with some nuts and seeds to make a tasty trail mix!
4. Eggs
Have some eggs that are about to expire? Don’t toss them out — dehydrate them and save them for baking or breakfast casseroles. Dehydrated eggs might seem a little strange at first, but they’re easy to rehydrate and taste great.
5. Meat
Store-bought jerky is often loaded with sugar and other additives. It’s also expensive.
You can easily save some money and get a little health boost by making your own jerky at home. Choose beef, chicken, pork, or any other lean cut of meat and top it with your favorite seasonings or marinade before dehydrating it. You’ll have delicious jerky that’s ready to eat in no time.
6. Yogurt
Yes, you can actually dehydrate this creamy snack to significantly extend its shelf life.
Dehydrated yogurt can be added to your favorite baking recipes to make them thicker and creamier. You can also add dehydrated Greek yogurt to smoothies to increase their protein content and make them more filling.
7. Tomatoes
Dehydrated tomatoes are easy to use to make your own ketchup or tomato puree. If you have an abundance of tomatoes in the summer months, don’t toss them out — dehydrate them and use the powder as needed to remake all your favorite tomato-based products.
8. Dates
Dehydrated dates are a great option for adding natural sweetness to your favorite desserts. You can also snack on them plain when you’re in the mood for something sweet and fruity.
9. Apples
Apple chips make a great healthy snack, especially when they’re dipped in peanut or almond butter.
During the fall, when apples are inexpensive and easy to buy a bulk, get a bunch and dehydrate them so you can snack on apple chips all year round.
10. Blueberries
Blueberries are a great option for adding flavor and a major boost of antioxidants to your favorite dishes. But, unfortunately, they don’t last long when you buy them fresh.
If you’re tired of throwing out blueberries that are past their prime, try dehydrating them instead. Dehydrated blueberries are easy to throw into smoothies or on top of a yogurt bowl. You can also mix them with some oats, nuts, and honey to make homemade granola bars!
Tips for First-Time Food Dehydration
If you’re excited to start dehydrating food but aren’t sure where to begin, these tips will come in handy. Keep them in mind, and you’ll be a professional dehydrator in no time!
- Remember that indoor humidity and air conditioning can throw off your dehydrator — keep it in a warm, dry place away from vents and windows
- Don’t try to crank up the temperature and dry your foods vaster — this will seal in moisture and cause them to spoil
- Wash all your foods properly and thoroughly to make sure they’re safe to eat
- Use lemon juice to keep fruits like apples and bananas from browning
It’s also a good idea to stick to one food group at a time. Don’t mix foods when you’re dehydrating them. This will cause smells and flavors to mix together and could yield unpleasant results.
Start Dehydrating Food Today
Are you ready to start dehydrating food? If so, you’ll first need a high-quality dehydrator.
Don’t just buy the first dehydrator that pops up online. Instead, check out our reviews of some the best dehydrators today. With our help, it’ll be easy to find the best model for your needs.
