Dried Delights: The Best Foods to Dehydrate for Snacks

Dehydrated foods are a great way to transport snacks for trips, camping, hiking, and any type of on-the-go eating you’re doing.

While some people think these dried delights are only for people backpacking on the Appalachian trail, they’re actually great for snacks at work, food on long car/plane trips, or even just to munch on at home.

Let’s look at some of the best foods to dehydrate for snacks.

1. Bananas

Bananas are a classic snack for lunches, after a run, or lounging around the house in sweatpants. But they aren’t the easiest to transport. We’ve all accidentally squashed one at the bottom of our bag, right? They can also ripen quickly, so if you don’t eat them fast, you’ll be left with blackened pockets of brown goo (not so appetizing).

Try cutting your bananas into coins and dehydrating them to make “banana chips.” Much healthier than regular chips and with all of the amazing benefits of bananas, they’ll also last longer and are more easily transportable than the classic fruit. 

2. Chickpeas

Chickpeas are a great snack: they’re packed with protein to give you the energy you need to power through your day. However, it’s hard to crack open a can of chickpeas at your desk or in the cafeteria, not to mention they’re a bit plain in flavor.

Dehydrating them will turn them into a crunchy, easy to eat on the go snack that you can personalize to your taste buds. The chickpea itself has a plain flavor that you can turn spicy, savory, or sweet depending on which recipe you go with!

Try this recipe for some sweet sesame chickpeas (be careful… they’re addicting).

3. Meat

Making your own jerky is another protein-packed option that’s also low on fat and big on flavor. Like chickpeas, you can switch up your recipe based on your own likes and dislikes. You can dehydrate beef, chicken, turkey, etc.

Simply throw it in the marinade of your choice (check out these options that include sweet soy jerky and chili lime jerky) and then into the dehydrator for a simple and nutritious snack.

The Best Foods to Dehydrate for Snacks Don’t End with These Three!

While these three options we’ve gone over are some of the best foods to dehydrate for snacks, don’t think that this list is complete and exclusive. Think of these as jumping off points.

Bananas are a great choice, but so are other fruits like apples, pears, and blueberries. Chickpeas are an awesome option, but what about other beans that you like? Meat is a general option that has a number of different dehydration recipes to keep your snacks fun and fresh.

Ready to try these dried delights?

Check out our recipe page where you can find some of the most delicious and nutritious dehydrated snacks out there. Of course, you’ll also need a dehydrator. Look here for some reviews of the best ones on the market.

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Danny
Hey there, since 2016, my mission has been to provide you with the information and guides you need to make food dehydrating simple and fun. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, my site offers helpful guides, reviews, and recipes to enhance your dehydrating experience. I take pride in only recommending products I believe in, ensuring my readers' trust. As an affiliate of various programs, including Amazon Associates, your support helps me continue providing quality content. Thanks for stopping by, and happy dehydrating!