Ever wondered about the benefits of food dehydrating? From preserving nutrients and flavor to reducing food waste, dehydrating food has many perks.
We look at the different types of food that can be dehydrated, fruits, veg, meats, and herbs. We also look at the different ways to dehydrate food, sun drying, and using a dehydrator.
Looking for some fun stuff to dehydrate? We’ve got you covered with trail mixes, homemade fruit leather, and dehydrated soups and stews. Let’s get started and explore the world of food dehydrating!
Food dehydrating is a preservation method that involves removing moisture or water from food products using a dehydrator resulting in dehydrated food with longer shelf life and more flavour.
Food dehydrating works by circulating hot air around the food, causing the water to evaporate and leaving the food with very little moisture. This method is gentle and retains more of the food’s nutrients than other preservation methods.
Various equipment is used for food dehydrating, electric dehydrators, solar dehydrators, and air drying racks. Food dehydrating has been around for centuries, it was used to sustain communities during food shortages and to preserve food for long journeys or harsh climates.
Dehydrating food has many advantages including:
Dehydrating is a great way to preserve food as it helps to retain nutrients and intensify natural flavors, making it a great way to prepare and store food long term. Compared to canning or freezing, dehydrating has some advantages in preserving more nutrients, vitamins, and minerals as it’s a gentler drying process. By removing the water from the food, dehydrating stops the growth of microorganisms that cause food to spoil and at the same time intensifies the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Plus dehydrated foods are lightweight and compact so they’re great for camping, hiking or emergency preparedness. They don’t require refrigeration and have a longer shelf life than fresh produce so they’re a convenient and practical option for many uses.
One of the benefits of dehydrating food is that it reduces food waste by preserving excess produce and leftovers which can then be stored in the pantry or freezer for later use. This preservation method extends the shelf life of perishable goods so you can enjoy seasonal fruits and veggies all year round.
Foods commonly dehydrated are fruits like apples, bananas, and berries, and vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms. Herbs like basil and thyme are also popular for dehydrating. By removing the moisture from these foods their flavors become more concentrated so they’re great for snacking, adding to soups, or using in various recipes.
Many foods can be dehydrated using an Excalibur Dehydrator. This method is versatile for preserving all types of food, fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Fruits and vegetables like apples, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini, peppers, bananas, mangoes, peaches, carrots, lemons, and watermelon are great for dehydrating.
Dehydrating these fruits and vegetables extends their shelf life and intensifies their flavors. This process retains most of their nutrients so dried produce is a healthy snack option.
Dried fruits are a convenient way to add to your daily fruit intake, dehydrated vegetables add flavor and texture to salads, soups, and stews. Dried produce allows you to enjoy your favorite fruits and vegetables all year round even when they’re out of season.
Meats like steak and venison jerky are popular choices for dehydrating, a protein-rich snack that can be easily preserved with a dehydrator.
One of the benefits of making your own jerky is the control you have over the ingredients and end product.
When dehydrating meats like beef you need to slice them thinly and marinate them in a flavourful mix before putting them in the dehydrator. Dehydrating the meat removes the moisture from the meat and makes it shelf stable so you can take it on the go or as a post-workout treat.
To preserve properly you need to follow food safety guidelines and store the jerky in airtight containers to prevent spoilage.
Dehydrating herbs and spices is a great way to preserve their flavors and extend their shelf life so they’re available for cooking and seasoning.
To dehydrate herbs and spices one way is air drying which is bundling the herbs together and hanging them in a warm dry place. Another way is to use a dehydrator or place the herbs and spices in the oven at a low temperature. It’s best to dry slowly to prevent burning and preserve the maximum flavor.
After dehydrating store the herbs and spices in airtight containers, away from direct sunlight and moisture to preserve their potency and flavor.
There are many ways to dehydrate food, sun drying and using a dehydrator are two of them, each with their own preparation methods and suitable for different types of food.
Sun drying is an old method of food preservation where food is prepared and dried in direct sunlight. This centuries-old method of dehydrating fruits, vegetables, herbs, and meats allows them to be stored for months without refrigeration. The process starts with selecting fresh produce, washing, slicing, and laying them out in a single layer on clean trays.
Sunlight removes moisture and prevents bacteria and mold from growing. Sun drying is a cheap way to enhance the flavour of some foods but you need to consider the risk of contamination from pests and dust. Drying times can vary depending on the weather.
Using a dehydrator like the Excalibur Dehydrator is a modern and easy way to remove moisture from food while having control over the temperature and drying time. This method not only preserves the nutrients of the food but also enhances the flavor so it will last longer.
Dehydrators have multiple trays so you can dehydrate different food items at the same time. To dehydrate food properly the first step is to select fresh ingredients and cut them into the same size to dry evenly. Then lay them out in a single layer on the trays without overcrowding to allow air to circulate. Rotate the trays during the dehydrating process to dry evenly and prevent moisture retention.
Dehydrated food is a great way to get creative with snacks and meals and add flavor and texture to your culinary adventures.
Trail mixes and granola are popular ways to add dehydrated fruits. A healthy and tasty snack that’s easy to prepare and on the go.
When choosing dehydrated fruits for trail mixes or granola choose varieties like dried berries, mango, pineapple, or apples as they will add natural sweetness and chewiness.
To add more flavor you can blend different types of nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts to add protein and crunch. For a treat, you can add dark chocolate chips or coconut flakes.
Try different combinations to find your perfect mix.
Homemade fruit roll-ups are a yummy and healthy snack made from dehydrated fruits like strawberries and mangoes, sweet and chewy and easy to make.
To make homemade fruit leather start by blending the fruits in a blender until smooth and spreadable. Add a squeeze of lemon juice for a bit of zest and a tablespoon of honey or sugar if you want it sweeter.
To try different flavour combinations you can blend raspberry and peach or apple and cinnamon. Once the fruit mixture is ready spread it evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake on low for several hours until dry.
Once done let it cool, cut into strips, and store in an airtight container for up to a month. Enjoy this healthy snack whenever you want.
Dehydrated soups and stews are meal options that use dehydrated vegetables and other ingredients to make hearty and healthy meals with minimal preparation.
When making dehydrated soups and stews start by adding the dehydrated ingredients to boiling water and let them rehydrate for a few minutes. Add herbs, spices, or bouillon cubes to enhance flavor. For extra richness add olive oil or butter. You can also add cooked pasta or rice to make it more filling. Before serving adjust the seasoning to taste. Try different ingredient combinations to find your favorite flavor.
Fruits like strawberries, bananas, and apples, vegetables like zucchini, carrots, and sweet potatoes, herbs, spices, and even flowers.
Yes, you can dehydrate nonfood items like Play-Doh, clay, and even slime. Just make sure to clean your dehydrator thoroughly after.
The possibilities are endless. Homemade fruit roll-ups, kale chips, banana chips. You can also use dehydrated fruits and vegetables in trail mix or as toppings for oatmeal or yogurt.
Be creative! Let kids make their own fruit and vegetable combinations or come up with new flavors for fruit roll-ups. You can also involve them in the process by letting them help with slicing and arranging the items in the dehydrator.
Yes, you can. String dehydrated fruit slices to make a garland, create a fruit and herb wreath, or use dehydrated flowers
