Bell peppers are used in many different dishes, and you can find them fresh or pickled at most grocery stores.
You can dehydrate sweet bell peppers, yellow peppers, green peppers, and even hot peppers or chili peppers—each type brings its own unique flavor and heat to dishes.
The best way to get your veggies through both summer AND winter is by dehydrating them, which can be done at home in a matter of hours or days if needed. Dehydrating bell peppers is an easy process that allows for longer storage of the vegetables. Dehydrated food lasts about three times as long as fresh foods do, so it’s perfect if you don’t have access to grocery stores throughout the year—or even want some delicious flavor without paying high prices every time they’re available outside their growing seasons! But how to dehydrate bell peppers? If you have a food dehydrator, then it is as easy as following these steps!
Ingredients:
Equipment
Dehydrating is a fantastic way to preserve the vibrant flavor and nutrition of bell peppers, making it easy to enjoy them in your favorite dishes all year long. By removing moisture from bell peppers, you not only extend their shelf life but also concentrate their slightly sweet taste, making dehydrated bell peppers a versatile ingredient for soups, stews, casseroles, and more. Whether you use a
For the best dehydrated bell peppers, start by choosing fresh, firm, and brightly colored peppers. Any variety works—green, red, yellow, or orange bell peppers all dehydrate beautifully. Before you begin dehydrating, wash the peppers thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. Cut off the stems, slice the peppers open, and remove the seeds and white ribs. For even drying, slice or chop the bell peppers into uniform pieces—this helps ensure that all the pieces dry at the same rate. It is not necessary to blanch bell peppers before dehydrating them, though some may choose to do so for color retention. Proper preparation is key to achieving delicious, long-lasting dried bell peppers.
Dehydrated bell peppers, as well as other dried peppers and dried bell pepper, can be used in a variety of dishes. Peppers are technically fruits, and dehydrating fruits like peppers is a great way to preserve their flavor. You can slice them up for salads, put them on pizzas, or use crushed pepper flakes to add flavor to your favorite dish. Grinding peppers into powder or flakes is a great way to add heat to recipes, and you can control the spiciness by adding just a bit. Dehydrate red and green bells separately so that you maintain their color when they are ready. In addition, dehydrated peppers can be used in homemade spice blends.
After you have bell peppers, how should you store them to make the most of your investment?
The first task you need to do is to make sure the peppers are dehydrated. This will ensure that they don’t mold and grow which can cause food poisoning or not taste good. In addition, dehydrating removes all the moisture from the bell peppers and leaves them with a crispy texture.
Sweet peppers are a healthy and versatile ingredient. They can taste sweet or savory, depending on how you cook them with your favorite ingredients! When storing dehydrated ones in the pantry, they should be stored in an airtight container to ensure freshness for up to one year. Storing dried peppers in an air tight container is essential for maintaining freshness and preventing moisture. For optimal long term storage, vacuum sealing is highly recommended, as it helps prevent moisture ingress and extends shelf life. Place your containers in a cool dark place to preserve the quality of the dried bell pepper for long term storage.
If you use these tasty veggies often, then it may make sense to invest in a vacuum sealer that will compress any time spent sealing bags of food into much less time than cutting out individual pieces from storage containers.
We recommend sealing the bell peppers in a paper bag before storing them and then placing them into your Food Saver-type bags or mylar. The edges on these pepper pieces are sharp, so when you’re using a vacuum seal, it could potentially pierce holes through the plastic over time. Using a paper bag before vacuum sealing helps to prevent sharp edges from piercing the vacuum bag.
Once your bell peppers are fully dehydrated, it’s important to condition them to ensure there’s no remaining moisture that could cause spoilage. To do this, place the dehydrated peppers in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for about a week. Give the container a gentle shake each day to help distribute any residual moisture evenly. If you notice any signs of moisture or clumping, simply return the peppers to the dehydrator for a bit more drying time. Conditioning helps guarantee that your dehydrated peppers stay fresh, crisp, and ready to use for months to come.
Rehydrating dehydrated peppers is quick and easy, making it simple to add them to your favorite recipes. To rehydrate, just cover the dehydrated peppers with boiling water and let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they reach your desired texture. You can also toss dehydrated peppers directly into soups, stews, or sauces, where they’ll plump up during the cooking process and add flavor to your dish. Whether you’re making a stir-fry, casserole, or chili, rehydrated peppers bring a burst of color and taste to any meal.
To make bell pepper powder, simply dehydrate bell peppers to create dried bell pepper. First, place the desired amount of fresh, ripe red or green bell peppers into a food dehydrator and set it to your preferred dryness level. Once you have dried peppers, allow them to cool completely. Grinding peppers—whether dried bell pepper, chili peppers, or hot peppers—is a common way to make homemade spice blends. Put the dried peppers in a coffee grinder until you have reached the desired grind consistency. You can use this powder for seasoning on pizzas, baked potatoes, or other dishes.
It’s important to preheat the dehydrator before you start drying your food. Note that the drying process for peppers and other fruits can be affected by the humidity level—high humidity may require longer drying times or the use of a dehydrator to properly dry your items and prevent spoilage. This helps it reach an optimal temperature and ensures that all of your items will be dry at about the same time, rather than some taking much longer than others. For best results, choose foods with similar cooking requirements and cut them into similarly-sized pieces so they’ll cook evenly in a short amount of time!
To get the best results when dehydrating bell peppers, use a food dehydrator with adjustable temperature controls and arrange the pepper slices in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Make sure not to overcrowd the trays, as good air circulation is essential for even drying. For extra flavor, try tossing your pepper pieces with a little olive oil, garlic, or your favorite herbs before dehydrating. You can also experiment by grinding dehydrated peppers into powder or flakes using a food processor or spice grinder—perfect for seasoning dishes or adding a pop of color to your spice blends. With these tips and creative variations, dehydrating bell peppers becomes a fun and rewarding way to add flavor and nutrition to your kitchen all year round.
All in all, it’s a simple process that will take your bell peppers from fresh to crispy and easily stored. Get ready for the best-dried pepper season ever! Now you know how to dehydrate bell peppers. Follow these steps closely and enjoy the benefits of having delicious dried vegetables on hand at any time during the cold winter months when other products may be scarce. If you have any questions about drying your own peppers and herbs, such as how to dehydrate basil in an air fryer, feel free to get in touch with us here at Dehydrated Foodz; we would love nothing more than to help provide some culinary inspiration for those cold winter nights ahead! We hope that our tips were valuable.
To learn how to dehydrate other vegetables, check these articles:
