Cucumbers are a great food to dehydrate if you want to make your own healthy snacks, such as dehydrated blueberries. This guide covers everything you need to know about dehydrating cucumbers, including step-by-step instructions, equipment, storage tips, and creative uses. The process to dehydrate cucumbers is simple and offers numerous benefits. They’re low in calories and very high in water, which means they don’t contain much fat or sugar! They also have lots of vitamin K, manganese, and potassium. Dehydrating cucumbers is also an easy way to preserve them for later use! This post will show you how to dehydrate your cucumber to make snacks, which are perfect for on-the-go or weekday snacking—and dehydrated ‘cukes’ are a fun, casual way to enjoy cucumbers as a snack.
This article is designed for home cooks, snack enthusiasts, and anyone interested in healthy food preservation. It covers the entire process from selecting cucumbers to storage and recipe ideas, making it a comprehensive resource for anyone looking to create a healthy, shelf-stable snack alternative.
Dehydrated cucumbers are quickly becoming a favorite healthy snack for anyone looking to swap out traditional potato chips for something lighter and just as satisfying. Cucumber chips can be made by dehydrating cucumber slices to create a healthy snack alternative to potato chips. Making cucumber chips at home is simple: just slice the cucumbers thinly, toss them with a little olive oil and your favorite seasoning, and dehydrate until they’re completely dry and crunchy. Whether you use a dehydrator or your oven, you’ll end up with a batch of flavorful, crispy chips that are low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals. These dehydrated cucumber chips are perfect for snacking, adding to lunchboxes, or serving as a guilt-free treat at your next gathering. With endless seasoning options, you can customize the flavor to suit your taste buds, making this a versatile and delicious way to enjoy cucumbers all year round.
Cucumbers are approximately 95% water, shrinking significantly when dehydrated.
Dehydrating cucumbers offers several benefits, making it a popular method for preserving this versatile vegetable. Here are some of the advantages of dehydrating cucumbers:
Now that you know the advantages, let’s look at the equipment you’ll need.
With your equipment ready, let’s move on to the ingredients you’ll need for dehydrating cucumbers.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Recipe Ingredients
– Two medium-sized cucumbers
– One tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil or any olive oil
– One teaspoon of salt
– Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
Optional seasonings:
For flavor variations, try adding ranch seasoning, BBQ spices, or sour cream and onion flavors to your dehydrated cucumber chips.
Now that you have your ingredients, let’s talk about how to choose the best cucumbers for dehydrating.
Selecting the best cucumbers is key to making delicious dehydrated cucumber chips. English cucumbers are a top pick thanks to their long, slender shape and mild, refreshing flavor. Their thin skin and minimal seeds make them easy to slice into uniform rounds, which is ideal for achieving that perfect chip texture. While you can also use other varieties like slicing cucumbers or pickling cucumbers, keep in mind that they may need a bit more prep work to get the right thickness and consistency. No matter which type you choose, always wash and dry your cucumbers thoroughly before slicing to ensure your dehydrated cucumber chips have the best possible flavor and crunch.
Once you’ve selected your cucumbers, it’s time to prepare them for dehydration.
Opt for small to medium-sized cucumbers, such as English or pickling cucumbers, which have fewer seeds and a better texture for dehydration. These varieties tend to dehydrate more evenly and result in a better final product. If you’re interested in dehydrating other vegetables, zucchini can also be an excellent choice, and you can follow similar steps to create delicious dehydrated zucchini chips.
Always wash and dry your cucumbers thoroughly before slicing to remove any dirt or residue.
Use a mandolin slicer for best results, as it allows you to achieve uniform slices quickly and easily. Slicing cucumbers into 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick pieces is recommended for optimal dehydration results. Thinner slices will dry faster and become crispier than thicker slices.
With your cucumbers prepped, you’re ready to start the dehydration process.
Peel cucumbers if desired and slice them to about 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch thick rounds on a chopping board using a mandolin slicer for uniformity. Pat the slices dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
Add the sliced cucumbers into a big bowl. Add one tablespoon of olive oil, one teaspoon of salt, and two teaspoons of vinegar into the bowl while slowly mixing these ingredients together. (Tip: Avoid using oil if you plan to store the cucumbers for more than a week, as oil can turn rancid.)
Spread the slices on dehydrator trays in a single layer, ensuring they’re not overlapping each other. This ensures even drying.
Set your dehydrator to a temperature setting of 125°F to 135°F for regular slices, or up to 150°F for cucumber chips. Dehydrating cucumbers typically takes between 6 to 12 hours, depending on the thickness of the slices. Check around the 9-hour mark. The drying time will depend on the thickness of your slices—thinner slices will dry faster and become crispier. Using a dehydrator allows for better control over the drying temperature compared to an oven, ensuring even and consistent results.
Cucumber chips should snap cleanly when bent to indicate they are fully dehydrated.
Once dehydrated, remove from the dehydrator and allow the slices to cool before sealing to prevent condensation and mold. After cooling, condition the cucumbers by placing them loosely in a container for a few days, shaking daily to equalize humidity before final storage. For best results, store in an airtight container with a desiccant packet, especially in humid climates, to keep your dehydrated cucumbers fresh. For longer-term storage, vacuum sealing the chips is recommended. Stored in an airtight container, dehydrated cucumbers will stay crispy for 2-3 weeks, and for long-term storage, they can last 4 to 12 months depending on storage conditions.
Cucumbers should be completely dry and crisp before storing to prevent moisture-related issues.
With your dehydrated cucumbers ready, you can also try making them in an air fryer for a quick snack.
If you’re looking for a quick and convenient way to make cucumber chips, try using an air fryer. Air fryer dehydrating is a great alternative to traditional dehydrators, especially if you want a fast, crispy snack. Simply slice your cucumbers into even slices, place the cucumber slices in the air fryer basket, and set the temperature to the lowest setting—usually around 150°F. Let them dehydrate for 30 to 60 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even drying. The result is a batch of crunchy, flavorful chips that are perfect for snacking. Just remember to check the chips frequently, as air fryers can vary and may not get the cucumber chips as completely dry as a dehydrator would. This method is perfect for making small batches of dehydrated cucumber chips in no time.
Next, let’s explore the different flavors you can add to your dehydrated cucumber chips.
Dehydrated cucumber chips can be flavored with salt and vinegar for a tangy taste.
Now, let’s see how you can turn your dehydrated cucumber chips into a versatile powder.
Dried cucumbers can be powdered for seasoning, added to soups, or rehydrated in pickle juice.
Place dehydrated cucumber powder in a mason jar or other air tight container and store it in a cool, dark place like your cupboard or pantry. Stored in an airtight container, dehydrated cucumbers will stay crispy for 2-3 weeks. For long term storage, you can use a vacuum sealer to seal the powder in vacuum-sealed bags, which helps prevent moisture and preserves freshness.
With your cucumber powder stored, let’s look at other food preservation methods you can try.
Dehydrating is just one of several effective food preservation methods for enjoying cucumbers beyond their peak season. In addition to making crunchy, healthy snacks like cucumber chips, you can also preserve cucumbers by canning, freezing, or pickling. Canning involves sealing cucumbers in jars with a vinegar-based brine and using heat to create a vacuum seal, which extends shelf life. Freezing cucumbers requires blanching and storing them in airtight containers or freezer bags, which helps maintain their flavor and texture. Pickling is another popular method, soaking cucumbers in a tangy vinegar and spice mixture to create classic pickles with a bold flavor. Each preservation method offers unique benefits, but dehydrating stands out for creating lightweight, shelf-stable snacks that are easy to store and enjoy anytime.
Now that you know how to preserve cucumbers, let’s see how to use dehydrated cucumbers in your kitchen.
Dehydrated cucumbers are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some tips for working with dehydrated cucumbers:
With these tips, you can enjoy dehydrated cucumbers in a variety of ways.
Next, let’s explore some creative recipe ideas for using dehydrated cucumbers.
Dehydrated cucumbers can be used in a variety of recipes, from savory dishes to sweet treats. Here are some ideas for using dehydrated cucumbers in recipes:
Now that you know how to use dehydrated cucumbers, let’s look at their health benefits.
Cucumbers are a nutritious vegetable that offers several health benefits. Here are some of the key health benefits of cucumbers:
If you want a steady supply of cucumbers for dehydrating, consider growing your own.
Growing your own cucumbers is a rewarding way to ensure a fresh supply for making homemade cucumber chips and other dehydrated cucumber snacks. Cucumbers thrive in warm weather, well-draining soil, and plenty of sunlight. You can plant them directly in your garden or in containers, spacing the seeds about 1 inch deep and 6-8 inches apart. Providing a trellis or support helps the vines grow upward, making harvesting easier and keeping the cucumbers clean. With regular watering and a little care, you’ll soon have a bountiful crop of cucumbers ready to be sliced, seasoned, and dehydrated into crunchy, flavorful chips. Homegrown cucumbers not only taste better, but they also give you full control over the quality and freshness of your healthy snacks.
If you prefer to buy dehydrated cucumbers, here are some options.
You can purchase dehydrated cucumbers from Amazon or some dehydrating companies. In addition, the dry cucumbers are sometimes found in stores that sell commercially dehydrated foods, including natural and health food markets or bulk food retailers.
Augason Farms is one of the companies that provide different fruits and vegetables dehydrated.
Mother Earth Products is a family-owned business providing non-GMO, preservative-free products for over 15 years. They offer freeze-dried and dehydrated vegetables, fruit, beans, and TVP to resealable pouches or jars as well as bulk bags ranging from 3 lbs to 25lbs! Mother Earth also sells vitamins and beauty supplies so you can enjoy better health while looking your best.
NorthBay Trading offers a wide variety of dried vegetables. Different dishes can be made with other versions, such as flakes and powders for soups or mashed potatoes, respectively. The veggies are available in individual packages (8-10 ounces) or bulk quantities. No sulfites are used on any of the products, which means your dish is delicious and healthy! All products come certified kosher from NorthBay Trading’s kitchen, making it perfect for anyone who follows this dieting choice.
You may be able to find some more sources online as well. The price for dehydrated cucumbers varies according to where you purchase them, so check around to find the best price.
Cucumbers are an excellent choice for dehydrating. They tend to dry very easily, and they make a great salty/sour snack. In addition to cucumbers, learning about the benefits of dehydrated citrus fruits can inspire you to try other dehydrated snacks as well. The benefits of dehydrated cucumbers include:
According to MyFitnessPal, servings of 2.5g contain:
These percentages are based on a diet of 2000 calories per day.
In today’s article, we discussed the process of dehydrating cucumbers or cauliflower. Cucumbers are so versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. They’re also an excellent addition to your salad or sandwich, especially when you want something refreshing! We hope you learned something new and enjoyed reading about this popular vegetable often used for salads or sandwiches!
