Did you know that dehydrated corn kernels make for a scrumptious snack?
When looking around your kitchen for ideas of what to place into your dehydrator, don’t overlook your corn! Corn is one of those delicious side dishes that can be made into plenty of different snacks or meals.
It’s a rather versatile food as we can eat it in a yummy casserole, or we can eat it popped in a bowl full of butter and everything in between. But one of the few ways we think about eating corn is after it’s been dried in a dehydrator.
Once you learn how to dry corn, you’ll never want to go back to eating it plain as a side dish on your dinner plate. Not sure if you can create the perfect dried corn kernel? It’s simple!
Grab your dehydrator and continue reading below for everything you need to know about drying corn!
Equipment
- Dehydrator
- Large pot and basket or blancher
- Sharp knife or corn stripper
- Airtight container
Canned Corn
If you’re thinking you can’t dry your canned corn kernels, think again! You can dry your canned corn just as easily as your fresh corn. Before placing your canned corn in the dehydrator, however, you will need to drain and rinse the corn.
Frozen Corn
Those bags of frozen corn in your freezer can be dried as well. You’ll just need to make sure that you loosen all of the clumped together pieces first. You can either bang the bag on your counter a couple of times to separate the pieces, or you can let the bag thaw out for an hour in the kitchen sink.
Fresh Corn
Your last open is to use fresh corn. When using fresh corn, be sure that you first blanch your corn before dehydrating. This will make the end result much tastier and a better end result overall.
Steps to Follow
There are a few steps to follow before placing your corn in the dehydrator. When using frozen corn or canned corn, you’ll want to follow the instructions listed for that type specifically and then continue on to step 3. For fresh corn, begin at step 1.
Tip
Using a good dehydrator like the Excalibur should result in drying without spoilage. The key to successful drying is good air circulation.
Step One
The first thing that you’ll need to do is husk the sweet corn. Consider doing this step outside to prevent a messy cleanup. Then, you’ll need to begin the blanching process.
Place a large pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil (do not add salt to the water). Once boiling, place your ears of corn into the water and allow the water to begin boiling again.
For small ears of corn, boil for 7 minutes.
For medium ears of corn, boil for 9 minutes.
For large ears of corn, boil for 11 minutes.
When done, remove from heat and place the ears of corn in ice water. Drain well. This process keeps your corn tasting nice and sweet!
Step Two
Your next step is to remove the corn kernels from the cob. To do this, begin by slicing off one end of the cob. This will create a smooth and flat surface for you to hold the cob steady on the plate.
Take a knife and begin slicing the kernels off by starting from the top of the cob and working your way down. You’ll need to do this on all sides of the cob until all kernels are on the plate.
Step Three
Take your kernels and place them on your dehydrator sheet. Be sure to spread them out evenly and in one single layer. Any kernels that are still connected to one another should be broken apart.
You’ll need all kernels to have a good amount of air circulation for the best results.
Step Four
Turn your dehydrator on to 125°F or 50°C. Take a look at your trays and rotate them around if need be. You’ll then allow them to dehydrate for about 8-12 hours or even longer.
The actual drying time will depend on humidity levels and other factors as well. When finished dehydrating, the corn kernels will have a brittle feel to them and will be tough. They then need to be allowed time to cool.
Give the kernels about 30 minutes or so to cool down fully.
Storing Your Dehydrated Corn
Before sealing your dehydrated corn kernels in a storage container, you’ll need to ensure that they’ve cooled down completely. Then, find an airtight container or jar to place them in. If you have a mason jar, this is a good option.
When stored in a cool and dark place, your dried corn kernels can last you for an entire year!
Getting to the Good Stuff
Now it’s time to discuss the best part about it all: eating them! Dried corn kernels are the perfect way to whip up your favorite stews, corn chowder recipes, or vegetable soups. You can even take your dried corn kernels and grind them into cornmeal perfect for farm life!
Don’t forget that you can also rehydrate your dried corn after dehydrating the kernels. This is ideal for when making casseroles and other similar dishes.
What can you do with corn cobbs once you’ve harvested the kernels?
If you have any extra corn cobs, don’t throw them away! You can use them to make your corn cob jelly, pickled corn cobs, corn stock, and milk them? You can also use them to smoke meat.
Kitchn does an amazing job of explaining how to do all of those things and more.
You can also use corn cob husks to make different crafts like cornhusk dolls or wreaths or flowers.
Check out this excellent YouTube video on how to create amazing crafts from corn husk.
Other Ways to Dry Corn
You can also use direct sunlight to dry your corn and drying corn in the oven is another option but I find that using a dehydrator is the easiest and best way to get consistent results.
FAQs
What is dehydrated corn?
Dehydrated corn is corn that has had most of its water removed through a process of dehydration.
Why dehydrate corn?
Dehydrating corn is a great way to preserve it for long-term storage. Dehydrated corn can last for months or even years when stored properly. Excellent for cooking and baking, dehydrated corn can also be rehydrated and used in many recipes not forgetting it can also save you money.
How do you make dehydrated corn?
Dehydrating corn is a simple process that can be done in a dehydrator or even in an oven.
The most important part of the process is to start with fresh, ripe corn.
What are the benefits of eating dehydrated corn?
Dehydrated corn is a healthy and delicious way to enjoy this versatile grain. It has a range of vitamins and minerals. Dehydrated corn is also a great source of energy, making it perfect for snacks or meals on the go.
Know How to Dry Corn for the Perfect Snack!
Learning how to dry corn is simple and rewarding. Be sure to follow all of these simple steps listed above to create the perfect dehydrated batch of corn kernels. Once you make your first batch, you’ll be making plenty more without a single helping hand.
Interested in more helpful food dehydration tips? If so, then you’re in luck! Click here to browse throughout more helpful posts!