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Your Guide on How to Make Dehydrated Banana Chips Everyone Will Go Bananas over
Looking for a sweet treat to bring on your camping trip? Use this as an opportunity to impress your co-campers by showing them that you can think outside of the box, by making energy packed dehydrator banana chips.
Dehydrated banana chips make a delicious snack for both kids and adults.
What’s not to love about a banana?
They’re nutritious and delicious. And, you can easily prepare, transfer, and eat these little delights without making a mess. Using the dehydrator will allow you to make an amazing treat without cutting into your busy schedule. Plus, the chips won’t weigh you down or take up precious cooler space.
Banana chips are also a creative and nutritious addition to a child’s lunchbox.
Here is your guide on how to make dehydrated banana chips that everybody will go bananas over.
Find the Best Bananas
Quality counts and not all bananas are created equal. You should pick a perfectly ripe banana. For this purpose, stay away from the greenish bananas and the bunch that’s brown.
Instead, choose these characteristics:
- ripe, but not mushy
- firm, but not too hard
- yellow peel with some brown speckles
The perfect time to dry bananas is when the skins are all yellow with a few brown spots.
This will ensure that your chips dry properly and taste delicious.
Chill Out and Cut It
Chill 6-7 bananas in the refrigerator for an hour to firm them before cutting. Cut them an even 1/4 inch thick. This will ensure the perfect slices for dehydrating.
How to Dehydrate Bananas
Dehydrating bananas at home is a breeze and a fantastic way to create a healthy snack that’s bursting with flavor. Start by peeling your bananas and slicing them into thin, even rounds—about 1/8 inch thick is ideal for that perfect texture. While ripe bananas are best for dehydrating, you can also use overripe bananas if you want a sweeter chip, just keep in mind they may be more prone to browning. To keep your sliced bananas looking fresh and to lock in their natural color, dip each slice in a mixture of lemon juice and water or sprinkle them lightly with citric acid. This step is optional, but it really helps prevent browning and preserves that delicious banana flavor. Once your banana slices are prepped, arrange them on your dehydrator trays in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. Set your dehydrator to 135°F and let the magic happen—dehydrating bananas typically takes 6 to 11 hours. Soon you’ll have tasty, chewy banana chips ready to enjoy!
Dehydrating Bananas without a Dehydrator
No dehydrator? No problem! You can still make delicious banana chips using your oven or air fryer. For the oven method, preheat your oven to its lowest temperature setting, usually around 150°F. Lay your banana slices out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure the slices don’t touch. Pop them in the oven and let them dehydrate for 6-8 hours, flipping the slices halfway through to ensure even drying. If you’re using an air fryer, set it to 135°F and arrange the banana slices in a single layer in the basket. Dehydrate for 4-6 hours, giving the basket a good shake halfway through. Keep an eye on the texture, as dehydrating time can vary depending on the thickness of your slices and your specific appliance. Whether you use an oven or air fryer, you’ll end up with a batch of homemade banana chips that are just as tasty as those made in a dehydrator!
Add a Little Flavor
There are many dehydrated banana recipes that allow for creative flavor combinations, letting you customize your snacks with different toppings and mix-ins.
Plain banana chips taste great, but why not pack a little punch for your camping trip? Choose from one of these funky flavors, or make a variety, to satisfy everybody’s hunger.
Spice It Up
Add a little zing to your chips with dry one of these spicy flavorings.
Cinnamon
Adding 2 tsp of cinnamon will warm up the flavor without overdoing it. Especially perfect for kids.
Siracha
Garlicky and sweet with just a pinch of heat, makes a perfect snack to eat! Seriously, Siracha is all the rage these days and will pleasantly surprise all of your friends at camp! Just add a few shakes to coat the banana slices before dehydrating.
Chili Chip Mix
Perfect for fall camping, because it gives you that homecooked chili flavor when you add:
- a pinch of salt
- a pinch of black pepper
- 1tsp onion powder
- 1tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
This mix will kick it up a notch on a chili camping trip.
Sweet Heat Duo
For a blaze of flavor, coat the banana slices in 2 1/2TBS of honey and 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper. Sweet sizzlers.
Sweeten Your Senses
If you want to skip the spice and make a dessert alternative to s’mores, try adding some of these ingredients.
Honey and Ginger
Okay, so this still adds a spritz of spice but will make a delectable sweet camping treat. Add 2 1/2TBS of honey and 1/2tsp of ginger for a little snap.
Sweetly Spiked Duo
For a late campfire snack to share, make your chips with 2TBS of pure maple syrup, and 1tsp of bourbon. Perfect for camping with the boys.
Coconut Sugar
Bring the tropics to the woods by coating the banana slices with 1/2TBS of coconut oil and 1 1/2TBS of coconut sugar. You’ll go coconuts over these super sweet dried banana chips recipe.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter banana chips make a perfect dessert, but also pack in energy-rich nutrients for a challenging hike. Mix your pre-dehydrated banana chips with just under a half cup of creamy peanut butter; you won’t be disappointed.
Add Pizzaz
Do you want to get real woodsy wild? Learn how to make dehydrated banana chips that bite back a little.
Cilantro and Lime
Rub your bananas in 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro and a couple squeezes of lime juice to make your tongue dance the samba.
Orange Thyme
It’s thyme to take things to another level. A couple squirts of fresh squeezed orange and 1/2tsp of thyme will leave you feeling like there’s never enough thyme in the world.
Garlicky Parm
If you’re trying to keep the vampires away, or simply impress your friends with a sophisticated taste, mix your pre-dried banana slices with 1tsp of garlic powder, 1tsp of dried parsley, and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. You may want to use plantain as a substitute for a banana with this flavor, to eliminate all sweetness.
Once you choose your flavor and slice your cool bananas, you’re ready to make your chips!
- dip each slice into a bowl of lemon juice to prevent oxidation (browning)
- put your cooled banana slices into a large mixing bowl
- add your choice of additional ingredients and gently hand mix to cover each slice
- place each banana slice into the dehydrator, spaced out
- set the dehydrator to 135 degrees and let dry for 10-12 hours depending on your dehydrator
Since we are talking about making enough chips to last an entire camping trip, you may need to split this process up into two or three times, depending on the size of your dehydrator. But don’t worry. You expand the shelf life by dehydrating the fruit and can store them for weeks before your camping trip. Dehydrating bananas removes approximately 72% of the original weight during the process.
Checking for Doneness
Wondering if your dehydrated bananas are ready? Here’s a simple way to check: remove a slice from the dehydrator or oven and let it cool completely. If the banana is still sticky or feels moist, it needs more time—just pop it back in and check again in 30-minute increments. Perfectly dehydrated bananas should be flexible but not sticky to the touch. Dried bananas are chip-like, but still pliable, bending rather than snapping when broken. If you prefer a crispier texture, you can dehydrate them a bit longer for that extra crunch. Always keep an eye out for any brown spots or signs of browning, as well as any off smells—these could mean your bananas are overdone or starting to spoil. With a little practice, you’ll find the texture that’s just right for your taste!
Conditioning Dehydrated Bananas
To keep your banana chips fresh and delicious, it’s important to condition them after dehydrating. Place your banana slices in an airtight container, making sure there’s a little space between each slice. Seal the container and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours. Give the container a gentle shake each day to help redistribute the slices and ensure any remaining moisture is evenly absorbed. This step helps prevent excess moisture from causing mold or spoilage. For an extra boost, you can add a few slices of apple or a small piece of bread to the container to help soak up any lingering moisture. After conditioning, your dehydrated banana chips will be ready to enjoy as a tasty snack or to pack in your child’s lunchbox!
Proper Storage
You do not want to ruin your perfect banana chips dehydrator recipe by storing them improperly. They require dry storage and you should take measures to prevent any moisture from getting in.
Use:
- a vacuum sealer if available
- a Ziplock bag with air gently pressed out
- tightly sealed Tupperware
These storage tips also apply to other dried fruit, ensuring your dried fruits stay fresh and flavorful.
You will taste the difference between a properly stored chip and one that got exposed to moisture.
Banana chips and other dried fruits can sometimes stick together in storage, so it’s helpful to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking.
For more information on storing dried fruit and banana chips, visit our dedicated page with detailed tips and resources.
The Shelf Life of Dehydrated Banana Chips
One of the best things about dehydrated banana chips is their impressive shelf life. When stored properly in an airtight container—like a glass jar or a sturdy plastic container with a tight-fitting lid—your banana chips can stay fresh for up to 6 months. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture for best results. If you want to extend their shelf life even further, pop your dehydrated banana chips into a freezer-safe bag or container and store them in the freezer for up to a year. Properly stored dehydrated bananas can last six to twelve months. When you’re ready to eat, simply let them thaw at room temperature or rehydrate them by soaking in water, pineapple juice, or even a splash of lemon juice for a flavor boost. Dehydrated banana chips are a delicious and healthy snack on their own, but they’re also perfect for mixing into trail mix, topping oatmeal or yogurt, or even using in recipes like banana bread or homemade strawberry fruit leather. With their long shelf life and endless uses, dehydrated banana chips are a must-have for any pantry!
Why Choose Dried Banana for Camping?
Banana chips are simple to make, store, carry, and eat, they taste great and allow you to enjoy banana health benefits in a fun, creative snack form. Other dried fruits, such as apples, mangoes, and berries, are also great for camping and can be prepared in advance for a variety of healthy snacks.
Banana chips provide fiber, which regulates your blood sugar and keeps you feeling satiated for longer since it takes a long time to digest. This is perfect when you’re hiking, fishing, or participating in other outdoorsy activities that take a long time. Dehydrated banana chips can also be blended into smoothies for a quick energy boost while camping.
These crispy snacks also provide iron and potassium, which will battle fatigue from long days camping. They are super high in sugar and fat, but for camping, especially on a trip that keeps you super active, that may be desirable. Just grab them and stay healthy and satiated anywhere! Dried fruit and vegetables are both excellent options for healthy, portable camping snacks.
It’s Bananas!
Now that you know how to make banana chips in dehydrator, you have an easy anytime snack for your camping trip. Equip yourself with the best food dehydrator for making your amazing banana chips that will drive everybody wild! Learn more about why dehydrate food and discover all the benefits this method offers.
Get your dried banana chips dehydrator version in just a few hours with these steps. Once they’re done, try out some awesome recipe ideas!
For more dehydrated banana recipes, storage tips, and creative ideas, be sure to visit our dedicated page, which offers comprehensive instructions, nutritional benefits, and more. If you’re interested in other fruits, check out this step-by-step guide on how to dehydrate papaya.
Also, visit Dehydrated Foodz for more dehydrating tips and amazing snack ideas. For questions about purchasing a dehydrator, contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
