47 Food Dehydrator Recipes! - The Organic Goat Lady (2024)

FAQs

What foods can you not dehydrate? ›

Therefore, avoid drying foods like peanut butter or avocados and be sure to trim meat to remove any fat before dehydrating. While nonfat dairy products can technically be dehydrated, it's not recommended and may be associated with a higher risk of foodborne illness.

Dried foods keep 4-12 months depending on storage conditions. For a longer shelf life, store in a cool, dry, dark place under 60 degrees F. While it is not necessary, dried food (except for meat jerky) can be stored in the fridge to extend shelf life.

– Place in your dehydrator in a single layer on the highest setting for several hours, this will vary depending on your machine, but it can take several hours. Enjoy your super crunchy and guilt-free dehydrated potato chips! They make a great snack and they're a great alternative to crackers.

They are commonly misconstrued to be inherently safe from food borne pathogenic bacteria. However, there are many reported cases where many food borne illnesses were caused by the consumption of dried foods contaminated with Salmonella spp., Cronobacter spp., Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli.

Dehydrated fruit is great for snacking on during the day, or adding to breakfasts like oatmeal and quinoa porridge. Fruit can either be sliced thin (apples, bananas, strawberries, kiwi), cut into small pieces (pineapple, apples), left whole (raspberries, blueberries), or pureed and dried into fruit leathers.

You can dehydrate almost any fresh food, but some things dehydrate better than others. Here are some favorites. Fruits (apples, bananas, apricots, peaches, pears, cherries, blueberries) for eating as snacks or chopped in granola and trail mixes, or dried as purees for fruit leather.

If you frequently purchase dried snacks like banana chips and beef jerky, or need to preserve your garden harvest, a food dehydrator could be a practical and cost-saving investment.

Potential Risks of Dehydrated Foods

Dehydrated foods have a higher calorie content by weight and can be high in sodium and sugars, depending on the food. In excess, these nutrients can cause weight gain and increase your risk of obesity, heart problems, and diabetes.

What fruit is best to dehydrate? ›

Some fruits and vegetables suitable for drying include apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, bananas, cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries, carrots, celery, corn, green beans, potatoes, and tomatoes. Fruits can also be dried as fruit leathers and rolls.

Dehydrated food can have a long shelf life if properly stored, but it can still go bad over time. Here are some ways to tell if dehydrated food is bad: Appearance: Visually inspect the dehydrated food. Look for signs of mold, discoloration, or any unusual growth on the surface.

Potatoes can be dehydrated from uncooked potatoes, blanched, partially-cooked, or fully cooked potatoes. From my own experience and experimenting, I've found that half-cooked potatoes rehydrate the best.

Peeling is optional, the potatoes will dehydrate equally well with or without the peel. Just be sure to remove any blemishes and to peel away any green parts – that is not edible. Always keep potatoes in water to ensure they don't oxidize and get discolored.

Dry at 135 degrees F for 6-10 hours. The time will vary based on how thick your slices are. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can make these in your oven using the lowest setting, usually 200 degrees. They will take about 2-3 hours but be sure to check regularly because they can go from done to burnt very quickly.

Most food can be dehydrated at home, with the general exclusion of dairy products and high-fat items. Unlike fruit, meat and most vegetables should be cooked first before dehydrating. Once you have a variety of dried ingredients, you can assemble them into meals.

Although most fruits and vegetables dehydrate well, avocados do not. Due to their high-fat content, avocados will quickly turn rancid after dehydration. Instead, try freeze-drying avocados for long-term preservation.

The key ingredient that causes dehydration in this item is sodium. While popcorn is tasty, sodium causes dehydration and may impact the success of your exercise or workout regime. If you can't resist grabbing a bag for a movie, opt for no sodium.