If you ever wonder, can you dehydrate food in the oven? The answer is yes. Dehydrating in the oven offers a simple and practical way to store fruits, vegetables, and herbs for long periods. This method also works well for snacks such as dried fruit, vegetable chips, and homemade jerky.
Whether you’re looking to create healthy snacks, add to meals, or prepare for future use, dehydrating is a great method. With just a few basic steps, you can enjoy homemade dried fruits and veggies year-round!
Table of contents
What Foods Can You Dehydrate in an Oven?
Many types of foods can be dehydrated in the oven, but some work better than others due to moisture content, texture, and drying time. Here are the top options for dehydrating in the oven:
- Fruits: Almost any fruit can be dehydrated, but the most common options include apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, pears, and mangoes. These fruits hold up well in the oven and become perfect snacks once dried.
- Vegetables: You can dehydrate vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Dehydrated vegetables can be used in soups, stews, or homemade mixes. Some vegetables may require blanching before dehydration to preserve their color and texture.
- Herbs: Herbs such as basil, thyme, rosemary, and parsley are perfect for dehydrating in the oven. Once dried, they retain their flavors for months, making them a great addition to your pantry and an easy way to add flavor to any dish.
- Meats: Dehydrating meats like turkey, beef, and chicken is common for making homemade jerky. Dehydrating meat in the oven requires careful attention to time and temperature to ensure the meat cooks properly and dries out without being overdone or undercooked.
How to Dehydrate in the Oven Step by Step
Dehydrating in the oven is an easy process if you follow these steps. By sticking to the right temperature and method, you can dry your favorite foods with ease.
Step 1: Prepare Fruits or Vegetables
Start by washing your fruits or vegetables thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides. Once clean:
- Peel if needed (for example, apples or sweet potatoes).
- Slice evenly using a knife or mandoline slicer. The key is uniform thickness, as thicker slices take longer to dehydrate than thinner ones.
To prevent fruits like apples or bananas from turning brown, place them in a mixture of water and lemon juice for a few minutes before dehydrating.
Step 2: Add the Fruits or Vegetables to the Oven
Place your prepared fruits, vegetables, or meats on a baking sheet or cooling rack. Make sure there is enough space between the pieces for airflow to circulate and ensure even dehydration. If you’re using a cooling rack, place it on a baking sheet to catch any drips from the food.
Step 3: Dehydrate the Fruits or Vegetables
Set your oven to Dehydrate Mode or the lowest temperature (around 85°C or 185°F). The right temperature is important to dry the food without cooking it.
Here’s a basic guide for dehydration time:
- Oranges or Lemons: Dehydrate for 3 hours at 185°F (85°C).
- Apples: Dehydrate for 6-8 hours at 185°F (85°C).
- Mangoes: Dehydrate for 6-8 hours at 185°F (85°C).
- Sweet Potatoes: Dehydrate for 6-8 hours at 185°F (85°C).
- Zucchini: Dehydrate for 5-7 hours at 185°F (85°C).
You can adjust the time a bit based on the thickness of the slices and how dry you want your food. You can also dry similar foods together if they need the same temperature and time.
Step 4: Check and Remove the Fruits or Vegetables
Once the food is dry, it should feel brittle and firm, with no remaining moisture. For fruits, they should be pliable but not sticky. Vegetables should be crisp, and meat should be chewy without being too dry. If any pieces are still moist, continue drying them until fully dehydrated.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Allow the dehydrated food to cool to room temperature before storing it. This helps to avoid moisture buildup in storage containers. Store your dried food in airtight containers, vacuum-sealed bags, or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers to keep out air and moisture.
Best Smart Oven for Dehydrating
For those who are serious about dehydrating at home, a smart oven with precise temperature control is an excellent investment. The Typhur Sync Oven is a perfect option for this purpose, providing the accuracy and versatility needed to dehydrate various foods.
Key Features of the Typhur Sync Oven:
- Precise Temperature Control: The Typhur Sync Oven has built-in sensors that ensure your oven maintains the ideal temperature for dehydration, so you don’t have to worry about overheating or undercooking.
- Multiple Cooking Functions: With 12 cooking functions, this oven not only dehydrates but also roasts, bakes, air fries, and more, offering all-around versatility for your kitchen.
- Large Capacity: Its spacious interior allows you to dehydrate large batches of food, so you can preserve more in one go.
- Smart App Control: With the companion app, you can control temperature, set timers, and monitor the progress of your dehydrating, all from your phone.
The First Countertop Oven with a Wireless Thermometer
If you’re looking for an oven that does more than just bake and roast, the Typhur Sync Oven is a perfect addition to any kitchen. It combines precise technology with user-friendly features, making it perfect for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, and even meats.
Storage Tips After Dehydrating in the Oven
Proper storage is essential to ensure that your dehydrated foods last. Here are some helpful tips for storing your dehydrated items:
- Cool Before Storing: Let the dehydrated food cool down before storing to prevent condensation from forming inside the containers.
- Use Airtight Containers: Store dehydrated food in airtight containers like glass jars or vacuum-sealed bags to keep moisture out and preserve freshness.
- Label Your Storage: Don’t forget to label your containers with the date of dehydration to ensure you use the oldest batches first.
- Keep in a Cool, Dry Place: Store your dehydrated food in a cool, dark, and dry location. A pantry or cupboard works best.
FAQs
Yes, it is safe to dehydrate in the oven as long as you maintain the right temperature (between 140°F and 170°F). Keep an eye on food to avoid over-drying.
The time it takes to dehydrate food in the oven varies depending on the type. For fruits, it takes 6-12 hours, vegetables typically take 4-8 hours, and meats like jerky may need 4-8 hours.
Foods that are too high in moisture, such as avocados, pickles, and fried foods, don’t dehydrate well. Additionally, dairy products and cooked foods are unsuitable for dehydrating in the oven.
It depends on your needs. A dehydrator provides more precise temperature control and is more energy-efficient for larger batches. However, dehydrating in the oven is a great alternative if you don’t want to invest in a separate appliance. The Typhur Sync Oven offers the best of both worlds, with accurate temperature control and versatility for all your dehydrating needs.
Dehydrate Fruits and Vegetables
Equipment
- Tongs
- Mandoline
- Bowl
The First Countertop Oven with a Wireless Thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 Oranges or Lemons slices measuring between ¼” and ⅛”
- 4 Bananas slice them into ⅛ to ¼ inch thick disks
- 3 Apple slice them into ⅜ to ¼ inch thick disks
- 2 Mangoes slice ¼ to ⅜ inch thick
- 2 Sweet Potatoes slice ¼ inch thick
- 2 Zucchini slice ⅛ or ¼ inch thick
Instructions
- Prepare Fruits or Vegetables: Wash the vegetables and fruits and cut them into desired thickness with a knife or mandoline slicer. You can place vegetable and fruit slices in lemon water to prevent them from oxidizing and turning black.2 Oranges or Lemons, 4 Bananas, 3 Apple, 2 Mangoes, 2 Sweet Potatoes, 2 Zucchini
- Add the Fruits or Vegetables: Place vegetables or fruit slices evenly on the air fry basket and insert it into Level 2.
- Dehydrate the Fruits or Vegetables: Set the oven to Dehydrate mode at 85°C and drying time 6 hours. Start drying vegetables and fruits. Those with the same temperature and time can be dried together. Oranges or Lemons：185℉ / 85℃ 3hoursApples：185℉ / 85℃ 6-8hoursMangoes ：185℉ / 85℃ 6-8hoursSweet Potatoes ：185℉ / 85℃ 6-8hoursZucchini : 185℉ / 85℃ 5-7hours
- Remove the Fruits or Vegetables Slices: Take out the dehydrate vegetables or fruit slices.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
(Nutrition information is calculated automatically by Spoonacular API and should be considered an estimate.)
