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If you love dried fruit but don’t want to invest in a food dehydrator, there is a perfectly sound solution to your problem. It comes in the form of your trusty oven.

In a low-temperature setting and combined with your patience, an oven can bring out as much moisture from your produce as possible. Dried Foodie recommends using an oven for drying fruits and vegetables to maintain their peak-season flavor without investing in current technology.

Today, we’ll talk about how to use the oven for dehydrating, other methods for drying food, and simple tips for improving your dried-fruit experience.

Four Steps for Dehydrating Food Using the Oven

It doesn’t take much to dry fruits and veggies using the oven. That’s why many don’t feel the need to purchase a dehydrator to accomplish the job.

Below are a few simple steps for removing water content in your food using the oven.

Step #1: Grab the Cooling Rack and Baking Sheet

Set the cooling rack on the sheet to promote dehydration and prevent liquid from gathering on the surface. Lining the baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment can also be an option.

Step #2: Set the Fruits and Vegetables on Your Rack By Layer

You can place prepared fruits and vegetables close together. However, make sure they don’t overlap, as this could cause some of the produce to dry unevenly.

Step #3: Set Your Oven To a Low-Temperature Setting

The ideal temperature for drying fruits and veggies is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. After adjusting the oven to this temp, set the baking sheet on the center rack.

Step #4: Let the Food “Bake” With the Oven Slightly Open

Leave the oven door slightly ajar as the food “bakes” for at least an hour, adjusting the time depending on the food being dehydrated. Some fruits and veggies take more time to dry, while others achieve ideal dryness a few minutes short of an hour.

Generally, fruits that have dehydrated properly will have a soft and pliable feel without stickiness. Vegetables, on the other hand, will be crisp.

Other Food Dehydration Methods

Aside from the oven, below are some other dehydrator substitutes you can count on.

Microwave

Another dehydrator substitute comes in the form of the microwave. This appliance is perfect for drying potatoes and fresh herbs.

Sun

If you want to go the natural-drying route, sun drying should be perfectly effective for removing moisture from tomatoes, capsicum, and olives. You can even add a few blocks of cheese for good measure.

Toaster Ovens

Toaster ovens also make great fruit dryers if your oven is occupied. They come in many types, so timing will depend on the kind you have. Like when you’re drying using the oven, toaster-oven drying requires a low-temperature setting and a slightly open door to prevent steaming.

Keep a close eye on the food being toaster-dried in case adjustments need to be made. When you do, it shouldn’t be too hard to create a perfectly dried snack.

DIY Dehydrator

In the spirit of adventure, you might want to go against the norms of fruit drying and build your own dehydrator. There should be tons of handcrafted options available if you do your research. Most of them might not even cost you too much money and effort.

Storing Dehydrated Food

You need to store food relieved of most of its water content in airtight containers. A plastic bag removed of most of its air before sealing is also a viable storage option. You then need to place either of these containers in a cool, dry area to keep the food fresh for as long as possible.

Fruits and Veggies Ideal for Dehydrating

Some types of produce react to drying better than others. Here are some examples of the best produce to dehydrate:

●     Apples

●     Pears

●     Bananas

●     Strawberries

●     Apricots

●     Mangoes

●     Pineapples

●     Tomatoes

●     Citrus

●     Smaller berries

●     Stone fruits

Apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, peaches, and apricots are usually best dried in halves or portions, while tiny berries can be left whole. Generally, fruits should be bathed in citric acid before the drying process to maintain their color and flavor.

On the other hand, vegetables have a different prepping method. Most of them require some blanching in boiling water to preserve color and kill off some bacteria. Regardless of your chosen produce, except for berries, make sure to cut them into uniform pieces for even drying.

Dried Fruits and Vegetables in Culinary Culture

Dried fruits and vegetables come in snacks, food decorations, ingredients, and many others. In short, they’re a staple in popular culinary culture as an extension of dried food. That’s why people find ways to dry fresh produce outside of using a dehydrating-specific appliance.

It’s true; an actual food dehydrator contributes to thorough drying more than other options. However, the oven and other appliance substitutes and options for drying should provide results generally acceptable for your purpose.