Dehydrated Apples ~ Dehydrator, Oven & Air Fryer

Dehydrated apples are a tasty, healthy snack that you can easily make at home. You can dehydrate your own apples using a dehydrator, your oven, or even an air fryer.

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• 👨‍🍳 Dehydrated Apples In A Dehydrator
• Top Tip
• ♨️How To Dehydrate Apples In The Oven
• 💡Dehydrated Apples In An Air Fryer
• ❄️Storing Dehydrated Apples
• Dehydrated Pineapple
• More Dehydrator Recipes
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Today I'm going to show you how to dehydrate apples 3 different ways. The primary way, which you'll see on the recipe card below, is using a food dehydrator. But, if you don't own a dehydrator, I'll also give you instructions for dehydrating apples using your oven or air fryer.

First of all, if you don't own a food dehydrator, you won't regret getting one. Small dehydrators, like the one you see in my photos below, are really economical, and they really are kitchen work horses.

I know investing in another kitchen appliance that will take up real estate on your countertop is a big decision, but dehydrators more than earn their keep. You can create all sorts of delicious, healthy snacks like dehydrated pineapple, strawberries, and these apple chips – and that's just the beginning! With a dehydrator, you can experiment with making your own dried herbs, fruit leathers, and mushroom jerky if you're feeling adventurous.

👨‍🍳 Dehydrated Apples In A Dehydrator

Step 1: Prepare the Washing Solution

• Fill a large bowl with cold water and lemon juice (or white vinegar.) Use approximately 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for every cup of water.

Step 2: Wash, Peel, Core, and Slice the Apples

• Wash the apples under cold water. If you want to peel them you can, but it's not necessary. Remove the cores and seeds. Slice the apples thinly, about ⅛ of an inch thick. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline.

Step 3: Soak The Apples

• Transfer the sliced apple chips to the bowl of water as you slice them, and allow them to soak for a few minutes. This will prevent your dehydrated apples from turning brown in the dehydrator or oven.

Step 4: Dry The Apples

• Use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to gently pat the slices dry. Make sure to absorb as much moisture as possible from both sides of the slices.

Step 5: Load The Dehydrator

• Lay the apple slices in a single layer on the trays of your food dehydrator. Make sure to leave some space between the slices to allow for proper air circulation.

Step 6: Dehydrate The Apples

• Set your dehydrator to 135°F (57°C). Allow the apple slices to dehydrate for 6 to 12 hours, depending on the thickness of the slices and the moisture content of the apples. Check the slices periodically and rotate the trays occasionally for even drying.
• The apple chips are done when they're crisp and dry to the touch. There should be no moisture when you break them in half.

Step 7: Store The Dehydrated Apples

• Once the apple chips are fully dehydrated, remove them from the dehydrator and let them cool completely at room temperature. Store the cooled chips in an airtight container or resealable bags. Properly dried apple chips can last for several weeks to a few months when stored in a cool, dry place.

♨️How To Dehydrate Apples In The Oven

1. Preheat your oven to its lowest setting, around 140°F to 170°F (60°C to 75°C).
2. Prepare the apples by washing them thoroughly, then coring and slicing them into uniform slices, about ⅛ inch thick.
3. If you want to prevent browning, you can soak the apple slices in a mixture of water and lemon juice (about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of water) for a few minutes.
4. Arrange the apple slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Make sure to leave some space between the slices for proper air circulation.
5. Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and prop the oven door open slightly to allow any moisture to escape. You can use a wooden spoon to keep the door ajar.
6. Bake the apple slices for approximately 6 to 8 hours, or until they are dried and slightly leathery. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the drying process to prevent burning.
7. Once dried, remove the apple slices from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheets.

💡Dehydrated Apples In An Air Fryer

Air fryers have limited space, so you won't be able to dehydrate a large batch of apples all at once. The capacity of your air fryer will determine how many apple slices you can dehydrate in one batch. You'll need to work in multiple batches to dehydrate a larger quantity of apples.

1. Prepare the apples by washing them thoroughly, coring them, and slicing them into uniform pieces, about ⅛ inch thick.
2. If you want to prevent browning, soak the apple slices in a mixture of water and lemon juice (about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of water) for a few minutes. Remove them from the water and pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean tea towel.
3. Preheat your air fryer to its lowest temperature setting, around 120°F to 140°F (50°C to 60°C).
4. Arrange the apple slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they're not overlapping.
5. Air fry the apple slices for approximately 2 to 3 hours, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are dried and slightly leathery.
6. Once dried, remove the apple slices from the air fryer and let them cool completely.

❄️Storing Dehydrated Apples

First of all, make sure the apple chips are totally dry before storing them. If they feel leathery or have any residual moisture, return them to the dehydrator or oven for further drying.

Once the apple chips are properly dried, transfer them to a clean, dry container. Seal the container and let it sit at room temperature for about 7 to 10 days. Every few days or so, shake the container. This is known as conditioning. During this time, moisture content in the apple chips will redistribute, and any excess moisture will be absorbed by drier pieces.

Store the sealed containers of dehydrated apple chips in a cool, dry place. A pantry is ideal. They should stay fresh for about a year.

More Dehydrator Recipes

Cucumber Chips - Dehydrated And Baked

The Ultimate Mushroom Jerky Recipe

Dehydrated Watermelon Two Ways

Dehydrated Orange Slices ~ Dehydrator & Oven

Dehydrated Onions

Dehydrated Cherry Tomatoes

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips

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