Dehydrated Watermelon
Dehydrated watermelon is the healthy candy you didn't know you needed in your life. The texture is a bit denser and chewier than fresh watermelon, but it's still juicy and bursting with flavor. Seriously, you'll be surprised at the wonderful flavor of dried watermelon.
Ingredients
- 1 large, ripe watermelon
Instructions
Dehydrated Watermelon In A Dehydrator
- Wash the watermelon thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
- Slice the watermelon into finger sized pieces that are ¼ - ½ inch thick, removing any seeds or rind. Do not slice the watermelon too thin, or it will crumble during dehydration.
- Lay the watermelon slices on a dehydrator tray, making sure they don't overlap. Leave plenty of room for the air to circulate.
- Place the tray(s) in a food dehydrator and set the temperature to 135 (60°C).
- Allow the watermelon to dehydrate for 12-18 hours, depending on the thickness of the slices and the humidity in your area. Check the slices periodically and rotate the trays if necessary. At the 4 hour mark, turn the watermelon slices over to prevent them sticking to the dehydrator trays.
- Once the watermelon slices are fully dehydrated, allow them to cool inside the dehydrator. Remove the dehydrated watermelon once it's fully cooled. It should not be sticky.
- Store the dehydrated watermelon slices in an airtight container or bag for 3-6 months.
Dehydrated Watermelon In The Oven
- Preheat oven to the lowest possible temperature, ideally around 140-150°F (60-65°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it with cooking spray or oil.
- Slice the watermelon into thin pieces, around ¼ inch (0.6 cm) thick. Remove the seeds if desired. Arrange the watermelon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet, making sure they don't overlap.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and leave the door slightly open to allow for air circulation. You can prop the door open with a wooden spoon or a folded piece of foil. Let the watermelon dehydrate in the oven for several hours, checking on it every hour or so to ensure that it's drying out evenly. The total time will depend on the thickness of the slices, but it typically takes around 6-8 hours.
- Once the watermelon is dehydrated, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Store the dehydrated watermelon in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-6 months.
Notes
**Please note that dehydration time very much depends on how thick you cut your slices.
Nutrition
Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 504mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 2561IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
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