Dehydrating food is a great way to preserve fruits, vegetables, herbs, and meats for long term storage. It removes moisture from foods, inhibiting bacterial growth and enzymatic reactions that cause spoilage. Dehydrated foods take up less space, are lighter weight, and can be easily rehydrated later by adding water. Many people use electric dehydrators specifically designed for the purpose of removing moisture from foods. However, there are other appliances that can also be used for DIY dehydrating, including the popular Instant Pot pressure cooker.
Instant Pots have a variety of settings beyond pressure cooking, including an air fryer function. Air fryers work by rapidly circulating hot air around food to crisp and cook it. Some models of Instant Pot have a dehydrate setting as well, making dehydration easy. But even without a specific dehydrate function, the air fryer setting can be used to make homemade dried foods. It may take more time and precision than a dedicated dehydrator, but dehydrating in the Instant Pot is absolutely possible.
How does an air fryer work for dehydrating?
Air fryers are small convection ovens that use a heating element and powerful fan to circulate hot air at high velocity around food. This allows foods to cook very quickly and become crispy and browned without the need for submerging them in oil. The constant flow of hot, dry air essentially dehydrates foods by evaporating their moisture content. So although air fryers are designed for high temperature crisping, the same technology can be used to slowly dehydrate foods at lower temperatures.
The key components that allow an air fryer to double as a dehydrator are:
- Heating element – Provides a steady stream of dry heat
- Fan – Circulates the hot air around and over the food
- Ventilation – Allows moisture to escape from the chamber
- Temperature and time controls – Allow adjusting heat and duration as needed
This powerful airflow results in efficient moisture removal as the water evaporates from the food’s surface. The end result is dried, shelf-stable food.
Tips for dehydrating with the Instant Pot air fryer
While the Instant Pot air fryer wasn’t created specifically for dehydrating, it can still be used for that purpose. Here are some tips:
Use low temperatures
High temperatures will cook rather than dry out your food. Aim for 130-150°F. This allows moisture to evaporate slowly without cooking the food.
Pre-treat foods
Some pre-treatment helps certain foods dehydrate better. For example, dipping sliced fruits in lemon juice, honey, or seasonings before dehydrating intensifies their flavor. Blanching vegetables before dehydrating helps them retain color.
Cut foods small and evenly
The smaller and more consistent in size your food pieces are, the faster and more evenly they will dehydrate. Slice pieces between 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
Rotate trays and check food frequently
Rotate trays and shuffle pieces around occasionally for even drying. Check food and moisture levels frequently to avoid over-drying.
Use parchment paper
Lining air fryer trays with parchment paper prevents sticking and makes removal easy.
Expect longer times
Drying foods like fruits, vegetables, and meats can take 6-12 hours in an air fryer, unlike the 1 hour or less for air frying. Be patient and allow adequate time for moisture to evaporate.
| Food | Prep Tips | Dehydrate Time* |
|---|---|---|
| Fruits | Slice 1/4″ thick. Dip in lemon juice or honey. | 6-12 hours |
| Vegetables | Slice 1/4″ thick. Blanch before dehydrating. | 8-12 hours |
| Herbs | Leave whole or rough chop. | 4-8 hours |
| Meats | Slice 1/8″ thick. Partially cook first. | 8-12 hours |
*Drying times are estimates and depend on factors like food size, appliance wattage, and desired moisture content.
Benefits of dehydrating in an Instant Pot air fryer
While a dedicated dehydrator may be ideal, using the Instant Pot air fryer offers some unique benefits:
Multifunctionality
The Instant Pot serves many functions beyond air frying. The ability to dehydrate expands the value of an already versatile appliance.
Compact size
Air fryers take up minimal counter space, perfect for small kitchens. You can dehydrate decent batches of food in a small footprint.
Faster than oven drying
The Instant Pot air fryer’s fan and concentrated heat dries foods faster than a standard oven.
Better texture
The constant air circulation helps prevent case hardening where food surfaces dry out faster than the inside. Air fryer dehydrating means more uniform texture.
Uses residual heat
After the set drying time, residual heat in the appliance continues evaporating moisture, saving energy.
Less sticking
Parchment paper prevents food from sticking to the metal like it can in oven dehydrating.
Downsides to dehydrating in an Instant Pot air fryer
While the air fryer function enables DIY dehydrating, there are some drawbacks:
Smaller capacity
Air fryers only hold a few trays of food, so you are limited in batch size. Larger dehydrators have more drying space.
Temperature precision
Most air fryers have set temperature options rather than a full range of precision control. This makes hitting optimal low dehydrating temperatures challenging.
No timer
You have to manually time and check on the dehydrating process rather than using a built-in timer like on standalone dehydrators.
Moisture removal
Some dehydrator models include built-in fans for active moisture evacuation. Air fryers rely solely on passive ventilation.
Food safety
Dehydrating meat and some other foods requires precise temperature holding for safety. Air fryers present more risk than dehydrators with calibrated thermostats.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should I use to dehydrate in the Instant Pot air fryer?
130-150°F is ideal for dehydrating without cooking foods. Some trial and error may be needed to find the right temperature setting to maintain this range.
How long does it take to dehydrate foods in the Instant Pot air fryer?
Drying times can range from 4 hours for herbs up to 10-12 hours for fruits and vegetables. Meats may take 10-14 hours.
Should I pre-treat foods before dehydrating in the Instant Pot air fryer?
Pre-treating certain foods like dipping fruit in lemon juice can help maximize flavor and quality during dehydrating. Veggies benefit from blanching first.
What foods dehydrate well in the Instant Pot air fryer?
Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and pre-cooked meats dehydrate well. Things like pasta, rice, and bread do not dehydrate evenly.
How can I best store food dehydrated in the Instant Pot air fryer?
Proper storage is key to preserving dehydrated foods. Use airtight containers or bags. Store in cool, dry, and dark conditions. Refrigerate dehydrated meats.
Conclusion
While the Instant Pot air fryer is not a perfect substitute for an actual dehydrator, it can absolutely be used to make homemade dried foods. With some technique adjustments like lower temperatures, smaller pieces, and longer drying times, the air fryer’s fan and heating element are able to remove moisture from a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and pre-cooked meats. Drying performance may be slower and yield smaller batches than commercial dehydrators, but the air fryer’s versatility and compact size make it a great option for occasional dehydrating. Just take care to monitor temperatures closely, pre-treat foods when possible, and follow proper storage methods. With some trial and error, anyone with an Instant Pot air fryer can harness its convection power to dehydrate tasty homemade treats.