Dehydrating food is a great way to preserve fruits, vegetables, meats, and herbs for long term storage. It removes the moisture from the food, which prevents bacteria growth and spoilage. While you can buy expensive electric food dehydrators, there is an easy and more affordable way to dehydrate foods at home using just your air fryer! Many air fryer models now come with special dehydrating lids and trays that allow you to turn your air fryer into a dehydrator.
What is an air fryer dehydrating lid?
An air fryer dehydrating lid is an accessory that replaces the standard crisper lid on an air fryer. It has vented holes that allow air circulation inside the air fryer. The lid traps the hot air from the heating element and aims it downward over the dehydrating trays. This air flow dries out the food evenly. Many air fryer brands such as Ninja, Instant, Cosori, and Chefman offer dehydrating lids to fit their models.
How does dehydrating with an air fryer work?
Air fryers use convection heat to quickly dry food out. The heating element rapidly heats up the air inside the air fryer chamber. The powerful fan then circulates this hot air over and around the food at high speeds. This constant blast of hot, dry air removes the moisture from the food items, drying them out thoroughly. Air fryers can reach temperatures between 95°F to 200°F during the dehydration process. The vented lid allows continuous airflow and prevents moisture from staying trapped inside.
Tips for dehydrating with an air fryer
Follow these tips to maximize your air fryer dehydrating:
- Use very thin slices – Cut food no more than 1/4 inch thick for fast and even drying.
- Rotate the trays – Rearrange trays midway through for consistent results.
- Pat food dry – Dab off any moisture from food before placing in the air fryer.
- Allow space between pieces – Avoid overcrowding for proper air circulation.
- Check food often – Monitor dehydration so food does not over dry.
- Adjust temperature as needed – Start at a lower temp and increase if needed.
- Let cool before storage – Make sure food is completely cooled before storing.
What foods can you dehydrate with an air fryer?
Many types of foods can be successfully dried out in an air fryer with a dehydrating lid:
- Fruits – Apples, bananas, mango, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries.
- Vegetables – Carrots, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes.
- Meats – Beef, poultry, pork, fish.
- Herbs – Basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage.
- Pastries – Fruit leathers, granola bars, chips.
Fruits and veggies with high water content tend to dehydrate fastest. meats may take 10-15 hours to fully dehydrate. Herbs and pastries usually take 4-8 hours in an air fryer.
How long does dehydrating take?
Dehydrating times can vary greatly based on factors such as:
- Air fryer wattage – Higher wattage speeds up drying.
- Amount of food – Don’t overload the trays.
- Type of food – Dense foods take longer.
- Thickness/size – Thinner pieces dry faster.
- Percent moisture – High moisture means longer time.
- Desired texture – Fruit leathers need longer.
Here are some general time ranges to expect when dehydrating common items:
| Food item | Time range |
|---|---|
| Fruits & veggies | 4-12 hours |
| Fresh herbs | 3-5 hours |
| Meats | 5-15 hours |
| Fruit leathers | 5-8 hours |
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to dehydrate food in your air fryer:
- Prep the food – Wash, peel, trim and slice into thin, consistent pieces. Pat dry.
- Line the trays – Place parchment paper or silicone mats onto the dehydrating trays.
- Arrange the food – Lay pieces out in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Insert trays – Stack trays in fryer basket. Don’t overload.
- Replace lid – Swap standard lid for the vented dehydrating lid.
- Choose temperature – Select 95°F to 200°F depending on food type.
- Check and rotate – Periodically check food and rotate trays.
- Finish dehydrating – Food should be dried but not brittle.
- Cool and store – Allow to cool fully before storage.
It’s important not to over dry food or it could burn. If needed, you can prop open the air fryer lid slightly to allow moisture to escape for certain foods.
Tips for Successfully Dehydrated Foods
Follow these tips for getting the best results when dehydrating with an air fryer:
Fruits & Vegetables
- Use ripe fruits and fresh, firm vegetables.
- Pretreat fruits with lemon juice, fruit juice or honey to prevent browning.
- Trim and peel produce before slicing thinly.
- Dry until slightly pliable with no moisture.
Meats
- Use lean cuts of meat with visible fat trimmed off.
- Marinate lean meats in oil-based marinades before dehydrating.
- Cut meats across the grain into very thin strips.
- Dry until hard and brittle with no moist spots.
Herbs
- Select fresh herbs at peak flavor.
- Gently rinse herbs and pat completely dry.
- Lay whole leaves or sprigs in a single layer.
- Dry until crisp and crumbly.
Fruit Leathers & Pastries
- Puree fruits or bake bars/dough before dehydrating.
- Spread purees 1/4 inch thick or less over parchment.
- Flip over midway and continue drying until no sticky wet spots.
- Cut bars and pastries into 1/4 inch thick pieces.
Storing Dehydrated Food
Proper storage is key for getting the longest shelf life out of dehydrated foods. Follow these storage guidelines:
- Make sure food is completely cooled and dried before storing.
- Store in airtight containers or heavy duty bags.
- Exclude as much air from packages as possible.
- Use oxygen absorber packs to help remove oxygen.
- Store in a cool, dry, dark place.
- Label packages with contents and date.
- Ideal storage time is 9-12 months.
Glass jars, plastic containers, zipper bags, vacuum seal pouches, and mason jars all work well for storing dehydrated foods. Keeping air and light exposure to a minimum will help them last longer.
Conclusion
Dehydrating food at home using an air fryer with a dehydrating lid provides an easy, cost-effective method for preservation. Almost any air fryer can be turned into a dehydrator with the right accessories. Fruits, vegetables, meats, herbs, and snacks can all be successfully dried out with circulation of hot, dry air. Follow proper slicing, drying, cooling, and storage guidelines to get the most out of your air fryer dehydrating efforts. With minimal time and effort, you’ll have tasty and nutritious dehydrated foods to enjoy for months to come.