Dehydrating apples into apple chips is a great way to preserve the flavor and nutrients of fresh apples while creating a healthy, crunchy snack. When done properly, dehydrating apples takes between 6-12 hours depending on the thickness of the slices, the temperature of the dehydrator, and the moisture content of the apples. There are a few key factors that impact the total dehydration time for apple chips.
Apple Slice Thickness
One of the biggest factors that determines dehydration time for apples is how thickly you slice them. Thinner apple slices will dry much faster than thicker slices. This is because there is less moist interior that needs to be dried out. For apple chips, slices are usually cut between 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick. Slices less than 1/8 inch tend to be too delicate and fragile when dried. Slices more than 1/4 inch thick can take significantly longer to fully dehydrate.
Here are some general guidelines for how long different thicknesses of apple slices take to dehydrate:
1/8 inch apple slices
At a slice thickness of 1/8 inch, apple chips will take approximately 6-8 hours to fully dehydrate depending on the other factors. Slices this thin allow moisture to evaporate efficiently across their entire surface area. Aim for this thickness if you want your apple chips done quickly.
1/4 inch apple slices
Slice apples at 1/4 inch for a more substantial apple chip. At this thickness, slices will take 8-10 hours to fully dehydrate down to the proper moisture content. The extra thickness adds some time but still produces an apple chip on the thinner side.
1/2 inch apple slices
Cutting apples at 1/2 inch produces a very thick apple chip. Slices this thick can take 10-12 hours to fully dehydrate. The interior moisture takes much longer to evaporate from the thicker slab of apple. You’ll end up with large apple chips that are almost like dried apple rounds.
Apple Variety
The moisture content of different apple varieties also impacts dehydration time. Some apples have a naturally higher water content which requires more time to remove when dehydrating. Apples that are super crispy and juicy when fresh will typically take longer to dehydrate fully.
Some apple varieties that tend to have higher moisture include:
– McIntosh
– Cortland
– Empire
– Honeycrisp
Varieties with slightly lower moisture that dehydrate a little faster include:
– Fuji
– Gala
– Golden Delicious
– Granny Smith
Testing out different apple varieties with your dehydrator will help determine which ones require more or less time to reach the desired dried consistency. Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith hold their shape well but dry faster than ultra juicy apples like Honeycrisp.
Dehydrator Temperature
The temperature setting on your dehydrator also affects total drying time. Most dehydrators have a temperature range between 95°F to 160°F. Low temperatures around 100°F will take longer while higher temperatures around 155°F speed up the process. However, temperatures above 160°F can actually start cooking the apples rather than properly dehydrating them.
Here are some guidelines for temperature settings:
– 95°F-115°F – 12+ hours to dehydrate
– 120°F-140°F – 8-12 hours to dehydrate
– 145°F-160°F – 6-10 hours to dehydrate
Maintaining a temperature on the lower end helps retain more nutrients and heat-sensitive compounds in the apples. The tradeoff is it requires more time. Higher temperatures speed up drying but can diminish quality. Most recipes recommend setting your dehydrator between 130°F to 140°F to optimize drying time while preserving apple quality.
Testing for Proper Dryness
There are a couple ways to test when your apple chips are fully dehydrated:
Texture
Properly dried apple chips will be crispy and brittle throughout when fully dehydrated. They should not bend or appear leathery. You should not feel any moistness or tackiness on the chip.
Color
Dehydrated apple chips often appear more translucent than fresh apple slices. The color also darkens slightly to a deeper yellow or brown compared to the fresh bright white flesh.
Moisture Test
The most reliable way to test if apple chips are fully dehydrated is to check their moisture content. Weigh a few chips, then dry them for 30 minutes longer at the end. Weigh the chips again, and they should have lost only 1-2% of their weight in the extra 30 minutes. This indicates they are dried to the proper moisture level of around 20% or less. If they lose more than a few percentage points of moisture, they likely need more time dehydrating.
Storing Dehydrated Apple Chips
Once your apple chips are fully dehydrated, you’ll want to store them properly to maximize freshness and shelf life. Here are some tips:
– Let apple chips cool completely before storing. Warm chips can sweat in storage.
– Place apple chips in an airtight container. Mason jars, food grade plastic containers, or zipper bags work well.
– Store in a cool, dark place. Keep chips away from heat, moisture and sunlight to prevent spoilage.
– Refrigeration can extend shelf life if storing more than a couple weeks. The cold helps maintain crispness.
– For long term storage of several months, consider freezing apple chips to lock in freshness. Place chips in single layers separated by parchment paper before freezing.
Tips for Faster Apple Chip Dehydration
If you want to minimize the time required to dehydrate apple chips, here are some helpful hints:
– Slice apples very thinly, around 1/8 inch or less.
– Use firm, tart apple varieties that are lower in moisture.
– Set the dehydrator to the highest temperature recommended for apples, around 140°F to 160°F.
– Cut apples consistently with a mandoline for uniform thinness.
– Pre-treat apples by blanching briefly in lemon water to remove surface moisture.
– Rotate the trays of apple chips midway through dehydration for even drying.
– Add additional drying trays to the dehydrator so there is more space between slices.
– Use a dehydrator with a fan or airflow system to circulate air better.
– Keep the dehydrator in an area free from humidity and moisture.
Conclusion
Dehydrating apples into crunchy, flavorful chips takes between 6-12 hours depending on the factors discussed. Slice thickness, apple variety, dehydrator temperature, and testing moisture content all impact total drying time. With the right techniques, you can achieve perfectly crispy apple chips ready for healthy snacking. Adjust times as needed based on your specific conditions. And enjoy your homemade apple chips!