Can You Dehydrate Peppers In An Air Fryer? (Quick Guide)

Originally posted on 10 September 2023 @ 13:09

Can You Dehydrate Peppers In An Air Fryer

When I first heard you can dehydrate foods in an air fryer, my ears definitely perked up being the cooking enthusiast who always wants to try out new gadgets for the kitchen.

I wanted to try this myself and see if it was true. I first began dehydrating peppers in an air fryer last year, and what I learned will help you.

Why I Wanted to Dehydrate Peppers

Peppers are something that I plant every summer in my garden. 143347 Fresh Peppers – I like to add fresh peppers for a flavor boost and some heat into chili, fajitas, or shakshuka. Drying my peppers appeared to be the ideal way to save them for when I had a dearth of fresh ones (aka, all winter).

The reasons I wanted to dehydrate the peppers are:

Brings out the flavor – By drying there is removal of moisture from the peppers and ends up leaving a concentrated pepper with its flavors.

Use seasonal abundance — Rather than seeing my plants hit peak production and go to waste.

Easy to rehydrate and use dehydrated in everyday dishes

Dried hot peppers are a great food storage item because all of their vitamins and antioxidants can be preserved, rather than going bad as some fresh vegetables do.

Selecting the Best Peppers for Dehydrating

The type and ripeness of the peppers affect both flavors, as well as how easy they are to dry. So after some research, here are my suggestions :

• Choose firm peppers — soft or overripe peppers will be tricky to dry evenly.
• Variety -By utilizing different varieties like jalapeños, poblanos, Anaheims, and bell peppers you can pepper restrictions.
• Remove seeds & membranes – if you do NOT want as much heat from the spicy peppers this step is optional.
• Cut Evenly Thick – Uniform drying; 0.

Why I Chose My Air Fryer for Dehydrating

I already owned and loved my Cuisinart air fryer. It’s worked great for cooking crispy foods with less oil. Here’s why I thought it would be perfect for dehydrating peppers:

• Circulates hot air all around – The fan and heating element rapidly dehydrate the peppers.
• Precise temperature control – I can set the exact temperature needed, usually 130°F – 140°F.
• Small footprint – At only 11 x 13 inches, it doesn’t take up much counter space.
• Transparent lid – Lets me easily monitor the peppers as they dehydrate.
• Adjustable timer – Can program up to 24 hours if needed for larger batches.

My Process for Dehydrating Peppers

After washing and prepping my peppers according to the tips above, here is the process I followed to dehydrate them in my air fryer:

1. Slice peppers consistently – I used a mandoline for uniform thin slices, around 1/4 inch thick.
2. Arrange in a single layer – I placed slices in a single layer on the mesh air fryer tray without overcrowding.
3. Set time and temperature – Based on quantity, I set the timer for 4-8 hours and temperature to 135°F.
4. Periodically check peppers – I checked them each hour, rotated trays, and removed any done slices.
5. Test for dryness – Peppers were dried when leathery with no moisture left.
6. Let cool completely – I let the peppers cool before storing them to avoid condensation buildup.

Storing My Dehydrated Peppers

Once my air fryer peppers were uniformly dried, I let them cool and then stored them properly to enjoy their flavor and texture for months. Here’s how:

• Wait until completely cool – I let the peppers cool for 1-2 hours before storage to prevent moisture accumulation.
• Use airtight containers – I stored my dried peppers in mason jars and resealable plastic bags with all air pressed out.
• Keep in a cool, dark place – For best preservation, I keep my pepper containers in a cool, dark kitchen cabinet.
• Refrigerate for extended storage – For storage beyond 2-3 months, the refrigerator is ideal to maximize freshness.

My Favorite Uses for Dehydrated Peppers

Now I have a boatload of dried peppers to last me through the year for cooking! This is one of my favorite ways to incorporate them:

• Soups and chilis to hydrate
• Using in omelets, frittatas, and scrambled eggs
• Taco meat, fajitas Seasoned chicken and fish
• Spicy dipping salts or pepper flakes
• Add to hummus, pizza sauce, or vinaigrette

For adding a bit of spice and taste to roasted vegetables or even potatoes. Once you have prepared your dehydrated peppers, its uses are unlimited!

Takeaways from My Experience

Since then, I quickly worked out a system, and if you follow how to dehydrate peppers in an air fryer tips here serrano after about twenty batches later!

• Prep is key — use clean, sliced peppers consistently to dry them the same.
• Do not overcrowd – space the pepper slices out and work in batches to ensure proper airflow.
• Keep calm and wait — many floors take 6-8 hours to dry, so do not push the process along.
• Properly condition—allow the peppers to cool before placing them in an air-tight container for extended storage.

Have fun experimenting! Or – experiment around with various kinds of peppers, widths, and levels of spicing, using finer or coarser slices approaching the nearly-dry line as well.

Is Dehydrating Peppers in an Air Fryer Worth It?

Absolutely! I have air-fryer dehydrated pounds of garden peppers so that I can buy them in bulk and save money, plus reduce food waste. Best of all, I get to experience that deep flavor in my dishes throughout the year. 

It is a slow process but the benefits are worth it all. For the best way to dehydrate peppers in general, I do recommend drying them out a bit for air frying.

It was delicious (if I do say so myself) and I will only continue to play around with other types.