Can You Use an Air Fryer as a Dehydrator

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Air fryers are taking the nation, no, the earth, by tempest! And every solar day it seems like there is some new manner in which they can be used! What started out as a new way to deep-fry foods without any oil has now bloomed into dehydrating food.

But the existent question is, can you even dehydrate food in an air fryer? You can dehydrate nutrient in an air fryer. To dehydrate food in an air fryer, ready the temperature to its lowest temperature (or to the aridity setting), place the food items in a single layer, and let them dry for 2-iv hours, depending on the food existence dehydrated.

Today, we will have a await at some traditional dehydrating methods, how they piece of work, and how they compare to dehydrating in an air fryer.

So, we will have a look at exactly how you tin can dehydrate nutrient using your air fryer and we will also share some of our favorite products that are bachelor online.

Traditional Ways To Dehydrate Foods

Drying food and other raw ingredients is an age-erstwhile method to preserve food. It has actually been effectually since 12,000 BC. Information technology was first invented/discovered in the modern Eye Due east and Asian regions.

The ultimate purpose of dehydrating food is to remove every bit much moisture equally possible. Moisture is a central element that leaner need in gild to survive.

And then, by removing it, yous are removing a key element for them to survive. Just like nosotros need water to live, so practice they.

There are mainly four methods traditionally used to dry foods: air drying, air current drying, sun drying, and smoking nutrient.

Air Drying

Air drying is a mutual method that uses ventilation to assist dry food. It always takes place indoors and is not exposed to any sunlight or wind.

The food items to be dried are placed in a well-ventilated room or cranium, or in a screened-in porch. The items are so left to dry for a couple of days, some items fifty-fifty a couple of weeks.

The all-time ingredients to air dry include herbs, mushrooms, and hot peppers. These items can be enclosed in bags to help protect them from foreign objects and pests, just easily dry without much work.

Wind Drying

Wind drying is very like to air drying, but instead, it uses the actual air current outside to assist dry nutrient. This method is practiced outdoors and is done by hanging food on hooks or string in a shaded area.

Over the side by side couple of days or weeks, food is allowed to hang open and exposed and naturally, slowly, and very evenly, dry out.

This method plainly has a few problems to it, mainly how exposed it is to all the elements, but many people who practice this method of drying accept special ways to deter pests and protect their ingredients from the elements.

Sun Drying

Dominicus drying is another natural method used to dry food outside. The food is placed in a relatively safe area, preferably somewhere that is mostly protected from pests and foreign objects like dust and twigs.

The ingredients are left in the sun to dry for a couple of days and are often turned to ensure that all sides are exposed to the sun and evenly dry.

Cocoa beans and coffee beans are two extremely common ingredients that are sun-stale. Herbs are also dandy to dry out in the lord's day, and so are most fruits and vegetables.

Smoking

Smoking is a mode to dehydrate nutrient while simultaneously imparting flavor. Smoking is a fantastic method every bit information technology kills bacteria and keeps the food away from pests and foreign objects.

This method is mostly used to dehydrate meats, whereas the other methods work better for fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

The main reason for this is because meat is a highly perishable item that cannot be left at room temperature for too long.

New Ways To Dehydrate Food

So, we have merely discussed the many traditional ways in which nutrient is dehydrated, but let's have a look at some more modern methods.

While the traditional methods have their pros and cons, the primary reason newer methods were developed is for safety reasons.

Most of the traditional methods expose the food to a ton of foreign objects, making it sometimes very difficult to dehydrate food safely and without chance. The food is exposed to pests, air pollution, dust, and other hazardous items.

These modern methods all accept place indoors and in enclosed controlled environments. Some of these methods used and fifty-fifty pieces of equipment are much more than advanced compared to others, simply however, they all piece of work great!

Microwave

In our opinion, microwaves (in terms of dehydrating food) are only proficient for herbs. Because it uses an intense amount of heat, it usually but leaves food tasting overcooked rather than dried.

With herbs though, it is a great way to remove nearly all of the moisture in almost no time. We would recommend working in small batches to ensure all the herbs dry evenly and effectively.

To dry nutrient in the microwave, simply place about 4-5 branches between two pieces of paper towel, gear up the microwave to its highest setting, and heat them for roughly 2-3 minutes.

Once the time has elapsed, allow the herbs to cool completely before checking them.

They should be dry out and brittle after they have cooled. If not, place them dorsum into the microwave for about 30 seconds at a time. Repeat until they are completely dry.

Oven-Drying

Oven drying is arguably the nearly popular household drying method, especially when you don't accept or want to buy any special equipment.

Ovens take quite a while to dehydrate food, but work well for large batches and tin can dry virtually anything. This incredibly long drying period is because ovens do not have fans to help broadcast hot air.

To dehydrate food in the oven, set the oven to roughly 140°F or the lowest temperature that information technology can become. If your oven has a "keep warm" setting, use that one. If your temperature is likewise high, the food will cook instead of slowly dehydrating.

To dry food in an oven, simply place the ingredients in a single layer and place the tray inside. Make sure the oven door is propped open about 2-4 inches. Place a fan near the door and then that it helps circulate the air inside.

Dehydrators

Dehydrators are technologically advanced pieces of cookware that are specifically designed to dehydrate food.

They piece of work using electricity and are so efficient that they can dehydrate your nutrient in much less time compared to about any other method nosotros have covered already.

They basically piece of work similar ovens, just they have a built-in fan to help circulate the air. They run at very depression temperatures and accept multiple levels of mesh screens and so that you can dry out bulk quantities evenly.

What Is An Air Fryer?

Despite the disruptive name, an air fryer is not actually a fryer and it also doesn't fry your nutrient. It is basically a countertop convection oven that works in a specific way to mimic deep-fried foods.

Information technology works by circulating hot air with a fan at extremely high speeds. This is what helps create browning on food and what dehydrates the outer layer to create crispiness.

To understand exactly how this effect works and how it essentially is practical to dehydrating food, you accept to understand how air fryers work. This will let you to become the perfect dehydrated foods each and every time.

So, air fryers mainly piece of work with a fan and a heating element. In the chamber of the air fryer, a heating element is what creates the intense and instant heat.

Information technology tin create temperatures up to 482°F, depending on the model of form.

The fan inside the air fryer helps broadcast the air so that it is evenly distributed and thereby evenly cooking (and crisping) the food.

Air fryers work much faster compared to the traditional deep-frying method. It doesn't crave a ton of oil (if any) and helps induce the Maillard reaction much quicker.

This is considering of the circulating hot air. The sparse layer of oil on the nutrient or the oiliness the food already contains is constantly kept warm at the needed temperatures then crisps up.

Dehydrating In an Air Fryer

More people have air fryers compared to dehydrators and it honestly makes sense that you lot would want to use it to dry out food. Air fryers are extremely versatile pieces of cooking equipment whereas dehydrators only accept one function.

Set your air fryer on the lowest possible setting. Any temperature college than 123°F and the food will commencement to cook instead of dry out.
Place the food in a unmarried layer on the food rack or shelf. This volition help the air circulate correct effectually each item.
Put the dehydrator on and allow it to run for a couple of hours. The exact amount of fourth dimension will depend on the particular yous want to dehydrate and the size and thickness of it.

Air fryers are very constructive when it comes to dehydrating. The biggest trouble area you volition observe is that you cannot make large batches of dehydrated food and you also have to perchance cutting the pieces smaller to fit inside the air fryer.

Other than that, the air fryer produces beautifully and evenly crispy well-stale food products. We would highly recommend drying fruits inside the air fryer as it helps intensify their natural flavors while preserving their texture.

Mushrooms, apples, stone fruits, tomatoes, and berries are some of the hardest ingredients to dry for this exact reason. Well, we tin safely say that we have tried dehydrating all of them in our air fryer and information technology worked perfectly!

Tips For Dehydrating In An Air Fryer

Dehydrating in an air fryer tin can exist catchy to get at first, so here's a few tips for when you start you lot dry out your own food.

Exercise not stack food! As with any other dehydrating method, you lot absolutely accept to place the nutrient in a single layer. This is the simply fashion the ingredients will dry at the same footstep and also dry evenly.
If yous have a drying recipe that uses a dehydrator, you tin employ the same fourth dimension and temperature settings for your air fryer (if possible). Otherwise, but set the air fryer to the lowest setting and leave it for a couple of hours. You accept to check in every hour to see the progress.
A proficient indication that your food has been properly dehydrated (and for long enough) is to bank check its consistency. If the particular is soft or sticky you need to go along the dehydrating fourth dimension. The nutrient should be hard and crunchy before being removed. Make certain to go on your dehydrated food away from any humidity, moisture, or breezes.
Before you start dehydrating, make sure that all your food has been prepped. We highly recommend washing your ingredients before dehydrating them (if possible. And so, earlier placing them in a dehydrator, brand sure to pat them dry out with a paper towel.
Let the dehydrated food to cool completely earlier storing it. Also, information technology is extremely important to store the nutrient inside an closed container away from whatever moisture, air, or direct sunlight. A pantry or nutrient cupboard works best.

Air Fryer Vs Dehydrators

So, why would you want to use an air fryer instead of a dehydrator?

Well, at that place are a few pros and cons to each, merely at the terminate of the solar day, we would say it comes down to the fact that you can use an air fryer for many other reasons other than dehydrating. A dehydrator can merely dehydrate food.

Both of these equipment pieces work by circulating air so that the oestrus is evenly distributed.

Air fryers mainly work at the highest possible temperature to cook food, and dehydrators work at the lowest possible temperature to dehydrate nutrient.

Air fryers are besides usually used for short periods of fourth dimension to ensure the food cooks quickly, and dehydrators work for longer times. The longer times paired with the lower temperatures ensure that the nutrient dries and does non cook.

Air Fryer Buying Guide For Dehydrating Food

Merely considering one air fryer is able to dehydrate your food doesn't mean that all of them can. At that place are really some things you lot have to look out for when choosing an air fryer for dehydrating every bit well as cooking other nutrient items.

The first and arguably the nearly important affair to look out for is the lowest temperature setting of the air fryer.

As you now know the temperature should be able to go lower than 123°F. Anything higher and your nutrient will cook, not dry.

Some other affair to brand sure of, but which is more hard to know or test, is that your air fryer should have a good air venting system. When food dehydrates it releases moisture.

That moisture has to escape otherwise it will become trapped, create condensation, and the dried food will reabsorb it.

Make sure your air fryer comes with a rack or shelf. This will help the hot air broadcast and evenly melt the entire piece of food. This will as well make less work for you equally yous don't have to constantly turn the food.

Make certain to consider the size of the air fryer. Air fryers do not have multiple layers so dehydrating food has to happen one layer at a time.

While this might not be a trouble for some, for those wanting to dry majority amounts of food, you lot may desire to invest in a bigger air fryer or a dehydrator.

Make sure your air fryer tin run for long periods of fourth dimension. Usually, an air fryer only has to run for virtually 15-thirty minutes, peradventure an hr. You want to enquiry your specific model to run into if anyone has whatsoever comments virtually the time it can run.

The five Best Air Fryers For Dehydrating Nutrient

Now that we've gone over dehydrating foods in air fryers, permit's have a look at some of our absolute favorite air fryers for that exact purpose!

1. Instant Vortex 7-in-1 Air Fryer

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This is 1 of the leading air fryers on the market as information technology tin can be used for more just air frying.

This specific model comes with a born aridity setting.

Other settings include air frying, baking, broiling, roasting, rotisserie, and reheating.

In terms of the dehydrating aspect specifically, the machine comes with ii perforated cooking trays too as a baste pan.

This makes information technology easier to dehydrate on multiple levels and for the air to be properly circulated during the dehydrating process.

The setting also runs at a very low temperature and tin can keep drying your nutrient for hours without any issues.

Our favorite office nearly this air fryer is its very affordable toll.

You will find that in that location are many air fryers on the market place that can only do one affair and which will so nevertheless toll you a tiny house! This one is definitely worth the money and volition final you a good while.

2. Ninja Air Fryer

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Looking at some more traditional air fryers, this i, while looking normal, however has some impressive features.

This model has a built-in dehydrating setting and also comes with an boosted multi-layer rack.

This volition increment your surface area for dehydrating foods.

It runs at very low temperatures as well equally low fan speeds to ensure that you can create deliciously crispy and perfectly flat dehydrated foods.

And all the removable parts are dishwasher rubber! Trust us, this will save you a ton of cleaning fourth dimension!

Considering the Ninja air fryer has a much simpler pattern and fewer functions compared to some other air fryers, it does come at a much lower price.

If you are starting to dehydrate or just looking for a well-rounded air fryer, then nosotros would recommend this one.

three. COSORI Smart WiFi Air Fryer

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If you are looking for an incredibly modernized air fryer, and then this one is a must-accept!

Earlier we even jump into the functions it has, we have got to talk most what makes this model so impressive.

It can be controlled with its brandish screen, remotely through an app, or past simply using Alexa or Google Assistant—crazy, right?!

Okay, so now for some of its impressive pattern features. This air fryer has a very spacious frying basket that measures about 5.8 quarts. This means that you have quite a lot of space to dehydrate food.

This air fryer doesn't come up with a pre-programmed aridity setting; however, yous can easily dehydrate food while monitoring it closely using the app.

4. Ultrean 8.5 Quart Air Fryer

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This is another simpler-looking air fryer that nonetheless packs a dial.

This product comes with 7 pre-programmed settings that will allow you lot to perfectly cook or dehydrate your food.

What makes this a top option for united states is its car-shut-off features.

What these basically are are build-in settings that shut downwardly the motorcar in instance the fryer becomes too hot.

This air fryer uses 360-caste cooking which means air is circulated throughout the unabridged machine, not only in sure directions every bit with many other fryers.

You lot will have perfectly crispy and evenly dehydrated ingredients in no time!

5. Chefman Air Fryer and Dehydrator

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Chefman is a very well-known kitchen appliance store and we must say, we are very impressed with their air fryers.

This model has a built-in dehydrator setting and as well has been designed for this function.

It comes with two removable racks and a drip tray that volition catch any crumbs or juices.

The perforated wire racks volition allow the nutrient to dehydrate much ameliorate while the drip tray will brand cleaning a cakewalk!

And what's even better is that again, all parts are dishwasher safety!

Other than dehydrating, yous can besides cook many other foods inside including roasting a whole chicken!

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Source: https://foodsguy.com/dehydrating-in-an-air-fryer/