Today, it’s all about dehydrating apples and having healthy snacks in your home. If you have a FoodSaver, you can preserve them for a year in mason jars or FoodSaver bags, as long as they’re airtight containers. Apples are being harvested right now and delivered where I live. That’s one reason I decided to update this post to help my readers get their dehydration projects started.
Yes, some people have freeze-driers, but for some, the price is too expensive, so I still dehydrate fruits and vegetables throughout the year. I will not be purchasing a freeze dryer at my age. It doesn’t make sense to me. I have already purchased a significant amount of freeze-dried food over the past 15 years. Life is good. I have been blessed.
If you missed my post, you should check this out. Apples: Everything You Need To Know. You really need to look at how to store apples, so I decided to update the post with additional information for you.
A dehydrator remains an affordable food preservation appliance. I believe the freeze-dryer units are a great idea, but for me, they’re way too expensive at this time in my life. Please remember, you can dehydrate food this year, eat it now and during the following year, and then start all over next year, dehydrating those foods you love to dehydrate.
If buying canned goods is easier for you, then buy them as you can afford them. Canned foods are going to go up in price based on some of the weather pattern challenges this year; that is no surprise to any of us. We have had droughts, flooding, hurricanes, and many natural disasters. Please stock up on what you can afford. Of course, only buy what you and your family will eat, so nothing goes to waste.
How Long Does It Take to Dehydrate Apples?
You may be wondering how long it takes to dehydrate apples. You’re looking at around 6-8 hours in the dehydrator. That doesn’t count the time it takes to wash, peel, and slice the apples.
If you plan to use the oven to dehydrate apples, it won’t take nearly as long, possibly even 2-3 hours, depending on the oven temperature and the humidity in your area. However, you’ll have to keep a closer eye on them to make sure they don’t get too crisp! To use your oven, set the temperature to the lowest setting possible, place the apple slices on a baking sheet, and keep the oven door ajar using a wad of foil. Keep a close eye on the process to prevent the apples from becoming too dry or crisp.
Are Dehydrated Apples Good for You?
You may be wondering if dehydrated apples are good for you. Since the dehydrated apples have zero fat, just like fresh apples from the tree, they are just as healthy. They also have tons of vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Just because they are dehydrated doesn’t mean they’re missing any vital nutrition.
You’ll also get lots of antioxidants and fiber from your dehydrated apples. And don’t worry, there is still plenty of fiber there, since the main thing the process removes is the water/moisture. So, if you are looking for something nutritious and delicious, then these apples are for you!
Additionally, apples would qualify as a vegan food item and are generally free from gluten issues.
Tools For Dehydrating Apples:
- Apple peeler
- Sharp knife
- Medium-sized bowl
- Lemon juice
- Cutting board
- Dehydrator
The Best Apples To Dehydrate:
- Winesap
- Jonathan
- Granny Smith
- Pippin
- Rome Beauty
- McIntosh Red
- Baldwin
- Other options to consider include Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Golden Delicious.
How to Dehydrate Apples
Dehydrating apples is probably one of the easiest things to do, once you learn how. I’m going to walk you through a step-by-step process for dehydrating apples. You truly never know when you may need these apples to tide you over during an emergency. But the great thing is that a dried apple slice is a delicious snack anytime!
They work great for a snack, but they are also great for storing in your pantry. I’ve always enjoyed dehydrated apple chips as a snack, but they’re an excellent nutritional source for your family any day and any time of the year, since you’ll have them stored and ready to use.
Step One – Sort Through the Apples, and Get Them Ready
You can use just about any variety of apples to dehydrate. Just sort through the apples, remove the stems, wash them, and pat them dry. I use an apple peeler to peel, slice, and core mine. I believe my Johnny Apple peeler has been in use for about 20 years.
If you decide to use a knife, cut the slices 1/4 to 3/8 inches thick. The apple peeler is nice because all the slices are the same width.
I love that peeler kitchen tool this time of year. The unit cuts them ever so carefully to keep the rings intact. I also love how they look, and they taste fabulous with flavors changing based on the variety of apples used with each batch!
Step Two – Consider Treating Them With Lemon Juice
To keep your slices fairly white, use one cup of lemon juice to one cup of water for dipping. You don’t have to use the lemon juice/water treatment, but it does make them look a lot prettier since they aren’t as prone to turning brown from oxidation. After dipping the cut apple slices, spread them out on the dehydrator sheets/trays in a single layer.
Step Three – Space the Apple Slices on the Dehydrator Trays
I have an Excalibur Dehydrator with nine trays, and it has a timer. For me, the timer is a must-have because I often have multiple projects underway simultaneously. That’s how I roll. My book states to set the temperature at 135 degrees. Spread the slices out so they aren’t touching each other, and the dehydrator’s air circulation isn’t restricted.
I check on the apples a few times to make sure the process is working as expected.
Step Four – Consider Sprinkling the Slices With Cinnamon & Sugar
You can dehydrate them plain or with cinnamon and sugar as shown above. This step shouldn’t affect the drying time or the ultimate texture you want. Other spices to consider include nutmeg and pumpkin pie spice. Be ready, you will be hooked on eating these treats, I promise!
Step Five – Set the Timer Based on Your Dehydrator Brand’s Guide
Each dehydrator brand will work differently. I set my timer to 4 hours as per my Excalibur handbook, and they took an additional 2 hours to dehydrate them to a pliable state that our family likes. Pliable means they aren’t crispy, and they aren’t moist either.
The time also depends on the humidity of the room you are dehydrating them in and the temperature setting you’re directed to use for each type of food product to be dehydrated. Some people will flip their dry apples over during the dehydrating process. I’ve never done that, and mine come out fine.
Step Six – Prepare Your Dehydrated Apples for Storage
How Do You Store Dehydrated Apples?
Once you have dehydrated the apples, you need to store them safely. It’s simple. You can store these for one year in sealed mason jars or in FoodSaver bags. Something to note about dehydrated apples is that they don’t take up much space.
You’ll want to pack the fruit in there tightly. I feel as though this is an excellent way to use up apples that would otherwise go to waste.
How To Dehydrate Apples
Ingredients
- 6-8 apples
- 2 cups lemon water (optional-1 cup water to 1 cup lemon juice)
- cinnamon or cinnamon and sugar (optional)
Instructions
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Remove the stems from your apples, and wash them.
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I used an apple peeler to peel and slice mine and 1/4 to 3/8 inches thick.
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If you want to keep your slices fairly white, use one cup of lemon juice to one cup of water to dip them in. You don’t have to use the lemon juice/water treatment, but it does make them look a lot prettier since they aren’t as prone to turn brown.
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Place the apple slices evenly on your dehydrator racks and place them evenly so they don't touch either on the racks.
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My Excalibur Dehydrator book states to set the temperature at (135°F) = (57°C) degrees.
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Each dehydrator brand will work differently. I set my timer on 4 hours as per my Excalibur handbook, and they took an additional 2 hours to dehydrate them to a pliable state that our family likes. Pliable means they aren’t crispy and they aren’t moist either.
-
The time also depends on the humidity of the room you are dehydrating them in and the temperature setting you’re directed to use for each type of food product to be dehydrated.
How To Condition Your Fruit or Vegetables
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If you live where it's HUMID: "To condition the fruit, take the dried fruit that has cooled and pack it loosely in plastic or glass jars. Seal the containers and let them stand for 7 to 10 days. The excess moisture in some pieces will be absorbed by the drier pieces. Shake the jars daily to separate the pieces and check the moisture condensation." https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/dry/pack_store.html I used to live in the DRY DESERT: I set my fruit and vegetables on my countertop for 5-7 days. Ten days is even better to make sure everything is dry before using your FoodSaver unit.
How To Condition Your Fruit or Vegetables
If you live where it’s HUMID: “To condition the fruit, take the dried fruit that has cooled and pack it loosely in plastic or glass jars. Seal the containers and let them stand for 7 to 10 days on cooling racks. The drier pieces will absorb the excess moisture in some pieces. Shake the jars daily to separate the pieces and check the moisture condensation.” https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/dry/pack_store.html
I used to live in the DRY DESERT: I set my fruit and vegetables on my countertop for 5-7 days. Ten days is even better to make sure everything is dry before using your FoodSaver unit.
Do Dehydrated Apples Go Bad?
After you have dehydrated apples, they will last 6-12 months, as long as they are stored correctly at normal room temperature. You need to make sure the apples are appropriately stored for them to last this long.
How Do I Know When Dehydrated Fruit Is Done?
Well, when the dehydrated fruit is done, you will know. How? Well, a simple taste test! The fruit will feel dry when you touch it. When you taste it, it will have the right amount of crispiness, and it will taste just right without being crunchy! Of course, we all have our own preferences, but as mentioned, I like mine to be pliable and not too dry and crispy. You may feel differently.
Why Should We Consider Dehydrating Fruits and Vegetables?
I’m always looking for ways to stay prepared for emergencies. Many people are at a loss when it comes to feeding their families during and after a disaster. If you have a plan in place, as all preppers should, you’ll have your pantry, or another storage area, stocked with non-perishable foods. This could mean commercially canned products, freeze-dried foods, or dehydrated foods, as illustrated here.
Are Dehydrated Foods Good for You?
The dehydration process is designed to remove moisture from the food product, thereby preserving the food’s original nutritional qualities. Any stored food will lose its nutritional value over time, so no matter how it’s prepared or processed, food won’t be as good for you the longer it stays on your shelves.
Besides eating the dried apple slices as a snack, how else can I use them?
Some things to consider are:
- Cut them into small pieces and use the bits as a topping for ice cream, in yogurt, and with oatmeal or other cereal.
- Bake the small bits in cupcakes, muffins, and pancakes.
Be wise and store a wide variety of foods, and be sure to rotate them periodically as needed.
Here is a list of the Dehydrating Posts I have written:
- Dehydrating Apples
- Dehydrating Bananas
- Dehydrating Blackberries and Powder
- Dehydrating Blueberries and Powder
- Dehydrating Cilantro
- Dehydrating Cucumbers and Powder
- Dehydrating Ginger and Powder
- Dehydrating Grapes
- Dehydrating Green Onions and Powder
- Dehydrating Kale and Kale Powder
- Dehydrating Kiwi
- Dehydrating Lemons and Powder
- Dehydrating Marshmallows
- Dehydrating Peppermint Marshmallows and Powder
- Dehydrating Mushrooms and Mushroom Powder
- Dehydrating Onions and Powder
- Dehydrating Pears
- Dehydrating Pineapple
- Dehydrating Raspberries and Powder
- Dehydrating Spinach and Powder
- Dehydrating Strawberries
- Dehydrating Tomatoes and Powder
- Dehydrating Watermelon
Final Word
Let me know if you try dehydrating apples. I love to hear from you. Be sure to let me know if you snack on them or use them in recipes. Life is so good when we have a few jars of these in the pantry. May God bless this world, Linda
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