How to make dried fruit or vegetables using your oven

So many people desperately want to dehydrate fruits and vegetables to make tasty healthy snacks etc. but are put off by the high cost of dehydrating machines.

Yes you can make a solar dehydrator but most people, especially those in the city are very limited as to space that such a thing would take up.

Never fear, hope is not all lost as yet. You can very easily  dehydrate fruits (and vegetables) in your kitchen oven with ease.

Just set you oven between 130^oF and 160^oF or 55^oC and 70^oC. Place your oven rack in the centre of the oven and always place your trays in the middle of the oven. Slice your fruit (or vegetables if you prefer) no thicker than ¼ inch or ½ a centimeter.

Fruits such as apples, pears and bananas need to be placed in a bowl with water and lemon juice to stop the oxidation process which will turn the fruit brown.

It still tastes really good but does not look as pretty.

Place on a baking sheet covered in baking paper and make sure that none of the pieces are overlapping at all. This will ensure a good even drying process. Leave the door slightly ajar so as to allow moisture to escape.

For fruits dry for the listed times and check to ensure that they are pliable but not wet at all. Store the dried fruits in an airtight container and snack on at will.

The dryi9ng process intensifies the natural sugars in the fruit and the flavours.

Dry vegetables until crisp and then store in airtight containers or powderise in a coffee grinder or food processor to a powder for adding to soups, stews and gravies. Store in an airtight container and preferable with a moisture absorbing sachet.

To ensure freshness I usually only powderise enough for a few days. The dehydrated fruits and vegetables will store for very long periods of time providing they are stored correctly and kept away from direct sunlight and heat.

Have some fun with this and make your own zucchini chips to eat with your favourite salsa or dips.