How to Dehydrate Apple Slices

What are the first fruits you think of when you think of fall? Apples, right? Apples are so amazingly versatile there are so many ways to store them including dehydrating, canning, freeze drying and freezing. One of our favourite and easiest ways to preserve apples in the fall is to dehydrate apple slices both plain and with cinnamon in our dehydrator.

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Why would I want to dehydrate apple slices?

Dried fruit can be stored well for a year or more in a cool dark place, but light will destroy its color and flavor. If you don’t have a root cellar to store apples fresh, drying helps to maintain their freshness. Dried fruits can be eaten as snacks (my kids favorite way to eat them!) or you can soak them overnight in water and then serve them as a cooked fruit.

More Info About Apples

a perfect apple to slice up and dehydrate for snacks

Apples (Malus domestica) are pomaceous fruits produced by apple tree that belongs to the Rosaceae family. Apples are some of the most popular and delicious fruits on the planet. There is nothing like biting into a bright, red, sweet, juicy apple to quench your thirst and satisfy your sweet tooth while boosting your health in a major way. There are more than 7,500 varieties of these delicious fruits and they come in a variety of colors namely red, yellow, and green.

The skin of apples is thin but sturdy and the inner flesh is thick and juicy, and it softens as it ripens. The inner core holds the seeds, which are dangerous for your health. The nutrients are in the flesh and the skin, which are a rich source of anthocyanins and tannins. It’s indeed true when they say, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away!’

Read More about apples here: 13 Amazing Benefits of Apple ~ organicfacts.net

Why Are Apples So Healthy?

Apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants, flavanoids, and dietary fiber.

The phytonutrients and antioxidants in apples may help reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

You can read more about the health benefits in this article: Apples: Health benefits, facts, research~ Medical news Today.

How do you Dehydrate Apple Slices?

First you should gather your supplies together in one area of your counter. Those supplies would include:

Learn how to dehydrate apple slices for healthy snacks and long term food storage

A cutting board
A sharp knife
A potato peeler (alternatively you can use an apple peeler/corer/slicer, I’ve used one like this.
An apple corer (if you don’t use the all-in-one tool above)
A Dehydrator (this is the one I use: Nesco American Harvest
Apples! We like Fuji and Gala for dehydrating.

Supplies gathered to start dehydrating apple slices and chunks in the dehydrator — All the supplies you need to start dehydrating apple slices

Second, you can peel the apples (if you prefer) and core them.

Next, you need to slice the apples as thin as possible, or chop them into very small pieces so they retain their best color, flavor, and nutritional value during drying. You also need to slice or chop them as uniformly as possible so they will dry evenly.

Then, you probably want to soak them for a little while in a solution of water and lemon juice to prevent them from browning and to retain the vitamin C content.

Next up, arranging the slices. You want to arrange the apple slices on the dehydrator trays and space them out so that there is adequate air flow between them. You want those yummy apple slices to dry evenly, don’t you?

At this point you can also sprinkle some cinnamon on the slices for an even tastier and healthier treat!

Related post: 10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Cinnamon ~ Healthline.com

Sliced Apple Slices with Cinnamon ready to go into the dehydrator — with Cinnamon

sliced apples laid on dehydrator tray to start drying — without cinnamon

Finally, you need to put all the parts of the dehydrator all stacked together and put the top on and plug it in! My dehydrator says to set it at 135 °F or 58°C but make sure you check your manufacturer’s directions for temperature and timing. Check them after about 3.5 to 4 hours. The slices are fully dry when they are leathery and you can squeeze a handful and they don’t stick together.

Dried apple slices fresh from the dehydrator ready for storing

How do I store my dried apple slices?

Cool the apple slices, then condition them by transferring to a covered container and letting them sit for 1 week. This part allows them to redistribute any trapped moisture, so if you notice moisture on the sides of the container, repeat the drying process for another hour or so.

Fully dried apple slices/rings keep in an air tight container for up to 1 year. This makes dehydrating a great resource to add to your long term food storage.

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