Simply removing the moisture content from apples is not the only aspect of dehydration to focus on. Without the right temperature setting and timing, dried apples tend to become chewy and not crispy.
From healthy snack to creative breakfast and baking recipes, dehydrated apples are a lot sweeter and crispier than fresh apples. A dehydrator is generally used, but an oven makes a great alternative kitchen appliance to dehydrate fruits, especially apples.
How do you dehydrate apples in the oven? In order to dehydrate apples in the oven, preheat the oven to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Celsius.
Select firm apples, remove the skin and core from the center of apple, then slice into ¼” thickness.
Mix water and vinegar or lemon juice in a medium sized bowl, and soak the slices for 2 to 3 minutes. This will help to prevent the apple slices from browning or changing color during drying process.
Drain and remove any excess water by patting dry with a paper towel.
Arrange the prepared apples on cooking racks without overlapping, and place into the heated oven. Leave the oven door slightly open to let steam and moisture escape.
Depending on variable and personal preference, it may take 6 to 10 hours to dehydrate apples.
Check the dryness and turn the tray occasionally to dry evenly. Once the apples have reached desired doneness, remove from the oven and cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Dried apples are delicious, portable, and make a healthy alternative snack to replace potato chips. In fact, many types of apple are perfect for oven-drying including Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, or Honeycrisp.
Using an oven instead of a dehydrator does require a few adjustments to make sweet and crispy apple chips. Answered below are frequently asked questions about proper technique and temperature setting to dehydrate apples in the oven.
Apples Dehydrating in the Oven
Because ovens do not have automatic setting to dehydrate, following the right preparation, temperature and timing to dehydrate apples is highly recommended.
The variables are important to consider for nutrition, and also to prevent the dried apples from becoming chewy and moldy when stored for later use.
How long does it take to dry apples in the oven?
Compared to a dehydrator, oven takes a slightly longer to dry apples. In the oven, it takes anywhere from 6 to 10 hours depending on your preparation preferences, moisture content in the apple, and exact oven temp.
In order to shorten the baking time, ensure there is enough space between the pieces to allow airflow. Leave the oven door open a couple of inches to let steam and moisture escape to prevent condensation from building inside the oven.
If there are hotspot in your oven, rotate the trays to heat evenly instead of cooking one section more than others. Make sure the apple slices are not overlapping or touching each other for better results.
What temperature do you dehydrate apples at?
Preheat the oven at 145 degree Fahrenheit or 63 degrees Celsius. The initial temperature is for when there is still moisture on the fruits surface.
After one hour, reduce the temperature to 135 degrees Fahrenheit or 57 degrees Celsius to finish drying the apple slices.
Adjusting the temperature setting will result in different drying time. When drying apples at 145 degrees, it typically takes anywhere from 6 to 10 hours.
If uncertain whether the oven is calibrated, place an oven thermometer inside the back to get the exact temperature while drying the fruit.
Why are my dehydrated apples not crispy?
When dehydrated apples are not crispy, they usually need to dry longer to reach a crunchy or breakable texture.
To test the doneness of dehydrated apples, let a slice completely cool down, and then try to bend or tear the piece. More time is required if any moisture seeps out.
In order to prevent dehydrated apples from being soggy, extend the baking time, rotate the baking tray or rack, and flip over the pieces for even heating if the oven has hotspots.
Do you have to use lemon juice when dehydrating apples?
Yes, you have to use lemon juice when dehydrating apples. Brushing or soaking apple slices in lemon juice for 2 to 3 minutes helps to prevent the apples from browning in the oven.
Mix 1 cup of lemon juice with 1 cup of cold water to soak the apple slices and pretreat prior to dehydrating in the oven.
The acid in the lemon juice prevents browning because it react with the oxygen that comes in contact with the exposed surface of the fruit. Furthermore, the lemon juice will lower the pH below 7, making it harder for the reaction to happen.
Tips to dehydrate apples in the oven
Oven is a quick and easy alternative appliance to use for dehydrating apples.
Since there is no automatic dehydrating setting on an oven, here are few steps and techniques to successfully dry apples in the oven:
- Pick ripe and firm apples that are easy to slice.
- Remove apple skin since it will have a sharp-edge that is tough to chew once dried.
- Ensure the thickness of apple slices are no wider than ¼”.
- Soak or brush lemon juice or salt water on apple slices to prevent browning.
- Dry the apples on racks to help release moisture and halt the cooking process that makes it soft.
- Leave the oven door open to release moisture and condensation build up.
- Completely cool down before storing in an airtight container.
Dehydrating Apples in Oven: Conclusion
Apples dehydrate well in a dehydrator, but alternatively an oven can be used to make apple chips.
To dehydrate apples in the oven, prepare apples by peeling skin, slice ¼” thick, and soak in a lemon juice water mixture. This will help to prevent from browning and maintaining the beautiful apple color during the drying process.
Preheat the oven at 145 degrees Fahrenheit or 63 degrees Celsius, and lower to 135 degrees Fahrenheit or 57 degrees Celsius after one hour to finish drying the apple slices.
The temperature and drying time will depend on the exact oven temperature, personal preference, and the amount of apple slices being dehydrated.
Do not overcrowd the oven, and it helps to speed up the dehydrating process by leaving the oven door open to release any excess moisture.
Rotate the rack and flip over each piece if needed to prevent overheating in any certain spot and promote even drying. Test the doneness once cooled down and add more drying time for crispy and crunchy texture instead of becoming chewy and not crispy enough.
Allow dehydrated apples to completely cool before storing in an airtight container.
Dried apples make a delicious snack during the day, and casual dessert option to munch on without health concerns. Following the proper tips, it is easy to dehydrate apples in the oven as a snack or addition to your favorite recipes.