Learn how to dehydrate in air fryer.  If you don't have a food dehydrator, you can use your air fryer to dehydrate several types of food, including making air fryer dehydrated fruit.  

How to Dehydrate in Air Fryer

Most people have an air fryer these days, but not everyone has a dehydrator.  I happen to have both.  

I like my dehydrator better for drying foods, but I do also use the air fryer sometimes.  We use the air fryer almost daily, so it helps to keep it free for lunch and dinner.

However, I definitely understand not wanting to buy more appliances.  I have a small kitchen, so trust me when I say I get not buying extra kitchen stuff.

I like appliances that have more than one purpose.  Luckily, you can learn how to dehydrate in air fryer to make dried fruits and vegetables.

What Is The Difference Between A Dehydrator And An Air Fryer?

A dehydrator pulls the water content out of the food you are dehydrating. Water content is what causes food to spoil, so lowering it will help preserve the food. 

Air fryers use airwaves, and sometimes a small amount of oil, to cook food. An air fryer is kind of like a cross between a fryer and a traditional oven. 

Oftentimes, air fried food is crisper than oven baked food and it uses a lot less oil than a deep fryer, if it uses any oil at all.

Air fryers can be used to dehydrate fruit, and many air fryers come with dehydrators as well, which is why learning how to dehydrate fruit in air fryer machines has become so popular. 

Learning how to air fryer dehydrate your own food is incredibly rewarding and practical.  It also saves you from buying another small appliance.

Which Is Better: Air Fryer Or Dehydrator?  

Neither appliance is really better than the other, as both are good for different purposes. Air fryers are incredibly versatile, but dehydrators are much more effective at storing food for a longer period of time.

I would say that if you just want to dehydrate a few things like the occasional fruit or onions to make homemade onion powder, then an air fryer will be just fine.

If you want to dehydrate to preserve food, then I'd consider a dehydrator.  Actually, I highly recommend a Harvest Right freeze dryer for long term storage.  

Learn about freeze dry vs dehydrated to see what the difference is.

Learning how to dehydrate in air fryer machines has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to the practicality of air fryers.

Which Air Fryer Has A Dehydrator?

Some air fryers have dehydrators built into them, such as this unit from GoWISE, which is why so many have started to learn how to dehydrate in air fryer machines. 

Air fryer dehydrated food has become very popular thanks in no small part to this affordable and effective machine.

This seven quart air fryer has three stackable racks and features a digital touch screen that makes using it a breeze.

It is able to cook a lot of food at once, and does not put off heat into your home. It features a wide range of temperatures and an extended cooking timer of sixty minutes. 

Plus the added dehydrator tool can help you preserve and store food for longer periods of time. 

The interior pans are removable which makes for easy cleanup, making this one of the more versatile machines on the market. This machine can help make learning how to dehydrate fruit in air fryer machines easy!

Best Fruit To Dehydrate In An Air Fryer

Fruit is one of the most popular types of food to dehydrate, and air fryer dehydrated fruit tastes fantastic. It is easy to get a hold of, lasts a while, and tastes fantastic. 

Dried fruit makes for a great snack, side, or topping, and it is super lightweight and can be taken anywhere.  Dried fruit is great for outdoor activities, packed lunches, or just as a snack on its own.

 Following are some of the best fruits to dehydrate in an air fryer:

• Apples
• Oranges
• Bananas
• Pineapple
• Strawberries
• Mangoes
• Kiwi
• Peaches
• Apricots

You can also dry zucchini in an air fryer to learn how to make zucchini flour.  Learn more about how to dehydrate zucchini at home.

What Temperature To Dehydrate Fruit In An Air Fryer

Any temperature above 125 degrees fahrenheit will start to cook food instead of dehydrating it in an air fryer. When you go to air fryer dehydrate your food, set your fryer to the lowest possible setting, but be aware that the dehydrating process will take a few hours.

How Long Does It Take To Dehydrate Fruit In An Air Fryer

How long it takes to dehydrate fruit in an air fryer will depend on the fruit and temperature of the fryer. It will take several hours to do, which you should plan for when you dehydrate fruit. 

You will want to be around so that you can periodically check the fruit and ensure it is drying properly and the way you want it to.

Learning how to dehydrate fruit in air fryer machines can be a bit complex at first, and you will probably want to be near the machine so you can observe its progress.

How Long Do Dehydrated Foods Last

Dehydrating food can add months of shelf life to your food if it is stored properly. Freeze drying food, on the other hand, can add years and decades, but it is a more expensive process. Ultimately, the shelf life of your dehydrated food will largely depend on what the food is and how dry it is. 

In addition, dehydrated food needs to be stored in a cool and dry place. Water content is what allows bacteria to survive in food, and that is what eventually spoils it. As such, food with low water content stored in dry places will be much less likely to spoil. 

How Long WIll Vacuum Sealed Dehydrated Food Last?

When learning how to dehydrate fruit in air fryer machines, it is important to know how to properly store the food. Vacuum sealing food is a great way to keep it fresh for longer.

Vacuum sealing your dehydrated food can help preserve it for longer periods of time. Vacuum sealing your food means placing it into a bag and vacuuming the air out of the bag. 

This is a great way to store food as it eliminates a lot of water molecules and prevents air from getting into the container with the food.

I use the FoodSaver vacuum sealer.  I also have the mason jar attachment so I can use my jars

Where Should Dehydrated Food Be Stored?

As previously mentioned, dehydrated food ought to be stored in a cool and dry place. This is because dehydrated food lasts longer due to a decrease in water content, and water is what allows the bacteria that causes food to go bad survive.

If you are storing food in a basement or pantry, consider investing in a dehumidifier machine to keep up on the climate. Food should also be stored up and off the ground and away from animals of any kind. 

If you are able to store your food in vacuum sealed packages, I recommend it. Otherwise, large storage containers can help to keep moisture out. Remember, it pays more in the long term to invest in quality containers now. 

That is why I encourage you to purchase durable containers that will keep moisture out when you are learning how to dehydrate in air fryer machines. It is important to preserve your air fryer dehydrated food properly.

Tips for Air Fryer Dehydrated Food

Here are some tips to help you learn how to dehydrate fruit in air fryer:

• I really like the toaster oven style air fryers like the Power XL air fryer.  It has more surface area so you can dehydrate more at a time.
• Try not to stack fruit or other food in the basket.  If you do have to overlap food, be sure to stir it or shake it so the air can circulate.
• Cut the food into evenly sized pieces.  This will help the food dehydrate evenly.
• Cut food thin to help it dry quicker.  
• Shake the basket or stir the food every 15-20 minutes while drying.  
• Air fry the food at 125 degrees or cooler so you dry it instead of cooking it.
• Watch the food carefully because moisture content, temperature, and thickness can all affect how long it takes.  The time can vary between batches. 

Air Fryer Dehydrator Recipes 

Here are some more specific posts with approximate times and more details for air fryer dehydrated foods:

• How to Make Dehydrated Marshmallows
• How to Make Air Fryer Apple Chips
• How to Dehydrate Bananas
• How to Dehydrate Blueberries
• How to Make Dried Strawberries

Now you know how to dehydrate in an air fryer.  Have fun making dried foods!

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