Dehydrator recipe round-up
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Got a dehydrator and not sure what to do with it? Or maybe you don’t have a dehydrator, but you’d consider getting one if you could see all the wonderful things you can make with it. (If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can try making banana chips in your oven and see if maybe a dehydrator is for you). The great thing is, you can often find dehydrators used on Craigslist or Kijiji for a song. Or, if you’re having no luck with scoring a used one, check out the table at the end of this post for a comparison of six popular dehydrator models.
In any case, there are a few things you can do with a dehydrator. I know I’ve personally found it useful as a way to preserve a windfall of less-than-pretty apples for later. (Though, the trick with apple chips is to make them, and then hide them away for later, otherwise, they get eaten within minutes of pulling them out of the dehydrator!) Having a dehydrator means that you can make a lot of homemade versions of commercial foods that are normally laden with too many preservatives, colorants and artificial flavors. Got a favorite dehydrator recipe that’s not on this list? Please let me know and I’ll make sure to add it to this round-up!
Fruit and sweet recipes
Apricot Coconut dehydrator cookies
Cinnamon spiced sweet potato and carrot chips
Pumpkin spice dehydrator cookies
Vegetables and savory recipes
Onion & sun-dried tomato almond dehydrator crackers
Herbs and seasoning
Drying sweet basil in a home dehydrator
Meat
Homemade organic grass fed beef jerky
Other
How and why to soak and dehydrate nuts and seeds
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Food Dehydrator Comparison Table
| Name | Price | Description | Weight (pounds) | Limited Warranty (yr) | Watts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator | $ | Top-mounted fan, adjustable thermostat from 95-to-160°F; Flavors don't mix, no need to rotate trays, opaque exterior blocks harmful lights; Includes recipe book, 2 solid sheets, 2 mesh sheets, and 3 jerky spice packets | 9 | 1 | 600 |
 | Excalibur Food Dehydrator | $$$ | 9-Tray dehydrator, 15 square feet of drying space; Built in on/off switch and adjustable thermostat with 26 hour timer; Includes and flexible polyscreen tray inserts to prevent foods from sticking; Great for large familes and gardens | 22 | 10 | 440 |
 | Nesco American Harvest 1000-watt Food Dehydrator Kit | $$ | Expandable to 30 trays; Adjustable Thermostat; Includes 8 each Trays, Fruit Roll Sheets, Clean a Screens; Includes How to Dry Foods Book | 20 | 1 | 1000 |
 | L'Equip Dehydrator | $$ | Adjustable thermostat with computer-controlled sensor; 6 stacking trays for a total of 12 square feet of drying space; Instructional booklet with recipes and drying times included | 11 | 10 | 500 |
 | Nesco American Harvest 400-watt Food Dehydrator | $ | Expandable to 7 trays; Clear top to monitor the drying process; Fan forced radial air flow means no tray rotation needed; All components dishwasher safe except the power head | 5 | 1 | 400 |
 | Sedona Digitally Controlled Food Dehydrator | $$$$ | Easy on/off switch, electronic digital display with digital temperature control and timer; Quiet, energy efficient operation; See-through glass door; BPA free plastic trays and tray mesh screens; Dual fan technology | 23 | 5 | 550 |
Photo credit: Preservation by Nomadic Lass
Vivian is the founder of the Real Food Guide and a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) who believes that each individual needs to go on their own Real Food Journey to find what works. While she herself eats a diet of real food (aka a paleo diet), some people may find that they can flourish on a vegetarian diet instead. However, universal to optimal health and well-being is good quality, nutrient-dense, Real Food.
That’s a great list! Thank you!
I was wondering if you know much about long term storage for dehydrated foods? I have a food saver, but I can’t make sense of those oxygen packs. I’m wondering if there are other ways to pack them for long term storage?
How long your dehydrated food lasts depends on what you’re dehydrating. Fruits & vegetables can last up to a year (providing they’re properly stored away from moisture in a well-sealed container), herbs can last for years, but dried meats should be consumed within 2 or 3 months.
I’ve tried dehydrating mushrooms (hens of the woods), and came out way too thin by the time they were done. Since they are so porous, what are your thoughts as how thick I should slice them? I’m thinking maybe an inch – or would that take too long to be thoroughly dried?
Thank you!
I’d try big chunks of mushrooms – so maybe an inch like you said, and see how that goes. I know the dried shitaki mushrooms I’ve bought in the past, are whole mushrooms, with stems removed, so mushrooms in general can probably stand to be dried in bigger pieces.
My precious husband just gave me a dehydrator for Christmas. Looking forward to trying some of these! Thank you so much!