To dehydrate apples in a food dehydrator, start by washing and drying the apples thoroughly. Remove the core and slice the apples into uniform slices, about 1/4 inch thick. Optionally, you can dip the slices in a mixture of water and lemon juice to prevent browning.
Arrange the slices on the dehydrator trays in a single layer, making sure they do not touch or overlap. Set the temperature to around 135°F and let the apples dehydrate for about 6-10 hours, or until they are dry and leathery to the touch.
Check on the apples periodically and rotate the trays if necessary to ensure even drying. Once the apples are fully dehydrated, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. Enjoy your homemade dehydrated apples as a healthy snack or in recipes like granola or trail mix.
Best Food Dehydrators of 2024
Rating is 5 out of 5
Septree Large 8 Trays Food Dehydrator with 8.8ft² Drying Space for Big Family, 800W Stainless Steel Dehydrated Dryer, 24H Timer,190°F Temperature Control, for Herbs, Meat, Fruit, Dog Treats and Yogurt
- Versatile Drying Options: The Septree food dehydrator offers a variety of temperature and time settings, allowing you to dehydrate fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, flowers,nuts, spices, pet food without losing any nutrients.
- Large Capacity: This dehydrator is up to 8.8 ft² of drying space. Dehydrator machine Dimensions L*W*H 16.34*23.3*19.09inch.Its spacious trays can accommodate large quantities of food, making it perfect for families, gardeners, and food enthusiasts.
- Easy to Clean: Made with 304 food-grade stainless steel, the trays are safer, more durable, and dishwasher-safe. The removable trays and drip tray make cleaning a breeze, saving you time and effort.
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
HOPERAN Food Dehydrator, 8 Stainless Steel Trays Dehydrators for Food and Jerky, Herbs, Fruit, Dehydrator Machine with Digital Timer and Temperature Control, Overheat Protection, Recipe Book Included
- ⏰ 【Precise Temp & Timer Control Panel】The dehydrator is equipped with an adjustable timer control, allowing you to set drying times in 30-minute increments, with a maximum duration of 24 hours. The digital temperature presets range from 86℉ to 194℉, enabling you to adjust the temperature in increments of 9℉. The timer will display when your dehydration is complete, and it will automatically shut off once finished. This intelligent system ensures that your delicious dehydrated foods are comple
- 🍌 【8 trays Large Capacity】8 detachable stainless steel trays, each measuring 11" x 7.87", made from 304 food-grade stainless steel for safety and durability. Ideal for dehydrating various foods such as vegetables, fruits, meats, and flowers, effortlessly locking in minerals and vitamins. All trays are dishwasher safe, eliminating concerns about potential health risks associated with using plastic drying trays. Provide the whole family with plenty of healthy and delicious 100% natural food.
- 🍋 【Premium Quality & Easy to Clean & Durable】The food dehydrator is crafted from 100% food-grade stainless steel without bisphenol A, featuring a glass front door for easy monitoring of the drying progress. The stainless steel body is durable and can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth. After the timer completes, the food and beef jerky dehydrator will shut off automatically. In case of overheating, the overheat protection will activate. Comes with practical recipes and instructions, allowi
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Magic Mill Pro Food Dehydrator Machine | 7 Stainless Steel Trays | Dryer for Jerky, Dog Treats, Herb, Meat, Beef, Fruit | Keep Warm Function, Digital Timer and Temperature Control, ETL Approved
- REAR MOUNTED FAN FOR SUPERIOR HEAT DISTRIBUTION – Dries food evenly, This electric dehydration machine is equipped with a rear-mounted drying fan and air flow circulation technology to ensure even drying, there is no need to rotate the shelves as needed by other brands, monitor the dryer process easily with the transparent door window
- SPACIOUS ADJUSTABLE 7 STAINLESS STEEL TRAYS – INCLUDED FRUIT ROLL TRAYS! Use the trays for regular food and the mesh trays for smaller food such as nuts and herbs, for fruit roll ups use the fruit leather sheet which can also be used for drip trays! you can do a lot in one batch with the Magic Mill dehydration machine, the dehydrator comes with 7 premium stainless steel trays.
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Magic Mill Food Dehydrator Machine | 5 Stackable Stainless Steel Trays Jerky Dryer with Digital Adjustable Timer & Temperature Control - Electric Food Preserver for Fruits, Veggies, Meats & Dog Treats
- POWERFUL FOOD DRYING PROCESS - Magic Mill Compact Food Dehydrator Machine streamlines 240W drying capacity that offers an efficient food drying process. It removes excess water from foods without compromising their natural juices, taste, and nutrients – boasting a 97% retention rate of vitamins and minerals.
- MULTI-LAYER AND ADJUSTABLE TRAYS - This Fruit and Herb Dehydrator features five (5) food-grade adjustable trays that allow you to dry different foods, fruits, and veggies at once. The standard height between the trays is 0.6 inches, but you can raise each to 1.1 inches – perfect for thick-cut ingredients.
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Elite Gourmet EFD319 Food Dehydrator, 5 BPA-Free 11.4" Trays Adjustable Temperature Controls, Jerky, Herbs, Fruit, Veggies, Dried Snacks, Black
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE from 95ºF to 158ºF that foods are dehydrated at their optimal temperature and horizontal air flow distributes heat evenly and efficiently.
- FUN AND CRAFTS: Perfect for hobbyists to dry flowers, potpourri or dough crafts and pet lovers to prepare healthy and delicious 100% natural treats for their furry companions.
- EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION: using a base mounted fan promotes even drying and air circulation. Large viewing window allows you to monitor the drying process.
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
COSORI Food Dehydrator Machine for Jerky, 5 BPA-Free 12.2" Trays with 165°F Temperature Control and 48H Timer, 350W Dryer for Fruit, Herbs, Meat, Veggies and Dog Treats, 50-Recipes Book Included
- 165°F MAX TEMPERATURE: Adjust the dehydrator between 95-165°F in 1°F increments. Higher temps ensure safer beef jerky. USDA recommends 165°F for safe jerky
- PERFECT RESULTS: With 350W power, the fan efficiently circulates hot air for even heating and drying of your foods
- ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT: Customize tray heights for larger foods (raised) or easier storage (lowered)
- EASY TO CLEAN: Trays are dishwasher-safe for effortless cleaning. Note: Accessories are hand wash only
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Food Dehydrator for Jerky, 8 Stainless Steel Trays Dehydrator Machine with Food Air-Drying Function, 176℉ Temperature Control & 48H Timer, 600W Fruit Dryer for Meat,Beef,Herbs,Dog Treats, ETL Approved
- 🥩48-HOUR TIMER & TEMPERATURE CONTROL: DIYAREA Food Dehydrator with smart LED touch screen control offers Fahrenheit/Celsius temperature control. When adjusted to Fahrenheit, the dehydrator adjusts the temperature to 95°F to 176°F in 9°F increments; when adjusted to Celsius, the dehydrator adjusts the temperature to 35°C to 80°C in 5°C increments and sets a timer in 30-minute increments from 0.5 hours to 48 hours.
- 🍖OVERHEAT PROTECTION: Beef jerky food dehydrator with thermostat ensures accurate and safe food processing. Meat Dryer The timer automatically shuts off when it expires. Thermal protection activates if the dehydrator overheats, giving you peace of mind throughout the process
- 🥝UPGRADED 8-LAYER STAINLESS STEEL TRAYS: Beef dehydrator comes with 8 stainless steel trays, compared with other dehydrator stainless steel trays, our trays have been upgraded: thickened and reinforced. The trays are not easy to deform and dent, scratch resistant and more durable. Our dehydrator trays measure 12 x 12 inches, which has a larger capacity than regular dehydrator trays and can dry more food at once.
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Food Dehydrator Machine Detachable, 8 Stainless Steel Trays, LED Display, 48H Timer & 86℉-167℉ Temperature Control, 600W Dryer for Jerky, Herb, Meat, Veggies, Fruit, Dog Treats, Recipe Book Included
- Digital Temperature&Time Control: An enclosed thermostat from 86ºF to 167ºF in 9ºF increments. At the same time, the time can be set from 0.5-48 hours in 30-minute increments. It allows you to achieve the best results when drying different foods. We have prepared 6 optional drying function modes. You can adjust the time and temperature according to actual needs.
- Easy to Clean&Safty: Each stainless steel tray is dishwasher safe or washed with warm soapy water. When the timer ends, the dehydrators for jerky will automatically shut off. If the machine overheats, the overheat protection will turn on.
- Customer Service: KEENSTAR provides 24-hour friendly customer service. If you have any issues related to KEENSTAR food dehydrator, please feel free to contact us. You can dry fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, herbs, and flowers, and also can be used to make snacks for your pets.
How to core and slice apples for dehydration?
- Wash the apples thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt and residue.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the apple in half vertically through the core.
- Use a melon baller or a small knife to remove the core and seeds from each half of the apple.
- Lay each apple half flat on a cutting board and slice it into thin slices, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
- If you want to prevent the apples from browning, you can soak the slices in a mixture of lemon juice and water for a few minutes before dehydrating.
- Arrange the apple slices on the dehydrator trays in a single layer, making sure there is space between each slice for air circulation.
- Set the dehydrator to the appropriate temperature for drying apples (usually around 135-140°F) and let them dry for about 6-8 hours, or until they are crisp and leathery.
- Once dried, allow the apple slices to cool before storing them in an airtight container. Enjoy your homemade dried apples as a healthy snack or add them to granola, oatmeal, or baked goods.
What are some alternative methods for dehydrating apples?
- Oven drying: Slice the apples thinly and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at a low temperature (around 200°F) for several hours until dry and crispy.
- Microwave drying: Slice the apples thinly and place them on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for short intervals, checking and flipping the slices regularly until they are dehydrated.
- Sun drying: Place thinly sliced apples on a drying rack or in a single layer on a clean surface in a sunny, dry location. Cover with a mesh screen to protect from bugs and debris. It may take several days for the apples to fully dehydrate using this method.
- Dehydrator: Use a food dehydrator to efficiently dry apples by following the manufacturer's instructions. Slice the apples thinly and arrange them on the dehydration trays, then set the temperature and time according to the dehydrator model.
- Air drying: Hang sliced apples on a string or wire in a well-ventilated area with low humidity. Allow the apples to air dry for several days until they are completely dehydrated.
What is the best type of food dehydrator for dehydrating apples?
One of the best types of food dehydrators for dehydrating apples is a horizontal air-flow dehydrator. This type of dehydrator allows for even distribution of heat and airflow, which is important for efficiently drying apples. Some popular models include the Excalibur and Nesco brands. These dehydrators typically have adjustable temperature settings and multiple trays, making them great for dehydrating a large batch of apples at once.