How to Dry Jalapenos in a Dehydrator at Home
Of all the peppers used in cooking, jalapenos are the most popular, and for good reasons. You can pickle them, stuff them, or even dry them. The latter is often done with dehydrators due to how easy it is to use them. So, we’ve made for you a step-by-step guide on how to dry jalapenos in a dehydrator.
In this guide, we will first learn about the benefits of dehydrated jalapenos. Then, we will go over a step-by-step guide on drying jalapenos in your dehydrator. We will also go over some frequently asked questions and recommend some great dehydrators while we’re at it.
Are dehydrated jalapenos good?
Before jumping into the tutorial, we need to address something first and foremost: Are dehydrated jalapenos good? In short, yes. By drying them, you can preserve them and grind them into powder for seasoning, which takes up little space. You can even eat those dried jalapenos as a snack. But dried jalapenos are mainly used as ingredients, from sandwiches to salsas.
How to dry jalapenos in a dehydrator | 5 easy steps
Now that we’ve learned why people like to dehydrate jalapenos for powders and preservation, let’s learn how to do that. So, for this guide, we will learn how to dry jalapenos in a dehydrator and go over each step.
Step 1: Wash the peppers
This step is obvious, but crucial. You need to wash the jalapeno peppers thoroughly before pat-drying them with a kitchen towel. The outer layer of the jalapeno makes it suitable for various microbes, so cleaning them is a must.
Step 2: Slice the peppers into pieces
Next, remove the stems and slice the peppers into desirable shapes. Jalapenos have a lot of utility outside of being an ingredient. Jalapeno slices also make up for great snacks, either bite-sized snacks or as a sandwich ingredient. Thinner slices also dry much faster than thicker ones, so the cuts should be thin. To dry whole jalapenos, you’ll need to add a few slits to the skin to let the air in.
Step 3: Arrange the peppers on dehydrator trays
After slicing the jalapenos, open your dehydrator and arrange the slices onto the tray. Ensure that the slices do not overlap, which will help dehydrate the jalapeno slices more efficiently.
Step 4: Turn on the dehydrator and set the temperature
After placing the slices on the tray, put them in and set the dehydrator temperature to 125°F (51.7°C). This is the optimal temperature for dehydrating the jalapeno slices.
Step 5: Let it dehydrate for 6-10 hours
After setting the temperature, turn on the dehydrator, sit back, and let it dehydrate the jalapenos for 6-10 hours. How long you have to let it dehydrate depends on the size and the kind of jalapeno slices you want.
If you want spongy slices that you can cut, then dehydrate the slices for 6-7 hours at most. If you want to make powdered jalapeno or dried jalapeno flakes, dry them for at least 10 hours.
Step 6: Store in a vacuum bag or sealed container
After you’re done dehydrating your jalapenos, put them in airtight bags or vacuum-sealed containers. You can try using a vacuum sealer machine for convenience. Also, it is best if you store them in a cool and dry place.
How long do dried jalapenos last?
Provided you’ve stored them in the fridge, and they’re inside a vacuum-sealed container, dried jalapenos can last up to a year.
How do you store dried jalapeno peppers?
To store dried jalapeno peppers, you need to keep them in airtight containers. Though airtight bags are fine, they aren’t as effective as vacuum-sealed jars, preferably glass jars.
How to make dried jalapeno powder?
- Remove the stems from the jalapenos. Then cut them into slices or any size you prefer.
- Dehydrate the jalapenos for around 8-10 hours at 125°F temperature. Ensure that you remove any semblance of moisture from the jalapenos beforehand.
- Then, place the dried jalapenos in a spice grinder or a blender and grind them into a fine powder.
- Finally, store them in an airtight container and store them in a cool, dry place.
How to dehydrate jalapenos in an air fryer?
- First, remove the jalapeno stems and cut them into your preferable pieces.
- Then set the temperature of your air fryer to 400°F (~204°C).
- Place the jalapenos on the air fryer basket and air fry them for 10-15 minutes.
Choose the best herb dehydrator for your kitchen
Tribest Sedona Express SDE-S6780-B
Pros
- Transparent glass door for a clear view
- Two stage Temperature Timer for faster dehydration
- Continuous operation mode for 99 hours of dehydration
Cons
- Difficult to follow the instruction manual
Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator 32100A
Pros
- Adjustable drying temperature
- Trays for drying solid rolls and herbs
- Continuous airflow for even drying
Cons
- Can get noisy
Excalibur 2400
Pros
- Hyperwave Technology for efficient moisture removal
- 4 big trays for larger drying spaces
- Parallexx airflow to evenly heat and improve flavor
Cons
- Plastic tray does not long
Magic Mill Food Dehydrator Machine
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Large and spacious trays for ingredients of any size
- Digital thermostat for better dehydrating
Cons
- Low heating range
Septree Food Dehydrator
Pros
- Large capacity to hold up to 8 drawers
- Adjustable timer with Smart shutoff for precise heating
- Powerful, top-of-the-line dehydration
Cons
- Very expensive
Adding more to the spice of life
With the help of this tutorial, we hope you’ve learned how to sap the moisture out of your jalapenos. Now that you know how to dry jalapenos in a dehydrator, what can you do with them now? You can keep them in a jar, grind them into a powder or make bite-sized hors d’oeuvres out of them.
If you’ve found this guide helpful, check out our list of best food dehydrators under $100 or the best air fryer dehydrators.
