Dehydration in Your Air Fryer: How to Dry Fruit, Veggies, and Herbs with Ease

If you think your air fryer is only good for crisping fries or reheating leftovers, think again. With the right settings, your air fryer can double as a powerful food dehydrator—perfect for preserving fruits, vegetables, and herbs. If your air fryer has a low temperature setting (around 80°C or lower), you’re ready to start dehydrating a variety of ingredients right in your kitchen.

Drying your own produce is a great way to reduce food waste, save money, and always have flavorful add-ins for snacks, meals, or garnishes. Below are four simple air fryer dehydration recipes featuring apples, citrus slices, thyme, and chillies.

Dried Apple Slices

These thin, crisp apple chips make a delicious snack or a beautiful garnish for pork or salads.

You Will Need:

• Small Top Red apples
• ¼ cup (60 ml) sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 1 Vitamin C tablet (crushed) or juice of ½ lemon

Method:

1. Slice apples very thinly using a mandolin slicer.
2. Make a quick antioxidant syrup: mix sugar, water, and crushed Vitamin C tablet (or lemon juice).
3. Dip the apple slices in the syrup to prevent browning.
4. Lay slices flat on baking paper in the air fryer basket.
5. Dry at 80°C for ± 30 minutes or until crisp and dry to the touch.

Naartjie and Lime Slices

Dehydrated citrus slices are perfect for decorating cocktails, cakes, or adding to homemade tea blends.

You Will Need:

• 1–2 undersized naartjies
• 1–2 limes
• Sugar (for coating)

Method:

1. Slice the naartjies and limes very thinly.
2. Dip the slices in sugar for a sweet, glossy finish.
3. Lay slices on baking paper in the air fryer.
4. Dry at 80°C for ± 30 minutes, checking halfway through for browning.
5. Let cool before storing in an airtight container.

Dried Thyme

Drying herbs like thyme is a smart way to preserve flavor and reduce waste. Homemade dried thyme is more fragrant than store-bought.

You Will Need:

• 2 good handfuls of fresh thyme

Method:

1. Spread thyme sprigs on baking paper in the air fryer basket.
2. Dry at 80°C for ± 30 minutes until brittle.
3. Once cool, rub the leaves off the stems and discard the hard stalks.
4. Store in a glass jar away from light and moisture.

Dehydrated Chillies

Dried chillies bring concentrated flavor and heat. You can crush them into flakes or string them up decoratively.

You Will Need:

• A handful of red chillies

Method:

1. Spread the chillies in a single layer on baking paper.
2. Dry at 80°C for about 1 hour, depending on the size and moisture content.
3. Let cool completely. You can crush them, store whole in a jar, or string them up with raffia or cotton twine for an eye-catching kitchen decoration.

Tips for Air Fryer Dehydration Success

• Use baking paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• Cut evenly to ensure all slices dry at the same rate.
• Leave space between items for air to circulate.
• Check progress halfway through, especially with delicate items like herbs.
• Cool completely before storing to avoid condensation and spoilage.

Your air fryer can do more than fry—it can preserve. With a little time and low heat, you can dry everything from apples to herbs and chillies, giving your pantry a homemade boost of flavor and convenience. Whether you’re prepping for snacks, recipes, or edible décor, dehydrating in your air fryer is an easy and satisfying way to make the most of fresh produce.