Dehydrator

A dehydrator is one of the most underrated kitchen appliances. We use it to dry herbs, fruits, and sourdough starters and to make beef jerky. I also use it to make “compost” from banana peels, eggshells, and homemade cornmeal. My favorite things to make are dried fruits like strawberries, mango, and watermelon—they taste just like candy.

In my opinion, the best dehydrator is an Excalibur Dehydrator. It is a little pricier than others, but the temperature control and capacity are worth every penny.

A second, less pricey option is a Nesco Dehydrator. I have a cheap dehydrator that I got from Goodwill for $5. It is good for some things, but it gets very hot, and things dehydrate too quickly. This can make chewy things tough and give living foods like herbs and flowers a burnt taste.

Food dehydrator recipes are healthy and homemade, and they help preserve food for long-term storage without preservatives. I use our dehydrator to make apple chips, banana chips, sweet potato chips, fruit leather, dried tomatoes, and so many more snacks!

I will continue to add more recipes over time, so subscribe here to stay updated on all my new recipes!