Air Fryers That Dehydrate: Your Guide to Multi-Functional Cooking

Dehydrating Foods with Air Fryers

Air fryer ovens have become popular in recent years because they can cook foods such as chicken wings, chicken nuggets, frozen fries, and other typically fried foods with less oil.

They are versatile appliances that can tackle a variety of tasks. One useful function some models offer is food dehydration.

You can Dehydrate Fruit or Vegetables With an Air Fryer

Dehydrating foods in an air fryer involves setting the appliance to a low temperature, usually between 120°F and 140°F, to dry food items without actually cooking them.

This technique is perfect for preserving fruits, vegetables, and meats such as chicken wings for extended periods by removing moisture.

In this article, you'll learn about air fryers that also dehydrate and how to utilize this feature. Combining the benefits of air frying and dehydrating makes these multi-functional appliances a great addition to any kitchen.

Air Fryers That Dehydrate: An Overview

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, offering a healthier way to cook many dishes that traditionally involve fried food. In recent years, more and more air fryers have been designed as an air fryer dehydrator combo, combining the benefits of both methods in one handy device.

How They Work

Air fryers with a dehydrator function use hot air to remove moisture from food while preserving its nutritional content and flavor. This is accomplished by circulating hot air around the food, which causes the moisture to evaporate, leaving the food dry and dehydrated.

To dehydrate food in an air fryer, set the temperature to its lowest setting (or to the dehydration setting) and let the items dry for 2-4 hours, depending on the food being dehydrated.

Popular Brands and Models

Several major brands offer air fryers with a built-in dehydrator feature:

• Chefman: The Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie Chefman air fryer is a popular way to air fry with ample cooking capacity for dehydrating.
• WowChef Air Fryer: This versatile appliance serves as an air fryer oven, dehydrator, slow cooker, toaster oven, roasting oven, and multi-cooker in a single unit.
• Ninja AF101 Air Fryer: Known for its reliable performance and user-friendly design, the Ninja AF101 comes with a dehydrator setting for fruits and other dehydratable items.
• Ninja Foodi: This popular brand offers several air fryer oven models with built-in dehydrators, making for easy cooking, air-frying, and dehydrating various foods in one device, without increasing cook time.
• Instant Pot: Widely recognized for its multi-functional pressure cookers, Instant Pot also offers air fryer models with a dehydrator function for those looking to maximize kitchen efficiency.

Many Dehydrators are Capable of Drying Out Fruits, Vegetables, and Meats

Choosing the best air fryer with a dehydrator function depends on personal preferences, budget, and available countertop space. With so many options on the market, finding an air fryer that suits your specific needs and helps you explore the world of dehydrated food at home is easy.

Benefits of Air Fryers That Dehydrate

Health and Nutrition

Air fryer ovens provide a healthier alternative to deep-frying without significantly increasing cooking time. They use hot air and virtually no oil. As a result, you’ll be consuming much less overall fat and calories.

When used for dehydrating, they maintain most of the food's nutrients, ensuring a nutritious and tasty snack. Dehydrating food at low temperatures preserves vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy option.

Cost and Energy Efficiency

Using an air fryer to dehydrate food can save money and energy. It's an efficient kitchen cooking appliance, combining the functionality of a fryer and a dehydrator.

This means you don't need to purchase a separate dehydrator, and can save on energy costs. Air fryers heat up quickly and work for shorter periods than traditional dehydrators, resulting in lower energy consumption.

Space-saving and Versatility

Air fryers that dehydrate offer a versatile and space-saving solution for your kitchen. They perform multiple cooking functions, including frying, baking, roasting, and dehydrating.

This means less clutter and more counter space. With an air fryer, you can achieve crisp and tender results in a variety of recipes, from french fries to dried fruit.

Selecting the Right Air Fryer That Dehydrates

When looking for an air fryer that can dehydrate, consider the size and capacity, features, and ease of use.

Size and Capacity

Ensure the air fryer meets your countertop space and cooking needs. Pick one that fits your kitchen and can handle the amount of food you plan to dehydrate.

For example, the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer has a 4-quart capacity suitable for small to medium-sized households.

Features

Choose an air fryer with features that cater to your specific requirements. Some air fryers have various presets for different types of food or cooking methods.

The Instant Vortex 7-in-1 Air Fryer offers a range of functions besides dehydrating, making it more convenient for versatile cooking.

Ease of Use

Lastly, look for an air fryer that is user-friendly, with simple controls and easy-to-clean baskets. Some models offer digital displays and touch panels for a modern touch.

Ensure the product has straightforward instructions and is easy to maintain for long-term use.

Using an Air Fryer That Dehydrates: Tips and Recipes

Safety Precautions

When using an air fryer for dehydrating, follow these safety tips:

• Set the temperature to its lowest setting, ideally at right around 120°F.
• Take care to not stack your food - make sure it is laid out in a single layer for the most effective drying possible
• Keep a close watch on the drying process to avoid overdrying or burning.

Dehydrating Fruits and Vegetables

Dehydrating fruits and vegetables in an air fryer is simple:

1. Slice fruits and vegetables uniformly, using a mandolin if possible.
2. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer.
3. Set the temperature to the lowest setting, or the dehydration setting.
4. Dry for 2-4 hours, checking doneness periodically.

Make dehydrated apples using your favorite air fryer!

Drying Herbs

To dry herbs in an air fryer, follow these steps:

1. Remove any dirt or debris from the herbs.
2. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer.
3. Set the temperature as low as possible or use the dehydration setting.
4. Check the herbs every 30 minutes until they're dry and brittle.

Making Jerky

Air fryers can also be used to make delicious jerky. Here's how:

1. Slice your choice of meat into thin, uniform strips against the grain.
2. Marinate the meat for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
3. Arrange meat slices in a single layer in the air fryer.
4. Set the temperature to the lowest setting, or the dehydration setting.
5. Dry the meat for 4-6 hours, checking for doneness occasionally.

You Can Make Jerky With Your Air Fryer - Just Keep the Temperature Between 120 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit and Follow Proper Cooking Instructions for the Type and Thickness of Meat

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people have questions about using air fryers for dehydration. Here are answers to some common questions:

Do Air Fryers Make Good Dehydrators?

Air fryers can work as dehydrators, but their ability to do so depends on the specific model. Some air fryers have a designated dehydrator function, while others can be used for dehydrating by adjusting the settings carefully.

As long as your air fryer can be set to a temperature below 140°F, it can be used for dehydrating.

How Do You Dehydrate in an Air Fryer?

To dehydrate in an air fryer, follow these steps:

1. Set your air fryer on the lowest possible setting, typically below 140°F. Remember that any temperature higher than 140°F might cause the food to cook instead of dry. While you can have temperatures above 140°F for short periods of time to remove surface moisture on the food, if you leave it at this temperature for too long, you’ll end up cooking your food.
2. Place the food items in a single layer on the food rack or shelf, ensuring that they are spaced evenly. This will help the warm air circulate properly around the items.
3. Select the "dehydrate" function or a similar low-temperature setting. Most air fryers have a specific button for this purpose.
4. Wait patiently, as the dehydrating process might take several hours. Be sure to check the progress of your items periodically to prevent over-dehydrating.