Dehydrator Recipes

All recipes are written for a food dehydrator set to 135°F (57°C) unless noted.
Drying times vary with humidity, slice thickness, and ripeness. Always let fruit cool completely before storing in airtight jars or bags.

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Fruit Recipes

Cocoa-Dusted Banana Chips

Ingredients: - 4–6 ripe (but firm, slightly green-tipped) bananas
- 2–3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1–2 tbsp powdered sugar (optional, balances bitterness)
- Pinch of cinnamon or vanilla sugar (optional)

Instructions: 1. Slice bananas into 2–3 mm coins. Arrange in a single layer on dehydrator trays (mesh liners help).
2. In a bowl, sift cocoa powder with sugar and spices.
3. Lightly dust banana slices on both sides using a fine sieve. Keep coating thin.
4. Dry for 8–10 hours (chewy) or 12–14 hours (crisp).
5. Cool fully before storing. Add a silica pack if storing more than a week.

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Cinnamon Apples

Ingredients: - 3–4 medium apples
- 1–2 tsp cinnamon
- 1–2 tsp sugar (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice + 1 cup water (for dip)

Instructions: 1. Slice apples into ¼" rings or half-moons.
2. Dip slices in lemon water for 1–2 minutes; pat dry.
3. Toss with cinnamon (and sugar if using).
4. Arrange on trays. Dry for 8–12 hours.

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Spiced Pears

Ingredients: - 3–4 ripe but firm pears
- 1 tbsp lemon juice + 1 cup water (for dip)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- Pinch of clove (optional)
- 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)

Instructions: 1. Slice pears thin. Dip in lemon water briefly.
2. Toss with spice mix.
3. Spread on trays. Dry for 10–16 hours.

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Plain Apples

Ingredients: - 3–4 medium apples
- 1 tbsp lemon juice + 1 cup water (for dip)

Instructions: 1. Slice apples into ¼" rings or wedges.
2. Dip in lemon water for 1–2 minutes; pat dry.
3. Arrange on trays. Dry for 8–12 hours.

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Plain Bananas

Ingredients: - 4–6 bananas (ripe but firm)

Instructions: 1. Slice into 2–3 mm coins or lengthwise strips.
2. Place on trays in a single layer.
3. Dry for 8–10 hours (chewy) or 12–14 hours (crisp).

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Plain Strawberries

Ingredients: - 1 lb strawberries

Instructions: 1. Rinse and hull strawberries.
2. Slice into 3–5 mm slices.
3. Spread evenly on trays.
4. Dry for 8–12 hours.

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Plain Peaches

Ingredients: - 4–5 ripe peaches
- Ice water bath

Instructions: 1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Score peach bottoms with an “X.”
2. Blanch in boiling water 30–60 seconds, then transfer to ice water.
3. Slip off skins, slice into ¼" wedges.
4. Arrange on trays. Dry for 10–16 hours.

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Plain Grapes (Raisins)

Ingredients: - 1–2 lbs seedless grapes

Instructions: 1. Rinse and dry grapes. Remove stems.
2. Optional: blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, then ice bath — this cracks skins for faster drying.
3. Spread on trays in a single layer.
4. Dry for 24–36 hours until raisin-like texture.

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