This is a DIY guide on how to dehydrate apricots at home from scratch.
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TL;DR
Dehydrated apricots are fresh-cut apricots that are left to dry slowly until they lose all their water. That way, the dried apricots can be stored for months without them turning bad!
This is an age-old technique that was used to trade with dried fruits and nuts coming over the Silk Road from Asia to Europe. Drying fruits helps in preserving them for the long voyage ahead. Traveling the silk road could take months at that time.
Dried apricots became super popular during medieval times and were considered rich man's food. Royalties and well-off people would purchase them from passing traders.
Most dehydrated apricots in stores come from sunny places such as Turkey and California, but you can prepare them easily at home with the help of a dehydrator.
How to dry apricots with a dehydrator?
Step 1
Rinse your fruits and pat dry. Cut the apricots open, discard the pit.
Decide if you want to cut your apricots in halves or quarters.
Step 2
Spread cut fruits on a dehydrator tray.
Stack trays over each other and heat up dehydrator.
Step 3
Dry apricot slices until crisp and perfect.
Store in an airtight container or eat and enjoy.
📖 Recipe
Dehydrated Apricots in the Dehydrator
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry apricots2.2 pounds Apricot
- Cut open apricots. Take out and discard pit. Decide if you want to cut your fruits into halves or quarters.
- Spread apricots on the dehydrator trays, keep some space between the fruits.
- Stack trays over each other on the dehydrator.
- Set temperature somewhere between 135 – 145 Fahrenheit/ 57- 62 Celsius and dry for about 12-14 hours or until you have the desired consistency. Turn the fruit pieces in between, so that they dry on all sides.
- When done. Take fruits from the trays and place into airtight containers or vacuum bags or enjoy straight away.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
Flavor Variations
Here are some flavor ideas, sprinkle the following over your apricot slices before you dry them:
- sugar — try brown sugar or homemade vanilla sugar, Fine powder is preferred
- red chili pepper ground — i.e., cayenne
- ground green cardamom
- ground cinnamon
Storing
Store your dehydrated apricot pieces in an airtight container or in a vacuum bag.
You don't need to refrigerate or freeze them (except if you live in a wet tropical climate).
But keep away from direct sunlight, humidity and heat.
If prepared and stored the right way, they will be good for about 6-12 months. If they last that long. 🙂
FAQs
A dehydrator dries your fruits evenly and better. Not all ovens can dry over low temperatures and can burn the fruits. Drying in the sun on the open is not that hygienic compared to dehydrating with the help of a dehydrator.
Follow the instructions in your food dehydrator pamphlet. Newer devices can be left on overnight. Although I, personally, try to avoid doing that because I sleep better that way.
Follow the instructions in your dehydrator manual. Set the temperature between 135 – 145 Fahrenheit/ 57-62 Celsius.
Store-bought dehydrated apricots are preserved with sulfur dioxide. Organic dried apricots don't contain this preservative. The brighter dried apricots are, the more they will contain sulfur dioxide. Some people, especially those with a story of asthma, are sensitive to this chemical. Brands have to disclose on the labels if they added this substance to their dried fruits, but the law usually doesn't state the concentration. So, this is why it's better to either buy organic apricots or to dehydrate your apricots.
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