Your Air Fryer Is The Secret To Delicious Homemade Dried Fruit

Air fryers have taken kitchens by storm as a seemingly magical way to achieve high-quality food — dare we say, better than the oven — without all the fuss. Air fryers work by rapidly circulating hot air in an insulated basket, similar to a convection oven. By using this method, you can quickly crisp up your food without preheating or excessive oil. Naturally, this gadget has gained popularity among home chefs, leading to new innovations in kitchen efficiency and improved taste. A surprising beneficiary of these innovations? Dried fruit.

Similar to drying fruit in the oven, you'll want to set your air fryer to its lowest heat setting and evenly lay out thin slices of fruit. Allow them to cook for around 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, and watch them dry without burning to a crisp. While it's true that you can achieve the same result in an oven — which has the benefit of accommodating larger batches — the process takes more than 10 times as long; around six hours, to be precise. Using an air fryer significantly speeds up the process and makes it easier to check and flip your batches.

Keep in mind that this is not the same as dehydrating fruit, though the two methods are similar. Some air fryers do have a specific dehydration function (which you can use to dehydrate lemon slices for a powerful burst of flavor). Follow the same guidelines to use it.

Drying fruit in the air fryer makes this classic snack and ingredient much more accessible. Without the hassle of oven prep, you can easily heat up batches both big and small — not to mention, you can dry virtually any of your favorite fruits. Some of the simplest options include apples, bananas, citrus, grapes, and even pineapple. Just remember to work with evenly sized, thin slices to ensure the moisture evaporates quickly before the fruit burns or overcooks. Drying your fruit is also a great way to enjoy seasonal favorites year-round, like eating strawberries in the fall and winter.

Since drying fruit is such a breeze in the air fryer, you'll need creative ways to use all your snacks. Dried fruit slices can be turned into a nostalgic candy or enjoyed on their own, but they also make beautiful decorations. Try making a garland out of orange slices for a homey holiday touch, or use dried lemons to garnish a cake for a fresh, edible pop of color. You can even use the air fryer to create delicious swaps for raisins in baked goods — add dried cherries to your muffin mix, or try dried mango for an unexpected flair. Experimenting with dried fruits is incredibly simple with an air fryer, making it easier than ever to prepare your new go-to ingredient or snack.