DIY Dehydrated Dinner in Your Air Fryer

The days of needing a fancy dehydrator are long gone, thanks to the air fryer.

Dehydrating food is an excellent solution that allows you to pack lightweight, nutrient-dense meals that can be rehydrated easily at your campsite. While we’ve featured some great premade dehydrated and freeze-dried meals in the past, we know they can get a bit pricey. We bet most of you have an air fryer sitting on the counter, but did you know it can replace a fancy expensive dehydrator? Sure, it makes just about the best reheated pizza ever, but we’ve also come to learn it’s a basic way to whip up our own DIY dehydrated dinner.

Air Fryer Versus Food Dehydrator: The Ups and Downs

So, you’re eyeing up your air fryer and wondering, “Can this crafty little gadget really pull double duty for dehydrating?” Let’s put it head-to-head with a traditional food dehydrator and see how they compare—because, like everything else in camp cooking, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Air Fryer Pros and Cons

Pros:

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Speed: Air fryers work hotter and faster, meaning you can turn out a batch of dehydrated apple chips or jerky in a fraction of the time it’d take with a standard dehydrator. If you need snacks in a hurry before you hit the trail, this is your ticket.
Versatility: These countertop champs aren’t just for dehydrating. If you ever tire of making dried mango (unlikely, but possible), you can bake, roast, or reheat leftover chili, all in the same device.
No Oil Needed: Most air fryers crisp things up with just hot air—no need to douse your food in oil or butter.

Cons:

Capacity: Most air fryers are fairly compact, so you probably won’t be prepping multi-day rations in one go. Bulk batch lovers, beware.
Heat Sensitivity: The higher heat can be a little too aggressive for some delicate foods, which might result in uneven drying or a bit of accidental “toasting.” There’s a learning curve here, but a tasty one.
Moisture Removal: The rapid air circulation isn’t always as thorough as the slow, steady approach of a proper dehydrator, especially in thicker foods.

Dehydrator Pros and Cons

Pros:

Low and Slow: Food dehydrators are kings of consistency; their gentle, low heat means evenly removed moisture and better texture—especially for the dehydrating purists out there.
Larger Batches: With multi-tiered trays, you can crank out big quantities for serious snacking or extended trips.
Single Purpose, Specialist Results: They’re designed solely for drying, and it shows—no burnt edges or partially chewy bits.

Cons:

Time: The “low and slow” philosophy means you’ve got to plan ahead—dehydrating often takes several hours (sometimes overnight). Patience required.
Less Versatile: Don’t count on using a dehydrator for Friday’s leftover pizza—these things do one thing and one thing only: dry food.

The Verdict

If you’re looking for a quick, easy solution and enjoy variety, the air fryer is a solid bet for DIY dehydrated meals. For larger quantities or optimal texture, the classic dehydrator still holds the crown. Honestly, it just depends on how much space is on your counter—and how hungry you are for adventure snacks.

Air Fryers vs. Dehydrators: What’s the Real Difference?

At first glance, air fryers and dehydrators might seem destined for a kitchen showdown, but they play very different roles on your culinary team. Let’s clear up how these two gadgets stack up, especially for the adventurous cook.

An air fryer uses a blast of hot, circulating air to cook food rapidly, giving you that satisfying crisp without the need for oil. It’s basically a turbocharged convection oven in a pint-sized package that can tackle everything from reheating leftover pizza to roasting veggies. And yes—it also sports a dehydration function, which means less clutter on your countertop.

On the flip side, a dehydrator is all about “slow and steady wins the race.” It operates at much lower temperatures for an extended time, gently coaxing the moisture out of foods while preserving flavors and nutrients. While dehydrators excel at their one job—drying out fruit, jerky, or veggies—they don’t wear many other hats in the kitchen.

So, to recap:

Air fryers: Fast, versatile, and perfect if you want to bake, roast, or reheat in addition to dehydrating the occasional snack.
Dehydrators: Masters of moisture removal, built for those who want to prepare bigger batches of dried goodies using the “low and slow” approach.

Bottom line: both get the job done, but air fryers offer more flexibility while dehydrators corner the market on batch drying and preserving. Pick your gadget based on your kitchen adventures—and the space left on your countertop!

A Clever Way to Cut Down on Food Waste

Dehydrating food in your air fryer isn’t just about whipping up tasty snacks—it’s also a smart strategy for tackling food waste. Instead of watching veggies linger in your fridge until they’re past their prime, you can transform that lonely bag of peas or those last handfuls of mushrooms into shelf-stable, ready-to-use ingredients.

Toss the dehydrated veggies into soups, stews, or even trail mixes. You’ll extend the shelf life of your fresh produce and squeeze out every bit of value from your grocery runs. In short, it’s an easy fix for saving money, preventing waste, and ensuring your next backcountry meal is both creative and resourceful.

Air Fryer Dehydration

If you own an air fryer, you can use it to dehydrate food quickly and easily. Of course, each air fryer and recipe is different. It’ll probably take a try or two to get your technique down pat. Just like any dinner, the way you prepare and season your dehydrated option is entirely up to you. There’s really no hard and fast rules on how to do this stuff! That being said, here are some simple instructions to get you cooking (Ha, ha. Get it?):

What Does the Dehydrate Button Actually Do?

Curious about that “dehydrate” setting on your air fryer? Here’s the scoop: Think of it as your built-in shortcut to turning today’s extra apples or that mountain of summer zucchini into delicious, shelf-stable snacks. When you hit the dehydrate button, your air fryer switches gears from turbo-roasting to gently circulating warm air at a lower temperature.

This process quietly draws moisture out of your food—no frantic bubbling, no scorch marks. The result? Perfectly chewy banana chips or crisped veggie slices, ready for snacking or tossing into your favorite hike-ready trail mix. The key here is patience: dehydration takes several hours, not a quick zap. But trust us, that mellow pace is what locks in all the flavor and preserves the good stuff.

So, the next time you spot the dehydrate button, know that it’s your ticket to homemade snacks, preserved produce, and a zero-waste kitchen. Set it, forget it (well, mostly), and come back later to find your food transformed!

Choose the food you want to dehydrate, such as vegetables, fruits, starches, or even cooked meats (We don’t recommend this for your first try. Do more research first).
Cut the food into thin, even slices. They should be no more than 1/4 of an inch thick.
Prepare however you normally would, if it’s something you want to be cooked. Most sources recommend you cook fully before dehydrating.
Arrange the food in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure that the pieces are not touching or overlapping.
Set the air fryer to the dehydrate function and select the temperature and time based on the type of food you are dehydrating.
Check on the food periodically and rotate the basket if necessary to ensure even drying.

Finding Dehydration Times for Different Foods

Now, you might be thinking: “Okay, but how long do I keep my apple slices circling around in the air fryer anyway?” Good news—there’s no need to guess or play mad scientist. For ultra-specific dehydration times and recipes, you’ve got plenty of resources right at your fingertips:

Check your air fryer manual: Many models come with recipe guides or a handy chart that gives recommended times and temps for everything from sweet potatoes to strawberries.
Look online: A quick Google or a visit to trusted sites like Serious Eats or The Kitchn will turn up detailed air fryer dehydration guides, including timing for different fruits, veggies, and even jerky.
Ask around: Chances are, you know at least one proud air fryer enthusiast. Swap notes, trade your best tips, and don’t hesitate to crowdsource info from foodie friends.

With a little research and experimentation, you’ll zero in on the perfect dehydration time for your favorite snacks—no crystal ball required.

Dehydrating Fruit in Your Air Fryer: What Works Best?

If you’ve ever eyed that overflowing fruit bowl and wondered, “Can I dehydrate these in my air fryer?”—the answer is a resounding yes. Air fryers are surprisingly adept at transforming fresh fruit into chewy, naturally sweet snacks, all while freeing up your oven for, well, other kitchen shenanigans.

Some fruits are tailor-made for dehydration in the air fryer. Slice them thin, spread them out without overlap, and you’re off to the races. Popular picks include:

Apples (think classic chips for trail mix or oatmeal)
Pears
Strawberries
Bananas (for those of us who never move fast enough for banana bread)
Mangoes and peaches
Apricots

Plan a little extra time—most fruits take about 4 hours at around 175°F, but that’s still speedier than many traditional methods. The trade-off? You get concentrated flavor, a hit of nutrition, and no more sad strawberries languishing in the bottom of the crisper drawer.

Mix and match your favorites or try whatever’s in season. Not only does this cut down on food waste, but it’s a sweet treat ready for adventures both in the wild and the office lunchbox.

Tips and Tricks

NOTE: If, like ours, your air fryer doesn’t have a dehydrate setting, you can still use it to make a great dehydrated dinner. It’s as simple as manually adjusting the temperature and cooking time. Generally, the ideal temperature for dehydrating food in an air fryer is between 120°F and 140°F (50°C and 60°C). At this temperature range, the food will dry out without overcooking or browning.

What About Specific Foods?

Fruits and Vegetables: For most fruits and vegetables, you can safely bump the temperature up a bit—175°F is commonly recommended if your machine won’t go lower. Just keep in mind that the process requires patience; fruits usually take about 3–4 hours to fully dehydrate, and vegetables can vary depending on type and thickness. It’s best to check periodically and rotate the basket for even drying.
Meats: If you’re adventurous and want to try making jerky, meat needs a higher temp. Always dehydrate meats at a temperature that ensures they reach an internal temp of 165°F for food safety. This usually means setting the air fryer to its higher settings, and it can take several hours (or even overnight for some cuts).

Dehydrated meat isn’t just for a home snack attack—it’s also a fantastic choice for camping trips or long hikes, since you don’t have to worry about refrigeration. Just make sure to slice your meat thin and evenly for the best results, and double-check that internal temperature before snacking. Getting that protein boost without the fridge is great, but safety comes first!

No matter what you’re drying, remember: patience is key, and don’t be afraid to experiment with times and temps to find what works best in your kitchen.

The exact time it takes to dehydrate food in an air fryer will depend on the type of food you’re drying, the thickness of the slices, and the humidity in your kitchen. As a general rule, it usually takes upwards of 3 to 4 hours to dehydrate most fruits and vegetables. Sometimes it takes even longer. Strawberries, for example, dehydrate in just about 2-3 hours. Cherries, for some reason, sometimes take overnight. Meats and fish are more complicated and tend to take longer than that, so all of the recipes we’ve gathered below are veggie-based to make it easy.

How Long Does Dehydrating Really Take?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here—dehydrating can take anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours, depending on your ingredients and air fryer model. Foods that are naturally juicier, like apples or pears, will take longer to dry out than something like kale, which doesn’t hold much moisture. Thicker slices or larger pieces will need extra time, too.

If you’re ever unsure how long to leave a specific food in the air fryer, a quick online search can be a lifesaver. Many air fryers also include a recipe booklet with dehydration times for common foods. And if all else fails, don’t hesitate to ask a fellow air-frying friend for their secrets—everyone has their own tricks for getting that perfect crunch.

The bottom line: patience and a little experimentation go a long way. Check on your food every now and then, and don’t be afraid to adjust as you go. Once you get a feel for your air fryer’s quirks, dehydrating will be a breeze.

Remember to cool the dehydrated food before storing it in an airtight container or bag. Also, it’s a good idea to label the container with the contents and date so you can keep track of how long the food has been stored.

Dehydrated veggies can pull double duty: snack on them straight from the container (they’re basically crispy veggie chips), or toss them into soups, stews, or even trail mixes. Some of the best all-purpose choices are peas, corn, and mushrooms—these rehydrate beautifully and soak up all the flavor of your broth or sauce. Not only does dehydrating keep your ingredients shelf-stable for months, but it’s also a smart way to cut down on food waste and make sure you always have a stash of ready-to-go vegetables for your next adventure or busy weeknight.

5 delicious DIY dehydrated dinner recipes:

Spicy Lentil Chili: Cook together lentils, diced tomatoes, beans, and bell peppers with spices like chili powder and cumin. (Of course, it’s chili, Basically, put in whatever you’d like. Spread in a thin layer in your air fryer. Rehydrate in a pot with water or vegetable broth and canned tomatoes and heat until ready to eat.
Thai Peanut Noodles: Cook shredded carrots, sliced bell peppers, and any other veggies you like in a sauce made from peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and red pepper flakes. Again, spread in a thin layer and dehydrate in your air fryer. Rehydrate along with dry rice noodles in a pot with hot water and stir in chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro. We also like to add bean sprouts for some fresh crunch.
Moroccan Stew: Cook together chickpeas, diced sweet potato, diced onion, sliced carrots, and spices such as cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. Dehydrate in your air fryer, then rehydrate in a pot with water or vegetable broth and top with chopped dates and almonds.
Vegetable Stir-Fry: Sauté then dehydrate sliced broccoli florets, chopped carrots, sliced onion, and a sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Rehydrate in a pot with hot water and serve over rice.
Mediterranean Couscous Salad: Dehydrate cooked couscous, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, and a dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs such as parsley and mint. Rehydrate in a pot with hot water and stir in crumbled feta cheese and olives.