Can You Dehydrate in an Air Fryer?

One question I get asked a lot is, "Can I dehydrate in my air fryer?" I've experimented with making beef jerky, but I've always been skeptical about dehydrating in an air fryer due to its limited space. However, I recently discovered that Cosori makes a highly-rated dehydrator, and they generously sent me one to test out. Today, I'll compare my new dehydrator to my favorite air fryer by making dried apples, homemade holiday potpourri, and fruit leather. Thanks to Cosori for sponsoring this video.

Hi, I'm Kathy, and I help people make the most out of their air fryers. Ready to see this comparison? Let’s go!

Testing Apples

I found some slightly old apples in my pantry—perfect for this test. First, I prepared a lemon juice solution (1/4 cup lemon juice mixed with 3-4 cups of water) and sliced the apples about 1/4 inch thick. For simplicity, I didn’t even remove the core. After soaking the slices in the lemon water for a few minutes, I lined the dehydrator tray. One apple fit perfectly on a tray. You can season the slices with cinnamon and nutmeg for extra flavor.

I set the dehydrator to 145°F for 6 hours. Like air fryers, the dehydrating time can vary based on food size, humidity, and other factors. I noted that the dehydrator operated quietly, which was impressive.

For the air fryer, I set it to 300°F for 20 minutes, rotating the slices midway. After 25 minutes, the apples were browning but still soft, so I continued for another 10 minutes. The air fryer apples were not fully dehydrated—they retained some moisture and were more like lightly fried apple chips.

Testing Oranges and Limes

Next, I sliced oranges and limes evenly to make DIY potpourri jars. I lowered the dehydrator temperature to 135°F and set it for 3 hours. For the air fryer, I started at 170°F for 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes in the air fryer, the citrus slices were still wet, so I continued for another hour. The dehydrator, on the other hand, was much quieter and produced better-dried citrus slices after 6 hours. The air fryer citrus slices were not dehydrated enough for long-term storage.

Testing Fruit Leather

For the fruit leather, I used thawed frozen berries (2 cups of strawberries and 1 cup of mango), adding a tablespoon of honey for sweetness. I blended the mixture and spread it on parchment paper on a dehydrator tray. I set the dehydrator to 140°F for 6 hours.

For the air fryer, I faced challenges with the parchment paper blowing around, so I used a wire rack to hold it down. The air fryer only goes down to 170°F, so I started with an hour and adjusted as needed.

After an hour and a half, the fruit leather from the dehydrator turned out perfectly—crispy yet chewy. The air fryer version was gooier and not as well-formed.

Conclusion

While you can dehydrate in an air fryer, a dedicated dehydrator yields better results and allows for larger batches. Check out the Cosori dehydrator I used through the link in the video description. Don’t forget to explore my air fryer buying guide and more air fryer recipes linked below.