Dehydrating Peppers in an Air Fryer: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome back to Hillside! Today, I'm tackling a project I've been meaning to do for months but never had the time. Let's get to it!

Discovering the Dehydration Function

If you own an air fryer, join me in trying something new. I recently discovered that my air fryer has a dehydration function. My air fryer is a large model called the Kia, perfect for cooking whole chickens and other quick meals. If you don’t have an air fryer yet, I highly recommend investing in one. They are lifesavers for busy schedules, allowing you to prepare delicious meals with minimal effort.

Preparing the Peppers

Today, we’ll be using the air fryer to dehydrate peppers. This is my first time trying this, so it’s a learning experience for both of us. I have a surplus of Caribbean sweet peppers and Hungarian wax peppers in my freezer, and dehydrating them will free up some much-needed space.

Here’s how I’m preparing the peppers:

1. Remove Seeds: Pop out the seed pack from each frozen pepper. If you prefer less spice, remove as many seeds as possible.
2. Prepare the Peppers: Open the peppers so they can be placed on the dehydrator tray. The Hungarian wax peppers can be left whole if you prefer a spicier result.

Dehydrating Process

Place the prepared peppers on a tray with holes to prevent them from slipping through. Set the air fryer to the dehydrate function at 56°C (132.8°F). The rainy weather makes this a perfect indoor activity.

Results

After about an hour and a half, check the peppers. They should be light, crispy, and fragrant. If they seem done, you can call it a success. You may need to adjust the amount you dehydrate at once to prevent them from flying around in the air fryer.

Tips for Winter

Winter is a great time to relax and catch up on indoor tasks. Plan your garden, prepare for livestock care, declutter your home, and spend quality time with family and friends. Use this time to recharge and enjoy indoor activities.

Conclusion

Dehydrating peppers in the air fryer is a simple and efficient way to preserve them. They turned out crispy and delicious in a fraction of the expected time.