How to Dry Apples

How to dry apples

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Dried apples are a very healthy treat. And, if you are trying to lose weight, they’re a great substitute for unhealthy, sugary, snacks.

We think drying apples is a fun fall activity!

How to Make Dried Apples

1. Wash apples.

No need to peel them.  Leaving on the peel adds a little flavor to the dried apples AND increases the fiber content making them good for weight loss.

2. Remove core and slice.

Remove the core and cut into thin slices.

We cored and cut our apples using our apple peeler/slicer (without the peeling blade engaged). It’s super fast and very easy to use. You can make a bunch of apple rings in just minutes!

If you don’t have an apple slicer, you can slice them with a knife.

3. Dip in solution to prevent browning.

Dip apples in a solution to prevent them from turning brown.

We dip ours in a mixture of lemon juice, pineapple juice, and water. (1 tablespoon of lemon juice per 1 cup of pineapple juice and then dilute with about 1 tablespoon water.)

I like how the pineapple juice adds a bit of sweetness to counteract the sour taste of the lemon juice.

You can also use orange juice or a solution made from 2 tablespoons of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (or Fruit Fresh) and 1 cup water.

4. Distribute them single layer.

Place them single layer on whatever you are going to use to dry them on.

We use a screen from a retired food dehydrator. You can use a new, clean window screen or an oven rack covered with cheesecloth. Or if you’re drying your apples in a food dehydrator, place them on the racks of the dehydrator.

Read on for drying methods …

Different Drying Methods

There are different ways to actually dry the apples –

1. in a food dehydrator
2. in an oven
3. in the sun
4. over a wood stove

1. How to Dry Apples in a Food Dehydrator

This is probably the most common method for dehydrating food. An electric food dehydrator is simple to use and energy efficient.

2. How to Dry Apples in an Oven

You can also dry apples in your oven if your oven can get the temperature down to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. (Some ovens will only go as low as 200 degrees.) You’ll need to keep the oven door open slightly to allow the moist air to escape.

Positioning a fan by the door to keep air circulating is helpful too.

3. How to Dry Apples in the Sun

This is rather difficult because you need low humidity, lots of sun, and plenty of heat – something that rarely happens here in Michigan.

Solar dehydrators are available commercially, but the one I tried did not work well at all.

I have dried blueberries in the back window of my car and it works great! Much better than the commercial solar dehydrator.

4. How to Dry Apples over a Wood Stove

My favorite method for drying apples is over my wood stove, because I love how the apples turn out crispier and whiter than apples dried in a food dehydrator.  They also dry more quickly.

There are several ways to suspend the drying rack (I use the rack from my oven) over the stove.

  • You can place four tin cups (or other objects that won’t be damaged by heat) on the four corners of the stove and place your drying rack on top of them.
  • Or you can hang four strands of wire from four ceiling hooks and attach the wire to the drying rack.
  • Or, you can place the racks very close to your wood stove and rotate them often.

I suspend a rack from the ceiling and then place our dehydrator screen on top of the rack.

If your wood stove has hot spots, be sure to rotate the rack or screen occasionally for even drying.

Drying apples

How Long Does It Take to Dry Apples?

The drying time will vary depending on which method you use, the moisture content of the apples, and how thick the apple slices are.

Drying apples in a food dehydrator takes between 12 and 24 hours.

Drying apples in the oven takes between 10 and 20 hours. The higher the heat, the quicker they will dry; but you’ll need to watch them closely and turn the slices often if your heat is higher than 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drying apples over a wood stove takes about 8 to 14 hours.

Time will vary depending on heat level and air flow.

At What Temperature Should You Dry Apples?

The temperature should be between 130 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit with plenty of air flow. Don’t try to dry your apples at a higher temperature than 150 degrees Fahrenheit. You want to dry the apples, not bake them!

How to Know When Dried Apples are Done

Your apples are sufficiently dried when they feel leathery and very dry … almost crisp, but not quite. If you like your dried apples to be crispy, you can dry them a little longer.

How to Store Your Dried Apples

Allow apples to cool completely. Place your dried apple slices in a storage container or plastic Ziploc bag, seal well, and store in a cool, dry place.

Or you can put them in this delicious Maple Nut Granola.  Or add some flavor and sweetness to Overnight Hot Cereal.

How Long Will Dried Apples Keep?

If sealed well and stored in a cool, dry place, dried apples should keep for about 6 months.  For longer storage, keep in the freezer.

How Many Dried Apples Will I Get From Fresh Apples?

The yield varies considerably depending upon the moisture content of the apples.  Different varieties of apples have different moisture levels. That said, you should get somewhere around 2 cups of dried apples for every 5 pounds of fresh.

Which Apple Varieties Work Best for Drying?

Gala apples work great for dehydrating, as do Fujis. I also like dried Golden Delicious apples. Have you tried a variety that you especially like dried? Let me know in the comments.

Enjoy!

Method for Drying Apples

How to Dry Apples

Step-by-step directions for drying apples
Prep Time 10 minutes
Drying Time (varies) 10 hours
Course Sweet Treats
YIELD 4 servings
All recipes on jenniferskitchen.com are property of jennifer’s kitchen and cannot be republished without written permission.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium apples - (or however many apples you have room for on your drying rack)
  • 1/3 cup solution to prevent browning - Vitamin C powder with water OR a mixture of lemon juice and pineapple juice works well

Instructions

  • Cut apples into thin slices.
  • Dip in solution.
  • Distribute single layer on drying rack.
  • Dry until apples are leathery, very dry, and almost crispy.

Notes

I usually use about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per 1 cup of pineapple juice for the anti-browning solution.
But this is only a general guideline as amounts depend on your tastes and how white you want your apples to be.
Pineapple juice will impart a bit of pineapple flavor to the apples (which I personally like). If you don’t want that flavor, you can add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water, but the apple will turn brown a little faster.
If you want super white apples, you can increase lemon juice amounts, but, of course, this will make the apples more tart.

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52 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I dry my apples over a wood stove.
    We have a Apple orchid down the road, buying 2nd apples for $1- kilo (42? kilos per bushel AU)
    We eat as many apples as we feed to the horses, as they are fresh off the trees, best tasting apple flavours, hence why I started drying for the off season.
    H&H (humans & horses) have yummy apples all year round.
    Slice with a sharp meat clever, (tossed the mandoline (of 30yrs) after too many lost/choped off finger tip tops)
    Slice then core, thread onto 1/4″ plastic coated wire hung over wood stove.
    turn & rotate as required.
    I’m further developing a hanger system each year.
    the ‘crisper’ dried slices once cooled re absorb some moisture, bringing them to the ‘leather’ type texture.
    Too damp/moist will create mouldy fruit, or ensure you use < 1 month.
    I store the same as Jennifer in Ex-Large plastic ziplock bags flat, along with a food moisture sachet.

    As yet I've not used a 'solution to prevent browning" thou may try this year, I have lime & pineapple juice.
    My 'crisp' dried apples do not brown/oxidate, as there is no delay from sliceing to drying, also may be the 'hanging' type method.

    1. When you say you dried your apples over a wood stove you mean above the stove in the house?
      I am new at this so I just want to make sure I am doing things right.
      Could you dry them outside over something like a camp fire or would that make them to smoky?
      Thanks so much
      Carolyn Jones

  2. This has been a big help to get me started in the right direction, Im doing country craft shows and want to sun dry apples and string them , can you help me in a stept by step instructions. thank you!

  3. 5 stars
    Together with Cranberry Apple Crisp this is a great how-to.
    For a long time I was doing in something similar in the oven but I discovered using a wood stove yields better results

    Regards,
    Ray

  4. You mentioned dipping apples in a solution to stop discoloration but didnt give recipe of solution. How much pineapple to lemon juice please and thank you

    1. Hi Chris,

      I usually use about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per 1 cup of pineapple juice and then dilute with about 1 tablespoon water. But this is only a general guideline as amounts depend on your tastes and how white you want your apples to be.

      Pineapple juice will impart a bit of pineapple flavor to the apples, which we like. If you don’t want that flavor, you can add more water, but the apple will turn brown a little faster.

      If you want super white apples, you can increase lemon juice amounts, but, of course, this will make the apples more tart.

      Hope this helps 🙂 Thanks for the question.

      Jennifer

  5. I sliced apples to less than 1/4 inch thick and laid them out on cookie cooling racks. I put the racks in large aluminum cookie sheets and covered them with a fine dark mesh fabric. I set them in the sun for about six hours for two days. The temperature was about 76 degrees each day. The apples dried beautifully and didn’t use any energy except for the sun! I did not use a solution to prevent browning, but the apples came out barely brown.

  6. I dried Habanero peppers atop my woodstove. Using your suggestions as a guideline. Thanks. I have a WOK which has a round metal base for placing on a burner, and used that to support my BBQ grilling basket. It was big enough to process 20 pepper halves. It took less than a day, turning the items every half hour. Put them in a zip-lock bag, whack with a rolling pin and there you have it. Saved a bundle on electricity too since the 200 degree oven overnight drying is the more common method.

  7. How does one print your recipes? Caramel recipe and how much lemon to pinneapple juice in your non browning apple solutions. Got to be accurate –dont want to waste. Please and thank you.

    1. HI Crispy,
      Just click print on the recipe.
      I usually use about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per 1 cup of pineapple juice. If you want super white apples, you can increase lemon juice amounts, but, of course, this will make the apples more tart.

  8. Why don’t you say whether it is degrees F or degrees C? I assume that it is degrees F,which most of the world abandoned some years ago.
    Ian

  9. I am so happy that I found your site. I love your suggestion with the added pineapple juice, fun. I’m going to use my dehydrator. Currently, it’s -25 degrees below with wind chill factor out side so I can’t do them outside unless I’m trying a freeze-dried method, ha.

    The smell of apples drying in the house will be fragment and motivating to get my Christmas things finished. Thank you again, I love your cheerful picture!
    Trudy

    1. Brrrr… That’s even colder than it is here is Michigan!

      I’m glad you found my site too. Oh, I love the smell of apples drying! I should dry another batch.

      I hope you have a lovely Christmas. 🙂

      Jennifer

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  11. Just discovered Northern Spy apples after moving to Michigan. Best apple pie and dehydrated apple slices we’ve found so far.

  12. 5 stars
    I just found your blog. I love how pretty your apple rings are. You said you used the apple/peeler/slicer but the rings with the stars would not come out that way from the peeler/slicer. What did you use to get such an even thickness? Did you just slice the apples and remove the seeds? I use just plain orange juice and sprinkle cinnamon on my apples and have been very pleased with the results.

    Thanks,
    Lena Paul

  13. pink lady apples are my favorite I do crispy and remove the skins for eating….these apples are beautiful in crafts too,, such as wreaths ..

  14. Thank you for sharing without the ads. It is so much nicer to read without having to fight for information.
    I just discovered your site when I was looking for information on drying apples
    I have really enjoyed it. Thanks again

  15. Put the baking sheets with the apples in the oven. Let the apples dry until they are leathery to crisp, which can take anywhere from 6 to 10 hours. If your oven is hotter in some spots than others, turn the baking sheets around occasionally so that the pieces dry evenly.

    1. Hi Sonya,
      I try to avoid soaking them for more than a minute or so because they start to get soggy.
      You can omit the water as long as you are okay with the stronger flavor that the juice mixture will leave on the apples.
      Enjoy!
      Jennifer

  16. 5 stars
    Is there an electric dehydrator that you recommend? I will try drying in the sun because I live in the hot Sacramento Valley where the humidity is low and the temperature gets quite hot outside. But I would like to try and electric dehydrator not only for apples but grapes and fixed too.

    1. HI Steph,

      The food dehydrator that I like is linked to in the post. It does a good job and is small enough to fit in my pantry.

      Comes in handy in the summer when we aren’t running our woodstove.

      Hope you enjoy your dried apples and grapes.

      Jennifer

  17. Living in New England apple county I have dried many varieties, from the ubiquitous Mac to Cortland, Gala, Zestar … Whatever is coming off the trees at the time. They all taste great.

  18. 4 stars
    A great way to use up the excess apples off our tree, and with the woodstove burning most days during the winter it’s energy efficient. & yumm.
    Thanks!

  19. 4 stars
    A great way to use up the excess apples off our tree, and with the woodstove burning most days during the winter it’s energy efficient. & yumm.
    Thanks!

  20. I dried my apple rings on screens in a small room about 8 x 8 using a large humidifier. Took about 30 hours to be completely dry. Soaked them in lemon juice before drying. Very pleased with result.

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