How to Dehydrate Bananas

This is how to dehydrate bananas in a dehydrator or in the oven. Crispy dried fruit is a healthy snack kids and adults love. We showed you how to dehydrate apples a while back and just kept going with other fresh fruits.

Of course fresh these can be used in a variety of recipes like Banana Bread Pudding and breads. With just a few simple steps though you can create a healthy snack that’s perfect for hikes, lunch boxes, or just when you’re a bit hungry. Whether you choose to use honey for a sweeter taste, or lemon juice to maintain that beautiful yellow color, these homemade banana chips are sure to be a hit with your family.

Dehydrated Bananas

What’s wonderful about this process is that it only involves three ingredients: ripe bananas, honey, and lemon juice. If you want them sweeter, feel free to use a bit of agave or maple syrup too. However, if you want to maintain their color, lemon juice is your best bet. The ingredients you’ll need for dehydrating bananas are:

Ingredients

• Bananas
• Honey
• Lemon Juice

You’ll also need a good food dehydrator. While it’s possible to dehydrate fruits in the oven, I find that a dehydrator gives me more control over the temperature and results in a more evenly dried fruit. Dried lemons are another great thing to do with your food dehydrator!

Can You Over Dehydrate Bananas?

Yes, you can dehydrate bananas too long. If left for too long in the dehydrator or oven, banana slices can become too hard and lose their pleasant texture. It’s important to check on them periodically to ensure they reach your desired level of dryness.

When it comes to dehydrating fresh fruit, the key is in the preparation. Start by peeling your bananas and cutting them into uniform slices. This ensures that all pieces will dehydrate at the same rate. Next, dip each slice into either honey or lemon juice, depending on your preference. Then, lay them out in a single layer on your dehydrator trays, making sure they don’t overlap.

How Long Does it Take to Dehydrate Bananas?

The dehydration process can take around 9 hours at 135 degrees, but this can vary depending on the humidity in your area. So patience is key here! Once your banana slices are hard and crispy, let them cool to room temperature before storing them.

Tips on dehydrating bananas

First, be sure to slice your bananas uniformly. This ensures even drying, so you won’t end up with some slices burnt and others still moist.

Secondly, don’t skip the honey or lemon juice. They may seem like optional add ins, but they play crucial roles. Honey will enhance the sweetness of the bites, making the dried chips taste more like a dessert. Lemon juice, on the other hand, prevents them from turning brown, maintaining their appealing yellow color.

Last but not least, don’t forget to let them cool to room temperature before storing. If you pack them up while they’re still warm, condensation can form, leading to soggy chips.

Dehydrating might seem like a daunting task, but I assure you, it’s quite simple. Plus, the resulting crunchy banana chips are so delicious, you might find yourself dehydrating bananas on a weekly basis!

When your bananas are fully dehydrated, you’ll notice that they have shrunk quite a bit and become rather hard. This is exactly what you want! It means that most of the moisture has been removed, and your bananas are now shelf-stable and ready for long-term storage. Before you stash them away, though, make sure to let them cool to room temperature. This will prevent any condensation from forming in your storage container, which could lead to mold or spoilage.

The resulting dehydrated bananas are delightfully crunchy and make a perfect snack on their own, or as a component in trail mixes, banana cookies, crushed on top of banana coffee cake, and breads. Dehydrating bananas at home is truly a game-changer, and once you start, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it!

How to Make Banana Chips in Oven

If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can still make delicious homemade banana chips in the oven. The process is pretty similar to using a dehydrator. After preparing your bananas and dipping them in either honey or lemon juice, lay the slices out on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake the slices in a preheated oven at 200 F for around 1.5 hours or until crispy. Remember, every oven is different, so the cooking time may vary slightly.

How long does homemade banana chips last?

When storing your dehydrated banana chips, there are a few different options. You can use sealed jars, like mason jars, or ziploc bags if you’re planning to eat them soon. For long term storage, mylar sealable bags are a great option. If stored in a cool place in a sealed airtight container they will stay fresh for 1-2 weeks.

What can you make with dried bananas?

Dried bananas are incredibly versatile. They make great snacks on their own, or you can add them to trail mixes, cookies, cakes, and even breads. You wouldn’t want to try and rehydrate them as the texture isn’t great so just mix with nuts and seeds for added sweetness.

How do you rehydrate dried bananas?

If you ever need to re-hydrate your banana slices, just let them stand in boiling water for about 7 minutes. Just be sure to refrigerate them afterwards to avoid spoilage but they are best used right away in a mashed form because they will be quite soft.

Banana recipes you’ll love

• We love this recipe for banana bread with mayonnaise!
• Make a loaf of Banana Bread with Yellow Cake Mix
• Banana Tempura is a fun one fried to crispy
• Banana bread in a mug is just for one and takes just a few minute to “bake”
• Or for grab and go breakfasts give our Coconut Banana Bread Muffins a whirl!

There’s a great satisfaction in making your own dehydrated fruits. These crunchy chips are not only a healthier alternative to store-bought ones, they’re also a fun and rewarding kitchen project. You’ll be amazed at how fresh fruit can be transformed into a crunchy, sweet, and tangy snack.

Want to do this with meat too? You can make Chicken Jerky with this machine too! I hope you’ve found this post helpful and that you’re feeling excited to try dehydrating bananas for yourself. Remember, patience is key, and the end result is so worth it! Happy dehydrating!