Dehydrating bananas is a simple and rewarding process that preserves their natural sweetness and nutrients. Using a food dehydrator, you can create healthy snacks, perfect for on-the-go adventures or simply enjoying at home. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to dehydrate bananas, including preparation tips, drying times, and delicious recipes to use your dehydrated bananas.
Dehydrating Bananas: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a detailed guide on how to dehydrate bananas using a food dehydrator.
- Preparation: Start by peeling the bananas. For best results, use bananas that are ripe but not overly soft. They should be yellow with a few brown spots.
- Slicing: Slice the bananas crosswise into ⅛ inch thick pieces. Consistent thickness ensures even drying.
- Arranging: Place the banana slices in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Dehydrating: Set your food dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) and dehydrate for 6 to 11 hours, or until the bananas are leathery and no longer sticky.
- Cooling and Storage: Once dehydrated, let the banana chips cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. This prevents moisture from re-entering and keeps them fresh.
Photo showing sliced bananas on an Excalibur dehydrator tray, ready for the dehydration process.
Tips for Perfect Dehydrated Bananas
- Ripeness Matters: Bananas that are just ripe (yellow with a few brown spots) are ideal. Green bananas lack sweetness, while overripe bananas can be too sticky.
- Even Slices: Uniform slice thickness is crucial for even drying. Aim for approximately ⅛ inch thick slices.
- Prevent Sticking: Dry bananas directly on mesh sheets to prevent sticking. If they do stick, flex the mesh sheet to release them.
- Don’t Overdry: Dehydrated bananas should be chip-like but still pliable. They should bend rather than snap. Over-drying can make them too hard, but they’re still edible.
Photo illustrating the removal of slightly sticky bananas from an Excalibur dehydrator tray, showcasing the use of flexible mesh sheets.
Dehydrating Overripe Bananas
While it’s best to use just-ripe bananas, you can still dehydrate overripe ones. However, they may take longer to dry and can be excessively sticky. An excellent alternative is to blend them with other fruits and create banana fruit leather.
Making Banana Fruit Leather
Banana fruit leather is a delicious and versatile way to use dehydrated bananas. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 2 large Bananas (250 grams)
- 2 thick slices Pineapple (250 grams) (Optional, for added flavor)
Instructions:
- Blend: Cut the fruit into pieces and blend until smooth.
- Spread: Spread the mixture thinly (⅛-inch thick) on dehydrator trays covered with nonstick sheets. One cup of blended fruit is perfect for one Excalibur tray.
- Dehydrate: Dehydrate at 135°F (57°C) for 8 to 10 hours. When the leather is mostly dry, flip it over, peel away the nonstick sheet, and continue drying directly on mesh sheets for one more hour.
Photo showing one cup of blended banana and pineapple spread thinly on an Excalibur dehydrator tray covered with a nonstick sheet.
Photo demonstrating the flip trick: peeling away the nonstick sheet from fruit leather after flipping it over to ensure complete drying.
Delicious Recipes Using Dehydrated Bananas
Dehydrated bananas can be used in a variety of recipes. Here are a few ideas:
Banana-Pineapple Pudding
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup Banana-Pineapple Leather (46 grams)
- 1 cup cold Water
Instructions:
Combine fruit leather and cold water. Stir until completely dissolved. Ready in minutes, with a consistency like applesauce.
Banana Split Pudding
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup Banana-Pineapple Leather (46 grams)
- 10 grams Chocolate Pieces
- 1 cup cold Water
- Optional: Dried pineapple or strawberry pieces, shredded coconut
Instructions:
Combine fruit leather, dried fruit pieces, and cold water. Stir until dissolved. Garnish with chocolate pieces.
Photo of Banana-Pineapple Pudding rehydrated from dehydrated banana pineapple fruit leather.
Banana Pudding with Chocolate & Nuts
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Dried Banana Slices (50 grams)
- 15 grams Chocolate Pieces
- 15 grams Pecan or Walnut Pieces
- ½ cup Water
Instructions:
Gently heat dried banana slices in water, stirring to desired consistency. Top with chocolate and nut pieces.
Banana Nut Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Dried Banana Slices (50 grams)
- ¼ cup Mixed Nuts
- ¼ cup Dried Breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp Sugar
- ½ cup Water
Instructions:
Combine dried bananas and sugar with water in a pot. Heat for ten minutes over low flame. Stir in breadcrumbs and nuts.
Grahma Nanna Nilla Pudding
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Dried Banana Slices (50 grams)
- ½ cup Crumbled Graham Crackers or Nilla Wafer Cookies
- 2 Tbsp Instant Milk Powder
- 2 Tbsp Jell-O Brand Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix
- 1 cup Water, divided
Instructions:
Combine dried bananas with half-cup of water in a pot and heat. Combine powdered milk with half-cup of cold water, add pudding mix, and stir. Spoon warm bananas over pudding and top with crumbled graham crackers or cookies.
Nutritional Benefits of Dehydrated Bananas
Dehydrated bananas are a healthy snack, rich in vitamins B6 and C, manganese, fiber, copper, biotin, and potassium.
Conclusion
Dehydrating bananas in a food dehydrator is a simple, cost-effective way to create nutritious and delicious snacks. Whether you enjoy them as is or incorporate them into creative recipes, dehydrated bananas are a versatile addition to your pantry. Experiment with different flavors and recipes to discover your favorite ways to enjoy this naturally sweet treat!
