Maybe your apple tree bears a lot of fruit, maybe you bought too many apples when you only wanted to make eight slices of apple pie - whatever the reason, now you have a lot of apples in excess. Why not try drying it? Dried apples are a delicious and healthy snack and can be stored for months. Follow the easy steps below to dry your apples.
Ingredients
- Apple
- Lemon juice
- Water
- Cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice (optional)
Step
Part 1 of 2: Washing and Removing the Middle of the Apple
Step 1. Wash the apples
You don't need to peel it. The skin will give it a distinct flavor and contain a fair amount of the fiber that apples are known for. Some people peel apples because they don't like the texture of dry skin. It all comes back to your taste.
All kinds of apples can be dried, Gala, Fuji, and Golden Delicious especially do well
Step 2. Cut the middle
You can also cut off the part the caterpillar has eaten. Cookware stores sell apple center removers that can be removed easily and efficiently. But if you don't have the tools, you can do it by hand.
If you're using apples for decoration, or you like your food to look as pretty as possible, don't throw away the middle. Apples that are not cut in the middle and cut so that they remain circular have a beautiful star shape in the middle formed because of the center
Step 3. Cut the apple into thin slices
You can cut the apples keeping their circular shape, or you can cut them into thin wedges. Again, this is up to your personal taste, although some say the thinner the slices, the easier it will dry out.
Step 4. Dip the apple slices in the solution which will keep them brown
A good solution for this is lemon juice, pineapple juice and water, stirring well. Pineapple juice is not actually required but adding it will make the solution sweeter to counter the sour taste of the lemon juice. Processing apples before drying will also preserve their vitamin A and vitamin C content, as well as produce a final product with a better texture. here's a method you can use to process apples:
- Soak apple slices in lemon juice. Mix 240 mL of lemon juice with 1 L of water. Do not soak for more than 10 minutes. Drain the apples from the lemon juice solution.
- Soak apple slices in sodium bisulfite. Stir 9.85 mL of sodium bisulfite into 1 L of water. Do not soak for more than 10 minutes. Drain the apples from the solution.
- Soak apple slices in ascorbic acid for results that are 6 times more effective than lemon juice. Dissolve 1 tablespoon (14.78 mL) of crystalline ascorbic acid in 1 L of cold water. Soak for 3 minutes. Drain the apples from the solution.
- You can also add orange juice and lemon juice mixed with water.
Step 5. Sprinkle the spices on the apple slices (optional)
Some like to add extra flavor to apple slices with spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, or allspice. The spice gives the apple slices extra flavor, but the unseasoned apple slices are just as delicious.
Part 2 of 2: Drying the Apples
Method One: Using the Oven
Step 1. Turn on the oven to 93.3ºC
You can set the oven temperature lower, 62.7ºC, but many ovens can't be set to this low.
Step 2. Place the apple slices on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper
Make sure the apples don't pile up on top of each other so they don't stick together as they dry.
Step 3. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the apples for at least an hour on each side
After an hour, remove the parchment paper and turn the apple slices over. Bake the apples for another hour if you want them to be less crunchy. If you like crispy dry apples, bake for two hours. Make sure it's toasted on each side.
You should keep an eye on the apples and check them regularly. All ovens are different and your oven may need a shorter or longer time to dry the apples
Step 4. Turn off the oven but don't remove the apples for another hour or two
Open the oven door slightly so that the apples in the oven can cool. Don't take the apples out until they are completely cool (this may take an hour or two).
Another idea is to bake the oven with the door open with a fan blowing in the oven to help circulate air. If you decide to open the oven from scratch, bake the apples for 6-10 hours
Method Two: Using Sunlight
Step 1. Spread the apple slices on the baking sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper before placing the apples on the baking sheet. Lid pans are better than cookie pans because dried apples can release a little juice which can make them sticky.
Step 2. Put the apples in the sun on a hot or warm day
Leave it outside as long as the sun is shining. Just cover loosely with cheesecloth to keep the fruit from insects. The night before the dew drops, bring the apple slices inside so they don't get moldy. Place the baking sheet in a dry place in your home.
Step 3. Turn the apple slices over
At least once a day turn the apple slices so that both sides are exposed to the sun. This will result in an even dry. You will also need to turn it over when you bring it into the house at night.
Step 4. Put the apple in the sun again
The next day, place the apple slices in the sun again and leave them outside all day. The apple slices will probably dry out quite a bit in a day. This method usually takes two days to dry completely.
Step 5. Hang the dried apple slices
When the apples are dry enough, i.e. when the outer flesh isn't moist at all, put them in a brown paper bag, and hang them in a dry place; alternatively, you can put the apps in an airtight plastic container for storage.
Method Three: Using a Food Dryer
Step 1. Arrange the apple slices on a drying rack (food dehydrator)
Try to keep them apart so that each slice doesn't touch. If they touch, the slices may stick together as they dry.
Step 2. Turn on the dehydrator
If your dehydrator has temperature control, set it to 60ºC. Using a dehydrator can take 12 to 24 hours depending on the type of apple and the thickness of the slices.
Step 3. Take it out when it's dry
You can tell when an apple is dry by tasting it. The slices feel bendable over like leather and are not brittle. Many compare the taste to fresh raisins. Store apples in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
Tips
- Dried apples are delicious when boiled and are a good substitute when fresh fruit is scarce.
- If it rains often, apples should be dried indoors only and must be handled with care because apples are not ripe. While the cooking is in progress, the apples will dry on parchment paper on the dish rack.
