Apricots are small in size and have a fairly soft texture. Apricots are perfect for drying because they have a sweet fleshy taste. Drying apricots at home can be done using an oven or tumble dryer. Dried apricots are perfect as a snack or addition to a recipe.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Drying Apricots in the Oven
Step 1. Buy apricots when they are ripe
Underripe apricots have a sour taste when dried. If apricots grow in your area, wait until late summer so you can get ripe apricots that you can use immediately, instead of storing apricots and eating apricots that are still raw.
Step 2. Look for apricots in your local supermarket
Apricots ripen in late summer, or sometimes between July and September, depending on the year.
Step 3. Ripen the still firm apricots by placing the apricots in a paper bag and placing them on the window
If you're worried that your apricots will overripe before you dry them, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
Step 4. Clean your apricots
Soak the apricots for a few minutes in water to remove dirt and then rinse under running water. Discard the bruised part of the apricot.
Step 5. Remove the apricot kernels
You have to cut the apricots in half, and then you can remove the apricot kernels.
Step 6. Rotate the apricot from the inside out
Push the center out, until the apricot flesh is visible. You will dry the apricots with the apricot flesh facing up.
Step 7. Take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper
If you have a large wire rack, place the pan on top of the rack to reduce drying time.
Step 8. Place the sliced apricots on the rack, or directly on the parchment paper
Make sure the apricots are evenly spaced apart.
Step 9. Preheat your oven on the lowest setting
Apricots will dry perfectly with temperatures below 93 degrees Celsius. With a temperature of 79 degrees Celsius apricots will dry well.
Step 10. Make space on the racks in the oven into separate levels
Place the cooking sheets on the rack in the oven.
Step 11. Wait at least 10 to 12 hours for the apricots to dry
Flip the apricots halfway through the drying process to make sure the apricots dry completely. Dried apricots will have a slightly soft but coarse texture.
Cooking time will depend on the size of the apricots and the temperature used when drying the apricots. It will take less time to dry the apricots at 175 degrees compared to 150 degrees
Method 2 of 2: Drying Apricots in the Dryer
Step 1. Choose ripe apricots
Clean the apricots with water, as you did in the oven-drying method.
Step 2. Remove the apricot kernels
Cut the apricots into the curves of the apricots using a paring knife. Take the apricot kernels and throw them away.
Step 3. Separate the apricot halves and make the inside of the apricot out
Leave the skin on. Push the center out until the apricot flesh spreads out.
Step 4. Remove your dryer rack
Spread the apricots on a rack with the pulp facing up. Make sure there is enough space between each piece of fruit to increase airflow.
Step 5. Put the shelf back
Set the dryer to a temperature of 57 degrees Celsius. Read your dryer's instructions for setting low, medium and high on your dryer.
Step 6. Wait for about 12 hours or until the timer finishes
Large apricot slices will take longer.
Step 7. Store the dried apricots in a sealed glass jar
Put it in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry. Apricots that have been dried and stored properly will last for several months.
Tips
- Add sweetness to the dried apricots by mixing in a solution of 1 cup (237 ml) water, 4 teaspoons (59 ml) lemon juice and honey to taste. Soak the apricots in this solution for a few minutes before setting the apricots on the drying rack.
- Separate the larger and smaller apricots into 2 different drying turns. If you dry apricots of any size, some will become too dry or others will still be very moist and may rot.
- You can rehydrate dried apricots by soaking them in fruit juice for 2 to 4 hours. Then, you can use apricots in recipes that call for fresh fruit ingredients.
