What You’ll Need:
- Ripe bananas
- Lemon juice (optional)
- Dehydrator or oven
- Parchment paper
- Airtight containers or jars
Step 1: Choose Your Bananas
For the best results, select ripe bananas that are not overly soft or mushy. The bananas should still be firm but not green. Choose organic bananas if possible, as they tend to have better flavor and are free from harmful chemicals.
Step 2: Prepare the Bananas
Peel the bananas and slice them evenly into 1/4 inch rounds. You may wish to coat the slices with lemon juice to prevent browning, but this step is optional.
Step 3: Dehydrate the Bananas
If you have a dehydrator:
- Arrange the banana slices on the dehydrator trays, ensuring they are not touching each other.
- Set the dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) and let it run for 8-10 hours.
- Check the banana slices periodically. They are ready when they feel leathery but still pliable.
- If needed, rotate the trays for even dehydration.
If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use your oven:
- Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature, usually around 170°F (77°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the banana slices on it, making sure they don’t overlap.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and prop the oven door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape.
- Dry the banana slices for approximately 3-4 hours, flipping them halfway through.
- Once dry, remove them from the oven.
Step 4: Store and Preserve
Allow the dried banana slices to cool completely before storing them in airtight containers or jars. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Properly stored, dried bananas can last up to a year.
Additional Tips
- Experiment with different spice blends to add flavor to your dried bananas, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or even chili powder.
- Dried bananas can be enjoyed as a crunchy snack, added to trail mixes, used in baking, or rehydrated in warm water for culinary use.
- If you own a vacuum sealer, consider vacuum sealing the dried banana slices to further extend their shelf life.
Now that you know how to dry and preserve bananas, you can enjoy this tasty and nutritious snack all year long. Say goodbye to wasting perfectly good bananas and hello to healthy snacking!