Here's the one tool you need to make healthy snacks at home

Through bad growing seasons, long winters, dry summers, and more, humans have always found creative ways to keep our food edible for months on end. But these days, preservation methods like canning and dehydrating are less about survival, and more about embracing all that our food has to offer. And unlike canning, food dehydration requires less room for pantry storage and can turn perishable foods into delicious on-the-go snacks relatively quickly.

Perhaps most importantly, dehydrating your leftovers can help reduce food waste. After extensive research on which food dehydrators are worth the investment, I tested with the Excalibur Food Dehydrator in the Reviewed kitchen to learn the ins and outs of making my own snacks.

What is a food dehydrator and how does it work?

A food dehydrator is a medium-to-large kitchen gadget that removes water from food by circulating warm air through it, controlled by a thermostat. A heating element in the dehydrator raises the unit's temperature, while a small fan on the back or bottom draws in air and blows it across the trays.

So what’s the difference between a convection oven and a food dehydrator? Simply put, the temperature in a food dehydrator doesn’t get nearly as high as in an oven. Most dehydrators allow users to set the temperature between 90°F and 165°F. You can then customize the time and temperature combination depending on the types of food you plan to dry.

Food dehydrators have long been popular among home cooks and restaurateurs for their ability to extend the shelf life of easily spoiled foods. You can find dehydrators ranging from $30 to $300, but you don't necessarily have to shell out to get a solid machine. This affordable NESCO Dehydrator has more than 11,000 positive reviews on Amazon and is perfect for small homes with limited storage space.

If you truly don't have the space for another single-purpose gadget and you're also interested in air frying and pressure cooking, we recommend the Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid, which placed among our best multi-cookers.

What kind of food can I dehydrate?

You can dehydrate a variety of foods, from juicy tomatoes to leftover fresh herbs—but you don’t have to stop at produce. You can marinate or brine beef, chicken, and fish and then leave them in a dehydrator to make jerky the old-fashioned way. You can even dehydrate yogurt by spreading it in a thin layer across the tray to make yogurt roll-ups.

Factors that may affect drying time

Before you start the drying process, you should make sure all pieces of whatever you're dehydrating are the same size. Evenly sliced food creates a uniform look and decreases your odds of over- or under-drying. Each piece should also be less than a quarter inch thick. We recommend this highly-rated mandoline slicer for achieving perfectly even cuts.

The water and sugar content in fruits, vegetables, and meats all affect drying time. The general rule of thumb is that the more moisture and sugar your food contains, the more drying time it will require. Consult this guide for approximate drying times and dehydrating temperatures, but remember that your local weather will impact the dehydration process because a dehydrator pulls in air from the surrounding area. The higher the humidity level, the longer your food will take to dry.

How to prepare your food before drying

Pretreating your fruits and vegetables before you turn on the dryer is optional, but it helps reduce fiber deterioration and nutrient loss that tend to occur during the drying process.

There are two main types of pretreatment: blanching and dipping. Blanching, which involves submerging the foods in boiling water or steaming them for under five minutes, is most effective on tough-skinned fruits such as grapes and cranberries. By boiling the fruit for one to two minutes, you work to break the skin and allow water to escape faster, thus reducing the drying time.

Dipping allows you to be creative and add extra flavor to your dried fruit. You can choose from a range of dipping options, including fruit juice and honey, to make uniquely seasoned treats of your own.

If you’re opting for a fruit juice dip, stir 1 cup of juice into 1 quart of lukewarm water, then soak for at least 10 minutes. If you don’t want the added fruity taste, you might want to consider an ascorbic acid-citric dip as an alternative—it's simply a form of vitamin C and can be found in all fruits. Mix 2 tablespoons of the powder into 1 quart of lukewarm water to make the dip, then soak the fruits in it for 2 minutes.

Honey-dipped dried fruits are also popular in grocery stores, but easy enough to make with your own dehydrator. Simply mix 1 cup of honey into 3 cups of warm water and stir until the honey dissolves, then add fruits to the mix and stir for 3 minutes.

And if you're looking for a healthy treat to pack in school lunches or munch on at work, homemade fruit roll-ups could be right up your alley.

How to make fruit leather in a dehydrator

Step 1: Purée your fruit

To create a consistent texture, you must purée the fruits before you dehydrate—an immersion blender or personal blender will do the trick. While you’re blending the fruits, preheat the food dehydrator to 160°F.

Step 2: Prepare the dehydrator

Line the drying tray with parchment paper or this reusable silicone sheet that fits perfectly in all Excalibur dehydrators.

Step 3: Spread and dry the purée

Spread the purée evenly on the drying tray and make sure the thickness doesn’t exceed one-quarter inch. Leave the machine on for four to six hours until the leather appears translucent and is easily peeled from the tray.

Step 4: Store the leather

Properly storing the leather can keep the dried products safe from critters and humidity—check out this list of our favorite food storage containers if you're in the market. Store dried fruits, jerky, and vegetables in a cool, dark, and dry area. The ideal temperature for food storage is 50°F to 60°F to minimize spoilage and fading.

How to clean your food dehydrator

With a dry paper towel, wipe the trays thoroughly after each use—any food residue, spices, and oil may contaminate the food that you dry next time. Then, soak the trays in warm water for an hour or two. Add a few drops of white vinegar to deep clean the trays.

Use a damp paper towel to wipe the inner surface of the unit carefully to remove condensation from the food. After cleaning, leave the trays and the unit in the open air to dry. Drying in the sun can also minimize bacterial growth, thereby increasing food safety.