We had a few apples that I have been holding onto for applesauce, but since a certain 5 year old couldn't wait and ate one or three, there just wasn't enough. I still wanted to make something out of the rest.
I saw a post online a while back, I'm not sure where, about drying herbs in the microwave. I figured that if you can use it to dry herbs, you should be able to use it to dry fruit. Logical, right?
Turns out you can! I dried apples and bananas.
I read about 15 or 20 different recipes and methods online, and it turns out pretty much all of them are the same. There were a few slight variations... soak fruit in lemon juice and water, for instance, or use microwave safe plastic wrap... I didn't do either. I experimented on my own with that.
The one consistent thing in the recipes was the time. Ten minutes on 30% power. (I kind of did that.) And let them sit out in the open overnight. I did do that.
First I used a paper plate. I microwaved the fruit for the 10 minutes at 30% power, but I felt they were still a little too... juicy. I flipped the slices over and gave them another 2 minutes, or so. Much better!
Hint: When drying apples in the microwave, do not let them touch each other!
Seriously! (Hence the bold type.)
They will burn.
They will also leave a burn mark on the paper plate.
Like... a very skeptical... "Um, Susie? What's Burning?"
Yeah. That happened.
The bananas kind of stuck to the paper plate a little. You'll want to pry those suckers up right away while they are still warm. I imagine that they will also burn if they touch, but I wasn't willing to test that theory. (Come on now, I already took one for the team with the apples!)
Microwave Dried Apples & Bananas
What You Need:bananas
apples
a microwave
a mandolin or a sharp knife and some skill
What You Do:
- Wash and dry your apples thoroughly. Peel the bananas.
- Slice the fruit about 1/4 inch thick.
- Place on a paper plate in a single layer, without any pieces touching.
- Microwave for 10 minutes on 30% power.
- Turn fruit over. Microwave for another minute or two on 30% power.
- Place dried fruit in a plastic container or on a rack and allow to air dry over night.
- Store tightly covered for up to a week.
Here are some of the ways I use dried fruit:
- trail mix or snack mix
- add to homemade granola
- add to no bake granola bars
- mix in hot cereal
- just snack on it by itself
How do you use it?
You're so funny. Thanks for this though...I love dried fruit!
ReplyDeleteLOL. Thanks Lauren!
DeleteOooh, I'm going to try this! My little guy loved your idea for sweet potato chips, they came out great! He also happens to be fond of dried fruit. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad he liked the sweet potato chips, Patricia! I hope he likes the fruit , too. :-)
Deletewhat a great idea! i pinned this to my lunch box inspiration board :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Angela! :-)
DeleteMr. B tried drying zucchini and I think he had them touching! Now I know why they failed :-) Thanks for sharing this at the party this week Susie! I have featured it on my Facebook page too ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kathe!!!
DeleteGreat write up! I'll try and I'll give you a site where I got real fruit on powder form, I mix it with milk and ice cream to go healthy. they have mango, soursop, papaya, etc. A lot of fruits and veggies. Enjoy guys! http://www.freshlydried.com
ReplyDeleteGood idea! Thanks for sharing at meatless Monday :) Have a nice weekend :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica! & Thanks for hosting!
DeleteI'm definitely going to have to try this! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday. Don't forget to come back Sunday and vote.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting! & Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love how easy this is! My name is Cindy and I blog over at Vegetarianmamma.com I wanted to invite you to link up your recipe at our Gluten Free Fridays Recipe Link up party! It happens every Friday and we'd love to have you join us with some of your awesome recipes! You can find this week's link up here: http://vegetarianmamma.com/glutenfree-fridays-recipe-party-4/ It doesn't mean that you have to be a gluten free bloggers. If you have some recipes on your blog that are gluten free that counts! :) Many recipes are naturally gluten free.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy :)
Thanks! I'll have to check it out! :-)
DeleteThis looks great! If you could add our Foodie Friend link to your recipe, that would be GREAT! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday! Please come back and VOTE on Sunday! www.foodiefriendsfriday.com
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have your button in my "Where I Party" list on my Bloggy Stuff page. I hope that is ok. :-)
DeleteWow so easy! Thanks so much for sharing this at the Weekend Wonders link party! Hope to see you back on Thursday Have a great day :)
ReplyDeleteHi there! Just stopping by to let you know that I featured this today from the Weekend Wonders Link Party! Come grab a features button if you'd like to :)
ReplyDeleteYou can find it here:
http://thethriftinessmiss.blogspot.com/2012/09/weekend-wonders-link-party-6-features.html#.UE-xAI2PW_E
Have a great day!
Eeee! Thank you so much, Jessica!!! :-)
DeleteGreat tips! Do the apples end up crunchy or soft?
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at What's Cluckin!
Thanks Alecia! They end up soft... kind of leathery-like. I like it because they are easy to cut up and add to other recipes like oatmeal, pancakes, muffins, etc. :-)
DeleteOh, how neat!! Such a great idea. Thank you for sharing on Sharing Saturday!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie! :-)
DeleteNice blog post.. thanks for sharing this information with us...
ReplyDeleteAt first that upper picture looks like dried bananas but its crunchy dried apple. I tried dried apples and they are best eaten with oatmeal and milk.
ReplyDeleteActually, one pic IS dried banana. :-)
DeleteThe other is apple. And yes, I agree! They are yummy with oatmeal & milk. :-)
I like dried bananas and dried kiwi fruits. You method looks easy. I will have a try. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete