I LOVE fresh herbs so I grow a lot of them in the summer. And I really hate to see them go to waste if I can't use them all (which is often the case!) So I finally bought an air fryer and specifically bought a model with a dehydration option so I could dry them that way … and WOW! If you also have an air fryer with a dehydrator and you're wondering how to dehydrate herbs in the air fryer, then follow my step-by-step directions below~!
Not only do I love my air fryer, but having this function makes it even more of a handy device! This really is the best way to preserve your summer bounty. Read on to see why this is the best method for drying herbs.
🍒Reader Review
"I have a Ninja Air fryer and this technique on drying herbs nailed it. Yesterday I successfully air dried basil and lime basil, using the Match cooking! After previous dismal attempts at dehydrating my precious herbs, I was thrilled. Follow steps given and you will be as thrilled as I am. Note covering the herbs with the rack is critical!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Drying your herbs by dehydrating them in your air fryer is ideal because it doesn't heat up the house (like the oven does) when it's hot, especially if you don't have air conditioning. It's also a convenient way to dry herbs, as it doesn't tie up your oven.
The air fryer uses less space and energy than an oven does and takes a lot less time than air drying. Because dehydrating herbs removes all the moisture very quickly, it is not only an easy way, but also the best way to preserve the flavor, aroma, and potency of herbs. You can also continue to enjoy your herbs through the winter months.
🌿Why dehydrate herbs?
Dehydrating herbs is a different method of drying from air drying or oven drying them. Dehydrating herbs means they are quickly cooked at a low temperature, removing all the moisture, yielding better results.
This preserves their nutrients and they keep longer. And dehydrating them in the air fryer is easy, convenient, and energy efficient. Dehydrated fresh herbs are also superior to dried herbs bought at the grocery store, as they are much more flavorful.
🆚Dehydrating Herbs vs. Drying Herbs
The drying process is much longer if you are air drying herbs (generally at least a week) and the process doesn't preserve the nutrients, flavor, and aroma in the same way that dehydrating does. Mold is also a risk if there is a lot of humidity in the air especially for herbs like basil, chives and mint, that have a high moisture content.
Oven-drying herbs does not remove the moisture in the same way that dehydrating does and cooks at higher temperatures. Therefore, the herbs get cooked a little bit in the process, removing some of the potency and flavor. This means you'll likely need to use more of them in your cooking.
🌿Uses for dehydrated herbs
You can use dehydrated herbs for anything you'd use typical store-bought dried herbs for. And you can also use them for anything you'd usually use fresh herbs for.
However, you will generally need to use half the amount of dried that you'd use if they were fresh. They are great in soups, sauces, stews (Slow Cooker beef stew shown below) etc...
Dehydrated herbs are a great way to add flavor to dishes and dehydrating them preserves your herbs, so you make your summer harvest last longer!
🥘Ingredient Notes
You can use any type of herbs you grow or buy at the farmer's market.
Whether you dehydrate fresh basil in the air fryer or other herbs, the dehydration process is the same.
But you can dehydrate any type of herb you want in your air fryer, such as:
- oregano
- tarragon
- thyme
- chives
- mint
- cilantro
- dill
- rosemary
- basil leaves
- parsley
- sage
- bay leaves
- lemongrass
🔪Step-by Step: How to dehydrate herbs
Dehydrating herbs in the air fryer is a simple process:
Pick your herbs. Be sure to pick the fresh ones from the top, as this encourages further growth of the plant. Pinch the leaves off for herbs such as basil, mint, and oregano (oregano shown in the example below), and trim stalks for herbs like dill and thyme. You can read more about when and what is the best way to harvest your herbs HERE.
Remove individual leaves from stems. You can do this by hand or with an herb stripper (see Top Tip)
Clean and rinse herbs.
*It's important to wash herbs your herbs before dehydrating them in an air fryer. Although they may not have pesticides or herbicides on them, washing removes any dirt, debris, or pests that may be on the plant. It also helps you identify and pick out bad leaves.
Dry herbs by placing them on paper towels.
Pat herbs dry with more paper towels.
Place herbs in your air fryer drawer or air fryer basket.
Place the rack over the herbs or use a mesh muslin bag (see Equipment) if doing more than one type of herb per drawer.
Use the dehydrator function on your air fryer, set to 135 degrees F or 57 degrees C.
*If you have a Ninja Foodi dual and are using both drawers, use match cook.
Dehydrate for 3-4 hours, according to your air fryer's operating manual.
Let stand for about 15 minutes after the process is complete.
Store in sealed mason jars (see Storage)
Expert Tips
- Use a herbs stripper for herbs with woody stems. it's handy to use an herb stripper and trimmer set (affiliate link). This works well for herbs with woody stems and small leaves (like tarragon or thyme, as shown). I use scissors to cut chives.
- Optimize Airflow for Even Drying. Avoid overcrowding your air fryer drawer basket; spread the herbs in a single layer for even dehydration. If your air fryer has multiple racks, rotate them halfway through for consistent drying.
- Maintain the Right Temperature. Set your air fryer to 135°F (57°C) or the lowest available dehydrating setting to preserve flavor and nutrients. Higher temperatures may "cook" the herbs rather than properly dehydrate them, reducing their potency.
- Prevent Herbs from Flying Around. Use a fine mesh muslin bag or place a rack over the herbs to prevent them from blowing into the heating element. If your air fryer doesn't have a rack, try using a perforated silicone mat to keep herbs in place.
- Check for Dryness Before Storing. Herbs should crumble easily between your fingers when fully dehydrated.If they feel slightly soft, return them to the air fryer for an additional 30-minute cycle.
- Store for Maximum Freshness. Keep dried herbs whole and crush them just before using them to retain flavor. Store in airtight glass jars away from heat, moisture, and sunlight for the longest shelf life.
- Label Your Herbs. Use clear labels with the herb name and dehydration date to track freshness. Consider vacuum-sealing herbs for extended storage beyond the usual 1-2 years.
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🍽Equipment
You'll need an air fryer with a food dehydrator. I love my Ninja Foodi dual drawer (affiliate links) with this function, but many brands and models come with a dehydrate setting.
The first time I did this, I didn't cover the herbs with the rack and they blew around and up and into the element (it was a pain to pick them out). You can use fine mesh muslin bags (affiliate links) to avoid this issue as well. Or simply put the trays over top of the herbs.
However, if you want to do more than one type of herb at a time, in each drawer (or in the main basket), then you'll need to use the muslin bags.
🌡️Storage
Store dehydrated herbs in an airtight container. The best way to store dried herbs is in glass containers (sealed glass jars are best. You can also store them in Ziplock bags. You can buy labels (affiliate links) for the jars through Amazon or Etsy.
But if you want them to last longer, don't break up the leaves until you are ready to use them. They will potentially last up to 2-3 years if you don't break the leaves and 1-2 years if you do.
❔ FAQs
Yes, you can dehydrate with your air fryer if it has the dehydrate setting. You can dehydrate most herbs like basil, oregano etc, and food items like fruit, such as strawberries, apricots and apples, and vegetables, such as mushrooms and tomatoes, as well as meats like ham and beef.
The dehydrator setting on the air fryer uses about 1 kilowatt per hour and the process takes about 4 hours. An oven uses about 2 kilowatts per hour.
Yes, but group similar herbs together. Herbs with a high moisture content (like basil and mint) take longer to dry than drier herbs (like rosemary and thyme).
If drying multiple types at once, check each herb separately and remove those that finish first.
This can happen if the temperature is too high or if they are left in the air fryer for too long. Always set your air fryer to the lowest dehydrating temperature (135°F/57°C) and check your herbs periodically.
Depending on the type of air fryer you own, drying time will take from 3-4 hours to fully dehydrate your herbs. I have a Ninja Foodi and it takes 4 hours on the lowest settings (this is 135 degrees Fahrenheit/57 degrees Celsius on the dehydrate setting on my Ninja Foodi) *See your air fryer manual for the exact time
Drying herbs in the air fryer on the dehydrate setting is the best way to preserve the best flavor, aroma, nutritional value, and potency of your fresh herbs so you can enjoy them for months and years to come!
And be sure to check out my instructions for dehydrating apples in your air fryer!
⭐ Reviews
Please leave a star rating and comment!
More Recipes for Your Dried Herbs
🌿How to Dehydrate Herbs in Air Fryer Directions
Equipment
Supplies
- fresh herbs * you any type of fresh herb (Oregano shown in this example)
Instructions
- Remove leaves from stems (see Top Tip)
- Clean and rinse herbs.*It's important to wash herbs your herbs before dehydrating them in an air fryer. Although they may not have pesticides or herbicides on them, washing removes any dirt, debris, or pests that may on the plant. It also helps you identify and pick out bad leaves.
- Dry herbs by placing them on paper towels.
- Pat herbs dry with more paper towel.
- Place herbs in your air fryer drawer or basket.
- Place the rack over the herbs or use a mesh muslin bag (see Equipment) if doing more than one type of herb per drawer.
- Use the dehydrator function on your air fryer, set to 135 degrees F or 57 degrees C.*If you have a Ninja Foodi dual and are using both drawers, use match cook.
- Dehydrate for 3-4 hours, according to your air fryer's operating manual.Let stand for about 15 minutes after the process is complete.Store in sealed mason jars (see Storage)
Notes
-
- Use a herbs stripper for herbs with woody stems. it's handy to use an herb stripper and trimmer set (affiliate link). This works well for herbs with woody stems and small leaves (like tarragon or thyme, as shown). I use scissors to cut chives.
-
- Optimize Airflow for Even Drying. Avoid overcrowding your air fryer drawer basket; spread the herbs in a single layer for even dehydration. If your air fryer has multiple racks, rotate them halfway through for consistent drying.
-
- Maintain the Right Temperature. Set your air fryer to 135°F (57°C) or the lowest available dehydrating setting to preserve flavor and nutrients. Higher temperatures may "cook" the herbs rather than properly dehydrate them, reducing their potency.
-
- Prevent Herbs from Flying Around. Use a fine mesh muslin bag or place a rack over the herbs to prevent them from blowing into the heating element. If your air fryer doesn't have a rack, try using a perforated silicone mat to keep herbs in place.
-
- Check for Dryness Before Storing. Herbs should crumble easily between your fingers when fully dehydrated.If they feel slightly soft, return them to the air fryer for an additional 30-minute cycle.
-
- Store for Maximum Freshness. Keep dried herbs whole and crush them just before using them to retain flavor. Store in airtight glass jars away from heat, moisture, and sunlight for the longest shelf life.
-
- Label Your Herbs. Use clear labels with the herb name and dehydration date to track freshness. Consider vacuum-sealing herbs for extended storage beyond the usual 1-2 years.
Adele Aiken
If your oven air fryer doesn’t have a dehydrate function can you use either the air fryer or bake function on the lowest temperature which I think is 150
JerryV
My air fry capability is a component within my GE oven and the minimum temperature that can be used is 300 degrees F. Is this too hot to preserve the herbs? What will happen to them if I tried to dehydrate them at this temperature?
Terri Gilson
Hi ,
Yes, I think it will be too hot - you'll just end up baking them. But some people do that and they like the results.
However, you could try air frying them at your lowest temperature for just under half the time I recommend, and hope for the best! Just keep a close eye on them.
Alternatively, you could preserve them with them in ice cube trays, which I explain how to do in this post (#8): Kitchen Hacks and useful cooking tips
Good luck!
Terri
Karo
I have a Ninja Air fryer and this technique on drying herbs nailed it. Yesterday I successfully air dryed basil and lime basil, using the Match cooking! After previous dismal attempts at dyhyrating my precious herbs, I was thrilled. Follow steps given and you will be asthrilled as I am. Note covering the herbs with the rack is critical.
Terri Gilson
Hi,
I'm so glad it worked so well for you too!
Terri
Sharen Buchan
I have a convection oven/microwave will this work as a herb dryer like your airfryer does?
Terri Gilson
Hi Sharon,
It’s not a dehydrator so the results won’t be exactly the same. I would put the temperature as low as you can and lay them on baking sheets in a single layer. And you will probably cook them for less time ( depending on how low the temp goes). They probably won’t be quite as potent, so you may need to use a little more.
Terri