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fresh herbs and jars of dried herbs, labelled with black round labels
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🌿How to Dehydrate Herbs in Air Fryer Directions

Learn how to dehydrate herbs in your air fryer to avoid waste and preserve the flavor, aroma, nutrients and potency of your herbs. Dehydrating herbs in your air fryer is ideal because it won't heat up the house when it's hot, nor does it tie up your oven. It also uses less space and energy.
Course condiment
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer, dehydrating, drying, herbs
Special Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 20 minutes
4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings 4 bunches
Author Terri Gilson
Cost 5

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 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

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.
Storage:
Store dehydrated herbs in an airtight container. The best way to store dried herbs is in glass containers (sealed glass jars affiliate link) are best. You can also store them in Ziplock bags. You can buy labels (affiliate link) 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.
 
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