Customizable Time & Temperature
Both air fryers and food dehydrators use conventional heat by a rating fan to cook. But dehydrators use very low heat air to dehydrate for a couple of hours and more. But an air fryer uses high heat air to cook food quickly.
But if your air fryer has a dehydrator feature then the time and temperature should be customizable as compared to a dehydrator. The air fryer temperature should be adjustable from 90°F for hours. If your air fryer does not have such type of customizable option then you can not properly dehydrate your food.
Faqs About Dehydrate In An Air Fryer
Q1: Are dehydrated foods healthier?
Most dehydrated foods will be fruit chips, and beef jerky. It is considered to be much healthier than other foods. This is because you eat the actual vegetables, meat, and fruits without extra gat or unnatural things with dehydrated food. Besides, dehydrated food will keep its nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. Just remove the water for food and store it for a longer time.
Q2: What are the differences between air fryers and food dehydrators?
Both air fryers and food dehydrators are the best way to remove water from foods. It will make dry food which lasts for a long time. However, it has some differences. The main difference is that the air fryer will be better for cooking and drying foods. At the same time, the dehydrator is only for dehydrating food. Thats why you should consider the air fryer rather than the dehydrator.
Q3: How long does it take to dry foods in air fryers?
It can be anywhere from 2 to 10 hours depending on what kind of food you are drying, how thin or thick the slices are, whether the temp is too high or not. A longer time is needed with a lower temp, while higher temps will need less time, resulting in much faster, crisper food.
The best way to check if your meat is done well enough is by checking its thickness and crunchiness.
Q4: How long does it take to dehydrate bananas in an air fryer?
Q5: Are all the air fryers dehydrators?
Q6: Can you use an air fryer as a dehydrator?
Can I Use An Air Fryer As A Food Dehydrator
Airfryer Bro is supported by its readers. If you buy something with our links, we may earn a commission.
Welcome back to another Air Fryer Bro article. Today, I am answering yet another question I have heard people asking about air fryers. This is whether an air fryer can take the place of a food dehydrator. I hope that, after reading this article, you will have a better idea about the answer to this important question. Can you make those yummy dehydrated snacks in your air fryer? Lets find out!
In short, yes, you can use an air fryer as a food dehydrator. Both of these kitchen appliances share key similarities that make this possible. However, in order to get a result as close to a dedicated food dehydrator in an air fryer, you will have to take into consideration some important factors that are needed for good food dehydrating.
For example, the air fryer needs a low heat setting and a good air venting system. If your model of air fryer doesnt say it can be used for dehydrating in the manual, you should contact the air fryer manufacturer and check before trying it out. Finally, if you are dehydrating to preserve the enzymes in your food, you will need to find a model that goes as low as 112 degrees Fahrenheit.
I always love hearing from any experts in any field that I write about. I am not an expert myself, just a guy that has used an air fryer pretty much daily for multiple years!! Maybe one day I can call myself an expert!!
Don’t Miss: Jimmy Dean Air Fryer
How To Dehydrate Food With An Air Fryer
Maybe you love to eat dehydrated fruits and veggies. Because its easy to make and a great healthy alternative to many snacks. And surprisingly you can store it for a long time than other regular foods. But which appliance do you use, can you use an air fryer to dehydrate food?As a general rule, you can use an air fryer to dehydrate food in some simple ways. First, preheat your air fryer with 45°F which should be reached 130°F, and dehydrate for 4 hours. But first, make sure your air fryer comes with a dehydrator option and slice your foods with a small thinner slice.
Is An Air Fryer And A Food Dehydrator The Same
Both kitchen appliances are not the same, air fryers are used for cooking food, it uses heat and fan to cook food.A dehydrator, on the other hand, has a low heating feature which blows warm air to eliminate liquid from food. Dehydrators work over 7 hours while an air fryer cooks food in 15 to 30 minutes.Even though the two appliances work by blowing hot air, they are not the same. Air fryers cook food to make it crispy, while dehydrators take out all the fluid in the food. Here is a key takeaway:An air fryer can cook and dehydrate, while a dehydrator can only take out fluids.
You May Like: Jimmy Dean Biscuit Roll Ups Air Fryer
Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer: Best Splurge
Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse has a range of kitchen products on the market. This Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer is the most expensive option on the list, but theres a reason it comes with a hefty price tag.
For one, it comes with 12 preset cooking functions: air fry, bake, rotisserie, dehydrate, toast, reheat, roast, broil, bagel, slow cook, and warm/reheat.
The Power Air Fryer also includes a host of accessories: a crisper tray, rotisserie rod, baking pan, drip tray, and pizza rack. Of course, it also comes with a book of Emeril Lagasse recipes.
This air fryer dehydrator has a sleek, attractive appearance. It has the shape of a toaster oven with all the capabilities of an air fryer with a dehydrator.
The 360° Air Technology uses 5 heating elements to surround food with heat and minimize the oil required to cook food.
And with a slow cook time of 10 hours, you can use the dehydrator for all types of food.
There is a learning curve on working with the rotisserie spit, however, and the drip tray is a little shallow.
Pros
This large Cosori Fryer comes in at a whopping 26 quarts , making this the largest capacity unit on our list. Air frying a 6-pound bird or a 12-inch pizza is no problem with this Cosori.
You can easily prepare enough food for a large family or a small crowd.
It has 12 cooking functions: air fry, bake, broil, toast, roast, dehydrate, pizza, slow cook, defrost, ferment, and keep warm/reheat.
Pros
Best Choice Air Fryer With Dehydrator Feature
If you are looking for a big-size family air fryer with a dehydrator & rotisserie combo features then our next picked product may be your best choice. The air fryer comes with a 16.9 Quart big-size cooking capacity. If you have a big family then it will perfect choice for you.
The dimension of the product is 14.5 x 13 x 15.25 inches. Cover a large area but this air fryer is a fully versatile product with 10 in 1 appliance. You can bake, rehat, fries, roast, and as well as dehydrate features.
The dehydration features offer your favorite veggies, turkey, meat, and herbs to preserve for a long time without losing their nutrients. You can set the temperature from 90°F to 400°F for a couple of hours. So you can enjoy any type of dehydrated chips full of nutrients while on a ride.
The biggest advantage of this air fryer the large glass window allows the easy monitor of the food inside the air fryer without opening in the mid of every cooking. And the bright LCD provides a better viewing from a distance while doing other work.
The power also this air fryer is 1800 watts which is power efficient and cooks your food with less amount of oil and cut down up to 85% oil. According to the budget it included 12 air fryer accessories wire racks, a skewer rack set, even a rotating basket, drip tray, etc. All the parts are dishwasher safe and FDA certified.
Don’t Miss: Schwan’s Chicken Cordon Bleu In Air Fryer
Is It Worth Buying A Food Dehydrator Or An Air Fryer
Ive used both and have friends who use both too. Buying an air fryer is better, as it performs what a food dehydrator would do. Heres what a chef once said:Why buy both when an air fryer can handle the tasks perfectly A food dehydrator task is limited to only taking fluid out of foods. But, an air fryer is a multipurpose appliance.
What Food Cooks Well In An Air Fryer With A Dehydrator
You can make all types of food in your air fryer. From frozen foods and chicken to Brussel sprouts and french fries, the best air fryers can handle it.
Many people like cooking meat in their fryer because of the nice, crispy finish. Pork chops, salmon, chicken, and kebabs are all popular choices.
You also have to consider what cooking functions your fryer has. Does it come with rotisserie and dehydrator? A rotisserie can handle smaller birds, and you can throw in practically any fruit or veggie in the dehydrator.
However, there are some foods you should avoid making in your air fryer.
Food that has a wet batter, like donuts, should not go in this appliance. This does not work like a deep fryer, so you have to adjust.
Light, leafy greens like kale also dont do well. The high powered fan means they wont stay on the racks. Instead, theyll fly all around the cooking chamber. Sturdier veggies, like sweet potatoes, are better.
Finally, raw rice and other grains cannot go in the fryer. They dont cook evenly, and youll end up with a mess.
Also Check: Nuwave Oven Reviews Consumer Reports
What Do The Different Functions Mean
If youre confused how your air fryer can transition to multiple appliances with the switch of a knob, let us explain: The separate functions are basically just pre-set temperatures and times meant to achieve varying results. Having the option to use the air fryer for different results not only makes them worth the investment, but its especially helpful if you dont want to heat up the kitchen with the oven. Plus, youre almost guaranteed a shorter preheat time when you opt for cooking in the air fryer.
Can It Go Low Enough
Well, as long as your air fryer has an option to set a temperature of under 200 degrees Fahrenheit, then yes, you can. It might still be possible with slightly higher temperatures, but you are at risk of burning the dehydrating food if you forget about it. As stated above, most preserving dehydrating methods rarely go over 112 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of preserving is often used for such things as drying out herbs and fruit. Also, if you are a dehydrating purest who wants to keep the enzymes in your food, you will need an option for a lower temperature setting such as this.
Other drying recipes will often use a temperature of around 150-200 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why it is vital to have the setting for a temperature under 200 degrees on any air fryer you want to use for dehydrating food.
Don’t Miss: Folding Air Fryer
Faqs About The Best Air Fryer Dehydrator Combo
Which is the best air fryer dehydrator?
After evaluating multiple options on Amazon and their features, we have concluded that Cuisinart TOA-60 is the star of the show. Everything is just so perfect about this product.
Do all air fryers have a dehydrator option?
No, all air fryers dont have a dedicated dehydrator option. Although, you can put food in at a low temperature for a short period to dehydrate it.
Just make sure not to cook food for a long time as it might change the taste.
Can I dehydrate fruits in my air fryer?
Yes, you can dehydrate fruits in an air fryer. Dehydrating fruits increases their shelf life. All you have to do is to be aware of all the technicalities. Check out online guides on how to dehydrate foods in a dehydrator to know more about it.
What food cooks well in an air fryer with a dehydrator?
Top air fryers can tackle everything from frozen items and poultry to broccoli and potato chips.
Because of the delicious, crunchy finish, many people choose to cook the meat in their air fryer dehydrator as well!
Best Air Fryers With A Dehydrator Function
Not all air fryers come with a dehydrator function. Many air fryers only have an air fry setting, but as these appliances are becoming more and more popular, several brands are making advancements and including multiple cooking settings.
Some air fryers have baking and toasting functions, and many are now including dehydrators.
While not all air fryers have a dedicated dehydrator setting, they can all be used to dehydrate foods. You can simply turn the heat down very low on the air fryer to remove moisture from foods.
You want to be careful to not cook the foods you are trying to dehydrate. Keep an eye on the foods while they are in the air fryer. After a while at a low temperature, the moisture will be gone and you will have dehydrated food.
Recommended Reading: Air Fryer Turkey Croquettes
Are Food Chips And Dehydrated Food The Same
Food chips are cooked at a higher temperature without keeping the property of that food perfectly. For example, if you prepare apple chips at 180°F, then the water and moisture will be dried out. But because of the high temperature, heat-sensitive nutrient contents such as vitamins, get destroyed. On the other hand, the dehydration process only dries out the water without destroying the nutrition elements.
Related Article
Ninja Af150amz Air Fryer Xl
For a versatile air fryer, go for the Ninja AF150AMZ air fryer XL. It combines the functions to air fry, air roast, bake, reheat and also dehydrate your food.
This air fryer allows you to cook your favorite dish faster and easily using less or no oil giving you healthy dishes.
It comes with a 5.5-quart ceramic coated basket that is dishwasher safe thus making it easy to clean after use. It also includes a crisper plate that fits 3 lbs of french fries or chicken wings.
Its wide temperature range of 105°f400°f allows for gentle removal of moisture from foods or quick-cooking of crisp foods using convection heat.
For a quick preheat, this unit uses 1750 watts so you will have no business waiting for the air fryer to preheat before adding your ingredients.
This air fryer comes with a chef-inspired 20 recipe book to improve your cooking skills and also experience.
Read Also: Jimmy Dean Sausage Patties Air Fryer
What Kind Of Foods Can You Dehydrate In An Air Fryer
There is plenty of foods you can dehydrate in an air fryer, from fruits, vegetables, to meats. Are you looking to make some raisins, you can do that with an air fryer, how about beef jerky, absolutely. Here is a short list of dehydrated foods you can make in an air fryer
- Banana chips
- Venison Jerky
- Curated meats
Our favorite from this list is banana chips, they make healthy, naturally sweet snacks for us and our best furry friends. Healthy natural banana chips are a great and low cost dog treat that you know is nutritious, home made and good for your pup’s health.
What Is The Required Temperature For Food Dehydration
Food dehydration temperature may vary between 100°F to 170°F. Usually, fish and meat are less sensitive to heat. Therefore, you can dry these out with a higher temperature of around 170°F. Herbs, flowers, and seeds are the most heat sensitive. You need a temperature of around 100°F to dry out these items. Vegetables and fruits require a moderate level of temperature around 130°F to 140°F.
You May Like: Emeril’s Air Fryer Cookbook
How Does A Food Dehydrator Work
Typical food dehydrators consist of stacking racks on which thin layers of food are placed. Warm air is then circulated around the food for up to 48 hours. Bacteria and fungi are removed along with the moisture. As long as the items are dried completely and not exposed to moisture, the growth of these organisms will remain inhibited.
What Is A Food Dehydrator
Food Dehydrators are used to slowly remove moisture from food to get it to a dehydrated state. This is done by circulating mild warm air to encourage slow evaporation of water.
Depending on the food this can take anywhere between 4-40 hours but this slow process ensures that the water can evaporate without cooking or browning the food.
The dehydration of food can make food more crunchy, brittle or chewy depending on what it is, its initial water content and how long you choose to dehydrate it for.
To allow the food to evenly dehydrate, dehydrators normally have mesh layers or shelves so that you can distribute thin layers of the food you are wanting to dehydrate.
The mesh shelves also allow the air to circulate more freely meaning you dont have to turn over or move the dehydrating items during the process.
You May Like: Jimmy Dean Croissant Sandwich Air Fryer
Should You Buy A Dedicated Dehydrator
Our kitchen experts agree that if you plan on doing a lot of food dehydrating, a dedicated dehydrator is well worth the investment.
Purchasing a dehydrator in addition to your standard air fryer is generally cheaper than springing for one of the combination models listed above. Dedicated dehydrators are also more efficient that attempting dehydration with a standard air fryer in which dehydration is not a preset option.
The drawback of purchasing a dedicated dehydrator is the countertop or storage space necessary for housing the additional appliance. Dehydrators generally have a large footprint greater than 12 inches.
If you decide that dehydrating is for you, we recommend the following options.
