Drying your own apples is quick and easy and can be done at a fraction of the cost of store-bought dried apples. Also, you can be sure they're all natural and without any unnecessary preservatives. Depending on the moisture content of the apples you select, 5 pounds of fresh apples will yield about 2 cups of dried apples. When properly dried, the finished product will have a shelf life of up to one year if stored in a cool, dry place.
Instructions
Drying
1. Choose the kind of apple that you prefer, since many varieties will work well.
2. Peel off any stickers on the apples and wash them with cold water.
3. Peel the apples to prevent them from having a slightly bitter taste from the dried skins.
4. Core the apple, then slice it into wedges no more than 1/4-inch thick. A thicker cut will prolong the drying time. Cutting the wedges to a uniform thickness is important to ensure uniform drying.
5. Brush the apple slices with a thin coating of orange juice. This will prevent them from turning brown during the drying process.
6. Spread the apple slices on the trays from the dehydrator, leaving some space between each slice to promote air circulation in the dehydrator.
7. Turn on the dehydrator and check the slices after six hours. When the apples are done, they should be flexible and should not be tacky to the touch. Depending on the water content of the apples, they should take between six to eight hours in a food dehydrator.
8. Store the apples in an airtight container and keep in a cool, dry place to prolong shelf life.
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