How to Make the Best Dehydrated Cucumbers

The best way to make dehydrated cucumbers is in a food dehydrator. Cut them into thin round slices with a mandoline, and dry them for 6-8 hours at 130°F until crispy. Store them for up to a year in an airtight container.

How to Dehydrate Cucumber in a Dehydrator

A food dehydrator is the best way to make dehydrated cucumber chips without burning them or browning the edges.

1. Clean the cucumbers under cool running water.
2. Use a mandoline slicer to slice the cucumbers into thin round pieces, around 1/8 inches thick.
3. Use paper towels to pat the slices dry to reduce drying time.
4. You can flavor the cucumber slices by tossing them in olive oil or apple cider vinegar and sprinkling them with a seasoning of your choice. Try homemade BBQ seasoning, salt and pepper, sour cream and onion powder, chile lime, sea salt, or ranch dressing.
5. Arrange the flavored or plain pieces in a single layer on a dehydrator tray.
6. Place the loaded dehydrator tray in the dehydrator and dry at 130°F for 6-8 hours. The total time depends on the size of the cucumber slices.
7. Check the pieces after the 6th hour and keep drying until they become crispy.
8. Remove the dry cucumber slices from the dehydrator and allow them to cool to room temperature.
9. Place the cooled slices in airtight containers, such as glass jars, and condition them for a week. Shake the container once a day. Re-dehydrate slices that condensate in the container.
10. Store the dried cucumbers in labeled, airtight containers in a cool, dry place.

How to Dry Cucumber in an Oven

If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can make dried cucumber in an oven.

1. Prepare your cucumbers by cleaning, slicing, and patting them dry.
2. Preheat the oven to the lowest temperature.
3. Arrange the sliced cucumber in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and season if desired.
4. Place the baking sheet in the oven and dehydrate the cucumbers at the lowest setting for 4-8 hours. If using a conventional oven, leave the door slightly ajar to allow heat and moisture to escape.
5. Check the progress every hour to ensure your cucumbers don’t burn or develop brown edges.
6. Take out the dried cucumber slices once crisp, and leave them to cool to room temperature before conditioning them.
7. Place them in labeled, airtight containers for long-term storage.

How to Dry Cucumber in an Air Fryer

You can also use an air fryer to dehydrate cucumbers:

1. Prepare the cucumbers by cleaning and cutting them into thin slices. Pat them dry and season them if desired.
2. Arrange the sliced cucumbers in a single layer on the dehydrator shelf of the air-fryer.
3. Dehydrate the cucumbers at 130°F for 6 hours or until crispy.
4. Once thoroughly dried, remove the vegetable chips from the air fryer and allow them to cool before conditioning them.
5. Store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry location.

Do You Have to Blanch Cucumbers Before Dehydrating?

You don’t have to blanch cucumbers before dehydrating them, but it’s a recommended practice to remove their waxy coating, which impedes drying.

Blanching your cucumbers is simple:

1. Boil clean water in a pot.
2. Submerge the whole cucumbers into the boiling water for 30 seconds.
3. Remove from the hot water and immerse in cold water for 30 seconds.
4. Pat cucumbers dry.

What is Dried Cucumber Used For?

You can eat dried cucumber by itself as a healthy snack or in the following creative ways:

• Add them to salsas and hummus
• As a topping for sandwiches
• Crumble up dried cucumbers and add them to salads for a crunchy texture
• Crush dried cucumber slices and mix with breadcrumbs to coat chicken
• Grind them into cucumber powder and blend it into smoothies

What is the Nutritional Value of Dehydrated Cucumbers?

Cucumbers are one of the healthiest dehydrated foods you can eat. They have up to 99% less unhealthy fat and up to 85% fewer calories than potato chips of the same size.

One serving of 100 grams of dry cucumbers has only 45 calories, making them an ideal food if you are on a diet.

Fresh cucumbers and dried cucumbers contain several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, manganese, iron, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and sodium. They also contain fiber and vitamins B7, B6, B5, B3, B2, and B1.

How to Rehydrate Dried Cucumber

Here’s how to easily rehydrate dried cucumber:

1. Bring 3 cups of clean water to a boil.
2. Place the dried cucumbers in a heat-safe bowl.
3. Pour the boiling water over the cucumbers.
4. Cover the bowl and allow the cucumbers to soak for 2-3 minutes.

If you prefer to use warm water, soak the cucumbers in a covered bowl for 15-20 minutes. Not only can you eat the rehydrated cucumber, the soaking liquid can be used for cucumber water.

What is the Shelf Life of Dried Cucumber?

The shelf life of dried cucumber is 6-12 months at room temperature in airtight containers.

How to Store Dried Cucumber

Store your dried cucumber in airtight containers like Mason jars or glass jars. Keep the containers in a cool, dry place.

You can extend the storage life by keeping the dried cucumbers in vacuum-sealed airtight containers or adding an oxygen absorber. Use a vacuum sealer to remove up to 95% of the air in plastic food storage bags.