There are three easy ways to dehydrate kiwi: in a food dehydrator, in the oven, and an air fryer. First, peel your kiwi and slice into 1/4” slices. Dehydrate kiwi slices at 135ºF for about 6 to 12 hours or until the kiwi slices are completely dry. Store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
Dehydrating kiwi is an easy and effective way to preserve this tropical fruit and use it throughout the year. Whether you eat dried kiwi plain as a snack or add it to smoothies, oatmeal, or baked goods, dehydrated kiwi is a great way to enjoy the delicious taste of this tropical fruit.
In this post, we’ll explore the process of drying kiwi in a food dehydrator, oven, and air fryer, as well as how to use dried kiwi and store it properly.
Table of Contents
3 Ways to Dehydrate Kiwi
There are three effective methods of dehydrating kiwi: in a food dehydrator, an oven, or an air fryer.
Whichever of the three methods you choose, it is advised that you have a sharp knife or mandolin and a vegetable peeler on hand to make prepping your kiwi fruits easier.
1. Food Dehydrator Method for Drying Kiwi
The best way to dehydrate lots of kiwi fruits at once is to use a food dehydrator such as an Excalibur Dehydrator.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Use a vegetable peeler to peel the kiwi fruits, removing the fuzzy rind.
- Horizontally slice the fruits into 1/4-inch-thick pieces.
- Place your kiwi slices on food dehydrator trays and leave enough space between the kiwi slices to ensure proper air circulation.
- Dehydrate kiwi slices at 135ºF for about 6 to 12 hours or until the kiwi slices are completely dry.
- Depending on the dehydrator you’re using, you may want to rotate the dehydrator trays regularly to ensure more even drying.
- Remove the dried kiwis and let them cool down naturally.
- Once cooled, store your dehydrated kiwis in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
2. Oven Method for Drying Kiwi
Drying kiwis in an oven is faster than dehydrating the tropical fruit in a dehydrator but you may not be able to make as large of a batch. You’ll also need to keep an eye on your fruit during the drying process to avoid burning.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to dehydrate kiwi in an oven:
- Start by peeling the kiwis using a reliable vegetable peeler.
- Horizontally cut the kiwis into small, thin pieces – no more than 1/4” thick.
- Arrange your kiwi slices on top of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Make sure to leave enough space between the pieces.
- Dehydrate your kiwi slices for 3 to 4 hours on your oven’s lowest setting. Prop open the oven door with a wooden spoon to allow moisture to escape. Keep a closer watch on them towards the end of the drying period to avoid the slices burning.
- Remove the dehydrated kiwi chips from the heat, allow them to cool, and store in airtight containers.
3. Air fryer Method for Drying Kiwi
Another simple method of dehydrating kiwi fruits is using an air fryer.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Set your air fryer to 135–145°F. Make sure to use a lower temperature to gradually dehydrate the kiwi without burning it.
- Arrange your peeled and thinly sliced kiwi in the air fryer in a single layer. Make sure there’s enough space between the slices for air to circulate. For smaller models, you need to dry kiwi fruits in batches so they can fit properly in the air dryer basket.
- Keep an eye on the kiwi slices to ensure they dry evenly. The drying time ranges from 4 to 6 hours, depending on the size and thickness of the kiwi slices.
- Once the kiwi slices are fully dried, remove them and let them cool before storing them in an airtight container. Your kiwi chips will be completely dehydrated when they are pliable and not sticky or soft to the touch.
5 Exciting Ways to Use Dehydrated Kiwi
Dehydrated kiwi is an excellent choice for a healthy snack between meals.
Whether you harvest kiwi fruits from your garden or buy them from your local grocery store, you can enjoy your dehydrated kiwi fruits in different ways. Here’s some ideas!
1. Dehydrated Kiwi Fruit Salad
Use dried kiwi chips in a fruit salad like this one to add a surprising texture! Mixing fresh and dried kiwis together is always delicious.
2. Dehydrated Kiwi Dessert: Kiwi Upside Down Cake
This recipe called for fresh kiwis, but you can easily make it with dried! Simply reconstitute your dried kiwi by placing the slices in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Allow to cool, and voila!
3. Tropical Trail Mix with Dried Kiwi
This healthy snack is full of nutrients, dried kiwi for tropical fruit flavor, and yogurt-covered raisins! Use your home-dried fruits instead of store-bought ones to save time and money – the best part is you can customize it to your taste!
4. Kiwi Granola
Made with a few simple ingredients, this crunchy and sweet treat is a great treat between meals. Add any dried fruits you enjoy alongside your kiwi – apples, pineapples, and papaya are fantastic choices!
5. Kiwi Smoothie
Make healthy and delicious dried kiwis and use them as an additive for this kiwi smoothie. This easy recipe is a delicious way to turn your dried kiwi into a breakfast or a snack.
How Long Does it Take to Dehydrate Kiwi?
Generally, it can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours to dehydrate kiwi in the food dehydrator with the temperature set at 135ºF. Your kiwi fruits will be completely dry when they are pliable, leathery, and not sticky to the touch.
What Does Dehydrated Kiwi Taste Like?
Fresh kiwi is sweet, sour, tangy, and very satisfying when dried. Dehydrated kiwi is a wonderful grab-and-go snack and makes an exciting treat.
It tastes like sweet fruit and sour candy, so treat yourself or a loved one to the ultimate sweet and sour flavor with dried kiwi fruit snacks.
What are the Benefits of Dehydrated Kiwi?
Dehydrated kiwi retains almost the same nutrients as fresh kiwi. Although the drying process removes the water content from the kiwi fruit, dried kiwi is still a healthy snack that is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Dehydrated kiwi is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and other essential nutrients. You can enjoy these nutritional benefits all year long by eating dried kiwi fruit. The vitamin C present in dried kiwi helps with the development of muscles, teeth, gums, and bones in kids.
Kiwi also contains folate and fiber, which help support gut health. Additionally, dehydrated kiwi provides antioxidants and minerals such as magnesium and potassium.
Other amazing benefits of dehydrated kiwi may include:
- Immune system booster
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Regulates blood pressure by eliminating excess sodium
The Best Way to Store Dehydrated Kiwi
You should store dehydrated kiwi in an airtight container in a dry place away from direct sunlight. It’s essential to store dehydrated kiwi properly to extend its shelf life.
To keep your dried kiwi fresh, it is recommended to store it in mason jars, heavy-duty plastic bags, or any other container with a tight-fitting lid.
You should also consider adding a little silica gel packet to the storage container to absorb any water content and prevent the dried kiwi from getting spoiled.
Make sure to label the storage container with the contents and date you made the dried kiwi, so you can tell how long you have stored the kiwi.
Always place the storage container in a cool, dry place.
When stored properly at room temperature, dried kiwi can retain its texture and color for several months.
Shelf Life of Dehydrated Kiwi
The shelf life of dehydrated kiwi varies depending on the storage method you use and the temperature you store it at.
Most dried fruits, like dehydrated kiwis, should last between 6 and 12 months if stored properly in a cool, dry place.
For long-term storage, store dehydrated fruit in the refrigerator or freezer. Dehydrated kiwi should last 12 to 24 months when vacuum-sealed and kept in the freezer or refrigerator.