To make dehydrated papaya in a food dehydrator, begin by washing fresh papaya fruit with warm water. Slice the fruit in half and remove the seeds. Peel and cut the papaya into thin slices. Place papaya slices on food dehydrator trays and dry at 125°F for 10 hours.
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How to Make Dehydrated Papaya in a Food Dehydrator
It’s easy to dry papaya at home in a food dehydrator:
- Start by washing fresh, ripe papaya fruit with warm water. Rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely.
- Slice the papaya fruit in half and scoop the seeds out with a spoon.
- Peel the fruit and then cut the flesh into 1/4-inch slices.
- Create an ascorbic acid solution for the papaya and soak the slices for 10 minutes to avoid discoloration (optional).
- Drain the water and place the papaya chunks or slices in single layers on your dehydrator trays, ensuring they do not touch or overlap.
- Dehydrate papaya in a dehydrator at 125 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-10 hours. The drying process may take longer if you’re drying larger papaya slices.
- Check on the papaya pieces periodically and take them out of the dehydrator once they are dry to the touch, and don’t produce a liquid when squeezing them.
- Allow papaya to cool to room temperature. Transfer papaya into airtight containers and store it in a cool, dry place.
Dehydrated Papaya Granola Recipe
- Total Time: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Description
This delicious dehydrated papaya granola is a simple yet satisfying breakfast recipe. It’s perfect for adding to a healthy smoothie bowl or being eaten by itself!
Ingredients
- 2 ripe papaya fruits
- 3 cups oats (non-GMO & gluten-free)
- 1 ¼ cups of shredded coconut
- 1 cup macadamia nuts (chopped)
- ¼ cup pepitas
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to peel the fresh papaya fruit.
- Cut the fruits in half and remove the papaya seeds with a spoon.
- Remove the skin from the papaya and slice the papaya into thin slices, no more than 1/4 inch thick.
- Place the papaya slices on food dehydrator trays, leaving enough space between the pieces to promote airflow.
- Dry papaya slices at 125 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-10 hours.
- If the pieces are not completely dry after 10 hours, continue drying them but check on them periodically. Larger and thicker slices can take up to 16 hours.
- After drying the papaya pieces, let them cool completely at room temperature.
- To make the granola, mix the rolled oats, shredded coconut, macadamia nuts, pepitas, sesame seeds, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, maple syrup, coconut oil, and salt in a large bowl.
- Divide the mixture into two equal parts and spread them into thin layers on two cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the granola in an oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
- Rotate the trays halfway through the baking time for even heat distribution.
- The granola is done when it is golden brown and crunchy. Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool to room temperature.
- With a pair of clean kitchen scissors, cut the dried papaya slices into bite-sized papaya pieces and mix the diced papaya pieces into the cooled granola.
- Store the tropical dehydrated papaya granola in an airtight container or use right away!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Drying Time: 12-16 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 657kcal
- Sugar: 49g
- Sodium: 269mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 16.5g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 13.5g
- Protein: 13g
How Long Does it Take to Dehydrate Papaya?
It takes about 10 to 16 hours to dehydrate papaya at 125°F. If the dehydrator temperature is set at 135°F, the drying time ranges from 8 to 12 hours.
The amount of time it will take to dehydrate papaya varies depending on the length and thickness of the papaya pieces, the moisture content of the pieces, and the humidity.
At What Temperature Should Papaya Be Dehydrated?
The temperature range for drying papaya in a food dehydrator is between 125°F to 135°F.
When dehydrating papaya in an oven, use the lowest temperature (between 140°F to 170°F). It’s recommended to monitor the temperature of the oven and rotate baking sheets for even drying.
How Do You Know When Papaya is Done Dehydrating?
Dehydrated papaya will be leathery when it is fully dried. When you tear the dried papaya pieces, they should be completely dry and crispy with no sign of moisture. If you break a piece, it should snap like a potato chip.
What are the Benefits of Dehydrated Papaya?
There are many benefits of dried papaya, including numerous health benefits.
- Add to trail mix with dried fruits such as apricots, cranberries, and kiwis
- Contains vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K
- Full of antioxidants, which can protect skin cells
- Has dietary fiber that aids in digestion
- It is low-calorie and ideal for healthy diets
- Papaya is a good source of vital minerals such as copper, magnesium, and potassium
- Papaya is commonly used in dietary and anti-aging supplements
- The presence of papain makes it ideal for relieving digestive problems
- Use dried papaya to add tropical flavor to baked goods
How to Store Dehydrated Papaya
Store dehydrated papaya in an airtight container or Mason jars in a cool, dry place.
As with any dried fruit, it’s important to prevent air from reaching the dehydrated papaya. Therefore, vacuum sealing can be a great way to extend the shelf life of dried papaya.
Shelf Life of Dehydrated Papaya
Dehydrated papaya typically lasts from 6 to 12 months when stored in an airtight container in a dark, cool place. Add an oxygen absorber to maximize freshness.
The shelf life of dried papaya will largely depend on the packaging and storage conditions.