Dehydrating Sprouts in a Food Dehydrator and Sprout Powder

Before dehydrating sprouts, wash them thoroughly, then rinse and pat them dry. Dehydrate the sprouts in a food dehydrator at 95 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 hours. To make sprout powder, process the dried sprouts in a food processor or blender.

How to Dehydrate Sprouts in a Food Dehydrator

Preserve fresh sprouts by drying them in a food dehydrator. Not only will this help preserve their nutrients and flavor, but it will make them shelf stable.

To dehydrate your favorite sprouts in a food dehydrator, follow these steps:

1. Wash the sprouts and remove the seed coats or hulls. To remove the hulls, use a salad spinner or swish the sprouts in a bowl of water.
2. Rinse the spouts thoroughly and drain them in a colander.
3. P them dry with paper towels to reduce the drying time.
4. Spread the sprouts across dehydrator trays covered with mesh liners.
5. Dehydrate sprouts in a food dehydrator at 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Although you could dehydrate sprouts at a higher temperature setting to dry them faster, the lower drying temperature preserves more nutrients.
6. Let the sprouts dehydrate for 5-6 hours. The drying time will vary depending on your dehydrator temperature, ambient humidity, and the amount of sprouts you’re dehydrating.
7. Check the progress of the sprouts throughout the dehydration process to ensure even drying. Sprouts are fully dehydrated when they are dry and crispy.
8. Once dried, let them cool completely at room temperature before storing them in a labeled, airtight container.

How to Make Shelf-Stable Sprout Powder

After dehydrating sprouts, you can turn them into powder:

1. Blend sprouts in small batches. Pulse the dehydrated sprouts in a blender to get a fine powder. Shake the blender to evenly distribute the powdered sprouts.
2. It takes just a few minutes to blend the dehydrated sprouts into sprout powder. If you want super fine powder, blend the sprouts a little bit longer.
3. After making spout powder, strain it through a fine sieve or mesh strainer, returning the bits that don’t pass through the sieve to the blender.
4. Store your spout powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Do You Have to Wash Fresh Sprouts Before Drying Them?

Yes – to prepare fresh spouts for dehydration, wash them under running water to remove dirt and other undesirable materials. Then, drain them in a colander and pat them dry with paper towels to speed up the dehydrating process.

What are the Benefits of Dehydrating Sprouts?

It may not always be easy to find fresh sprouts, so dehydrating them is a great way to keep a supply on hand for later use. Here are some additional benefits of dehydrating sprouts:

1. Contains antioxidants: Sprouts provide omega-3 fatty acids and are rich in antioxidants that boost our immune system.
2. Convenient: Sprout powder is portable and can be blended into smoothies or soups for extra nutrition.
3. Lightweight: Dehydrated sprouts are a delicious on-the-go snack that’s easy to carry.
4. Rich in nutrients: Rich in vitamins A, C, E, and calcium. They are a good source of different types of vitamin B, which support organ development, maintain brain health, and lower the risk of birth defects during pregnancy.
5. Shelf-stable: After dehydration, the shelf life of sprouts increases by 6 months.
6. Supports weight loss: All edible sprouts contain digestible protein, which makes them a great choice for fitness enthusiasts and anyone looking to lose weight.

What Can You Do with Dehydrated Sprouts and Sprout Powder?

The best thing about dehydrated sprouts and sprout powder is their versatility. Add this easy ingredient to your daily meals in the following ways:

• Add them to homemade dips or hummus.
• Blend into creamy smoothies.
• Combine them with dehydrated fruits and veggies to make a trail mix.
• Incorporate dehydrated sprouts and legumes into salads to add some crunch.
• Mix them into pasta sauces or oatmeal.
• Rehydrate dehydrated sprouts by adding them to soups and stews.
• Use dehydrated sprouted seeds and legumes to make bread.

What are the Best Sprouts for Dehydrating?

• Grains such as barley, maize, ragi, and wheat
• Legumes, such as Bengal gram, groundnut, lentil, mung beans, and peas.
• Seeds, such as alfalfa seeds, broccoli seeds, carrot seeds, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, muskmelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and radish seeds.

How Do You Store Dehydrated Sprouts?

Here are some tips for storing dehydrated sprouts:

1. Store dehydrated sprouts in airtight containers to minimize exposure to air and moisture.
2. Label the storage containers with the contents and date of dehydration to track shelf life.
3. Store dehydrated sprouts in a cool, dry place.
4. Discard dried sprouts if they develop an odd smell or show any signs of mold.

How Long Do Dehydrated Sprouts Last?

Properly stored, dehydrated sprouts stay good for up to 6 months. The long shelf life of dehydrated sprouts makes them convenient to dry for future use.