Dried apples are an indispensable nutritious and healthy product in the winter season. Some housewives purchase ready-made dried fruits, but many prefer own preparations and dry fruit at home to provide for themselves and their family on cold days vitamin drinks and compotes from drying. Therefore, it is very important to know how to dry apples in the oven, outdoors and using household electrical appliances.
Selecting a variety and preparing for drying
Before you dry apples at home, you need to choose the right variety suitable for drying. Acidic and acidic ones are better suited for preparations. sweet and sour fruits. Use different varieties, but more often they choose Aport, Antonovka, Pobeditel, Slavyanka.
Sweet and juicy varieties can also be used, but during the drying process they lose their taste. The finished delicacy will not be as tasty as one made from sweet and sour fruits. And when turned over for better drying, the slices may crack or fall apart into pieces.
Apples prepared for drying must be washed well, cut out (if the damage is minor) wormy and rotten areas, remove the tails and core with seeds. The middle can be removed using a special device or a sharp knife.
It is advisable to dry the washed apples by laying them out on paper towels or a clean cloth to reduce the drying time. Then cut into slices or rings. The slices should be approximately the same, their thickness should not exceed 5-7 mm. To prevent apples from darkening, you can spray them lemon juice or water acidified with citric acid.
Immediately after cutting, begin drying. You can prepare dried fruits using household gas and electric appliances, as well as by drying them in the open air. There are several ways to dry apples:
- in the oven gas stove;
- V electric oven;
- in an electric dryer;
- V microwave oven;
- in the sun.
Drying in a gas stove oven
Place the pre-prepared slices in a single layer on baking sheets or wire racks lined with baking parchment. It is important to know at what temperature to dry apples in the oven so that they dry evenly and do not lose their nutritional properties. First, preheat the oven to a temperature of 50−60 degrees. Then trays with fruit are placed in the already heated cabinet. The oven door is left ajar.
1.5-2 hours after the start of drying, the apples are turned over and the temperature is raised to 70-80 degrees. At this temperature, the bulk of the moisture contained in the product evaporates. During the process, the pieces need to be carefully turned over (mixed) several times, the baking sheets can be swapped.
At the end of drying, the temperature is reduced to 50-60 degrees and the slices are dried until ready for another 2-3 hours. Total time Drying apples in a gas stove oven is 6-8 hours. You can check readiness by taking a few dried fruits with your hand and:
How to dry apples in an electric oven
Drying apples in an electric oven is similar to drying them in gas oven. The cabinet is heated to the initial temperature (50-60 degrees), grates are installed with the workpieces laid out, after 1.5-2 hours the temperature is increased to 70-80 degrees. Before the end of drying (1.5-2 hours before the end), set it to 50-60 degrees again and bring the fruit until cooked.
The advantage of electric ovens is that many of them are equipped with a convection function. This special way heating using a built-in fan that distributes hot air throughout the cabinet. With this mode, the apples dry evenly, they are turned over less often, and the grates do not need to be swapped. Drying in an electric convection oven takes less time, dried fruits will be ready in 3-6 hours.
Dried fruits from an electric dryer
The prepared slices are laid out on pallets in one layer. After installing the pallets, the temperature is set in the electric dryer; it should be 70-75 degrees. At this temperature, the process will be longer, but more useful substances will remain in the finished dried fruits.
Many dryers have the ability to select a mode (fruits, vegetables, berries). Select a mode for fruits and dry until ready. The trays can be rearranged during the drying process, changing the top and bottom places for uniform drying. Readiness is checked periodically.
Drying in an electric dryer takes from 6 to 8 hours. The finished fruits have a pleasant apple aroma, have a slightly darkened appearance, do not release moisture, and are elastic and flexible.
Quick drying in the microwave
The main thing is to choose the right mode and power, then the drying process in the microwave will take no more than 5 minutes. The disadvantage of this method is that only a small amount of fruit can be dried.
When drying in the microwave, the slices are evenly laid out on a dish, the microwave mode is set to 250 W. The fruit is dried for 30-40 seconds. After this, the apples are turned over, the power is increased to 300 W and dried until tender for another 3-4 minutes.
Sun-dried apples
Sliced apples are laid out in a single layer on trays or on a net. Cover the top with gauze to prevent access for insects. During the day, the trays are exposed to the sun, and at night they are put away in a closed, ventilated room. During the drying process, the fruit slices are periodically turned over.
You can dry apples by stringing slices or circles on a long strong thread and hanging them in the sun in gauze covers. In 6−7 days dried fruits will be ready. This method of harvesting dried fruits is possible in the summer using summer varieties of apples and is only available in dry, hot climates.
Where and how to store dried fruits
Dried apples are collected and stored in paper bags, boxes that can be made from cardboard, and bags made of natural fabric(linen, cotton). You can also use dry glass and wooden containers for storage, periodically opening them and checking the safety of the dried fruit.
To protect the dryer from pests (moths, bugs), you can place sprigs of mint and lavender nearby, the smell of which will repel insects. Properly dried fruit can be stored and used for 1 year, but subject to the following conditions:
- dry dark place;
- coolness and ventilation (optimal temperature up to 10 degrees);
- lack of moisture;
- no mold.
When properly dried, apples lose liquid but retain healthy vitamins and microelements, have excellent fruity taste. Having spent a little time and effort preparing dried fruits in the summer and autumn, during the winter you can please yourself and your loved ones with a delicious delicacy, vitamin drinks, compotes and apple-based jelly. And also use drying as a filling for sweet pies prepared according to home recipes.
Lovers of cooking in winter fresh compotes or making baked goods with dried fruits, they know that preparing dried fruits needs to be done in the summer. The most affordable and healthy fruit for this - an apple. This tree grows well in our climate and bears fruit. Therefore, almost everyone has the opportunity to collect or buy homemade apples.
Apples are composed mainly of water, and as a result of drying, they lose almost all their liquid, but at the same time all useful microelements and vitamins are preserved. Therefore, there is no need to doubt the benefits of dried fruits.
And also keep in mind that the output dryings will be no more than 10 percent by weight fresh apples. Preparing dried fruits is very easy, and if you use modern kitchen appliances– in general, it’s a pleasure.
Benefits of dried apples:
- Retain beneficial properties;
- High taste qualities;
- Compact and long-term storage;
- Easy preparation.
Which fruits to choose
Sweet and sour or sour varieties apples Sweet apples don't preserve special taste. To get a higher yield of product, you should choose fruits with thinner skins and fewer grains.
Preparing apples:
How to avoid oxidation of apples:
Now that the fruits are ready for further processing, it is necessary to decide on the method of drying them. There are many options here. It all depends on the technology you have or lack thereof.
Drying apples using home appliances
At home, you can dry apples using a dryer, oven, microwave, convection oven, and, ultimately, just in the sun.
In an electric oven
An electric oven is excellent for high-quality drying of fruits. To do this you need:
During this time (6–8 hours), the fruits should dry to the required condition. Become plastic, non-breaking and non-oozing light brown dryers.
In an electric oven with convection
An electric oven with a convection function solves the issue of creating artificial air circulation by not closing the door and significantly speeds up the process.
A convector is a fan built into the oven that provides a uniform flow of hot air. Let's look at the convection drying process step by step:
- Preheat the oven to 40–50 degrees;
- Place baking sheets with chopped apples in it;
- After 1–1.5 hours, turn the slices over and increase the temperature to 70–80 degrees for more intense evaporation of moisture;
- When the water has almost evaporated, reduce the temperature to its original value and leave for another two hours.
In an oven equipped with this function, the entire drying process will take from 3 to 6 hours.
On a gas stove
You can also dry apples on a gas stove if for some reason you cannot or do not want to use the oven. Here there will be some difficulties with choosing the intensity of the fire and the height of the baking sheets, but this can quickly be eliminated through trials and experiments.
Thus, the drying process is reduced to 3–4 hours, but requires constant attention.
other methods
if you have air fryer, then you can perfectly dry apples in it, the principle will be approximately the same as in a convection oven, but the process will only take an hour. In this case, you need to select a low-speed circulation mode in the device, and set the temperature within 100 degrees. Place the slices loosely next to each other for maximum airflow.
Dryer– a specially designed device for drying any fruits and berries. The device is equipped with all the necessary containers, grids, tiers so that you turn it on for a certain time and forget about it - it will turn off itself when it has completed its function.
It is necessary to distribute the prepared apples on the racks (for this there are a lot of them in the device), set desired temperature and in a few hours you will get perfect drying.
Microwave You can also dry apples. The process will take about 5 minutes. The main thing is to choose the required temperature and power so that you get dryers and not coals. Because a microwave will burn the fruit just as quickly as it will dry it out.
To do this, you need to spread the slices evenly and in one layer on a dish and set the mode to ultra-high frequency. Power – 250 W, turn on for 30–40 seconds. Then turn over the half-dried apples, increase the power to 300 W and turn on the timer for 3 minutes. Get ready-to-dry dryers.
You can use the old method of drying apples - in the sun. But this option is suitable, first of all, for owners of private houses living in hot climates. Since apple harvesting occurs mainly in late summer - early autumn, and during this period the sun is no longer so hot and it often rains.
Prepared apples are strung on strings and hung or laid out on baking sheets and exposed to the open sun, not forgetting to turn them over periodically.
In this case, care must be taken to ensure that insects do not have access to the fruits - for example, cover them with double gauze. At night, when the air humidity rises, the dryers should be placed in a closed but ventilated space. The drying process will take 6–7 days.
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Signs of completely finished drying
Regardless of the drying method, the degree and characteristics of finished dried apples are the same:
- The dryer should not break or crunch, it is plastic;
- The release of moisture when it is squeezed is unacceptable;
- The color can be light brown, but not light yellow or dark.
If any of these signs do not match or you suspect that the apples are not ready, it is better to dry them a little more to avoid spoilage.
Long-term storage
After proper drying Apples can be stored for quite a long time. How to store it correctly dried apples? Cotton bags or pillowcases are great for this. You can also use paper, wooden or cardboard boxes, glass jars. But under no circumstances plastic bags or plastic containers- dryers suffocate in them.
Dried apples should be stored at room temperature in a dry, well-ventilated, dark place. Do not forget to periodically inspect the dryers for damage so that they do not show signs of mold or rot.
Drying apples – finished product for consumption. But they are also used in the preparation of compotes, jellies, and all kinds of baked goods. Before doing this, it is better to soak the apples in water for several hours, strong tea, you can even in cognac or liqueur. Some mothers also grind nuts through a meat grinder and make candy for their children. In general, the application of this the most useful product for food – a free flight of fancy.
In conclusion, I would like to provide a comparative table of advantages and disadvantages different processes drying apples, depending on the equipment used:
| Drying device | Advantages | Flaws | Process duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric oven | - Almost everyone has the device | - swap baking sheets; - door ajar |
6–8 hours |
| Oven with convector | — acceleration of the drying process; - uniform airflow of fruits |
- not everyone has this function | 3–6 hours |
| Gas panel | - present to everyone | — energy costs; — duration; - constant surveillance |
3–4 hours |
| Air fryer | - hot air circulation | - not everyone has this device | Approximately 1 hour |
| Dryer | - the device is specifically designed for this process | - lack of it in your kitchen | 3–4 hours |
| Microwave | - the minimum duration of the process | - apples can burn quickly | 5 minutes |
| Sun | - does not require other devices | — duration; |
Dried apples retain almost everything valuable properties fresh fruits. For this method autumn preparations it is better to choose sweet and sour and sour apples, this group also includes Ranetki. How to dry ranetki at home correctly?
How to dry ranetki at home to preserve the taste and benefits?
How to dry ranetki in the oven
Fruits without damage or rot are suitable for drying; they must be thoroughly washed. To prevent them from turning dark, it is worth keeping the apples for a short time in a weak solution of acetic or citric acid.
Since ranetki are small apples, they can be cut not into slices, but only into halves, carefully removing the core. The easiest way is to dry them in the oven. How to do it correctly:
- Line the baking tray parchment paper.
- Place the apple halves on it.
- Place in an oven heated to 80 degrees.
- After thirty minutes, reduce the temperature by 10–15 degrees.
- After four hours, remove the baking sheet, turn the fruit over and place it back in the oven, lowering the temperature another 15–20 degrees.
- Dry for another four hours, turning the ranetkas over from time to time.
The readiness of apples can be easily determined by their light brown tint and lack of juice.
How to dry ranetki: other methods
There are other methods of preparing dried fruits for the winter. But they will require additional household appliances.
It is quite possible to dry ranetki in the microwave. To prevent them from getting burnt, you should set the power of the device correctly.
Microwave drying is carried out in two stages. At the first stage, the power is set to 250 W, at the second it is increased to 300 W. First, the ranetka halves are laid out on a flat plate and cooked for about half a minute. Then the container with ranetkas is removed, the fruits are turned over and dried at high power for three minutes.
We check the fruits: if they are not yet dry, turn them over and put them in the microwave for another half a minute
How to dry ranetki for dried fruits in an electric dryer? Place the apple halves on trays. If you want to speed up the process, you can cut the ranetki into quarters: this way they will take up less space and dry faster. They need to be dried at a temperature of 55 degrees. This procedure takes approximately eight hours. Apples should be flexible, but not release juice when pressed.
How to dry apples in the oven is a question that interests many housewives. With the advent modern technology This can be done in gas and electric ovens and with convection. Adding sugar and spices will help make the drying even tastier.
How to dry apples in the oven is, at first glance, a simple task. Cut it, place it in the oven and then take it out. But there are also little tricks. For preparations you need sour or sweet-sour varieties, only sweet ones are not suitable. Process the fruits in portions so that they do not oxidize. The optimal temperature for drying is up to 70 degrees.
How to dry apples in the oven on a baking sheet?
Dried apples in the oven for the winter are the easiest way to provide your family with vitamins, since with this method the fruit retains all its beneficial properties. To avoid darkening during slicing, the slices should be dipped in water for 5 minutes. saline solution. Place the pieces evenly on the baking sheet so that the liquid leaves faster.
Ingredients:
- apples – 1 kg;
- salt – 1 tbsp. l.;
- water – 1 l.
Preparation
Drying apples in the oven of an electric stove
It is much more convenient to dry apples in an electric oven, since it is more reliable in maintaining a stable fire. This device also saves more nutrients in fruits than gas. The core of the fruit does not need to be removed. Good varieties for drying are Simerenka, Orleans, Antonovka, Aport, and Ranet.
Ingredients:
- apples – 1 kg.
Preparation
How to dry apples in a gas stove oven?
Drying apples in a gas stove oven is much healthier on a wire rack than on a baking sheet. The slices are processed more evenly, and the process will take less time. It is very important that in such fruits that are not exposed heat treatment, vitamins can be stored for up to 10 years if properly stored.
Ingredients:
- apples – 2 kg.
Preparation
Drying apples in a convection oven
Drying apples in the oven at home is much easier and faster if there is convection. It is very important to choose the right fruits for harvesting; they should not be shaken off the tree, only picked, so as not to damage the pulp. All damaged areas must be removed during cleaning. The thinner the slice, the faster the apples will be ready.
Ingredients:
- apples – 2 kg.
Preparation
Dried apples with cinnamon in the oven
Many housewives prepare fruits with spices; dried apples with cinnamon are very tasty. You can add a lemon flavor to it by placing the slices in a solution of citric acid: 1 teaspoon per 1 liter. The juice will give a brighter taste fresh lemon. The fruits are cut into slices or slices; the core and skin do not need to be removed.
Ingredients:
- apples – 1 kg;
- ground cloves – 2 tsp;
- cinnamon – 2 tsp;
- sugar – 4 tsp.
Preparation
Dried apples in syrup
Experienced housewives share advice on how to dry apples in syrup in the oven. To remove the core it is better to use special device. This is very delicious treat, beautiful view depends on how you dry the apples in the oven. They must retain color and remain elastic. If they break, then you need to keep them in the oven for more.
Ingredients:
- apples – 1 kg;
- sugar – 7-8 tbsp. l.
- water – 1 l.
Preparation
Dried apple chips
A steel knife will also help protect apples from oxidation. It is recommended to prepare fruits in portions. Very healthy snack for the winter - fruit chips, these are the same dried apples in the oven. It is best to take fruits with dense pulp; the Gala variety is good. Citric acid will protect the fruit from darkening and add a slight sourness.
Ingredients:
- apples – 5 pcs.;
- sugar – 80 g;
- water – 1 tbsp.;
- citric acid – 0.25 tsp.
Preparation
Dried apples in sugar
How long to dry apples in the oven depends on the stove. In a gas oven this can take up to 7 hours, in an electric one – up to 6. You can do without an oven and prepare an amazingly delicious drying in sugar or caramel. This is a great dessert for any party and original delicacy on Yablochny Spas. You need apples that are firm and slightly sour; good varieties are Granny Smith, Ranetki Sokh, and Antonovka.
Ingredients:
- apples – 8 pcs.;
- sugar – 2.5 tbsp;
- milk – 1 tbsp.;
- wooden skewers – 10-15 pcs.
Preparation
Dried apples in cubes
For variety, you can prepare candied fruits from dried apples. They taste like sweet and sour candies, it is something between dried fruit and fruit from five-minute jam at the beginning of its cooking. Suitable for filling pies. The optimal thickness of the pieces is 5-7 mm, you need to try to cut them so that they turn out the same.
Ingredients:
- apples – 1 kg;
- mahar – 300 g;
- ground cinnamon – 1 tsp;
- citric acid – 1 tsp.
Preparation
How to store dried apples?
Storing dried apples at home is very simple, the main requirements are dryness and darkness. You cannot keep supplies near heat sources; drying does not like polyethylene and plastic, because it deteriorates without access to oxygen. Cardboard boxes, baskets or wooden containers are suitable. Thick or waxed paper is placed on the bottom.
Drying apples is great way preservation in fruits beneficial properties and vitamins, which has been known since ancient times. With the right approach to the process, apples do not lose their qualities and are used as an independent product, or great addition to various dishes.
Preparation for drying - why is it important to choose the right fruits?
You can dry apples at home different ways. Some people prefer to use proven “grandmother’s” methods natural drying, others – the capabilities of modern and special equipment (electric dryers, convection oven). However, the simplest and most common method is drying in the oven or on a baking sheet.
No matter which drying method you choose to ripe fruits preserved the maximum of their elements, taste properties and were not damaged during the cooking process, it is necessary to select and prepare the apples correctly. First of all, find suitable variety. Experienced housewives recommend using late varieties– Anis, Aport, Antonovka. They differ in that they have a characteristic sourish or sweet and sour taste, thin skin and the necessary structure, which is ideal for drying for the winter.
You can dry other, sweeter ones, summer varieties However, most often, after processing in the oven or on a burner, slices of sweet varieties become almost tasteless, the sugar evaporates, and they are lost taste properties. Before drying, it is also important to inspect the apples: they must be ripe, whole, without rotten areas and with a good pulp structure that will not crumble when cutting them. If necessary, we remove damaged areas; sometimes they can be peeled (especially if it is too thick).
Next, the apples are thoroughly washed and sorted; it is better to use fruits of the same size and variety, in which case it will be much easier to monitor the uniformity of drying during the process. Some lovers blanch apples before drying them, but this takes away some of the beneficial properties, so we do not recommend it.
You can cut the fruits either into slices or circles, but it is important to remember that the cut slices darken very quickly due to high content iron in apples. To avoid darkening, we recommend dipping the slices in salt water(1 tablespoon per liter of water) or moisten them with citric acid.
Apples from the oven - an overview of the traditional cooking method
Drying apples in the oven is a slow process and requires some patience and preparation. You can dry fruits either in an electric oven or on a gas stove, but the first option is still more preferable, especially if the stove is equipped with an additional convection function. In addition, some models of gas stoves do not have additional temperature adjustment, which makes it difficult to control the process of uniform heating.
Regardless of the type of oven, carry out drying in compliance with the following rules:
- Preheat the oven to 60-70 degrees at the lowest possible temperature;
- prepare a baking tray with food paper or a wire rack; carefully place the slices on them in one, maximum two layers;
- put the baking sheet or wire rack in the oven and cook for at least 6-7 hours, gradually increasing the temperature in the oven to 90-100 degrees;
- if the stove is not equipped with additional ventilation, open the oven lid, this is necessary for normal evaporation of moisture;
- Shake the slices periodically, every hour, stirring them for more even drying.
Too much heat cooking or high heat will very quickly turn the juicy slices into small, tasteless coals. After the cooking time has passed, check the readiness of the dried fruits. The slices should be elastic, not break when bent, not release moisture or juice, and they should retain their flavor.
The resulting storehouse of vitamins must be stored in a dry place, protected from light, in glass jars, the bottom of which is previously covered with paper. You can also use food grade paper bags or special bags made of linen fabric.
We prepare fruits for the winter in an electric dryer and microwave
Using a device such as electric dryer, you can dry not only fruits, but also berries, mushrooms, and various herbs. A standard dryer is equipped with two trays (grids), on which apples pre-cut into slices or “donuts” are evenly laid out. It is very important to monitor the thickness of the slices; it is better that it is not more than 6 millimeters.
After the slices are laid out, turn on the device and select optimal temperature drying. For modern devices, 50-60 degrees is recommended. If the slices are of a standard size, then it will take about 5-7 hours to prepare the finished dried fruits. After this, be sure to check the degree of readiness; if necessary (if juice is released or structural elasticity is lost), give apple slices Let it dry for a while.
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Many modern housewives use standard microwave ovens to prepare fruit for the winter as an alternative to ovens or electric dryers. It is difficult to judge how useful this method is; we only know that apples dried in the microwave lose some of their vitamins and do not always turn out the same as with the traditional drying method. However, the time for their preparation is reduced several times, and there is no additional need to use parchment paper for a baking sheet and constantly monitor the progress of the process.
Drying apples in the microwave is very easy. They must be peeled and cut into small slices. Then carefully place them in one layer on a special plate and microwave. Set the optimal power to 200-300 W and set the timer for 3-4 minutes. After the time has passed, the fruit must be removed and turned over by hand. Then set the time and power again, and you're done! Checking readiness traditional way.
Useful secrets and recipes for delicious delicacies made from dried apples
If the microwave drying method does not suit you, and you do not have enough time to monitor the process when cooking in the oven, there are several useful tips, how to speed up the cooking time so that the fruits do not lose their properties. Wash the fruits well, then cut them into slices and put them in boiling water for a few minutes, then cook them for 10 minutes over low heat. Next, remove the slices and immediately cool them under running water. cold water. Once the apples have cooled, place them in the oven on a baking sheet or wire rack, following the above sequence. With this approach, the drying time will be reduced to approximately 3-4 hours.
Another method involves using steam. Keep the sliced fruit under the intense steam of boiling water using a special strainer or colander. Then cool them down as well. cold water and put it in the oven. This method is best suited when the fruit is cut into circles rather than slices.
And finally, we will describe several delicious and healthy “grandmother’s” recipes, where the main ingredient is dried apples. Wash a kilogram of juicy fruits, peel the center, cut them into neat circles and place them in a bowl or other container. At the same time, pour 200-300 grams of granulated sugar into a saucepan with water. Boil the water for a few minutes until the sugar turns into syrup and pour it into a bowl of fruit. Let it brew for several hours, and then send the resulting “rings” to dry. The output will be very tasty and ready-made sugar circles that will become great dessert cold winter.
Dried apples can also be an excellent substitute for candy, marmalade or regular jam. In addition to juicy fruits, you will also need cinnamon, citric acid and granulated sugar. Place the washed and cut slices on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, in a separate container, thoroughly mix cinnamon, granulated sugar and citric acid. Sprinkle the resulting mixture evenly over the fruit slices and place them in the oven or dryer in a new form. After several hours of baking, remove the dessert from the oven and leave it to dry for a couple of days. naturally. Then pack the slices into jars or bags, and delicious winter delicacy ready!
There are many others healthy recipes, as well as all sorts of ways to dry such a wonderful and delicious fruit like an apple. But even without additional seasonings apples dried naturally or traditionally are healthy, tasty and inexpensive!
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