Dehydrating fruit

[tvillemom]

I've got Ani Phyo's book, and a couple of her recipes call for things like dried bananas or dried pineapple. I haven't had much luck with drying fruit. I've tried to dry apples and bananas before, but it just didn't turn out, they were probably cut too thin?? Anyone SUCCESSFULLY dry some? I need to know how thick, etc. to cut, and any tips for drying such foods that will be fail proof.

Thanks. I'm so afraid of WASTING the fruit, and the money I spent on it.

[tvillemom]

bumping up....hoping someone out there can help.:D :o

[sport]

I have dried apples but I do not like the smell that you get from bananas when they have been sitting around for a while and that is what happens to bananas when you try to dry them.

[sport]

Shortcut to: http://farmgal.tripod.com/Dehydrate.html

[tvillemom]

Thanks sport, for the link. Maybe I've been cutting them either too thin or too thick....maybe the measurements will help.

[SharonC]

My dehydrated bananas have always turned out wonderful. A neighbor friend tasted them and had to go buy a dehydrator just to make the bananas. I just cut them very fast, not thin - helps if they are still a little firm, not too mushy. Takes at least a day and a half to dry thoroughly and smells wonderful when they are dehydrating. I do pineapples the same - not too thin. Prefer dehydrated pears over apples.

[tvillemom]

So I guess the trick is to cut them "not too thin":D I think I've always cut them toooo thin!

I am definitely doing some today, as they are perfectly ripe and not too soft!
Thanks for the tips!

SharonC: was it you who sent me an email....I got it, but could not reply because my email server is not set up right and will not let me "send" mail! Thanks for the advice....if it was you!!

[tvillemom]

:eek: OK...my bananas have been in there almost 24 hours, and they are brown, and not very appetizing looking....will this change as they get crunchy, right now they look rubbery????!!!!

[SharonC]

Taste them! They do not get crunchy, and do not retain their original color, but they are very good - sort of like banana bread (one of my friends thought). If you store them in the refrigerator, they get harder. I hope you like them - everyone who has tasted them really likes them. Before my parents got a dehydrator, every time they would visit, my Dad would go buy tons of bananas and dehydrate the whole time they were here.

Yes, that was me who sent you an e-mail - glad to know that you received it!

[chilove]

I haven't had a chance to try it yet, because I always seem to eat up all my bananas but I've heard that dehydrated bananas are simply delicious and are a great snack!

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[rainbowgirl]

I've heard those are usually fried.

the ones done at home will be differnt. But I don't have a dehydrator so I can't give u the specs....

RaWnbowgirl

[tvillemom]

FRIED....:eek: :eek: What???!!! OK...I KNEW that they would be different than in the store, but I had no idea how much different...I'm off to give my new "nanners" a try!

Peace

[jacsam]

Try dehydrating bananas.....they barely come off the tray before they're eaten around here. My kids friends all love them too. I don't even bother with dipping them in pineapple juice so they don't brown and they are still great. I just cut them into round circles that are about 1/4 inch thick, may slightly thicker, I actually don't worry about how percise I'm being. Good luck....I like to get the bananas that they are selling at a discount because they going to be too ripe soon and this is what I make my dehydrated bananas with....if I get tired of dehydrating them I'll just pop them into the freezer for smoothies and ice cream type smoothies.

[Dj 247]

I made banana fruit leather. I love it! I also made apple/prune and it was also good. These are just the ones I made from Alissa's book. I can't wait to see if my grandchildren will eat them! I want to try to make strawberry and blackberry fruit leathers next as these are my favorite fruits. I just got my dehydrator and I am having a lot of fun with it!