How to Make Dehydrated Kiwi Chips
If you are new to dehydrating food, dehydrating kiwi is a great way to get started. The preparation is super easy, and I love that the only ingredient is kiwi! I am going to share the step-by-step process on how to make dehydrated kiwi chips. These chips are the perfect sweet treat, and have so many health benefits. test
Ingredients Needed:
Kiwi
Equipment Needed:
Dehydrator
Knife
Mandoline
Why You’ll Love to Make Dehydrated Kiwi Chips
When I bought my food dehydrator, I couldn’t wait to get started but wasn’t sure what to start with. I knew I would be dehydrating some more common fruits such as apples and banana chips, but I also wanted to try something different. I decided to try kiwi because I knew the preparation would be easy, and those little buggers are so dang tasty. The natural sugars really come out during the process, enhancing the sweet and tangy taste. I also love the health benefits from them. Kiwi are great for our immune system as they are packed full of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and fiber. This is a snack I could enjoy all the time.
How to Pick a Kiwi
When you are at the grocery store shopping for kiwis, you want to make sure they are ripe and ready to eat. Unripe kiwis will not have the sweetness and juiciness otherwise, and overall don’t taste as good. If you happen to have unripe kiwi, place them in a brown paper bag and set it on the counter until the fruit has ripened.
How to Prepare Your Kiwi
The preparation for dehydrated kiwi slices is so very simple. The first step is peeling the kiwi, although, next time I might try the skins on. Believe it or not, the skin is edible! My son loves to eat kiwi peels and eats a kiwi just like an apple. The best way to remove the peels is to use a paring knife or a vegetable peeler. Next, you will cut the kiwi into pieces. If you do not have a mandoline, you can certainly use a sharp knife. If you are using a knife, you will want to take your time and ensure the thickness of the slices are all the same. When I use my mandoline for kiwi, I changed my setting to 3mm. You can choose any thickness you desire. Keep in mind, that the dehydrating process will take longer if you have thick slices.
How to Make Dehydrated Kiwi Chips
Place your kiwi pieces on your dehydrator trays in a single layer. It is ok if the edges touch. Once the kiwi starts to dry out, they will reduce in size. Put the trays in your dehydrator, and set the temperature to 135 degrees f. I use a Cosori dehydrator and can set a timer on it, making the process even easier. If you do not have that option, write down the start time so you don’t forget and keep track that way. The drying process does take a long time, about 10-18 hours. About halfway through, I took the trays out, and moved the kiwi pieces around, just to keep them from sticking. The kiwi are finished when the fruit is dry and leathery looking. They should feel completely dry without any stickiness to them.
What to do With Dehydrated Kiwi Chips
These kiwi chips can be enjoyed on their own. They have a sweet and sour taste and are such a delicious snack for the afternoon. Additionally, the pieces could be cut up, and added with other dried fruits into granola. This mixture would be really good on top of yogurt. You could also make a trail mix by adding a variety of dehydrated fruits, with nuts and seeds. I just love the thought of carrying this snack in a little bag that fits right into my purse!
How to Store Dehydrated Kiwi Chips
Before storing the kiwi, I leave them out at room temperature for about an hour, just to completely cool down from being in the warm dehydrator. If you plan on eating these right away, I would place them in an airtight container and place them in a dark place, out of direct sunlight. If you want to keep them stored long-term, place them in an air-tight container and add an oxygen absorber to keep extra moisture out. Additionally, the kiwi chips could be placed in mason jars, with an oxygen absorber, and then use a mason jar vacuum sealer. These sealers can be purchased on Amazon and are so easy to use. The sealer removes the air from the jar, creating a vacuum seal. With this method, if the kiwi are dried correctly, the shelf life of the kiwi would be one year.
