How to properly dry apples for the winter in an oven, electric dryer, microwave, convection oven, or in the sun? How to make dried fruits from apples at home?

At what temperature and for how long should apples be dried?

The optimal temperature for drying apples is 50-70 degrees.

Some housewives want to speed up the process of drying apples and therefore use rather extreme temperatures for this. In principle, they speed up the drying process, but at the same time, their beneficial substances leave the fruit with the liquid.

Therefore, if you are trying to get a truly healthy product, then make sure that the temperature in the oven or electric dryer does not exceed 70 degrees. And then such a temperature can only be set at the initial stage, for the period while the fruits are intensively losing their moisture

After they have at least halved in size, the temperature should be reduced to 40-50 degrees. Such temperature indicators are as close as possible to natural ones, which means that you can preserve not only vitamins and microelements, but also the natural taste of the finished product

But remember, even low temperatures can dry out apples, so it is extremely important not to forget to carefully turn them over every two hours. This way you can achieve uniform drying and ideal consistency of dried fruits.

If you do not do this, the finished product will dry out so much that it will lose almost all of its taste. And you can only use such apples for making compotes and jelly. Depending on the chosen method of preparing apples for the winter, drying can last from several hours to 10-14 days

Dried fruits from the oven, or how to properly dry apples?

To properly dry apples in the oven, you will need patience, as this process takes a lot of time. Both an electric stove and a gas oven are suitable for this. However, everything happens faster in the control cabinet, especially if it is equipped with a convection function. In addition, many gas stoves cannot be adjusted in temperature, and they heat up unevenly, which will complicate the procedure for preparing dried fruits at home.

No matter what oven you use to prepare dried fruits, you must adhere to certain rules and observe the temperature regime so that they do not turn out overdried and brittle.

First you need to turn on the oven to the lowest temperature and warm it up. We turn on the gas oven to fifty degrees; for an electric oven, a temperature of 60 degrees is suitable.
While the oven is heating, place the prepared fruit on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Do not place them tightly together, otherwise they may stick together. You can simultaneously dry apples on two levels, but then during the cooking process they will need to be swapped several times. It should be remembered that the thinner the slices, the faster they will cook, but there is a high probability of them shrinking greatly, which will lead to brittleness. Therefore, the ideal thickness of the slices can be considered five millimeters.
Instead of a baking sheet, you can use a wire rack, then the cooking of dried fruits will take less time and will be more uniform. It should be prepared in the same way as in the other case, covered with paper.
Place the apples in the oven and dry them for 5 to 8 hours, keeping the oven door slightly open. This is necessary so that excess moisture evaporates and does not settle back on the fruit. If the oven is ventilated, the drying process will be halved, and there is no need to open the oven.
While the dried fruits are cooking, shake and stir them periodically to prevent sticking and burning. So, on the upper level the slices cook quickly, since the heat is stronger there.
You can check the readiness of the fruit as follows: if the apple pieces do not stick to your hands, are elastic and bend well, then they can be removed from the oven. Some housewives prefer drier slices, then the cooking time must be extended.

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When the dried fruits are cooked, they should be cooled and then placed in dry glass jars. The best packaging for storage would be paper bags, wooden boxes or linen bags. They need to be put in a dark and cool, but not damp place. In this way, dried apples prepared at home can be stored for up to two years.

How to properly prepare apples for drying?

Preparing apples for drying

We all know that apples consist of almost 90% ordinary water, which, during the drying process, evaporates under the influence of high temperature, leaving us with only healthy dietary fiber and vitamins. But it’s clear that in order to get perfect drying you need to use the highest quality fruits for its preparation.

Therefore, whenever possible, try to use fruits from your garden for winter harvesting. If you don’t have it, then try to find apples grown in our country at the market or in a store. Since they will not need to travel and be stored for a very long time, they will not be treated with substances that prolong the life of imported fruits

After the fruits are delivered home, be sure to wash them thoroughly under running water and sort them by size. Thanks to this, during the cutting process you will get almost identical pieces, which means that the fruit will dry as evenly as possible

Also, look very carefully to see if there are any beaten or rotten apples among the purchased products. If you find such fruits, then simply put them aside. Since the fermentation process usually begins quite quickly in places of damage, it is strictly prohibited to use such fruits for drying.

Such fruits, after exposure to high temperatures, will not have a completely normal taste and, most unpleasantly, will be stored worse. After sorting, you can proceed to core the apples and cut them into thin slices

If we talk about the thickness of the lobules, it can range from 3-7 mm. After cutting, it is best to immerse the fruit in boiling water for a few seconds or soak it in salt water. This will allow the apples to retain their natural color and not oxidize before drying begins.

Storing finished dried apples

As soon as the fruits are ready, it is recommended to put them in a paper bag or jar. You can also use a cardboard box. The storage room should be dry, the optimal temperature is room temperature. It is very important that the workpiece does not become raw. This can ruin it, sometimes it even becomes moldy under the wrong conditions.

The product should be kept away from foods or herbs with strong odors. Otherwise, the apples will quickly absorb someone else's aroma. If you comply with all the conditions, the workpiece will quietly lie for a year or more without losing its beneficial properties.

Drying apples for the winter in the oven on a baking sheet

Rules for drying apples in the oven on a baking sheet

Dried apples are the most popular dried fruits in our country. People love this product for its beneficial properties and, of course, for the fact that every person can prepare these fragrant fruits for the winter. One of the most accessible methods for preparing apples is oven drying on a baking sheet.

Moreover, both gas and electric stoves are equally suitable for this task. The only thing you should take into account is that if you use an electric oven for these purposes, then at the initial stage the temperature can be raised to 80 degrees

The temperature should not rise higher than this, as this can lead to the fact that the fruit will simply begin to cook in its juice

Dried apples in the oven
Rules for drying apples in the oven on a baking sheet:

Turn on the oven and preheat it to 50 degrees. Make sure that the temperature does not exceed these values too much. If they are very high, the apple slices will become covered with a crust, which will not allow them to dry properly.
While the oven is preheating, rinse and core the apples. Place the fruits cut into slices in one layer on a baking sheet previously covered with baking paper.
Place the apples in the oven and open the door slightly. This will allow air to circulate and the liquid in the fruit will evaporate properly.
After about two hours, stir the apples and leave them in the oven for another hour and a half. When you see that they have significantly decreased in size, close the oven tightly, increase the temperature to 70 degrees and wait another 1 hour
After this, we again reduce the temperature to 50 degrees, open the oven door slightly and leave the fruit in this position for about another 3 hours. As soon as you see that the apple slices have become slightly brownish and elastic to the touch, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the dried fruits cool
Place the completely cooled apples in a glass container with a hermetically sealed lid and place them in a kitchen cabinet for storage.

How to process dried fruits for long-term storage

To preserve dried fruits, you should regularly inspect the product to detect harmful insects, fungi and mold.

From moths

Heat treatment and proper storage will protect drying from moths. But if it does start up, urgent measures are taken to save the apples. To begin with, they inspect neighboring products, and if there are insects in them, they dispose of them. Saucers with table salt are placed around the remaining bags. It absorbs moisture, which attracts moths.

If the drying has become sticky, damp or brittle, replace the wrapping paper, and dry the apples again (in an oven or in the air) or keep them on the balcony for a day. The container is also processed. It would be nice to put lemon, tangerine, and bay leaf next to the container (not inside it). These smells repel moths.

Expert opinion

Stanislav Pavlovich

Gardener with 17 years of experience and our expert

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Important. Insects will not appear if dried apples are stored in linen bags, previously washed with the addition of laundry soap.

From fungi and mold

This happens when dried fruits are stored improperly. The dry product is not saved, but is completely thrown away. Even thorough rinsing of the dryer will only get rid of external manifestations. But if someone decides to use diseased apples, one should remember about joint diseases, asthma, allergies, which are caused by fungi and mold.

From other pests

There are several secrets that will help protect dried fruits from mold and insect infestation.

Here are some of them:

After peeling and slicing the apples, rinse the slices with salt water, then soak for 5-10 minutes in a vinegar solution. Only after this is drying carried out.
Check inventory regularly. If moths or mold are found, try to save part of the dryer.
If there is humidity in the room, regularly dry dried apple fruits in the oven.
To get rid of some pests, take the boxes out into the cold. Can be placed in the refrigerator for a day or in the freezer for 10 minutes.

Expert opinion

Stanislav Pavlovich

Gardener with 17 years of experience and our expert

Ask a Question

Important. Only with high-quality pre-processing, drying and storage conditions, dried apples will not be spoiled by insects, mold and fungus.

How to dry apples for the winter in the sun?

Drying apples in the sun

If you want to try drying apples in the sun, then choose the optimal warm period for this. Ideally, ambient temperatures should exceed 30 degrees for at least 4-5 days in a row

In principle, they can be a little smaller, but then it will take at least 7 days to prepare dried apples. Therefore, if possible, check the forecast and, if the weather is sunny and cloudless for the next week, start preparing for drying apples in the sun

So:

Find a place in your garden that receives direct sunlight all day long.
Place a table there and cover it first with polyethylene and then with clean paper
Wash and cut the apples and soak for 5-10 minutes in acidified water
Drain the water and transfer the fruit to a colander. Leave them in this position until they are completely free of water.
Then transfer them to a paper towel and let dry at room temperature.
When the apples are slightly wilted, transfer them to the prepared table and carefully cover with gauze.
Be sure to cover the apples, otherwise wasps, flies and other insects will land on them.
Try to mix fruit slices at least 2-3 times a day
If you want the process of drying apples in the sun to be as short as possible, then be sure to take them home overnight
After 5-7 days they will turn dark brown and can be transferred to jars for further storage

What are the benefits of dried apples?

Dried fruits contain the same set of useful elements as apples themselves, but in concentrated form. Dried apples are a high-calorie product, but the question of their use is individual for each person.

In order not to harm your health, 5-7 pieces are enough for an adult and 2-4 slices for children over 6 years old. At an earlier age, the norm is 1-2 slices. Replacing dried apples is a drink made from them.

What are the benefits of dried fruits and why are they prepared for the winter:

have a beneficial effect on the functioning of internal organs;
strengthen the musculoskeletal system;
protect against stress and nervous disorders;
develop the body's endurance to external stimuli;
have a positive effect on the functioning of the respiratory system;
prevent osteoporosis and the development of malignant tumors;
renew hormonal balance;
improve the condition of hair and skin;
used for weight loss;
strengthen the health of the expectant mother and fetus;
slow down aging;
ensure the preservation of memory, mental abilities and physical activity in old age.

Dried fruits are especially in demand in winter, when it is difficult to find fresh apples, and their prices at this time of year are considerable.

How to dry apples on a string?

Drying apples on a string

Another popular way to store dried fruits for the winter is to dry the fruits on a string. In this case, you don’t have to wait until the weather is consistently sunny outside, because you can bring the apples to the desired consistency on the open terrace, balcony and even attic

The main condition for such drying is a large open space and, of course, the most sterile conditions possible. With this drying method, approximately 1 kg of quality product is obtained from 10 kg of fresh fruits

Recommendations for drying apples:

Take your favorite apples, rinse them under running water, remove the core and cut into slightly thick slices
If their thickness is very small, they will simply break and you will not be able to thread them
Make sure that the finished slices have the same thickness. This will promote proper and uniform drying.
Thread the chopped apples onto a thick thread, leaving a little space between the slices.
Place some kind of garlands in the attic or terrace, and if necessary, cover them with gauze
If you are drying indoors, then at least during the day, create a slight draft in it.
Air circulation will contribute to faster and more uniform drying of fruits
In approximately 10-14 days, your drying will be ready and all you have to do is put it in a storage container

How to dry apples for the winter in an electric dryer?

Drying apples in an electric dryer

If you want to dry apples as quickly and efficiently as possible, then spare no expense and buy yourself a high-quality electric dryer. Such a kitchen assistant will prepare delicious and healthy dried fruits for you, almost without any outside help, which you will be very happy to use for preparing fortified dishes.

The only thing you should pay special attention to in this case is the thickness of the apple slices. If it is greater than the thickness of the trays of the kitchen appliance, then the warm air inside the electric dryer will not be distributed quite evenly, and this can lead to the fact that one part of the apples will be completely ready, while the other will still be half-ready

Rules for drying apples in an electric dryer:

Cut the pre-washed apples into slices of the desired thickness
Carefully (in one row) place them on pallets
Place all the trays in the electric dryer and turn on the device.
Make sure that the temperature sensor does not exceed 55 degrees
Leave the apples to dry for at least 7 hours
After this time, unplug the device and check the readiness of the dried apples
If they are dry to the touch and do not release juice when pressed, then feel free to transfer them to a glass container
If you notice even minimal moisture release, leave them to dry for another 2-3 hours.

How to dry properly: basic requirements

Drying apples is a process that requires time and attention.

It is necessary to properly prepare the raw materials, taking into account the main nuances:

strong fruits are processed, washed, dried with a towel;
remove the core (for this use a special device or a sharp knife);
cut off the peel (this point depends on individual preferences, the peel does not affect the ability to be stored);
cut into small identical pieces (the same size allows the raw material to dry evenly).

The preparation is carried out in an electric dryer, oven, or in the sun under natural conditions. Each method has its own characteristics.

The workpiece is carried out in an electric dryer

Drying in an electric dryer:

distribute the chopped slices at a distance of 1-2 cm from each other;
set the temperature to 70 °C, wait 2-3 hours.

Oven drying:

Place on a baking sheet with parchment paper at a distance from each other;
set the temperature no higher than 70 °C;
periodically check readiness;
dry until a brownish tint appears for 5-6 hours.

Drying on the balcony:

distribute the pieces on a baking sheet covered with gauze;
cover with a layer of gauze on top so that insects or small particles of household waste do not get on the slices;
expose to the sun, leave for 2-3 days, check periodically.

Preliminary processing

To protect future harvests, they resort to processing the fruits with different compositions. This allows you to increase their protective properties and ensure long-term storage.

Salt solution

Take 100 g of table salt in a bucket of water, stir until completely dissolved. Sliced apples are soaked in this solution to preserve their natural properties.

After this procedure, the oxidation process slows down and the apples do not darken.

Sulfurous acid solution

Take 2 g of 0.2% sulfuric acid solution and dissolve it in 1 liter of water. The pieces are dipped into the solution for 2-3 minutes; a sieve is used for this.

Sulfur fumigation treatment

For this procedure, take 2 g of sulfur per 1 kg of apples. The sulfur is set on fire, a smoky curtain envelops the apples.

Temperature

The difference between the harvesting methods lies in the temperature regime. The optimal temperature is considered to be 70 °C.

When setting the temperature in the electric dryer, do not change it in the future; for the oven, the temperature regime is allowed up to 100-110 ° C, but periodically pull out the slices and cool them.

The difference between harvesting methods lies in the temperature regime

Exposing workpieces to the sun does not allow complete control of the process. In this case, they rely on the appearance of the product. When exposure to sunlight is high, pallets with apples are placed in the shade, where a light breeze will blow on them.

Choosing containers for storing dried fruits

An important storage condition is a suitable container. There are several options for this.

Dried fruits are well preserved:

in bags made of natural fabrics;
in glass jars with a tight-fitting lid;
in boxes, containers, boxes with a layer of food paper.

The container must provide a dry environment for the products.

How to dry apples in the microwave?

Drying apples in the microwave

Nowadays you can see a microwave oven in almost every kitchen. This kitchen assistant for the modern housewife makes the daily worries of the ever-busy woman as easy as possible. Quite a lot of housewives take great pleasure in cooking meat in the microwave, baking pies and cooking porridge.

But if you know how to use this miracle of modern technology correctly, then you can use it to dry apples quite well. The best part is that it will take you literally 5-7 minutes to dry one portion.

So:

Cut the apples into slices or circles and place them in one layer on a flat plate.
Set the power timer to 200-300 W and turn on the microwave
After 2 minutes, turn off the oven and turn the apples over to the other side.
Close the microwave door and wait another 2-3 minutes
If your apples were cut into very thin pieces, then this time will be enough for them to dry.
If after this time they are still sticky to the touch, turn on the timer for another 1-2 minutes.

How to dry apples in an air fryer?

Drying apples in an air fryer

If you have an air fryer in your kitchen, then this miracle device can also be used to dry apples for the winter. In the case of an air fryer, you can even try to prepare a not quite ordinary drying. If, before turning on the device, sprinkle the prepared apples with cinnamon, vanilla or ginger, then you will get an excellent flavored filling for winter pies

And if you make the slices a little thicker than usual, then the finished product can be used as a light and tasty snack that will not overload your stomach if you want something tasty late in the evening

Drying apples in an air fryer:

Wash the apples, remove the core and cut into slices 5-8 ml thick
Boil water, dissolve a couple of tablespoons of table salt in it and dip apples into the resulting liquid
After just a couple of seconds, drain the water and let the apple slices drain in a colander
Remove any remaining moisture from the apples with a paper towel or cotton towel.
Place the fruits in a single layer on the air fryer grid, sprinkle them with cinnamon and turn on the device
Adjust the timer to low airflow at 100 degrees
After 50-60 minutes, turn off the air fryer and check the readiness of the apples
If they are a little sticky, then continue to dry them for another 20-30 minutes.

Is it possible to dry green, unripe apples, white filling?

In principle, drying slightly unripe apples is quite acceptable. It’s just that when using such a product, you should be prepared for the fact that you will have to add a little more sugar or honey to compotes and pie fillings

But if the apples are completely green, then using them to prepare healthy dried fruits is prohibited. And the point here is not that they will give a very strong sourness. A completely green apple does not have the taste or beneficial qualities of a ripe fruit, so even when dried it will not bring you much benefit. You will simply waste your time and money, and in return you will receive a tasteless and sour product that you are unlikely to use for food

If we talk about white liqueur, then it is also better not to use it for preparing dried fruits for the winter. This ripe apple has a rather loose structure, which after drying turns into an almost tasteless product. To prepare drying, it is best to use denser and juicier varieties that ripen closer to autumn and have a sweet and sour taste. It is from these apples that the most delicious and aromatic winter dried fruits are obtained, which help to diversify the same type of winter dishes

Which varieties are suitable for drying?

Any variety is suitable for preparing dried fruits. It is better to choose sour and sweet and sour apples with thin skin and small seeds. Otherwise, after processing they will become rough, and sweet varieties will become tasteless. It is better to choose Antonovka, white filling, aport and other autumn varieties. Winter harvests are rarely dried. And summer sour species and fruits of wild varieties provide good drying.

Attention. Unripe apples will also produce high-quality drying. But in the future it is used to prepare drinks.