10+ Dehydrator Recipes for Delicious and Healthy Snacks

If you enjoy healthy snacking or want to preserve food, dehydrator recipes are a great solution. A dehydrator lets you create delicious meals and snacks that are both nutritious and satisfying. This technique allows you to preserve the goodness of fruits, vegetables, and even meats, giving you a variety of options for every taste.

From tasty dried fruits to savory chips, using a dehydrator can transform your culinary experience. You can experiment with flavors and create homemade snacks that are free from preservatives. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner, you’ll find joy in the process of dehydrating your favorite ingredients.

1) Homemade Beef Jerky

Making homemade beef jerky is fun and easy. You can control the flavors and ingredients to suit your taste. Start with lean cuts of beef, like sirloin or flank steak, for the best results.

Cut the beef into thin slices. Then, marinate it in a mix of soy sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper for flavor. You can also add brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.

Use a dehydrator set to 160°F (70°C) for about 4 to 6 hours. Check the jerky for a firm, dry texture. Let it cool before storing in an airtight container. Enjoy your tasty snack!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs lean beef
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the beef thinly.
2. Mix the marinade ingredients.
3. Marinate the beef for at least 4 hours.
4. Place the beef in the dehydrator.
5. Dehydrate at 160°F (70°C) for 4 to 6 hours.
6. Allow to cool and store.

2) Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Making sun-dried tomatoes with a dehydrator is a simple and rewarding process. You can use Roma or cherry tomatoes for a delicious treat. The drying intensifies their flavor, making them perfect for salads, pastas, or snacks.

Start by washing your tomatoes and slicing them in half. If you like, you can sprinkle them with salt and your favorite herbs for extra flavor.

Set your dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) and arrange the tomato halves cut-side up on the trays. Dehydrate for about 12 to 15 hours, or until they reach a chewy texture.

Once finished, let them cool before storing in an airtight container. Enjoy your homemade sun-dried tomatoes!

Ingredients:

• 7-8 lbs firm ripe Roma or cherry tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons salt
• Optional: dried basil, oregano, thyme

Cooking Instructions:

1. Wash and slice tomatoes in half.
2. Sprinkle with salt and herbs if desired.
3. Set dehydrator to 135°F (57°C).
4. Place tomatoes on trays cut-side up.
5. Dehydrate for 12-15 hours until chewy.
6. Let cool and store in an airtight container.

3) Spicy Cayenne Kale Chips

Spicy cayenne kale chips are a delicious and healthy snack. They are easy to make and perfect for satisfying your cravings.

Start by gathering your ingredients. You will need fresh kale, oil, sea salt, and cayenne pepper. You can adjust the spice to your taste.

Wash and dry the kale leaves. Then, tear them into bite-sized pieces. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle the salt and cayenne pepper on top. Toss everything together until the kale is evenly coated.

Spread the kale pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.

Enjoy your crispy spicy kale chips as a tasty snack!

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of curly kale
• Spray oil or your favorite healthy oil
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Wash and dry the kale.
3. Tear kale into bite-sized pieces.
4. Drizzle with oil, add salt and cayenne.
5. Toss to coat the kale.
6. Spread on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

4) Banana Chips

Making banana chips is easy and fun. You can use a dehydrator or your oven to create a tasty snack.

Start by slicing ripe bananas into even pieces. Thin slices dehydrate better and create a crispier texture.

If using a dehydrator, place the banana slices on the trays. Set the temperature to 135°F (57°C) and let them dehydrate for about 8 hours. For crispier chips, try a hotter setting like 160°F (71°C).

If you’re using an oven, arrange the slices on a baking sheet and set the oven to the lowest temperature. Keep an eye on them as they cook.

Ingredients

• Ripe bananas

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the bananas into thin, even pieces.
2. Arrange the slices on dehydrator trays or a baking sheet.
3. Set the dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) or the oven to the lowest temperature.
4. Dehydrate for about 8 hours, checking for crispiness.

5) Balsamic Cherry Chocolate Bread

Balsamic Cherry Chocolate Bread is a delicious and unique treat. This raw vegan bread combines the flavors of chocolate and cherries, making it a delightful snack. The balsamic vinegar adds a special twist that enhances the sweetness of the cherries.

To make this bread, you will need a food dehydrator. The mixture thickens after a few minutes, allowing you to form it into small loaves. Dehydrate these loaves for about 8 hours at 115°F (46°C) to achieve the perfect texture.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted cherries
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 cups ground nuts or seeds
• 1/2 cup sweetener (like maple syrup or agave)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix pitted cherries and chocolate chips in a bowl.
2. Add balsamic vinegar, ground nuts or seeds, sweetener, and vanilla extract.
3. Stir until the mixture is thick.
4. Form into two small loaves.
5. Place on a dehydrator tray and set at 115°F (46°C).
6. Dehydrate for 8 hours until firm.

6) Watermelon ‘Tuna’

Watermelon ‘Tuna’ is a fun, plant-based alternative that you can enjoy in various dishes. It has a texture similar to fish and absorbs flavors well.

To make this dish, start by cutting watermelon into chunks that resemble tuna. You can then marinate the pieces in a mix of soy sauce, garlic, and chili paste.

If you have a dehydrator, set it at 115°F (46°C) and dehydrate for about 6 hours. If you prefer using an oven, cook the watermelon at 250°F (121°C) for 90 to 120 minutes.

This unique recipe is great for sushi, salads, or poke bowls.

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized watermelon
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 3 tbsp chili garlic paste (or hot sauce)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup tahini

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the watermelon into tuna-sized chunks.
2. Mix soy sauce, garlic, and chili paste in a bowl.
3. Marinate the watermelon for at least 1 hour.
4. Dehydrate at 115°F (46°C) for 6 hours or bake at 250°F (121°C) for 90 to 120 minutes.
5. Serve as desired.

7) Raw Vegan Pepperoni

Making raw vegan pepperoni is a fun and tasty project. This plant-based alternative brings a spicy and savory flavor to your dishes. Use it on pizzas, sandwiches, or as a snack.

You’ll need a food dehydrator for this recipe, but you can also use an oven. It’s a great way to enjoy a healthy version of a classic topping.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sundried tomatoes, soaked to soften
• 10 oz fresh tomato
• 4 oz peeled sweet potato
• 2 red bell peppers
• 1.7 oz shiitake mushrooms

Cooking Instructions

1. Blend the soaked sundried tomatoes, fresh tomato, sweet potato, red bell peppers, and shiitake mushrooms in a food processor until smooth.
2. Spread the mixture evenly on a dehydrator tray lined with a non-stick sheet.
3. Score the mixture into small circles to form pepperoni shapes.
4. Dehydrate at 115°F (46°C) for about 6-10 hours, checking for the desired texture.

8) Dehydrated Apple Chips

Dehydrated apple chips are a tasty and healthy snack. They are sweet, crunchy, and easy to make at home. You can use a dehydrator, oven, or air fryer for this recipe.

To start, choose your favorite apples. Slice them thinly, and soak them in a mix of lemon juice and water to prevent browning. Then, spread the slices in a single layer on your dehydrator trays.

Set the temperature to 135°F (57°C) and let them dehydrate for about 6 to 8 hours. If you’re using an oven, set it to the same temperature and keep the door slightly open for airflow.

Once they’re crispy, let them cool before enjoying!

Ingredients

• 3-4 apples
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice apples thinly.
2. Mix lemon juice and water in a bowl.
3. Soak apple slices for 10 minutes.
4. Place slices on dehydrator trays.
5. Dehydrate at 135°F (57°C) for 6-8 hours.
6. Cool before serving.

9) Garlicky Tomato Sandwich Spread

This garlicky tomato sandwich spread is a flavorful addition to your meals. It combines the richness of tomatoes with the bold taste of garlic. You can use fresh or dehydrated tomatoes for a tasty spread.

To make this spread, blend together ripe tomatoes, crushed garlic, and a touch of olive oil. Then, add your favorite herbs, like oregano or basil, to enhance the flavor.

This spread can be used on sandwiches, wraps, or even as a dip. It’s simple to make and adds a punch of flavor to your dishes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups tomatoes (fresh or dehydrated)
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. If using dehydrated tomatoes, soak them in water for 30 minutes. Drain well.
2. In a blender, add the tomatoes, crushed garlic, and olive oil.
3. Blend until smooth, then stir in the oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.

10) Chewy Mango Bites

Chewy mango bites are a delicious and healthy snack. They are simple to make using a dehydrator. Dried mango retains all the fruity flavor with a chewy texture that’s perfect for snacking.

Start with ripe mangoes. Choose mangoes that have a little fiber for the best results.

Slice them into thin pieces, about 3/8 inch thick, ensuring even drying.

Place the mango slices on the dehydrator trays in a single layer.

Set the temperature to 135°F (57°C) and let them dry for about 8 to 10 hours. Check regularly until they reach the desired chewiness.

Ingredients

• Ripe mangoes

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel the mangoes. Then, slice them 3/8 inch thick.
2. Arrange the slices in a single layer on the dehydrator trays.
3. Set the dehydrator to 135°F (57°C).
4. Dehydrate for 8 to 10 hours.
5. Check for chewiness, then enjoy!