The larger an apple tree gets over the years, the more baskets are filled during the harvest. That's no reason to despair, because not all specimens have to be eaten immediately. Just turn some fresh apple slices into dry apple rings.

The narrower the rings, the better they dry

Prepare apple slices

Before the rings can be cut, a decision must be made as to whether the rings are to be dried with or without the shell. They are a bit firmer with the skin on, but softer without it.

  1. Select a few equally sized and freshly picked apples. Keep in mind that the apple rings need a lot of space to spread out. Therefore, do not prepare too many slices. If there is still free space, you can add a few discs afterwards.
  2. Wash the apples thoroughly and then dry them with a kitchen towel or simply let them air dry.
  3. Using a core cutter, remove the casings.
  4. If you don't want the peel to stay on, it must now be thinly removed with a vegetable peeler.
  5. Cut the apples into 0.5 cm thick slices.
  6. Drizzle the apple slices with a little lemon juice so that they retain their light color after drying.

tips

If you dry apple rings with the skin on, you should only use apples that you know for sure have not been sprayed.

This is how you can dry the slices

Drying apple slices in the air in local latitudes is hardly possible in an acceptable time due to damp and cool weather. This can only be dared in warm and dry periods. Therefore, additional heat is usually supplied or generated:

  • in the oven
  • in a dehydrator
  • in the microwave

Dry apple slices in the oven

Although a higher temperature is set in the oven, it still takes several hours to dry the apple rings. Make sure that the oven is not otherwise required during this time.

  1. Line one or more baking trays with parchment paper.
  2. Spread the prepared apple slices over it in a single layer
  3. Slide the trays into the oven.
  4. Set the oven to max. 80 degrees Celsius. A recirculation function is an advantage, otherwise the position of the trays must be swapped during drying to achieve an even result.
  5. Let the apple slices dry in the oven for several hours with the door ajar the whole time.
  6. Turn the apple rings in between.

The apple rings can be taken out of the oven when they feel completely dry and no more juice is coming out. They should cool on the tray before storing in the cupboard.

Apple rings from the dehydrator

A dehydrator that is specially designed for such tasks delivers the best result. After filling, it carries out the drying process fully automatically.

  • several layers can be dried at the same time
  • it dries gently at low temperatures

A dehydrator is cheap on the market these days and is therefore a worthwhile investment that can not only be used to produce apple rings.

Express drying in the microwave

A handful of apple rings, for example as a snack for a TV evening, can be quickly dried using the microwave.

  • dry in several passes
  • at the lowest level
  • open the door occasionally to let steam escape

Microwave drying progresses very quickly and can easily turn into an inedible result. So stay close by and keep checking the degree of drying.

durability and storage

Dried apple rings are kept cool and dry in a tightly closed jar. They stay tasty for a whole year. Apple rings that have become softer can be baked in the oven and regain some of their crispiness.

Conclusion for fast readers

  • Preparation: wash apples; peel; Cut slices 0.5 cm thick; sprinkle with lemon juice
  • Tip: You can also dry organically grown apples with the skin on
  • Methods: Air drying, oven drying, microwave drying or food drying
  • Air drying: Takes a long time, therefore only feasible on very warm days
  • Oven: Single Layer; max. 80 °C circulating air; slightly open door; turn; takes hours
  • Dehydrator: Dries slowly; gentle at low temperatures; fully automatic
  • Microwave: Small amounts; lowest level; multiple passes; let out steam
  • Storage: After cooling down; cool and dry in a sealed container
  • Shelf life: 12 months

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Trees