How to Dehydrate Kiwi (DIY Dried Kiwi Chips)
Drying Kiwi at home is a simple way to preserve kiwi for healthy snacks right from the pantry.
Ingredients
- 10 ripe kiwi fruits or however many you have
Instructions
- Begin washing kiwi and peel if desired (peeling is completely optional).
- Follow by slicing into ¼ to ⅛ inch thick slices, keeping rounds as close to one another in thickness as possible.
- (Dehydrator) Place slices on trays, ensuring that none overlap. Set the dehydrator to 135° F and bake for 10 to 18 hours adjusting time for slice thickness and ambient humidity. Your kiwi slices are done when they are leathery and pliable.
- (Oven) Arrange slices on oven-safe wire racks over baking sheets to allow for even air circulation. Set your oven as low as it will go (160° to 170° F is standard for most ovens) and turn on your convection fan if you have one. Dehydration will occur much faster (in 3 to 4 hours) so check regularly for doneness.
Notes
Once dehydrated, dried fruit should be stored in an airtight container in a cool location out of direct sunlight.
Conditioning
Once your kiwi slices are dry, you should allow them to cool for at least 30 minutes after which you will likely want to condition them. Conditioning allows for even moisture distribution between dried fruit and lessens any chance of spoilage. To condition dehydrated fruit, place dried kiwi in a container or bag, filling to ⅔ of the way full. Seal and allow to sit in a dry location for 7 to 10 days, shaking or stirring the contents of the jar once a day. If you see condensation appear on the inside of the container, it means your kiwi is not dry enough. Remove the pieces and dehydrate longer. When finished, repeat the conditioning process until no condensation appears. After 10 days of no moisture buildup, you can move your dried kiwi to the pantry for long-term storage.Dehydrating Time
The length of time needed for dehydration will depend on multiple factors including the thickness and size of your slices, the moisture content of your chosen kiwi, and the ambient humidity of your locale. To factor humidity into drying times, see the chart below for reference:- 10 to 30% Humidity: 10 Hours
- 31 to 50% Humidity: 12 Hours
- 51 to 70% Humidity: 14 Hours
- 71 to 80% Humidity: 16 Hours
- Above 80% Humidity: 18 Hours