Dehydrator recipes
Dried onions
Dry onion flakes for soups, sauces and seasonings.
Start with sound produce free from mould, prepare it by the method for that exact food and arrange it without overlap. Dry at the temperature in the process card, then judge completion only after cooling a sample.
Onions develop concentrated flavour when cut evenly and dried away from foods that readily absorb odours.
Ingredients
- onions 850 g
Preparation
- Peel the onions, cut away damaged parts and rinse them quickly in clean water.
- Cut the onions into even rings or dice and separate layers that cling together.
- Use the no-blanch method for cut onions stated in the source and dedicate trays because the aroma is strong.
Drying steps
- Arrange the prepared food in one layer with clear gaps for unrestricted airflow.
- Select the temperature in the process card and do not overload the trays.
- Near completion, cool a separate piece before testing; remove pieces individually as they reach the endpoint.
A verified recipe-specific value is not available yet.
Temperature
- Dehydrator stage: 60 °C / 140 °F
How to check doneness
Once cooled, pieces should be dry, brittle or crisp as appropriate for the food, with no visible moisture inside. Elapsed time alone does not establish completion.
Safety first
Use clean hands and utensils and only sound produce without mould or decay. Dehydration cannot make spoiled food safe.
Cooling and storage
Cooling
Cool the food completely before packing. Store it airtight in a cool, dry and dark place, and check for condensation or mould.
Serving ideas
Add flakes to soups and sauces or grind fully dry pieces into onion powder.
Compatible WetAir models
Sources
- Colorado State University Extension — preparing and drying vegetables
- University of Minnesota Extension — blanching and cooling vegetables
- National Center for Home Food Preservation — packaging and storing dried foods
- University of Minnesota Extension — home food drying fundamentals
- WetAir instructions for the large steel dehydrator
- WetAir instructions for the compact steel dehydrator
Frequently asked questions
Can time alone tell me that the food is ready?
No. Moisture, preparation and load alter the duration, so test a cooled sample by its physical condition.
What should I do if condensation appears after packing?
Remove and dry the food further if there is no spoilage. Discard the whole affected portion if any mould appears.