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This dehydrated onion recipe is such a simple way to preserve this delicious pantry staple! Learn how to dry onions in a food dehydrator or in the oven.
Onions are a staple in so many kitchens for a reason.
This incredible ingredient adds so much flavor to all kinds of recipes. While fresh storage onions can last for a while, dehydrating onions will extend the shelf life tenfold.
And if you don’t have a dehydrator, this tutorial on how to freeze onions will be right up your alley.
HOW LONG DOES DEHYDRATED ONION LAST?
As long as it is stored in a cool and dry place, your dehydrated onions will be good for years. Make sure the dried onions are fully cooled before putting them into an air-tight container. As it cools it will release heat that could result in condensation and eventually cause the onion to mold.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Avoid the temptation to increase the heat on the dehydrator or oven to speed up the process. Low and slow wins in the race on this one.
- If possible, move your dehydrator outside to a safe covered space. The smell of drying onion can be overwhelming to many people.
- The onions are ready when pieces of it break or snap instead of bend. If your pieces are thinner, it will feel papery when ready.
- (optional) add a bit of uncooked dried white rice to a powerful blender to make homemade onion powder. The rice will help keep the onion powder from clumping together.
- Use onion in our easy homemade seasoning blend.
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Dehydrated Onion Recipe (2 Ways)
Ingredients
- onions
Instructions
- Remove the tops and skins.
- Cut in half and then make slices ~3/8 inches thick.
- Arrange the slices on your dehydrator so that there is space around each slice, and the slices are not touching.
- Set your dehydrator to the "fruit/vegetables" setting (or 135˚F).
- Rotate trays every few hours.
- Onions are ready when pieces of it break or snap instead of bend. If your pieces are thinner, it will feel papery when ready. (6-12 hours depending on conditions)
Notes
- If possible, move your dehydrator outside to a safe covered space. The smell of drying onion can be overwhelming to many people.
- Dried onions are 3-4 times stronger than fresh.
- Dried onions will rehydrate to ~80% of the original size when soaked in water for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Oven-Drying Instructions: Follow the cutting instructions above and then place onion slices on baking drying racks set in baking sheets. Place in the oven at the lowest temperature possible (usually 140-170˚F) and prop open the door with the handle of a wooden spoon. This allows condensation to escape instead of just settle back onto the onions. Bake for 5-8 hours.
Thanks for mentioning that dehydrated onions will last years. My husband and I love to cook, but we can never seem to keep things fresh long enough to use them. I think we’re definitely going to order some dehydrated ingredients to help us with our cooking.