Drying apple rings: Dried apples from the dehydrator

Drying apple rings contributes to a healthy and balanced diet. If you often feel like snacking in the evening while watching TV or reading, it doesn’t always have to be sweets. Dried apples are just as delicious but much healthier. They are sweet and contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, and important dietary fibers.

They are best preserved when you dry apple rings. With our dörrex dehydrator, this task becomes especially easy. We explain how to dry apple rings, what to pay attention to, and which apple varieties are particularly suitable for drying.

Preparing to dry apple rings

Like any fruit or vegetable to be dried in the dörrex, wash the apples thoroughly before drying. You can either leave the peel on the apple or remove it beforehand, depending on personal preference. Next, remove the core. The easiest way is to use an apple corer.

If you don’t have one, simply quarter the apple and remove the core with a knife. However, in this case, you won’t be able to dry apple rings, only slices. Using a cutter, you can cut the apple into round slices perfectly. Otherwise, cut the quartered apples into slices.

The slices should be about three to five millimeters thick. The thinner the slices, the less time it takes to dry the apple rings. However, very thin slices increase the risk that the apple rings will break after drying.

Which apple varieties are suitable for drying apple rings?

In principle, almost all apple varieties are suitable for drying. However, mealy apples often break when cut. Therefore, firm varieties are preferable if you want to dry intact apple rings. These include the following apple varieties:

• Braeburn
• Granny Smith
• Boskop
• Jonagold
• Royal Gala
• Golden Delicious

In addition, most old orchard varieties are very suitable for drying in a dehydrator. It is important that the apples are always fresh and flawless. If they have passed the fully ripe stage, the apples will become mushy rather than crisp during the drying process.

Drying apple rings with the Stöckli dörrex

Of course, you can also dry apple rings in the oven in the traditional way. However, this is not very efficient, as it consumes a lot of energy. Our dörrex dehydrator, on the other hand, is comparatively energy-efficient with a power consumption of 540 watts. Additionally, it takes up very little space in the kitchen.

Because drying in the oven occupies it for hours, it cannot be used for other purposes during that time. This is another reason to prefer using our dehydrator. It is manufactured in Switzerland by our own company and is of high-quality construction. It offers multiple levels for drying apple rings and can be supplemented with additional drying trays made of plastic or stainless steel if needed.

In total, our dehydrators can be equipped with up to ten trays. They ensure optimal air circulation during the drying process, guaranteeing that all apple rings are evenly dried on every tray.

Depending on your needs, you can also choose between different models with or without a timer. With the timer, you can set the drying time for up to twelve hours, after which the dörrex automatically turns off. Since our devices have stepless temperature control, the drying temperature can be adjusted individually. This allows it to be adapted to the thickness and variety of the apples being used.

The advantages of drying apple rings in a dehydrator

Compared to air drying or oven drying, drying apple rings in a dehydrator offers numerous advantages. These include, among others:

• gentle drying at a constant temperature
• preservation of important and valuable nutrients and vitamins
• optimal air circulation thanks to fine-mesh drying trays
• safe unattended drying with automatic shut-off via timer
• suitable for nearly all other fruits and vegetables that can be dried

Drying apple rings is particularly advisable if you have your own apple trees. Typically, not all apples can be consumed or processed fresh during the harvest season. To prevent them from spoiling, they should be preserved. Drying them in a dehydrator requires significantly less effort than other preservation methods, such as canning or pickling.

How are apple rings dried in a dehydrator?

To dry the apple rings, place the sliced rings or wedges with enough space between them on the drying trays of the dörrex. The browning that occurs during drying can be easily prevented. Simply dip the apple slices briefly in lemon water before drying. This inhibits the oxidation process that causes the brownish color.

Once all trays are filled, place the lid on the top tray. Then select the desired temperature and, if needed, set the timer for the drying duration. The device now begins its work and does not require further supervision.

At what temperature and for how long should apple rings be dried?

A temperature of 60 to 70 degrees Celsius has proven effective for drying apple rings. In this temperature range, the drying process is gentle enough to preserve vitamins and nutrients. Additionally, the moisture is not removed too quickly from the fruit, preventing the apple rings from shrinking excessively or looking unappealing.

Drying apple rings about five millimeters thick takes approximately eight to ten hours. After this, it is easy to check if they are fully dried. Simply break a slice apart — if no juice is released, the rings are ready and can be eaten immediately or stored.

How should apple rings be stored after drying?

The purpose of drying apple rings is to make them shelf-stable for a long time. However, this is only successful if the apple rings are stored correctly after drying. Dried fruit should always be stored in a cool, dry, airtight, and dust-free environment.

Place the apple rings directly into airtight containers after drying. Suitable options include airtight plastic bags, vacuum bags, as well as jars or plastic boxes that seal tightly. If air does enter the containers, the apple rings can absorb moisture again. This can promote mold growth or at least make the dried rings soft.

When stored properly, the apple rings remain good for approximately six to twelve months. In appropriate containers, they can even be frozen in portions. In general, however, you should inspect the apple rings before each consumption.

Your contact with Stöckli

Do you have questions about drying apples, the dörrex, or other products from our range? Then feel free to send us a message via our contact form.