The Fabulous Food Dehydrator Series Part 2: So What Exactly Can You Make?

Many people think of food dehydrators and think of beef jerky, or maybe dried apples, and that is about it. They may not realize exactly how versatile food dehydrators really are, and how they can be used for more than just some quick snack foods. In fact, food dehydrators can provide healthy snacks for your pets, aid you in your crafting projects, and even help you preserve herbs. If you think food dehydrators are just good for jerky, then you are missing out!

Abandon the idea that a food dehydrator is only good for jerky. Read below to find out how you can get so much more out of your food dehydrator. You might be surprised at just how useful it can be!

So…what exactly can you make in a food dehydrator?

Fruit Snacks

As you know, store bought brands are loaded with sugar, preservatives and artificial colors and flavorings. A small box of name brand fruit snacks usually costs more than $3. You can make your own fruits snacks with a few natural and simple ingredients in your dehydrator. For even more fun, get the kids in on the process and make a family project out of it! They will love creating their own flavors and knowing they made their snacks themselves!

Dried Fruit

Did you know dried fruit can run you as much as $4.00 for a 6 oz. bag? Instead of spending a small fortune on dried fruits that are coated in sugar or have added preservatives, fresh fruit can be dried. This is a great way to create snacks or ingredients. Bananas, blueberries and even strawberries can be dried and mixed into the snack mixes. Pineapple, apples and peaches can also be dried and packed in lunches or for road trips. This is a great way to take advantage of excess fruit during harvest season or use up fruit that is about to go bad.

Dried Vegetables

Don’t waste another vegetable. Your excess vegetables can be dehydrated and stored for later use. When you need to use the dried vegetables, you can rehydrate them using warm broth or water. If making soup, the dried vegetables can be added directly to the soup. Just be sure to give the vegetable enough time to hydrate and soften up. This again is a great way to keep veggies from going to waste and feed a large crowd on a dime.

Homemade Dog Treats

Did you know that dried pineapple can help a dog with arthritis? The internet is full of dog treat recipes that can be done on a food dehydrator. With a few simple household ingredients you can make several dozen treats at the fraction of a cost of name brand treats. This would be another fun project for the whole family to do together, and Rover will really appreciate it.

Herbs

Dried herbs can cost a fortune if you use them in your daily cooking. Use the dehydrator to dry and preserve your herbs you grow over the summer or by at a discounted price while they are in season. Once dried, these herbs will last you for months and save you from having to go broke buying fresh!
Yogurt: Your food dehydrator is perfect for this task. Don’t invest in a yogurt maker, just use your dehydrator instead and save. You can even make individual servings by pouring the yogurt mixture into wide-mouth half-pint canning jars. Use the dehydrator trays to create multiple levels for the maximum amount of yogurt per cycle. How yummy does that sound?

Fruit Leather

Making fruit leather is simple using a food dehydrator. You can make yours healthier by using fresh fruits and applesauce. No need to even add sugar!

Convinced yet? Surprised? Well now you know exactly what a food dehydrator can do for you. Luckily, you don’t have to go far to find one as food dehydrators can be found at most department stores or online shopping venues. They range in price so you can easily find one that fits your needs and your budget.
So why wait? Start saving money now by adding a food dehydrator to your kitchen appliance line up! You will see less food in your garbage and more money in your pocket! Plus, who doesn’t want to enjoy all of that tasty food?

Next in this series, you find out exactly what you need to know about purchasing a food dehydrator that will fit your needs and your budget.

In case you missed the others in the Fabulous Food Dehydrator Series.

What Is A Food Dehydrator All About
How to Choose a Food Dehydrator
How To Care For Your Dehydrator
How To Save Money With A Food Dehydrator

See What’s Drying In My Food Dehydrator

Potatoes
Parsley
Rhubarb
Onions
Celery
Pineapple