How to dry apples in an electric oven so that they do not burn, ways to speed up the process and make fruit chips

The benefits of drying are hard to overestimate. The finished product can "boast" of the following composition.

• Potassium, magnesium. They support the normal functioning of the heart muscle.
• Iron, phosphorus, copper. Participate in the processes of hematopoiesis, help the cardiovascular system to function properly.
• Vitamins of group B, C, K, E, A. They help the nervous system maintain a stable state, participate in metabolic processes of the body, strengthen immunity, and support brain activity.
• Polyphenols. They contribute to lowering blood pressure, improve the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, relieve toxins and other "debris".
• Pectin substances. They improve metabolic and digestive processes, normalize the level of cholesterol in the blood.
• Organic acids. Maintain the acid-base balance of the body.
• Tannins. Act as antioxidants, have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Preparation and processing of fruits

The first question asked by the housewives, what sort of apples is better to dry? You can prepare any fruit, but it is recommended to give preference to summer and autumn varieties with a sour and sweet and sour taste. They should be mature, intolerant, with juicy medium density pulp. You can dry apples at home, which are spoiled by rot. In this case, it is only necessary to trim the damaged areas. Frozen apples are also suitable, a scavenger. It is not necessary to pick the fruits from the tree, as you can collect those that are on the ground.

For convenience, it is better to worry about the tools in advance. A bucket, a basin, a pan, a cutting board, and a knife are integral attributes of the preparation of dried fruits. The whole preparation procedure has three stages.

1. Selection. The collected fruits are thoroughly washed and dried.
2. Cleaning. The core is extracted from apples. Everyone decides whether to remove the peel or not. If dried fruits will be used in the preparation of jelly, charlotte, pies and other pastries, then it is better to cut it. It is worth removing the peel from store products, as it may contain nitrates.
3. Cutting. Fruits are cut into slices, the thickness of which should be no more than 10 mm. This size is most optimal for uniform and quick drying. Another option for slicing is circles or semicircles. Unlike lobules, they look prettier and neater.

How to Dry Apples in an Electric Oven

The use of electric ovens is especially important for residents of the city. An indisputable advantage is that during the preparation of dried fruits, the air in the kitchen does not “weigh down”, as happens when using a gas stove. An electric furnace is safer in maintaining a stable fire. It is much simpler and more convenient to control and regulate the temperature regime.

The technique on electricity is so good that it allows fruits to retain the bulk of the beneficial elements. From 10 kg of fresh fruit, approximately 1.5 kg of dried fruit is obtained. Before you dry apples in an electric oven, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic principles and rules of the process itself.

Fruit layout

Sliced ​​fruits can be laid out on a wire rack or baking sheet. The first option is better, as it provides uniform drying. Parchment paper is covered with paper and the fruit is laid out neatly on it. If you still dry the apples on a baking sheet in the oven, then the leaf should be clean, dry. So that segments do not stick to him, he is covered with paper. It is important that the apple slices are thin, otherwise they will turn out not dried, but dried. To prevent apples from burning, you need to periodically shake the pan.

Cooking time

It depends on the condition and power of the equipment. On average, it takes five hours to dry apples in the oven with constant supervision. But the process can last eight to ten hours if the fruit is too hard and sour to taste.

Temperature conditions

The main principle of cooking is a constant increase in temperature and its decrease closer to readiness. At the very beginning, you need to preheat the oven to 45-50 ° C. Fruits begin to dry. At the second stage, apples should be dried at temperatures up to 70-95 ° C and maintained for several hours until most of the moisture evaporates from the fruits. At the third, final stage, the initial temperature is set. A yellowish or brownish tint will indicate the readiness of the product. You can take one slice and bend it. If she leaves no marks on her fingers, then she has reached “full condition”, broken up — the fruits are overdried.

Modes

When using a conventional device without hot air, the above alternation should be followed. The technique can be convection. This is a stove in which a fan is installed for blowing hot air. The following sequence is used here - low (40 ° C), medium (75-80 ° C) and again low heating power. If you dry fruits only in medium mode, they will not deteriorate. Drying time in a convection oven is reduced by no more than a couple of hours.

Other methods

In addition to using an electric furnace, you can also dry fruits in other ways. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. The main methods include the following:

• in a gas stove;
• in the microwave;
• in the air grill;
• in a special dryer for fruits and vegetables;
• on air.

In the gas stove

Features. The method is suitable if you need to process a large number of crops. As for the disadvantages, with prolonged use of a gas stove in the kitchen, the air becomes heavy. Uncomfortable conditions can be changed with high-quality ventilation.

Procedure

1. Put the prepared fruit on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. In the process of cooking, shake it periodically so that the apple slices do not burn. If we put several sheets in the oven, then from time to time we change their places. We can put apples on a wire rack. On it they will dry more evenly than on a baking sheet. You can not use paper.
2. At the first stage of drying we set the temperature to 50-55 ° C.During this period, open the door of the equipment a little to provide air ventilation.
3. After two hours, gently mix the slices. Next, increase the temperature to 70 ° C. Hold it until the main fruit liquid evaporates. Reduce the heating power to 50 ° C.
4. Drying apples in a gas oven is best for six to eight hours. We check their readiness in the same way as when using an electric oven.

In the microwave

Features. One of the quick ways to prepare dried fruits. Suitable if you need to process a small amount of the crop.

Procedure

1. We spread the prepared pieces of fruit on a plate.
2. We put in the microwave and select a power of 200-300 watts. We set the timer for three to four minutes. We try to check the fruit every 30 seconds.
3. If the pieces are dried on one side and not on the other, then turn them over.
4. We check readiness, as in the two previous versions.

In the air grill

Features. The fastest way - the cooking process takes only one hour. Moisture is removed from the fruit evenly, which ensures uniform drying. Ready-made dried fruits are characterized by long-term storage.

Procedure

1. We spread the slices on the levels of the air grill so that they do not touch each other.
2. We cook for one hour at a temperature of 100 ° C and low blow.
3. If the first portion is not dry enough, then put the second at a temperature of 120 ° C.

In the electric dryer

Features. Drying apples at home in a similar way is convenient, since you can process a lot of raw materials. The electric assistant will do everything herself. You just need to load fruits into it and choose a suitable program. They do not need to be turned over or shaken, to constantly monitor their condition. Slices do not burn and get the correct degree of drying.

Procedure

1. We cut apples into slices in one layer on pallets.
2. We install lattices in the dryer for vegetables and fruits. Set the temperature to no higher than 55-60 ° C.
3. We are waiting for seven to eight hours. If the slices are not completely dried, then we can put them for another couple of hours, increasing the temperature to 75-80 ° C.

On air

Features. The classic time-tested version that our great-grandmothers and grandmothers used. It is considered the most budgetary. More suitable for owners of private homes. But it can only be used in dry, warm weather. The option is also suitable if the fruits are dried on a central heating battery. For several days, the fruits lie on it until the bulk of the water leaves them. Then they are taken out for drying out.

Procedure

1. Put apples into slices on a baking sheet.
2. We put in the open space in direct sunlight.
3. We cover with gauze so that wasps, flies and other insects do not sit on the fruit.
4. During the day, mix the slices two to three times.
5. At night we bring the baking sheet into the room.
6. Dry for five to seven days.
7. We check the readiness of the fruit, as in the previous methods.

After you managed to dry the apples in the oven or in other ways, you need to take care of their safety. Suitable for storage linen, cotton bags, boxes of cardboard or wood, glass jars. Dry them in them and leave them in a dry, warm, darkened place that is well ventilated. Do not use plastic containers and plastic bags for storage, as drying will “suffocate” in them. Periodically check the product for mold, signs of decay, insects.

Other salad recipes