Recipe This | Dehydrate Basil In Air Fryer (2024)

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How to dehydrate basil in air fryer. If you want to transform fresh basil leaves into dried basil in a jar that you can use in everyday cooking, then this ultimate dried basil guide is for you.

We are using the Ninja Foodi dehydrator setting to transform fresh basil into dried out basil leaves and then using the blender to blend into dried basil.

Recipe This | Dehydrate Basil In Air Fryer (1)

Table of Contents

Dehydrating Basil

Back last summer I was asked when I would be sharing dried herbs in the air fryer, using the dehydrator setting.

It was just after sharing how to dehydrate garlic and how to dehydrate onion.

I completely understood why the Recipe This readers wanted it so much.

After all, how many recipes start with dried seasoning alongside garlic and onion?

It felt like the natural next step with the air fryer dehydrator.

I was so busy enjoying summer and then of course other things came up and it feels so good to say, that I finally have a great, yet simple recipe for dehydrating basil in the air fryer.

Are You New To The Air Fryer?

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Can You Dehydrate Basil?

Yes, you can dehydrate basil and I highly recommend doing so.

I look at food waste and one of the biggest food waste problems is fresh herbs. We buy a cute little plant of fresh basil with its beautiful bright green leaves, then use a small quantity for a recipe that calls for fresh basil and then the rest dies and eventually makes its way to the bin.

The Plan B, next time you buy fresh basil for a recipe, is to dry the leftovers. Then you can have a little jar of dried basil to go towards another recipe and another and zero food waste.

Best Way To Dry Basil?

Many will tell you that you must own a dehydrator to dry basil. Others will tell you to dry basil from the oven, or with a microwave.

My old neighbour in Portugal would have told me to dry it on my outside wall in the beautiful sunshine.

But the truth is, the best way to dry basil is using a dehydrator setting on an air fryer. It creates the perfect temperature, it will dry basil much quicker than an old school dehydrator and if you use this accessory that we highly recommend, then you can dry a lot of basil leaves at once.

How To Dry Basil Without A Dehydrator?

The best way to dry basil leaves (if you don’t have a dehydrator) is to use the air fryer. I first started dehydrating with my old air fryer oven (it was this one) and now I dehydrate with this model of the Ninja.

The air fryer is similar in time to dry, as an oven without needing to keep the oven open slightly, because that’s what the air circulation can offer of an air fryer.

You then have a stackable unit and can do rather a lot of fresh basil.

Can You Dehydrate In An Air Fryer?

Yes, you sure can. I have tried many different fresh foods in the air fryer and they have all dehydrated very well.

Whilst we are showing you today how to turn fresh basil to dry basil, fruits work very well such as dehydrated orange slices, dehydrated cherries, dehydrated mango, dehydrated lemon slices, or my personal favourite dehydrated banana chips in the air fryer.

Can You Put Basil In Air Fryer?

Yes, you can put basil in the air fryer. The favourite choice is to add basil to the air fryer to for dry basil, but you can also add fresh basil over pizza, or use it to make something yummy with some fresh tomatoes.

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Dehydrate Basil Ingredients

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Basil – I used one full fresh basil plant minus a little I had used to make some tomato soup in the soup maker. Note that the dried basil we made was not that much, so less than half a plant and you will be disappointed by the quantity created.

Dehydrator – We also used my stackable dehydrator that I bought specifically for the Ninja Foodi. If you are dehydrating basil leaves with an air fryer, I recommend something similar. I love this one because it allows you to have several racks of fresh basil dehydrating at once.

Then for the kitchen gadgets that we have used in this drying basil recipe it has just been our Ninja Foodi. We have this one and its wonderful for many types of recipes including dehydrating.

Plus, we recommend you head over to our air fryer recipes category as we have more than 500 tried and tested air fryer recipes and have been air frying for 10 years. And nearly all are suitable for the Ninja Foodi air fryer setting.

How To Dehydrate Basil In Air Fryer?

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  • Wash. Start by washing your fresh basil leaves in a little bowl of water, then pat dry with kitchen towel.
  • Load. Add your fresh basil leaves to your dehydrator shelves. Start at the bottom, clipping on each shelf as it fills up.
  • Load. Then add your stackable dehydrator into the Ninja Foodi and place the air fryer lid down.
  • Cook. Set the temperature to 55c/130f and the function to dehydrator and then dry basil leaves for 3 hours or until fully dried and like dried out leaves in the park.
  • Finish. Then once the dehydrator is done, remove the dry basil and load into a blender. Blend until you have the texture of dried basil. Load into an airtight container and consume in basil recipes within a year.

And I am sure you can see now how easy it is dehydrating basil in air fryer and why you should be doing it too!

How Long To Dehydrate Basil?

We recommend 3 hours for dehydrating basil. Though we note that in some air fryers its quicker than others.

Do keep an eye on your basil leaves from 2.5 hours onwards to see how much longer they need and if the cook time needs adjusting.

How Long Does Dried Basil Last?

Dehydrated basil will last the same time as dried basil that you bought already dried. As long as it is kept in an airtight container in a cool pantry.

Though in the Milner house we love to use dried basil in recipes and it will often be gone within a month.

How To Store Dried Basil?

I buy these plastic containers for when I am dehydrating. They are airtight and are also great for transporting if going on vacation.

They are also very good for taking to a weigh in place to buy exact quantities of dried produce. Such as dried chickpeas for instant pot chickpeas.

Then I store the dried basil in my herbs cupboard for easy access.

What You Need To Dehydrate In A Ninja Foodi?

In a traditional dehydrator you have a lot of shelves that you can fill with food you want to dry. Of course a Ninja Foodi is one big pot so how do you do it? You buy the Ninja Foodi dehydrator accessory and it is a stack of shelves just like a traditional dehydrator and can store a lot on it and then place it inside of your Ninja Foodi cooking pot.

Dried Basil Recipes

You have now finished drying basil in the air fryer, and I am sure you are looking for some dried basil recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Lasagne
  • Air Fryer Filet O Fish
  • Air Fryer Subway Meatball Sub
  • Microwave Asparagus

Listen To Dehydrated Basil in The Ninja Foodi

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More Dehydrator Air Fryer Recipes

  • Dehydrated Limes
  • Dehydrated Watermelon
  • Dehydrated Kiwi Chips
  • Dehydrated Pears
  • Dehydrated Apples
  • Dehydrated Marshmallows
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Your dehydrated basil recipe is below, note you can print it out with or without photos, adjust servings, or click between metric and imperial depending on where you are in the world.

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Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Dehydrate Basil In Air Fryer

How to dehydrate basil in air fryer. If you want to transform fresh basil leaves into dried basil in a jar that you can use in everyday cooking, then this ultimate dried basil guide is for you.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time3 hours hrs

Total Time3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course: seasoning

Cuisine: Ninja Foodi

Servings: 3 Tablespoons

Calories: 1kcal

Author: RecipeThis.com

Ingredients

  • 1 Fresh Basil Plant

MetricImperial

Instructions

  • Remove the basil leaves from the plant and rinse them in some cold water.

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  • Then pat dry your basil leaves with some kitchen towel. I find that one sheet below and one sheet on top does the trick.

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  • Get out your dehydrator accessory and load up the shelves with fresh basil leaves. Start at the bottom and work your way up and clip each shelf into place as you do it.

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  • Once the dehydrator is full then load into the Ninja Foodi. Place the air fryer lid down on the Ninja Foodi and set it to the dehydrator setting.

    Recipe This | Dehydrate Basil In Air Fryer (12)

  • Dehydrate basil for 3 hours at 55c/130f or until the basil is like dried out fall leaves in the park.

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  • Then load into a blender and pulse until it resembles dried basil. Then load into an airtight plastic container such as a plastic mason jar and store in a cool place for up to 1 year.

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Notes

Flying. Your dry basil will fly about a bit because of how light it is. The easy solution is to avoid filling the top layer of the dehydrator. But if they do go to the bottom they will still dehydrate well.

Thanks for reading our dehydrated basil in air fryer recipe on Recipe This. We have many more air fryer recipes for you to check out next. Though if you would like to try more delicious dehydrator recipes in the air fryer, then do check out our air fryer dehydrated beets recipe next.

Nutrition

Calories: 1kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.1g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 0.2mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 211IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition InfoPlease Note: Nutrition values are our best estimate based on the software we use at Recipe This and are meant as a guide. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Recipe This | Dehydrate Basil In Air Fryer (2024)

FAQs

Recipe This | Dehydrate Basil In Air Fryer? ›

Preheat the air fryer to 270℉. Line up the basil leaves in a single layer across the bottom of the air fryer basket. Cook the basil for 8 to 12 minutes. You need to watch the leaves, as they can burn more easily with this method.

Can I just air dry basil? ›

Air-drying basil is a really simple and easy way to preserve this yummy herb. The main requirement is time - it takes about 4 weeks for basil to dry properly. If you're looking for a good way to preserve basil immediately check out my Basil and Olive Oil icecubes Instructable.

Can you air fry fresh herbs? ›

Dry Herbs in an Air Fryer

Wash the herbs and then pat them dry with a dishcloth. Herbs need to be weighed down inside the air fryer. Delicate, lightweight leaves and sprigs will likely get blown around inside the air fryer once the fan starts going.

How do you get the most Flavour out of basil? ›

In order to get the most flavor out of basil, mint, etc., you don't need fancy knife skills or a mortar and pestle. You just need to slap them. First the technique: place a few leaves or sprigs of your chosen herb in one palm. Then give it a good smack.

How long to dry basil in air fryer? ›

Preheat the air fryer to 270℉. Line up the basil leaves in a single layer across the bottom of the air fryer basket. Cook the basil for 8 to 12 minutes. You need to watch the leaves, as they can burn more easily with this method.

Is dried basil as good as fresh? ›

Dried basil is a versatile option for cooking because it has a long shelf life, making it convenient for occasional use. Its flavor is more potent compared to fresh basil, so you can use it sparingly. Common uses include seasoning sauces, soups, and stews.

What do I do with all this basil? ›

Don't let it wilt – there are so many deliciously different ways to use it up.
  1. 1Gnocchi with burnt butter, lemon and basil. ...
  2. 2Bocconcini and basil turkish pizza. ...
  3. 3Basil lime cooler. ...
  4. 4Tomato salad with basil oil dressing. ...
  5. 5Fennel and basil beans on ricotta toasts. ...
  6. 6Toasted cheese, basil and tomato sandwich.

Does basil taste good cooked? ›

Raw or cooked, fresh basil adds its own distinct, beloved flavor to any number of dishes. It's one of those herbs that home cooks turn to so often that many have found it more convenient to grow their own so they always have a supply on hand.

What is eating fresh basil good for? ›

The eugenol in basil can block calcium channels, which may help to lower blood pressure. Its essential oils can help lower your cholesterol and triglycerides. Basil also contains magnesium, which can help improve your blood flow by allowing your muscles and blood vessels to relax. Reduced inflammation.

Why do you clap basil? ›

THE BOTTOM LINE: Slapping herbs can enhance the flavor and aroma of herb garnishes, but if you're mixing the herbs into a dish, there's no need for violence.

What is the hack for keeping basil fresh? ›

For a bunch of basil you'd like to keep around more than a couple days, take a cue from food director Chris Morocco. The best way to keep basil fresh, he says, is to trim the ends of the stems as you would a bouquet of flowers, and then place the cut basil in a glass jar, tall vase, or glass of water.

What other spices go well with basil? ›

Basil. Basil has a sweet, warm, peppery taste and is famous for its use in the Italian kitchen. Basil works well with most other herbs: Parsley, lemon balm, oregano, rosemary, chives, dill, mint and coriander.

Is it OK to air dry herbs? ›

For Hardy Herbs — The sturdier herbs such as sage, thyme, rosemary, summer savory and parsley are the easiest to dry. They can be tied into small bundles and air dried. Air drying outdoors is often possible; however, better color and flavor retention usually results from drying indoors.

How do you dry basil after cutting? ›

Set your oven to 200 degrees F, or the lowest temperature. Add the basil to a parchment-lined baking sheet on the upper rack of the oven. Bake for two to four hours, or until dry and crumbly. Allow the basil to cool completely, crumble, and store in an airtight container for up to a year.

Does dried basil need to be cooked? ›

Fresh basil is much softer than dried, so if you're adding it to a dish last minute or even after it's cooked, you'll have the flavor of basil without feeling like you're chewing stems. Instead, dried basil needs to be cooked to rehydrate so that it has a more pleasant texture.

How do you use dried basil instead of fresh? ›

That means the correct ratio is 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs to 1 teaspoon of dried herbs. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano, you need only 1 teaspoon of dried oregano. The same goes for basil, dill, parsley, and any other herb that you fancy.

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