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    The Purposeful Pantry » Dehydrating

    Author: Darcy Baldwin • Published: Jun 7, 2021 · Modified: May 10, 2022

    Dehydrate Sweet Peppers

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Dehydrate sweet peppers in a multitude of ways to save for the whole year! Do whole, diced, rings, julienne, and more - including oven directions!

    Mason jars of dehydrated sweet pepper dices, slices and whole on a wooden surface with fresh peppers in the foreground

    Sweet peppers are so fanastic, aren't they? And unlike bell peppers, you can actually dehydrate many sweet peppers whole! They look fantastic in a jar for Christmas gifts, or to be smoked for later use as a sweet smoked 'paprika' substitute.

    So are you ready to learn how to dehydrate sweet peppers?

    How to Dehydrate Sweet Peppers

    Quick directions: Prepare as desired, dry at 125°F/52°C for up to 12 hours in most cases.

    Directions:

    1. Wash and destem peppers
    2. Prepare as desired
    3. Place on dehydrator trays
    4. Dry at 125°F / 52°C for anywhere from 8-72 hours, depending on how you prepared the peppers.
    5. Dryness check: leathery, brittle, hard, pings when you drop it on a countertop and hollow
    6. Condition - this allows for even moisture distribution of the naturally occurring moisture of dried foods (usually less than 10-12%) and helps prevent molding during storage.
    7. Store dried sweet peppers in an airtight container for a year+

    Tips for Drying Whole Sweet Peppers

    • Be sure to use a fork, a knife tip, or another implement to puncture the pepper completely through the skin. Use small slits all over for the most efficient dehydrating
    • You can also slice off the stem end to have an open-top pepper
    • Removing seeds isn't necessary as they will come out easily and are not hot as hot pepper seeds are
    • Removing the rib membrane is usually not necessary.
    • If you have larger, thicker-walled peppers, it would be best to cut them down to dry most efficiently.
    • Be prepared for them to take up to three or four days to dry.

    To use: Smoke them dried, then grind for a sweet, smokey, paprika-like powder for seasonings. You can also grind unsmoked if you'd like.

    Tips for Drying Sliced Sweet Peppers

    • Use a sharp knife to cut rings from the pepper in approximately ¼" (6 mm) slices. Mandolines will work, but my experience has found that knives are better suited for them since they are not firm.
    • Parchment paper can be helpful if you are very worried about your mesh sheets being stained
    • Expect anywhere from 6-12 hours for drying time.

    To use: Use them in salads or on pizza for a pretty

    Tips for Drying Diced Sweet Peppers

    • Use a vegetable chopper, food processor, or knife to dice sweet peppers.
    • Allow them to drain in a colander for a time before placing on to fruit leather sheets or parchment paper as they can stain mesh on dehydrator trays.
    • Small dices and shreds will shrink up enough to fall through larger grated dehydrator trays, so use something to help to stop falling. Or use a good mat on the bottom and just collect them.
    • Expect anywhere from 6-10 hours of drying time, depending on the size of the pieces.

    Oven Directions:

    1. Follow preparation instructions above
    2. Set your oven to its lowest temperature
    3. Place your prepared sweet peppers onto parchment-covered cooking racks. This is better than straight onto cookie sheets as there is less 'hot' surface area to burn pepper pieces. You can use a cookie sheet under it if you'd like.
    4. Use a burn-proof silicone glove, wooden spoon, or another implement to let the door stay cracked open and allow moisture to escape for the most efficient drying.
    5. Can take anywhere from 4-8 hours for smaller pieces to a day or two for whole peppers. Watch pieces carefully so that they do not burn.
    6. Condition
    7. Store

    How to Rehydrate Dried Sweet Peppers

    When sweet peppers are dehydrated, they are still in their raw form. So when you rehydrate, even with hot water, the peppers are still raw. The hot water just helps open up cells to accept water more efficiently than if cold.

    Soak the peppers in hot water for about 20-30 minutes. Then add it to your dish - but remember to give them plenty of time to cook in the dish, as well.

    Soak in cold water overnight in the fridge. Cover the peppers completely + some to make sure there is enough for them to fully absorb.

    Learn more about rehydrating dehydrated foods with these tips.

    Mason jars of dehydrated sweet pepper dices, slices and whole on a wooden surface with fresh peppers in the foreground

    How to Dehydrate Sweet Peppers

    Dehydrate sweet peppers in whole, sliced and diced formats to save for the whole year!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print PIN THIS! Rate
    Course: Preserved Food
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Drying Time: 12 hours
    Total Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 10kcal
    Author: Darcy Baldwin

    Equipment

    • Dehydrator
    • Knife
    • Vegetable Chopper

    Ingredients

    • Sweet Peppers

    Instructions

    • Wash and de-stem peppers
    • Prepare as desired
    • Place on dehydrator trays
    • Dry at 125°F / 52°C for anywhere from 8-72 hours, depending on how you prepared the peppers.
    • Dryness check: leathery, brittle, hard, pings when you drop it on a countertop and hollow
    • Condition - this allows for even moisture distribution of the naturally occurring moisture of dried foods (usually less than 10-12%) and helps prevent molding during storage.
    • Store dried sweet peppers in an airtight container for a year+
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Video

    Darcy's Tips

    Oven Directions:

    1. Follow preparation instructions above
    2. Set your oven to its lowest temperature
    3. Place your prepared sweet peppers onto parchment-covered cooking racks. This is better than straight onto cookie sheets as there is less 'hot' surface area to burn pepper pieces. You can use a cookie sheet under it if you'd like.
    4. Use a burn-proof silicone glove, wooden spoon, or another implement to let the door stay cracked open and allow moisture to escape for the most efficient drying.
    5. Can take anywhere from 4-8 hours for smaller pieces to a day or two for whole peppers. Watch pieces carefully so that they do not burn.
    6. Condition
    7. Store  
      Condition: Place food into a large glass jar, shake once a day for a week to check for any signs of moisture buildup or sticking that isn't released by an easy shake of the jar. If you find signs, put it back into the dehydrator to dry more. 
      Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to two years in a dark, cool, dry place.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 10kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1166IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.2mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only. Nutrient information for dehydrated foods is based on fresh. Use ¼ of the servicing size for the same nutrient information. Thus 1 Cup of fresh fruit has the same sugars as ¼ dried.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @thepurposefulpantry or tag #thepurposefulpantry!

    ©ThePurposefulPantry. Photographs and content are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe's link is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

    How long do dehydrated sweet peppers last?

    Usually at least a year, and you'll get much more time if you've properly conditioned and stored.

    Can you toss dried peppers into a dish?

    Yes - some dishes work well by just adding dried peppers - those that have a longer cooking time, have plenty of moisture, or would do well with fresh peppers, too. Meatloaf is a prime example as is pizza. You'll have to experiment with what your favorite texture is.

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    Mason jars of dehydrated sweet pepper dices, slices and whole on a wooden surface with fresh peppers in the foreground

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Catherine says

      June 20, 2022 at 7:08 pm

      Can any dried fruit or vegetable be turned into a powder?

      Reply
      • Darcy Baldwin says

        June 22, 2022 at 12:38 pm

        Any veg - most every fruit - sugar content makes powdering a little problematic, but when dates can be made into powder, you can manage it.

        Reply
    2. Chris says

      September 13, 2021 at 3:14 pm

      I am a beginner dehydrator. I dehydrated some bell and sweet peppers and then stored them in food saver bags. Should I open them and condition them and then repack them? Maybe I should just throw them in the freezer? Thanks for any advice. Your site has me hooked! Also, should my peppers be leathery or brittle?

      Reply
      • Darcy Baldwin says

        September 14, 2021 at 8:29 am

        If you've already got them in storage, don't worry. Just keep an eye out. You can see the photo of what they should look like. They are dry, leathery, and larger pieces will break if bent hard.

        Reply
    3. Deborah says

      June 08, 2021 at 8:49 am

      5 stars
      I love this. I have dehydrated Jalapeños before and made a powder out of them. It was for a Christmas gift. NOTE: if you do this, be sure to wear some kind of face protection. You can breath the powder and it’s not pleasant.

      Reply
    4. Pat says

      June 08, 2021 at 5:41 am

      What is the success rate of drying previously frozen sweet peppers?

      Reply
      • Darcy Baldwin says

        June 10, 2021 at 1:37 pm

        They will work just fine! Just use protection on your mesh sheets - they will stain.

        Reply
    5. james Goacher says

      June 08, 2021 at 2:44 am

      5 stars
      I was pleased to see you included the "Rehydration" step.

      Reply
    6. V Entz says

      June 07, 2021 at 6:01 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you! Love the recipe for the oven. I have been limited on counter space and been reluctant to get the dehydrator out (it's an old Ronco). I had experimented with strawberry tops for tea in my oven and look forward to trying mini-bell peppers in the oven.

      Reply

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    Darcy Baldwin of The Purposeful Pantry.

    Howdy! I'm Darcy! I've spent twenty years learning how to stretch our budget and stock our family's pantry by dehydrating food. You can do it, too!

    Learn how I can help you →

    You can get my new book, Dehydrating Basics & Journal to help you get started on your dehydrating journey!

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