Dehydrate sweet peppers in a multitude of ways to save for the whole year! Do whole, diced, rings, julienne, and more - including oven directions!
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:
- Wash and destem 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+
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:
- Follow preparation instructions above
- Set your oven to its lowest temperature
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Condition
- 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.
How to Dehydrate Sweet Peppers
Equipment
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+
Video
Darcy's Tips
Oven Directions:
- Follow preparation instructions above
- Set your oven to its lowest temperature
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Condition
- 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
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.
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Usually at least a year, and you'll get much more time if you've properly conditioned and stored.
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.
Catherine says
Can any dried fruit or vegetable be turned into a powder?
Darcy Baldwin says
Any veg - most every fruit - sugar content makes powdering a little problematic, but when dates can be made into powder, you can manage it.
Chris says
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?
Darcy Baldwin says
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.
Deborah says
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.
Pat says
What is the success rate of drying previously frozen sweet peppers?
Darcy Baldwin says
They will work just fine! Just use protection on your mesh sheets - they will stain.
james Goacher says
I was pleased to see you included the "Rehydration" step.
V Entz says
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.