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    Home » Dehydrating

    Author: Darcy Baldwin • This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Drying Mint 4 Ways

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Dried mint in a jar with a glass of iced tea and a tea infuser full of dried mint for flavoring
    Jar of dried mint, dried mint leaves and fresh mint all on a white cutting surface

    Drying mint is so easy to do and a great way to have mint flavor all year long! Learn the secrets of drying and storing mint for optimum flavor!

    Mint, of all types, is so easy to dehydrate. There are quite a few ways to accomplish it, even without a dehydrator.

    Jar of dried mint, dried mint leaves and fresh mint all on a white cutting surface

    How to Dry Mint

    For all processes below, first wash your mint - whether it's storebought or homegrown, it's best to wash off any impurities.

    For large batches, you can use a salad spinner (I use the OXO salad spinner) to quickly spin away most moisture before drying. Or you can choose to put on tea towels and let air dry or gently pat dry.

    Note: I'm using spearmint as an example in this post. But you can dry all mints the same way.

    Dehydrator Instructions

    1. Place on dehydrator trays (no need to remove stems)
    2. Dehydrate at 95F/35C for 4-10 hours
    3. Strip leaves from stems
    4. Condition
    5. Store in airtight containers

    If you happen to use a Sahara Folding Dehydrator, it has an air-dry feature (no heat) that makes drying herbs even better!

    Fresh mint leaves before and dried mint leaves after both on Sahara dehydrator trays
    Mint is fully dried when it easily crumbles.

    Air Dry Instructions

    1. Bundle into small bundles and tie off with twine, string, rubber bands
    2. Place into a paper bag (with a few holes), a milk bag, or other protective bag with airflow, and hang in a cool, dark, place with plenty of air flow.
    3. Dry for up to two weeks
    4. Strip leaves from stems
    5. Condition
    6. Store

    Oven Drying Instructions

    1. Place on cooling racks on a cookie sheet. Use parchment paper if desired.
    2. Prop the door open to allow excess heat and moiture to escape (please be cautious if you have mobility impaired individuals in your home).
    3. Dry in oven overnight with light on or pilot light going. This may take up to up to two hours.
    4. Alternatively, set your oven temp to its lowest possible temperature, dry mint, and turn off the oven after the first hour and let the residual heat finish. If you can't get below 200F, I recommend air drying instead, so as not to burn the mint.
    5. Strip leaves from stems
    6. Condition
    7. Store.

    Microwave Instructions

    1. Place leaves on a microwave-safe plate. You may use a paper towel if desired.
    2. Run on high for thirty seconds.
    3. Then run in five-second intervals until leaves are dried like paper. Remember, they will be hot, so it will affect the feel.
    4. Cool
    5. Condition
    6. Store.

    When is Mint fully dried?

    When the leaves crumble easily in your hand.

    Dried mint in a jar with a glass of iced tea and a tea infuser full of dried mint for flavoring

    Uses for Dried Mint

    • Add to tea blends
    • Use in recipes as you would other herbs
    • Use as an infused flavor in hot or cold tea. I happen to use this tea infuser, but you can use a tea ball as well.
    • Add to Asian dishes
    • Use in Pesto for a bright uplifting flavor
    • Use in capsules to help regulate digestion. Learn more about creating capsules at home with this handy tutorial.

    Drying Mint FAQ's

    How long to store dried mint?

    Most dried mint lasts about a year. If you begin to notice that you can no longer identify the herb when you open a jar, crush it in your hand. If you still cannot identify it, it's done and you need to get more

    What mint works best?

    You can dry any mint variety! Some mints are strong like peppermint, others are less so. But all mint dries in this fashion - experiment with your favorite!

    Jar of dried mint, dried mint leaves and fresh mint all on a white cutting surface
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    PIN THIS!!

    Drying Mint

    Dehydrate or dry mint is so easy to do and a great way to have mint flavor all year long!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Drying Time10 hrs
    Keyword: dried mint, Mint, peppermint, spearmint
    Author: Darcy Baldwin

    Ingredients

    • Mint Use any variety you have

    Instructions

    • Wash mint well and remove excess moisture

    Dehydrating Instructions

    • Place on trays
    • Dry at 95F/35C until mint crumbles

    Air Drying Instructions

    • Tie into bundles and hang in a well ventilated, cool, dark space
    • Or place onto drying racks
    • Dry for up to a week until leaves crumble

    Microwaving Instrucitons

    • Place leaves in single layer on microwave-safe dish
    • Run on high for 30 seconds
    • Run in increments of five seconds until fully dry

    Further instructions

    • Once dry, destem if needed
    • Condition
    • Store for up to a year
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thepurposefulpantry or tag #thepurposefulpantry!
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    Jar of dried mint, dried mint leaves and fresh mint all on a white cutting surface
    « Make Your Own Biscotti with a Dehydrator
    Dehydrate Frozen Corn »
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    Howdy! I'm Darcy! I've spent the last twenty years learning how to stretch our budget to meet the needs of our growing family. I want to help you succeed at it, too!

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