One of the best things about growing up in a small southern town was learning to make apple pies. While you can go to the store and buy a can of apples, there is nothing quite as nice as making your own ingredients. This can be a healthy way to make a dessert, and if you haven’t tried a dried apple pie, then you are missing out on an incredible experience.
How to dry apples
Believe it or not, drying apples can be a bit of a process. You can’t just throw an apple in the oven and expect tasty results. To begin, you should go to your grocery store or farmer markets if apples are in season and pick up a couple of apples for practice.
Preparing The Apples
To begin, you will need to, at the very least, remove the apple’s core and cut the apple into 1/4 inch slices. This is especially important since the core does contain a wooden stick. Once you have removed the core, you can begin to wash off your apples in the sink. If you’re not fond of the skin, you may want to peel it off before taking out the core to make things easier on yourself. At this point, you can move onto seasoning or choose to use anti-browning solutions. You can make a simple solution at home by combining lemon juice and water.
Once your sure that your slices are thoroughly clean, you are going to want to pat them dry with a paper towel. This ensures that each slice of apple has an even amount of moisture present. Once they are dry, you can choose a spice to add-in. The most commonly used spice is cinnamon, but if your allergic like me, light sugar is an applicable substitute. Lightly dust the apple with your chosen spice, and arrange them neatly on the cooking rack or tray.
Cooking The Apples
You can choose to use an oven, but this can be a bit complicated and dangerous. To have an oven properly dry food, you will need to find a way to leave the oven door slightly opened. The best and easiest way to make dry apples is by using a dehydrator. No matter your choice, you will need to set the temperature to 155 degrees. Most apples will take between five to eight hours to completely finish dehydrating. It’s advised that you set several timers and check back regularly to keep them from burning.
Once you are done, you should store the apples in your freezer or an airtight container. By storing your apples well, they may be good for over a year’s time. Remember to not leave dried apples setting out once you have finished cooking them, or they can begin to degrade faster.
Dried apple pie recipe and process
To make a dried apple pie, you will need to follow the process above to make 2 1/2 cups of dried apple slices. Once you have your dried apples, you will need to place them in a pot and pour 2 cups of apple juice on top of them. Let this sit for around an hour and then move the pot to the stove; you will want to boil the mixture for around ten minutes. While you’re preparing the apples, go ahead and cook or layout your premade pie crust.
Take the mixture off the stove and pour it into the crust. Top the mixture with the second layer of crust and place it in the oven for forty-five minutes on 400 degrees. Once it’s done, let it cool and then sprinkle either cinnamon or sugar on top. Keep in mind this recipe may vary if you choose to use more apples or cut thicker slices.
FAQs
How to rehydrate dried apples
Believe it or not, rehydrating apples is pretty easy. Simply get a large bowl and throw in your dried apples. Next, feel the bowl with 1 1/2 cup of water and leave it to sit for thirty minutes. When you return, your apples should once again be moist. In most cases, once dehydrated apples won’t taste as good as fresh apples.
How long do dried apples last?
Apples, like any other dried food, have an amazing shelf life. You can expect your dried apples to last from anywhere between six months to a year. As long as the apples are put into a sealed container and stored at room temperature, you should have no problem keeping them edible. For a longer storage period, dried apples can be placed in a freezer. When kept frozen, your apples can last up to 18 months.
How do I tell if dried apples have gone bad?
The best way to judge is by smelling the apples. If the apples have a funky or off smell, then you should throw them away.
