How To Dry Figs In A Dehydrator (Easy Guide)
If you have your own fig tree, you’ll know that all your figs will usually ripen at once, and you won’t be able to eat them fast enough before they go off. For this reason, you’ll want some easy preservation methods so that you can stop all those lovely figs from spoiling and be able to enjoy them for a longer time.
One of the best ways to preserve your bounty is to dry them in your dehydrator. Once they’re dry, you just have to store them in an airtight container in the pantry. This means that you can enjoy those figs long after the tree has dropped its leaves in the fall.
Here’s our easy guide for drying figs in a dehydrator.
Prepare Your Figs
After you’ve harvested all your figs, give them a wash and let them dry. Remove any stems and cut your figs in half.
Place The Figs On The Trays
Take out your dehydrator trays and place the fig halves onto them, skin side down. Make sure you only place them in a single layer and leave some space in between each one so that they’re not touching each other.
Set The Temperature And Turn On Your Dehydrator
Put the trays of figs into your dehydrator and set the temperature to 135 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius). Set the timer for around 6 to 8 hours and turn your machine on.
Check The Figs Once The Timer Stops
The drying time will vary depending on the type of dehydrator you have, how large the figs are, and how much humidity there is in the air.
Once the timer has finished, you should check your figs to see if they’re dry enough. They should be totally dry to the touch but not hard or brittle. You want them to be a little chewy when you eat them.
If the figs are not dry enough, run the dehydrator for another hour or two and check the figs again.
Put Your Dried Figs In An Airtight Container
Once you’re sure that the figs are dry enough, all you have to do is let them cool down completely, put them into an airtight container and store them in the pantry or the store cupboard. Mason jars are ideal for this.
It’s even better if you have a vacuum sealer and can remove any excess air from the jar, especially if you want to store your figs for an extended period of time. You will find that you can store your dried figs safely for up to 2 years as long as they’re kept in a cool, dark spot.
Dry Your Figs In The Oven If You Don’t Have A Dehydrator
If you don’t have a dehydrator and can’t afford to purchase one right now, you can also dry your figs in the oven. You have to ensure that you set the oven temperature as low as possible (135 degrees Fahrenheit).
If your oven doesn’t have this low-temperature setting, then you should leave the oven door cracked open just a little and select the lowest temperature possible. Remember that you just want to dry your figs and not cook them.
Line a flat baking tray with some parchment paper and place your halved figs on this. Position them skin side down and make sure that they’re not touching each other.
Put the tray into the oven for around 6 to 10 hours. It’s also a good idea to turn your figs every now and then during this process to ensure that they dry evenly.
Once the figs are completely dry, take them out of the oven and let them cool down completely. Then, you can pack them into an airtight container and store them in the pantry for around two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature do you dry figs in a dehydrator?
You should set the temperature in your dehydrator to 135 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius) when you want to dry figs.
Do you have to blanch figs before dehydrating them?
It is not necessary to blanch figs before dehydrating them. However, blanching for 30 seconds will help them to dehydrate faster.