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Onions are a fantastic addition to any home herb garden, and preserving them by dehydrating is a great way to enjoy your harvest later. These easy-to-grow plants can be transformed into a long-lasting, flavorful seasoning that can enhance a wide range of dishes.

Dehydrated onions are a popular seasoning, providing a concentrated onion flavor for soups, stews, sauces, marinades, casseroles, and even salads and appetizers. Unlike fresh onions, which have a shorter shelf life, dried onions can be stored for extended periods while still delivering that signature onion taste. Plus, dehydrating onions is an excellent way to reduce food waste while preserving their rich flavor.

There are several ways to dehydrate onions, including using a dehydrator, oven, or even air drying. However, today we’ll focus on a quicker, more efficient method: using an air fryer. We’ll guide you through the simple steps to make your own dehydrated onions at home, allowing you to enjoy their full flavor in a long-lasting, convenient form.

Ingredients

3 red onions (you can also use yellow onions)

Equipment

Air Fryer
Food processor, Spice Grinder, Coffee Grinder, or Mortar and Pestle
Knife or vegetable peeler
Cutting Board

dehydrated onions dry onions dried onions

How to Dry Onions Recipe

Peel the onion and thinly slice it with a vegetable peeler or slicer. Be careful when peeling, as it can literally bring tears to your eyes.
Lightly squeeze out excess moisture and blot with a paper towel.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, spread the onion slices evenly in a single layer, and cook for 5 minutes at this temperature.
Then, reduce the heat to 265°F and cook for another 5 minutes. Stir the onions, reduce the temperature to 194°F, and continue cooking until the onions are golden and crispy, about 25 minutes.

Once done, allow the onions to cool completely. Then place them in an airtight container.

How to Store

To keep dehydrated onions fresh and flavorful for long-term storage, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard. Mason jars, vacuum-sealed bags, or food-grade plastic containers with good seals all work well for dehydrated foods. Properly stored dehydrated onions can last from 6 months to 1 year.