Step 1 Prepare Your Fresh Herbs
To start, wash your herbs to remove any dirt, then remove any dead leaves. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
How to Dry Herbs
Dehydrating herbs like parsley, thyme and basil is a great way to keep a stockpile of additional flavour and nutrients on hand for cooking. If you’ve grown your own herbs or bought fresh herbs, we’ll show you how to dehydrate them and store them so you’ve got delicious, dried herbs to sprinkle on your pizzas, pastas and more.
Skill Level: Beginner
Time:
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There are 6 steps to completing this project:
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Step 2 Dry Herbs In the Oven
When it comes to drying herbs in the oven, start by grabbing a baking sheet and placing your herbs on to it. Place them in a single layer with some space between them to help with air circulation. You can place various herbs on the sheet at the same time, as drying them together won’t affect their flavours. Set your oven to its lowest setting and dry them until they become brittle. If you can crumble them in your hand once cooled, they’re done drying.
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Step 3 Dry Herbs in the Microwave
You can also dry your herbs using a microwave, though take special care to not burn them. Cover them with paper towel and microwave for between 20-30 seconds until they’re completely dried. Let them cool until you can crumble them in your hand.
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Step 4 Use a Food Dehydrator to Dry Herbs
Another great option for drying herbs is to use a food dehydrator. Place your herbs on a single layer, without overlapping and dehydrate them for a few hours until they’re completely dried out. Make sure to check on them to ensure they don’t over-dry.
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Step 5 Air Dry Your Herbs
The easiest way, and one that requires no appliances or special tools, is to simply air dry your herbs. You can hang your herbs upside down on a line using clothespins for 2-3 weeks, until they’re completely dry, or until they crumble to the touch.
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6 Crumble and Store Your Herbs
Once your herbs are dried and cooled completely, crumble them into an air-tight container to preserve their freshness. Dried, ground herbs can usually last 2-3 years when stored correctly, so you’ve now got tasty, nutritious dried herbs to sprinkle on your food when needed!
