It seems that everywhere you turn, someone has discovered a new and ingenious way to use your air fryer! There are an endless amount of cooking techniques to discover, especially if you have a Philips Air Fryer.
Air fryers have the capability to dehydrate and fry foods while using minimal oil, a popular aspect for foodies who want to eat a lot healthier and also store their food for longer.
Dehydrating is a common function of a lot of air fryers, but is it possible in a Philips air fryer?
The answer is simple:
Yes, you can use your Philips air fryer as a food dehydrator. All that is needed is a low heat setting and good ventilation system. And you’re ready to dehydrate fruit, marshmallows, vegetables and even meats.
In this article, we go into detail on how to dehydrate with your Philips air fryer and hopefully answer any pressing questions you may have.
We even give you a quick step by step guide in dehydrating one of my favorite fruits in the world: kiwi.
What is a Food Dehydrator?
There are food dehydrators out in the market, but sometimes the thought of purchasing a new appliance can cause a lot of stress. Maybe you lack counter space or you simply want to use what you already have at home.
There are air fryers that have specific dehydrating functions, and others that don’t.
Related reading: The Best Air Fryer With Dehydrator Function [With Top Tips & Food Ideas]
What is the Difference Between a Food Dehydrator and An Air Fryer?
The interesting thing is, the two aren’t all that different. Air fryers often come with dehydrator settings, and even if it doesn’t it can still dehydrate your food.
Take the Philips air fryer for example. The basic model doesn’t come with an outright dehydrating setting. Set your Philips air fryer at a lower temperature and leave it on for a longer time and the effect will be similar to dehydrating.
Did you know that, according to the National Science Library, both bacteria and fungi are removed when dehydrating? Along with the moisture of course!
What is the Difference Between Dehydrating and Air Frying?
When you think about dehydrated food, do you know what the process entails? It means you keep the food in a raw state, but take out all of the moisture. If you don’t know already, fruits and veggies have an enormous amount of water in them.
Key Difference Between Dehydrating and Air Frying
The key difference between dehydrating and air frying is that air frying cooks food, while dehydrating takes all the moisture out.
There are different appliances that do only air frying and others that only dehydrate.
Dehydrating food also means you increase its shelf life. By eliminating moisture, this makes the food last longer. Humans have practiced this since ancient times.
If you own a Philips air fryer then you.ve got yourself a free dehydrator as a bonus. Keep reading to find out how to convert your air fryer into a handy dehydrator.
Worried about drying out the foods you love? Have a read through our article, Can You Reheat Sauced Wings in an Air Fryer [Simple Steps & FAQ], for tips on not drying out your favorite saucy foods.
How to Use A Philips Air Fryer As a Dehydrator
There are many air fryers out there with dehydrator functions. This setting lets the food remain at low heat for a longer period of time. The slow heat and steady air circulation removes the moisture out of the food.
Personally, I do not like to have a million gadgets and gizmos crowding up my kitchen surface. Why do I need a specific appliance, like my Philips air fryer, can get the job done?
If you live in cramped quarters, like a shared dorm room, then repurposing your air fryer to do multiple jobs isn’t such a bad idea. It can also save you money.
Before you put the Philips air fryer to use, you will need to double check that it has a low heat setting and move it away from any other cooking appliances.
If you have ticked those two boxes, then you are ready to go.
Chef’s note: My Philips air fryer is able to go as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature setting is more than low enough to dehydrate fruits and veggies.
How to Dehydrate Food With A Philips Air Fryer
We will dehydrate a kiwi to make yummy hips. The process is really easy and only requires minimal steps.
Required Ingredients
In order to dehydrate kiwi, you will need:
- A handful of kiwi (you can choose the ones your favorite)
- A peeler to peel off skin
- A knife for safely slicing the kiwi
- Your Philips air fryer, of course
How to Dehydrate Kiwi in a Philips Air Fryer (Step By Step)
Here we take you through six simple steps in dehydrating your own fruit using a Philips air fryer. You can apply these steps to most fruits.
Step 1 - Clean Your Philips Air Fryer
Ensure you have all the ingredients and materials together. Give your air fryer a good wipe down before you begin. You will be using it for a longer time so you want to ensure it has no cooked grease or oil in the chamber or basket.
Step 2 - Peel and Slice
First peel your kiwis so that the skin is completely off. Next, thinly slice the kiwi widthwise about ¼ of an inch thick. Once you have done this, set them aside and start prepping your Philips air fryer.
Top tip: I “top and tail” my kiwis to make peeling them easier.
Topping and tailing means I cut widthwise just a little of the top and bottom.
Step 3 - Philips Air Fryer Prep
Set your air fryer to about 120F. Check the basket and the chamber for leftover grease and oil. If you find some, give it a good clean before you begin.
Step 4 - Place the Kiwi Inside
Once you have your Philips air fryer ready to go, place the kiwi inside in a single layer. Double check for any overlapping kiwi slices and remove extra for the next batch.
Kiwi slices placed in a Philips Air Fryer, ready for dehydration
Step 5 - Start Dehydrating
Set your air fryer for 1 hour. Press start and let the kiwis dehydrate gradually. You may check in on them from time to time to ensure they look okay. You can lower the temperature setting, if desired.
Step 6 - Enjoy As You Like!
Once the time has finished, take the kiwis out and enjoy! Eat them on the spot or store them for ice cream garnish or to add to salads!
Tips for Dehydrating Food With A Philips Air Fryer
Keep on reading to learn about top tips for dehydrating success. You won’t want to miss out on these:
Tip #1 - Protect Your Countertop
Since you will be using your air fryer for longer periods of time, you will want to keep your countertop safe. Try putting a trivet or ceramic tile underneath for safety measure.
Tip #2 - Ensure Your Air Fryer Can Withstand Long Usage
Most air fryers only run for around 15 to maximum 20 minutes. However, with dehydrating you will need to prepare to leave it on for hours.
Tip #3 - Use An Air Fryer Rack for Dehydration
When dehydrating, you will need to space out thinly cut food. For best results, use a rack to separate the food and get sufficient air flow.
Tip #4 - Don’t Season Beforehand
When it comes to dehydrating, you don’t need to season your food like you would when air frying. Dehydrating intensifies the food’s flavor, so whether you decide to dehydrate fruit, veggies, or beef, you can count on your food being sweeter and savorier!
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
We’ll do our best in answering your questions about dehydrating with the Philips air fryer.
Can You Use Your Philips Air Fryer as a Dehydrator?
Yes, you can use a Philips air fryer as a food dehydrator because the heat setting can go very low.
If you are a new owner of a Philips air fryer and it’s your first time using it, then read through our article to learn about how to take full advantage of your shiny new appliance!
What Can I Dehydrate In My Air Fryer?
Mainly, people tend to dehydrate foods like fruit, vegetables, and you can even try out different meats! The air fryer does a spectacular job in accommodating various types of diets. Whether you want to eat healthier or eat mostly raw fruits and vegetables, dehydrating in your air fryer can help.
Can I Dehydrate Marshmallows in My Philips Air Fryer?
Absolutely. If you want to create your own version of the famous Lucky Charms marshmallows then you’re in for a treat. Simply stick your marshmallows in a single layer in your air fryer and dehydrate for around two hours.
How Do I Store My Dehydrated Foods?
The best way to store your dehydrated foods is to place them in an air tight and insect proof container. Store them in a cool, dark, and dry place — ideally in a kitchen cupboard. Remember that moisture, oxygen, and light can affect a food’s potential preserved quality.. .
Final Thoughts
With a dehydrator, you can save money on buying dried fruits at the grocery store and even replace unhealthy snacks in your household with wholesome homemade ones!
Using your Philips air fryer as a dehydrator is an innovative way to use what you already have at home. The process is straightforward and easy.
Once you’ve followed the tips in this article, you can enjoy boundless dried fruits to add on salads, to trail mix, or even eat all by themselves. You’ll be so surprised at the caramelized and sweet flavors.
Have you tried dehydrating fruits, veggies, or meat? Let us know how it went in the comments below.
