An apricot is a small fruit.It's sweet flesh makes it suited for drying.Dehydrating dried apricots can be done in the oven or a machine.They make great snacks.
Step 1: Pick your apricots when they are ripe.
When dried, under-ripe fruit can become sour.If you can get ripe fruit in your area at the end of the season, you should eat it raw.
Step 2: There are big sales at the supermarket.
Depending on the year, they will be ripe in late summer or between July and September.
Step 3: Place firm apricots in a paper bag in the window.
You can put your apricots in the refrigerator for up to a week if you are worried about them becoming overripe.
Step 4: Make sure your apricots are clean.
After soaking them for a few minutes in water to loosen dirt, rinse them with running water.If you have bruised apricots, discard them.
Step 5: Put the apricots in the pit.
You can remove the pit if you cut them in half.
Step 6: The apricots need to be turned inside out.
The flesh is exposed to the air if the outside center is pushed up.With the flesh facing up, you will dry them.
Step 7: Line the baking sheet with paper.
If you have a large wire rack, place it above the rack to reduce drying times.
Step 8: The apricot halves can be put on the rack or directly on paper.
Make sure they are parallel.
Step 9: Place your oven at its lowest setting.
They will dry best at a warm temperature.The temperature for drying apricots is 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 10: There are several levels to the oven rack.
The cooking sheets should be placed in the oven.
Step 11: The apricots need at least 10 to 12 hours to dry.
They should be turned at the halfway mark to make sure they don't dry out.When they are done, they should be soft.Depending on the size of the apricots and the temperature at which you dry them, the cooking time will vary.It will take less time to dry at 175 degrees.
Step 12: Pick your fruit.
Just as you did in the oven drying method, wash them with fresh water.
Step 13: Put the apricots in the pit.
Use a paring knife to slice them.The pit should be removed and discarded.
Step 14: Turn the halves inside.
The skins should be left on.The flesh needs to be spread out until you press the outside center.
Step 15: The dehydrator racks need to be removed.
The apricots should be spread on the rack.Make sure there is enough space between the pieces of fruit.
Step 16: The racks need to be replaced.
The dehydrator should be set at 135 degrees.If this is the low, medium or high setting, you need to read your manual.
Step 17: Wait until the timer goes off.
The apricot halves will take longer.
Step 18: There are sealed glass canning jars for storing dried apricots.
Place them in a dark place.They will last a long time.