How to Dry Bananas at Home

Dried exotic fruits are a tasty and healthy delicacy that many tourists try for the first time in Vietnam. There it is produced industrially, using large charcoal ovens, but bananas can also be dried at home. To do this, you will need a fruit dryer, oven or microwave.

Essential Ingredients: Fresh Bananas.

Cooking time: from 15 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the method.

Benefit and harm

Fresh banana pulp is considered a natural source of magnesium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins B and C. These elements are useful for the normal functioning of the heart muscle and nervous system. They increase stress resistance, contribute to improving mood and reduce anxiety.

Due to moisture loss, dried fruits contain more fructose than fresh fruits. Diabetics enjoy eating them as a healthy dessert. With proper drying, beneficial elements are not destroyed - that is, dried bananas also contain a portion of vitamins.

Sweet treats are harmful for those who follow the figure. As moisture evaporates from the pulp, its caloric content increases. 100 g of fresh bananas contain 85–90 calories, 100 g of dried banana contains 345 calories.

What bananas are dried at home

Bananas can be dried at home and a tasty treat can be obtained if suitable fruits are used.

Suitable for drying:

• ripe fruits with uniformly yellow skin (without signs of brown spots, unripe green patches);
• large varieties (Gros Michel, Giant Cavendish, Rajapuri);
• small varieties (Baby Banana, Dwarf Cavendish).

Size is not as important as the degree of ripeness. Slightly greenish fruits are not so sweet, do not acquire a characteristic rich aroma. The ripened ones do not keep their shape, after drying they acquire an unaesthetic appearance.

Preparatory stage

Bananas are dried in whole or in pieces, depending on size. Before proceeding to drying, they must be properly prepared:

• rinse under running water;
• to peel;
• large fruits cut in half across and along so that 4 parts are formed; small enough to cut in half;
• put the cut into a sieve and dip in acidified water for 30 seconds to prevent darkening of the pulp;
• Remove from water and allow moisture to drain on a paper towel.

Sugar and lemon juice are used to prepare acidified water. A glass of pure cold water takes a tablespoon of sugar and the juice of half a lemon.

At what temperature should I dry in the oven

The most simple and affordable way of drying is in the oven. It resembles the technology for the production of large batches of dried and dried sweets on charcoal. You can dry in a gas or electric oven at the lowest temperature that is available (preferably not higher than 70 degrees).

What is needed:

• bananas - 2 kg;
• parchment paper;
• metal pan;
• oven.

Cooking method:

• the oven is preheated to the indicated temperature;
• cover the baking sheet with high-quality parchment paper, to which the products do not stick in the cooking process;
• pieces are laid out in an arbitrary order so that their edges do not touch;
• a baking sheet is placed in the center of the oven for 3 hours;
• the door is left slightly ajar so that moisture evaporates;
• finished sweets with paper are dragged onto a wire rack and allowed to cool.

How much to dry in the microwave

A microwave oven is the fastest way to get hot slightly dried bananas. The express option resembles Vietnamese delicacies only remotely, but it only takes 15 minutes to cook it.

What is needed:

• 2 large bananas;
• 1 teaspoon of refined oil;
• 1 teaspoon icing sugar;
• flat plate.

Cooking method:

• The cooking container is lubricated with oil (odorless).
• Bananas are cut in a special way - thin rings or obliquely to make pieces in the shape of an oval.
• Pieces are laid out on a greased surface so that they do not touch, and sprinkled with powder.
• The plate is placed in the microwave at the highest power for 1 minute.
• After the bananas are turned over and re-cooked in the microwave for no more than a minute.
• Until ready, the procedure will need to be repeated about 5 times.
• Cool the dessert on the wire rack.

How much to dry in an electric dryer

In a dehydrator (electric dryer), sliced ​​pieces of fruit are dried for about 12 hours. At the same time, no more than 20% of moisture remains in them.

What is needed:

• 2 to 7 kg of bananas;
• electric dryer.

Cooking method:

• Sliced ​​bananas are laid out on a wire rack.
• Set the temperature to 70 degrees and turn on the device.
• Once every 2-3 hours, the grilles are interchanged to ensure uniform airflow.

Dried bananas are suitable for decorating desserts, adding baking, adding to granola or porridge. By choosing the appropriate drying method, you can easily cook a treat with a great aroma at home.