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, an oven or a microwave oven.

Ingredients needed: fresh bananas.

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

Benefits and harms

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, improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Dried fruits contain more fructose due to loss of moisture than fresh ones. Diabetics enjoy eating them as a healthy dessert. When dried properly, the beneficial elements are not destroyed - that is, dried bananas also contain a portion of vitamins.

Sweet treats are harmful for those watching their figure. As moisture evaporates from the pulp, its calorie content increases. 100 g of fresh bananas contain 85–90 calories, 100 g of dried bananas contain 345 calories.

What bananas are dried at home?

You can dry bananas at home and get a tasty treat if you use the right fruits.

Suitable for drying:

• ripe fruits with uniformly yellow skin (no signs of brown spots, unripe green areas);
• large varieties (Gros Michel, Giant Cavendish, Rajapuri);
• small varieties (Baby Banana, Dwarf Cavendish).

Size is not as important as ripeness. Slightly greenish fruits are not so sweet and do not acquire the characteristic rich aroma. Overripe ones do not hold their shape and after drying they take on an unaesthetic appearance.

Preparatory stage

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

• rinse under running water;
• to peel;
• Cut large fruits in half crosswise and lengthwise so that 4 parts are formed; small ones just need to be cut in half;
• place the slices in a sieve and lower them into acidified water for 30 seconds to prevent the pulp from darkening;
• remove from water and allow moisture to drain on paper towel.

Sugar and lemon juice are used to prepare acidified water. For a glass of clean cold water, take a tablespoon of sugar and the juice of half a lemon.

At what temperature to dry in the oven

The simplest and most accessible method of drying is in the oven. It resembles the technology for producing large batches of dried and dried sweets on charcoal. You can dry it in a gas or electric oven at the lowest temperature available (preferably no higher than 70 degrees).

What you will need:

• bananas – 2 kg;
• parchment paper;
• metal baking tray;
• oven.

Cooking method:

• the oven is preheated to the specified temperature;
• the baking sheet is covered with high-quality parchment paper, to which the products do not stick during the cooking process;
• the pieces are laid out in random order so that their edges do not touch;
• the baking sheet is placed in the center of the oven for 3 hours;
• the door is left slightly open to allow moisture to evaporate;
• The finished sweets along with the paper are dragged onto a wire rack and allowed to cool.

How long to dry in the microwave

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

What you will need:

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

Cooking method:

• The cooking container is greased with oil (odorless).
• Bananas are cut in a special way - into thin rings or diagonally to form oval-shaped pieces.
• The 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.
• Afterwards, the bananas are turned over and re-cooked in the microwave for no more than a minute.
• The procedure will need to be repeated about 5 times until it is ready.
• Cool the dessert on a wire rack.

How long to dry in an electric dryer

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

What you will need:

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

Cooking method:

• Place the sliced ​​bananas on the grill.
• Set the temperature to 70 degrees and turn on the device.
• The grilles are swapped every 2-3 hours to ensure uniform airflow.

Dried bananas are suitable for decorating desserts, adding to baked goods, or adding to muesli or porridge.By choosing the appropriate drying method, you can easily prepare a delicacy with a great aroma at home.