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How to Dehydrate Bananas —
Ideal for Healthy Snacking!

When you know how to dehydrate bananas, you'll find it's a quick and easy way to make great banana chips for on-the-go munching! When re-hydrated: Voila! Banana pudding! It's a great way to use up bananas, as we all know they turn brown so fast!

It's Time to Make Your Own Banana Chips!

The longer you let your bananas "go," the sweeter they become. And softer. And then it's time to dehydrate them! But for those bananas that are "too far gone", consider using them in smoothies—the riper, the better!

NOTE: Check out this fantastic recipe for healthy Banana Cinnamon Rolls and they're pretty much "fat free."

Bananas
Nutrition Info.

If you're dehydrating bananas for our banana cinnamon rolls recipe, note they are a good source of vitamin A, Choline, vitamin C, vitamin K. 

Bananas also contain trace amounts of Niacin, vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Betaine, and Thiamine.

Mineral-wise, bananas are loaded with Potassium, followed by Magnesium, Phosphorus, Calcium.

There's trace amounts of Fluoride, Selenium, Manganese, Iron, Zinc and Copper. Bananas contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids too.

Are There Any Health Benefits to Eating Bananas?

Bananas are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. They're also low in calories and fat.

Eating bananas can help you regulate your blood sugar levels. This is especially important for people with diabetes.

Bananas can also help you stay hydrated. This is because they're more than 70% water by weight.

Tip: Chill Bananas Prior to Slicing

Go to grab a bunch—or two—and when you're ready, chill your bananas first before dehydrating bananas.

It makes the bananas much easier to slice—without them going all mushy!

How to Dehydrate Bananas—
The Easiest Fruit to Dehydrate on the Planet!

1. First, prepare the bananas by unzipping them and slicing evenly. Not too thick and not too thin. Don't forget, you can slice your bananas lengthwise too—so you can wrap it around dates and other fruits (and in our recipe Banana Cinnamon Rolls)! Use your knife and a chopping board, or use a mandoline. TIP: Chill bananas a short while first for easier slicing—less mushiness—(as mentioned above!)
2. Grab a bowl and generously spray the banana slices with lemon juice, tossing gently to make sure they are evenly coated. TIP: Use a pump-top from a new unused spray bottle, pick one that fits your lemon juice bottle, look for one that has a long enough plastic tube that will reach to the bottom of your lemon juice bottle.
3. Arrange the sliced bananas on your dehydrator trays, making sure they don't overlap.
4. Turn on your dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions).

• Dried bananas will feel leathery when fully dried.
• Drying time: between 6-12 hours.
• Please remember to rotate your trays, for even drying.

What Kinds of Bananas are Good for Dehydrating?

There are many different types of bananas that can be used for dehydrating. However, some varieties are better than others.

For example, Cavendish bananas are the most popular type of banana in the world. They're also the type of banana that is typically used in commercial banana chips.

However, Cavendish bananas can be difficult to find in some areas. If you can't find them, you can use another type of banana for dehydrating.

Some other good options include plantains, Lady Finger bananas, and Red Dacca bananas. Experiment and see what type of banana you like best!

Are Bananas Easy to Grow?

Used by Permission / Canva registered user

Bananas are fairly easy to grow, but they do require some special care. For example, they need to be planted in an area that receives full sun. They also need to be watered regularly.

If you live in an area with a tropical climate, you may be able to grow bananas outdoors all year round. However, if you live in a cooler climate, you'll need to bring the plants indoors during the winter months.

Make These Delicious Banana Cinnamon Rolls

Bananas are great any way you slice 'em, but dehydrated bananas are fantastic in granola, banana bread, pudding, cookies... and baby food!

Bananas sliced lengthwise are great for our Banana Cinnamon Rolls.
(Don't fully dehydrate the sliced bananas at the start...)

Now you know how to dehydrate bananas, read this about classically trained Chef Alicia Ojeda and how she uses raw food in her diet and dishes such as the banana cinnamon rolls, shown above.

Susan Gast began Easy Food Dehydrating in December 2010. Read Susan's story of what sparked her interest in all things related to "food dehydrating."

She is featured on Mother Earth News blog, and on Solo Build It (SBI) who host this site. Read her first SBI interview, and her second SBI interview.

Since 1980, Susan's involvement in publishing - in one form or another - led her to create a "review site" of products related to the publishing industry. Visit ePubTechReviews today, also hosted by Solo Build It. Susan also runs her namesake site SusanGast.com on Solo Build It that showcases the books she has written since 2010.

Do you want to send Susan a quick message? Visit her contact page here. She'd love to hear from you!

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