When you find yourself with an abundant harvest of banana peppers and you’re scratching your head, wondering what to do with them all, drying them is the perfect solution!
Dried banana peppers, while not as common as, let’s say, black pepper, make an unexpectedly delightful addition to your spice cabinet. You can air dry them, use a food dehydrator, dry them on the counter, or dry them in the sun. Just be sure to always follow safety guidelines when drying and storing your peppers.
Why buy them when you can make your own banana pepper spice? It’s so simple, it’s bananas! Stay with me as we delve into the exciting world of pepper drying techniques!
What is the best way to dry banana peppers?
Drying banana peppers is such an excellent way to save your peppers for later that you’ll wonder why you haven’t done it sooner.
Fresh banana peppers are known for their mild tangy flavor, but drying them unlocks a rich depth of flavors, which adds a unique twist to your meals.
For those of us lucky enough to have a crop of banana peppers, drying is an optimal choice for preservation. So, how do you go about doing that?
The best ways to dry banana peppers include:
- Air drying
- Food dehydrator
- Dry them on the counter
- Sun drying
Let’s peel back each method (see what I did there?).
Air drying
Air-drying banana peppers is a simple, tried-and-true method that’s as easy as pie.
Air-drying banana peppers is probably the easiest way to dry them. You make slits near the stems, thread them together using a thin string, and hang them up in a well-ventilated room. Within about four weeks, your peppers will be dry and ready to add a flavorful kick to your meals!
Air-drying peppers is a cost-effective way to preserve them. Although it takes more time than if you used a dehydrator, it’s economical and possibly simpler!
First, cut a slit as close to the stem as you can. Thread a string through all the stems using a large needle.
After you’ve strung all the peppers, hang them in a well-ventilated room. Good air circulation is key to preventing excessive humidity that could ruin your peppers.
Air-drying banana peppers takes about four weeks.
Food dehydrator
Using a food dehydrator is the quickest way to dry banana peppers.
Food dehydrators are a popular way to dry many vegetables, including our beloved banana peppers! All you need to do is clean them, cut them, and throw them in the dehydrator. Before you know it, you’ll have dried peppers ready for storage!
Drying peppers in a food dehydrator is a breeze once you’ve done it a few times!
Rinse and dry your peppers, then cut off the stems.
Cut your peppers as you wish, but remember that smaller pieces will take less time to dehydrate.
Set the dehydrator to a temperature of 130°F until your peppers are brittle and tough.
Dry them on the counter
Guess what? You can simply lay your peppers on the counter, and they’ll dry themselves out!
Surprisingly, you can dry your banana peppers on your countertop! This method requires low humidity and great ventilation, and there’s no need to cut your peppers since they can dry whole!
If you live somewhere with low humidity and good ventilation, this could be the perfect method for you!
Spread out your peppers so they aren’t touching. No need to cut them because banana peppers can naturally dry whole!
Sun drying
Sun-drying banana peppers is a sunny and effective way to dry your bumper crop.
For sun drying, you need plenty of hot, dry days. Cut your peppers in half, lay them out in the sun, and let Mother Nature do the rest. Just be sure to bring them in at night to prevent moisture from setting in.
To sun-dry your peppers, cut them in half and lay them out in the sun. Rotate them occasionally, and bring them inside at night to avoid dewfall.
And there you have it, the multiple ways you can dry your banana peppers! So, no more head-scratching over an abundant harvest. Let’s dry those peppers and spice up our meals!
Can dried banana peppers mold?
Now, you might be wondering: can dried banana peppers mold?
Dried banana peppers can indeed mold if they are exposed to moisture, much like any other dried food. They can reabsorb moisture when you open their containers or if they’re stored improperly. Proper storage is crucial!
Dried banana peppers can mold if they reabsorb moisture. So, proper storage is key to keep your peppers from becoming a science project!
How do you dry banana peppers so they don’t mold?
So how do you keep the molds at bay?
To dry banana peppers so they don’t mold, allow them to cool down completely. Then store them in cans, vacuum-sealed bags, freezer containers, or plastic freezer bags. The best way to prevent mold is by storing your banana peppers in serving-sized containers so you’re not constantly opening and closing the container!
Let the peppers cool down completely to avoid any moisture from heat that could attract mold.
Store your dried peppers in cans, vacuum-sealed bags, freezer containers, or plastic freezer bags.
One cool trick is to store your peppers in multiple serving-size containers. This way, every time you need some, you open a new container and keep the rest airtight and moisture-free. It’s like meal prep, but for peppers!
How do you know when banana peppers are dry enough?
Determining when your banana peppers are dry enough can be a bit tricky, especially if it’s your first time.
Fully dried banana peppers should be brittle and tough.
If you’re planning on making banana pepper flakes or powder, ensure the peppers are completely dry before grinding.
How long do dried banana peppers last?
Drying is the long-haul trucker of preserving banana peppers.
Stored properly, dried banana peppers can last between 1-2 years. Just make sure they’re stored in a cool, dry space. Remember, a cool pepper is a happy pepper!”
