Whether you’re trying to further improve the flavor concentration of basil leaves or preserving them for a future time, drying them out may be the way to go.
Dried basil leaves are safer to preserve for long periods of time, easier to store, and can be used for a variety of dishes.
However, the question arises, “How do you dry basil leaves?”
Well, it’s pretty simple and there are 4 ways you can go about it. The first one involves:
How to Dry Basil Leaves? 4 Easy Ways!
1 – Using An Oven
So, putting basil leaves in the oven is a classic way to dry them out. It’s simple, reliable, and works pretty well.
All you need for this is:
Run the basil leaves through some water and rinse them clean. Then, put a parchment paper over your baking tray and lay the basil leaves on it completely flat.
Throw the whole thing in the oven for 1-2 hours at a low temperature of 150°F or 65°C and you’ll have perfectly dried basil leaves at your disposal.
2 – Using A Microwave
Drying basil leaves in a microwave is rather quick and simple.
Start by washing your basil leaves like usual and pat them dry so that excess moisture doesn’t affect the drying process.
Then, lay the leaves flat on a microwave-safe plate that ideally has paper towels underneath it to absorb any moisture and run the microwave for short intervals of high heat. (10-20 seconds)
After just a few cycles, the leaves should begin to appear dry and crisp. Once you’re satisfied with the dryness, take them out and let them cool.
Your dried basil leaves are now ready!
3 – Using An Air Fryer
As the world moves towards healthier foods and cooking methods, more and more people have bought air fryers to reduce the need for oil to prepare certain foods.
If you have access to an air fryer at home, you can use it to dry out your basil leaves as well.
First and foremost, start by washing the actual air fryer and its grilling sheet as it often has leftover grease and food debris stuck to it.
While you’re at it, run your basil leaves through some water as well. Then, lay the leaves flat in the air fryer and run it for about 15-20 minutes. (If preheated, 10-15 minutes should be enough)
Keep in mind that air fryers work very quickly, so checking up on your leaves every 3-5 minutes may not be a bad idea.
4 – Using A Dehydrator
A food dehydrator can be a great tool to have in your kitchen arsenal. It helps you preserve foods for longer and even dry up some herbs of your own.
In order to dry basil leaves in a dehydrator, you’ll need:
Start by rinsing your basil leaves clean and patting them dry to get rid of any moisture.
Then, place them flat on the dehydrator tray and avoid any overlaps so that all leaves dry evenly.
At a low temperature of 35°C to 50°, run the dehydrator for anywhere between 4 to 6 hours and you’ll have crisp basil leaves to bring up the aroma of your dishes to another level.
Final Words
So, there you go, four simple ways to dry basil leaves at home with no hassle whatsoever.
If you have access to any of the four kitchen essentials I mentioned in this article, you have no reason to not dry up basil leaves and add a new depth of flavor to your homemade dishes.
Enjoy!
