How To Dehydrating Habaneros Peppers?

Dehydrating Habaneros is one of the most traditional ways to preserve the hot and spicy delicious Habaneros.

Since habaneros are seasonal vegetables, meaning they aren’t present the whole year long, you would want to have some ready at your hand whenever you crave a hefty Mexican dish.

Removing most of their moisture content by dehydrating is considered the best way to guarantee a long term storage and shelf life.

Through this article, I am going to share with you the different ways where you can dehydrate your fresh habaneros to keep all their intact flavors and spices for the longest time.

Different methods to dehydrate Habaneros:

One of the main methods of dehydrating habaneros and considered the easiest method, is using a dehydrator. However, this is not the only good way to successfully dry Habaneros. There are also another ways to efficiently do so.

How to dehydrate Habanero peppers using a dehydrator?

1. Start by thoroughly washing your fresh Habaneros using cold running water so that as much of the dirt and soil as possible is removed.
2. Once you are sure that your habaneros are clean, dry them with clean paper towels to avoid any extra drying time.
3. Spread all your freshly rinsed and dried habaneros on the drying tray and start separating the good ones from all the ones with any spots including the black ones. This is an important step as these spots can encourage mold growth even after dehydration. You can use the habaneros with dark spots before their spoilage.
4. Cut the good habanero peppers into halves to make sure they dry evenly and more quickly. You can remove the membrane, as well as, the seeds to soothe their spicy flavor for a bit. You can totally leave the hot peppers as they are and not cut them in half if you like them whole. However, it will take a bit longer for them to dry as a whole than if they were cut.
5. Align the habanero chili peppers on the dehydrator trays in a single layer away from each other. Make sure they are not overlapping.
6. Set the temperature of the dehydrator between 115°F and 125°F and allow it to heat for at least 10 minutes before you place the dehydrator tray in it. Remember, we don’t want to cook the habanero red peppers. We just want to dry them, so it is important to set the temperature as low as possible.
7. Allow the peppers to dry for 6 to 8 hours until dry and flexible with a leathery texture.

Which dehydrator is suitable for use?

I can’t emphasize enough on the efficiency of the Excalibur dehydrators when it comes to dehydrating veggies and fruits, especially the Excalibur 2400 dehydrator. It works exceptionally well with habaneros.

What is the most suitable temperature for drying habaneros using a dehydrator?

It is better to set the temperature of your dehydrator to its lowest temperature. 115 – 125 degrees is perfect depending on the type of your dehydrator.

How long does it take to fully dry your habaneros using a dehydrator?

Generally speaking, it usually takes habaneros 8 to 10 hours to fully dry depending on the type of your dehydrator and the thickness of the habaneros being dried. You will know that your habaneros are fully dry once they crack upon squeezing.

Make sure to check the peppers every 2 hours to make sure they are not over dried.

Can peppers be over-dehydrated?

Technically speaking, they can’t over dehydrate. However, leaving them in the dehydrator for longer than necessary can cause them to become too brittle and not that tasty. So it is better to remove them from the dehydrator when they are still leathery.

How to dry peppers without a dehydrator:

In case you don’t have a dehydrator or simply don’t want to use it for whichever reason. There are always other ways where you can dehydrate your Habaneros.

Using a conventional oven to dehydrate peppers:

1. Start by thoroughly washing your fresh peppers using cold running water so that as much of the dirt and soil as possible is removed.
2. Once you are sure that your habaneros are clean, dry them with clean paper towels to avoid any extra drying time.
3. Spread all your freshly rinsed and dried habaneros on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack and start separating the good ones from all the ones with any spots including the black ones. This is an important step as these spots can encourage mold growth even after dehydration. You can use the habaneros with dark spots before their spoilage.
4. Cut the habanero peppers into halves to make sure they dry evenly and more quickly. You can remove the membrane, as well as, the seeds to soothe their spicy flavor for a bit. You can totally leave the peppers as they are and not cut them in half if you like whole peppers, according to your personal preference. However, it will take a bit longer for them to dry as a whole than if they were cut.
5. Align the peppers on a cookie drying rack or any non-stick pan away from each other.
6. Leave them to dry for 10 to 12 hours and check for their doneness while removing any small peppers that have already dried.

Dehydrating peppers in the oven is usually not favored as the oven tends to cook the peppers instead of just dehydrating it, mostly because the temperature is high. That’s why, it is important to the set the temperature of your oven to the lowest possible degree, about 200 °F.

Another tip is to leave the oven door slightly ajar to allow air circulation and lower the temperature of the oven a bit.

Dehydrating habaneros using an Air fryer:

1. Align your freshly rinsed and dried peppers on the fryer basket.
2. Set the temperature of the Air fryer to the least temperature. 250 degrees or less.
3. Allow the peppers to fry for 20 to 40 minutes. Check the peppers every 10 minutes.
4. Once they turn into a rather dry and leathery texture. Remove them from the Air fryer and allow them to completely dry before storing them.

Sun-drying habaneros (hanging them)

This is one of the oldest ways and most traditional when it comes to drying peppers.

1. Start by preparing the thread you are going to hang your peppers with. It needs to be a strong, tall thread that can hold the number of peppers you are going to hang, all while withstanding the air and wind passing. A fishing line can work perfectly.
2. Double or triple knot the first pepper from its stem tightly.
3. Using the needle, start poking the stems of the other habaneros and knot them tightly in the same thread to make a string of peppers. Each thread can usually take up to 25 habanero peppers.
4. Tie the thread with the peppers in a suitable area with good airflow.

Remember, this method relies solely on dry climate and good airflow. Meaning, if the humidity is more than 50%, then I would recommend following any of the other mentioned methods of dehydrating habaneros. I prefer to have the peppers near the doorway where there is good airflow.

How to use a fan to dry habaneros?

1. Slice your peppers in half.
2. Align the sliced peppers on a plate.
3. Direct a large fan towards the plate with the peppers. Turn the slices every hour.
4. You will know they are ready when the moisture content is insignificant and they turn leathery and dry.

How to store dehydrated peppers?

To preserve your dried habaneros for the longest time, you need to first make sure that they are completely cool to at least room temperature before you place them in an airtight container.

Put them in an airtight container, airtight jar, ziplock bag, or mylar bags. Anything that can be sealed and be placed away from any light or moisture. That’s why, it is best to place your container with the dried habaneros in a dry cool place.

Tips that can guarantee the best long term storage of your habaneros:

• Store in cabinets and dark places away from any direct light.
• Use sealable glass jar.
• Use oxygen absorbers or desiccants to absorb any extra moisture.
• Make sure your peppers are completely dry before you seal them in the container.

How long can dried habaneros last?

Dehydrated habaneros can last for up to a year or longer if they are properly stored and kept in a dry and cool area.

How to grind dried peppers?

Once your peppers are dried, they will be perfect for grinding. And trust me, nothing is easier than grinding dried peppers.

Keep in mind, though, that it is better to preserve your dried habaneros as a whole instead of grinded to keep their full taste intact.

Using a blender:

Any type of blender can get the job done since the peppers are already fully dried. However, you need to be careful when grinding dried peppers as they have a liability to form hot pepper dust clouds that can hurt your eyes and sinuses.

• Wear eye protection
• Wear a mask.
• Wear protective gloves.
• Cover the blender with a damp towel.
• Don’t grind the pepper for too long. You want red pepper flakes, not dust.

Using a mortar and pestle:

Although not as fast as using the blender. Yet, it is one of the most efficient and traditional ways to grind your herbs. In addition to the fact that it doesn’t risk any habanero dust flying around. It grinds them to just to the perfect extent.

How can I re-hydrate dried peppers?

Submerge your dried habaneros in plain hot tap water for at least 10 minutes to rehydrate them. They won’t be exactly like the fresh habaneros. However, they will regain some shape and size.