In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsHow a Food Dehydrator WorksBest Foods to DehydrateThe Bottom LineChoosing a Food DehydratorOur Food Dehydrator TestsWe Also ConsideredCommon QuestionsOur Trusted Expertise
In This ArticleView All
In This Article
View All
Our Top Picks
Reviews
How a Food Dehydrator Works
Best Foods to Dehydrate
The Bottom Line
Choosing a Food Dehydrator
Our Food Dehydrator Tests
We Also Considered
Common Questions
Our Trusted Expertise
Photo:EatingWell / Nick Simpson
EatingWell / Nick Simpson
A food dehydrator lets you create healthy and flavor-packed dried snacks, like apple chips and fruit strips, that are typically more affordable and nutritious than store-bought options. Dehydrating is also an underrated and often forgotten cooking method since most cooking appliances don’t operate at the low temperatures needed to dry food without overcooking it.A food dehydrator is necessary if you want to make chewy snacks likedried fruitor crunchy banana chips. You can also use a dehydrator to dry vegetables, make your own meat ormushroom jerky, preserve a surplus of fresh herbs, and dry fresh pasta.To find the best food dehydrator for your home kitchen, we evaluated 22 models and rated them on how well they dried fruit leather and jerky recipes. We also examined their design, noise level and ease of use and cleaning. Our final picks include a mix of sizes and prices for beginners and dehydrating enthusiasts alike.How a Food Dehydrator WorksFood dehydrators are small appliances that use low temperatures and circulating air to remove moisture from food arranged on racks or trays. It’s similar to how an air fryer works but at much lower cooking temperatures.Conventional ovens typically can’t be set below 175°F, but electric food dehydrators are designed to operate at lower temperatures. Most models can be set as low as 90°F and up to 170°F. Food is arranged in a single layer on stacking mesh racks or trays and a fan inside the machine circulates the warm air around the ingredients.The low temperature equates to a long cooking time but is necessary to produce chewy fruit leathers and jerky, thoroughly dried herbs, and crisp fruit and veggie chips. You can expect most dehydrator recipes to call for anywhere from 5 to 10 hours of drying time.Best Foods to DehydrateThe best foods to dehydrate are those with high water content, such asfruits and vegetables. You can turn a produce aisle’s worth of fruits, like apples, bananas or apricots, into chewy or crispy snacks, make your own sun-dried tomatoes for salads, or dry mushrooms and herbs to rehydrate in sauces, soups and stews. Dried plant-based foods retain their vitamin, mineral and fiber content, which is why dried fruitslike prunessupport gut health and regularity just like their fresh counterparts.With a food dehydrator, you can also transform lean meat, fish and poultry into chewy jerky. If you don’t eat meat, you can make plant-based jerky, such as beet jerky. Food dehydrators can also be used to dry homemade pasta for a longer shelf-life or to bake dog-friendly treats. Even cooked beans and grains can be dehydrated to make extra-light meals for carrying on hiking and backpacking trips.Dairy products and foods with a high fat content should not be dehydrated since the fat content of these foods will inhibit the drying process. This includes avocados, nut butters, cheese, milk, butter and eggs.Our Top PicksBest Overall:COSORI Mini Food Dehydrator at Amazon$120Jump to ReviewBest Value:Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator at Amazon$85Jump to ReviewBest for Beginners:Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator at Amazon$80Jump to Review
A food dehydrator lets you create healthy and flavor-packed dried snacks, like apple chips and fruit strips, that are typically more affordable and nutritious than store-bought options. Dehydrating is also an underrated and often forgotten cooking method since most cooking appliances don’t operate at the low temperatures needed to dry food without overcooking it.
A food dehydrator is necessary if you want to make chewy snacks likedried fruitor crunchy banana chips. You can also use a dehydrator to dry vegetables, make your own meat ormushroom jerky, preserve a surplus of fresh herbs, and dry fresh pasta.
To find the best food dehydrator for your home kitchen, we evaluated 22 models and rated them on how well they dried fruit leather and jerky recipes. We also examined their design, noise level and ease of use and cleaning. Our final picks include a mix of sizes and prices for beginners and dehydrating enthusiasts alike.
Food dehydrators are small appliances that use low temperatures and circulating air to remove moisture from food arranged on racks or trays. It’s similar to how an air fryer works but at much lower cooking temperatures.
Conventional ovens typically can’t be set below 175°F, but electric food dehydrators are designed to operate at lower temperatures. Most models can be set as low as 90°F and up to 170°F. Food is arranged in a single layer on stacking mesh racks or trays and a fan inside the machine circulates the warm air around the ingredients.
The low temperature equates to a long cooking time but is necessary to produce chewy fruit leathers and jerky, thoroughly dried herbs, and crisp fruit and veggie chips. You can expect most dehydrator recipes to call for anywhere from 5 to 10 hours of drying time.
The best foods to dehydrate are those with high water content, such asfruits and vegetables. You can turn a produce aisle’s worth of fruits, like apples, bananas or apricots, into chewy or crispy snacks, make your own sun-dried tomatoes for salads, or dry mushrooms and herbs to rehydrate in sauces, soups and stews. Dried plant-based foods retain their vitamin, mineral and fiber content, which is why dried fruitslike prunessupport gut health and regularity just like their fresh counterparts.
With a food dehydrator, you can also transform lean meat, fish and poultry into chewy jerky. If you don’t eat meat, you can make plant-based jerky, such as beet jerky. Food dehydrators can also be used to dry homemade pasta for a longer shelf-life or to bake dog-friendly treats. Even cooked beans and grains can be dehydrated to make extra-light meals for carrying on hiking and backpacking trips.
Dairy products and foods with a high fat content should not be dehydrated since the fat content of these foods will inhibit the drying process. This includes avocados, nut butters, cheese, milk, butter and eggs.
Our Top PicksBest Overall:COSORI Mini Food Dehydrator at Amazon$120Jump to ReviewBest Value:Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator at Amazon$85Jump to ReviewBest for Beginners:Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator at Amazon$80Jump to Review
Best Overall:COSORI Mini Food Dehydrator at Amazon$120Jump to ReviewBest Value:Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator at Amazon$85Jump to ReviewBest for Beginners:Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator at Amazon$80Jump to Review
Best Overall:COSORI Mini Food Dehydrator at Amazon$120Jump to Review
Best Overall:COSORI Mini Food Dehydrator at Amazon$120
Best Overall:
Best Value:Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator at Amazon$85Jump to Review
Best Value:Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator at Amazon$85
Best Value:
Best for Beginners:Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator at Amazon$80Jump to Review
Best for Beginners:Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator at Amazon$80
Best for Beginners:
Best OverallCOSORI Mini Food DehydratorPHOTO: Amazon$120$113 at AmazonView on Cosori.comWhat we like:This petite model is small enough to fit in a cabinet or deep drawer for storage.What to know:Figuring out how to start it up takes a bit of getting used to—you have to set the time and temperature before starting.The Cosori food dehydrator comes in several sizes, but we love this mini version for those with limited counter space. The five included racks offer just over 3 square feet of drying space, but the dimensions resemble a small toaster oven. It’s also lightweight, so if you don’t plan to keep it out 24/7, it doesn’t take much effort to relocate it to a cabinet or pantry shelf.Another perk of the smaller size is that it’s quicker to preheat than larger models. In our recipe tests, it reached 135°F in just over 4 minutes. Our food was evenly dried and released easily from the trays.It also earned top marks for design, ease of use, cleaning and noise level. The four cooking presets on the control panel are a standout feature, which takes the guesswork out of dehydrating for beginners. With a touch of a button, the machine will automatically select the ideal temperature and cook time for jerky, fruit, veggies and even yogurt—talk about versatility!Dimensions:14 x 11 x 9 inches |Racks:5 |Temperature Range:95-176°F |Watts:480PHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick Simpson
Best OverallCOSORI Mini Food DehydratorPHOTO: Amazon$120$113 at AmazonView on Cosori.com
Best OverallCOSORI Mini Food Dehydrator
Best Overall
COSORI Mini Food Dehydrator
PHOTO: Amazon
$120$113 at AmazonView on Cosori.com
What we like:This petite model is small enough to fit in a cabinet or deep drawer for storage.
What to know:Figuring out how to start it up takes a bit of getting used to—you have to set the time and temperature before starting.
The Cosori food dehydrator comes in several sizes, but we love this mini version for those with limited counter space. The five included racks offer just over 3 square feet of drying space, but the dimensions resemble a small toaster oven. It’s also lightweight, so if you don’t plan to keep it out 24/7, it doesn’t take much effort to relocate it to a cabinet or pantry shelf.
Another perk of the smaller size is that it’s quicker to preheat than larger models. In our recipe tests, it reached 135°F in just over 4 minutes. Our food was evenly dried and released easily from the trays.
It also earned top marks for design, ease of use, cleaning and noise level. The four cooking presets on the control panel are a standout feature, which takes the guesswork out of dehydrating for beginners. With a touch of a button, the machine will automatically select the ideal temperature and cook time for jerky, fruit, veggies and even yogurt—talk about versatility!
Dimensions:14 x 11 x 9 inches |Racks:5 |Temperature Range:95-176°F |Watts:480
PHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick Simpson
Best ValueNesco Snackmaster Pro Food DehydratorPHOTO: Amazon$85 at Amazon$85 at Wayfair$85 at Walmart
Best ValueNesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator
Best Value
Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator
$85 at Amazon$85 at Wayfair$85 at Walmart
What to know:There’s no timer or automatic shutoff so you can’t “set and forget” this one.
This dehydrator may be small, but it’s mighty. We loved how easy this one is to use right out of the box, no instructions needed. The Snackmaster Pro will turn on as soon as you plug it into an outlet, so be sure to fill your trays and have them stacked before doing so. Once it’s on, all you have to do is turn the analog dial to your desired temperature.
There’s no timer or automatic shutoff, so you’ll need to manually clock the time or set an alert on your phone to remember to unplug it. While the plastic design feels cheaper than other models, we think this model could appeal to occasional users and novices. The trays are dishwasher-safe, but since they’re plastic, we recommend putting them on the top rack only to prevent damage.
The Snackmaster Pro has less capacity than our other picks, but the smaller size also means it heats up quite quickly—in testing, it reached 135°F in just 3 minutes and 20 seconds. To dry bigger batches at once, you can purchase additional round trays and stack up to one dozen at a time.
Dimensions:13 x 13 x 10 inches |Racks:5 |Temperature Range:95-160°F |Watts:600
PHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick Simpson
Best for BeginnersHamilton Beach Digital Food DehydratorPHOTO: Amazon$80$70 at Amazon$70 at Target$71 at Walmart
Best for BeginnersHamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator
Best for Beginners
Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator
$80$70 at Amazon$70 at Target$71 at Walmart
What we like:This dehydrator is an affordable entry-level option that’s a cinch to store and even easier to operate.
What to know:This model doesn’t produce as much heat as other dehydrators we tested, which may require you to adjust cooking time and temperature.
If you’re new to the world of food preservation and just starting to experiment with drying your own foods, this model from Hamilton Beach is one to consider. It’s budget-friendly with a compact design that’ll easily fit into a cabinet for out-of-sight storage. We appreciated how easy it was to use the digital controls to set time and temperature.
There are a few considerations to be aware of before you add this dehydrator to your shopping cart. First, the trays are made of dishwasher-safe plastic, and only five are included, which limits how much food you can dry at once. Second, the timer can only be set to hours, which can be tricky if your food isn’t quite dry enough and needs, say, an extra 15 to 20 minutes. To tack on extra minutes, you must set a separate timer and turn the machine off manually.
Dimensions:11 x 13 x 10 inches |Racks:5|Temperature Range:100-160°F |Watts:500
PHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick Simpson
The Bottom Line: The Best Food Dehydrator
TheCosori Food Dehydrator(view at Amazon) was named best overall for its excellent performance and compact size. While it has a smaller footprint, it doesn’t skimp on performance. For a budget option, theNesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator(view at Amazon) makes up for a smaller capacity with a quick heating time and a simple but effective design.
A food dehydrator should be easy to use, produce consistent drying results, and be sized according to the amount of dehydrated food you usually prepare. Here’s what to consider when shopping for a food dehydrator:
Convenience Counts
Most of the food dehydrators we tested arrived ready to use right out of the box, so setup isn’t more involved than finding a location for your appliance and plugging it in. Most had simple analog or digital controls for setting the drying time and/or temperature and were pretty easy to use, with a slight learning curve for which order to set the time, temperature and on/off button.
While most dehydrators on this list have basic controls, a couple also feature preset modes, which serve as a cheat sheet for determining the drying temperature for different foods.
Some models recommend drying temperatures for various foods right on the machine, which acts as a helpful quick-start guide.
Noise level is one factor you don’t want to ignore. Since food dehydrators use a fan to circulate warm air around the food, they do create some degree of noise. The models that made our final list weren’t noisy enough to be an issue, but it’s something to be aware of when shopping.
All of our favorite dehydrators have dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning, but that’s not the case for all dehydrators. If you plan to dry messier foods, like beef jerky andfruit leather, you may want to opt for a model with dishwasher-safe food trays to thoroughly sanitize them between each use.
Performance and Versatility Matter
A food dehydrator with adjustable temperature controls gives you more versatility in what kinds of dried foods you can make than models that operate at one set temperature. The temperature range of each machine may differ slightly. Although dehydrators operate at lower temperatures than a standard oven, that doesn’t always equate to a fast heat-up time.
We noticed a lot of variability in how long it took each dehydrator we tested to heat up. Generally, the lower the drying temperature, the faster the machines heat up. Most of the models we tested reached 135°F in about 5 minutes, but some took closer to 20.
The temperature accuracy of a dehydrator can fluctuate during use. Some models we tested produced even heat flow and maintained accurate temperature, but others ran hotter or lower than the set temperature, which can result in overcooking and longer drying times, respectively. Our favorite models hit the same cook times—about 5 hours to dry fruit leather and 7 hours for beef jerky.
Uneven airflow and inconsistent heating will alter the results of your dehydrated food. Ideally, your dehydrator should heat and dry evenly so all racks of food finish simultaneously. It’s unlikely manufacturers will provide information about temperature accuracy upfront, but it’s something to look for if you’re perusing user reviews.
Since dehydrating certain foods can take hours, you may choose to dehydrate overnight or while you’re working. In that case, we recommend selecting a dehydrator with a built-in timer and automatic shutoff for best results and safety.
Design Is a Factor
One of the most significant design features to consider is the size of a food dehydrator. Larger machines have larger drying trays that can fit more food but will take up more storage space. Since drying is a lengthy process, machines with larger capacities may be a good idea to maximize your yield. On the other hand, if you’re only interested in occasional drying, such as to preserve leftover fresh herbs, a smaller model may fit the bill.
When shopping, look for the square footage of each drying tray or the total square footage of the machine to figure out how much food you can dry at once. Some models provide an estimate of how many pounds of food you can dry in a batch, but that can be misleading since foods vary in weight. Dehydrator trays can be square, rectangular, or circular. The choice comes down to preference, but we had to trim larger pieces of food to fit on round trays during testing.
The material and number of trays included with a machine are other considerations. Models with plastic trays are less expensive than those with stainless steel trays. However, stainless steel trays are sturdier and may last longer without any worries about warping. For faster drying, you should spread your food on each tray so it does not touch. The more trays you have, the more space you have to spread food out for even drying. Box-style dehydrators have a set number of trays, while other models may be able to accommodate additional trays.
Mesh screens, which fit on the trays, are often included to help you dry smaller items like berries and herbs. Some machines also include fruit roll trays specifically for drying fruit leather. Most machines include only one or two mesh screens and fruit roll trays, but you can purchase extras separately to fill each tray in your machine. The mesh screens can also double as a liner to help keep the bottom of your dehydrator clean.
Our search for the best food dehydrators began with browsing model listings from major retailers. We selected a total of 28 models at a range of price points, including compact and extra-large machines, to purchase and put to the test.
To test these machines, we made batches of fruit leather, dried strawberries and meat jerky to see how well the machines performed. We timed how long each machine took to reach the desired temperature, the drying time and whether the finished items were evenly and thoroughly dried.
We evaluated all models for ease of use, cleaning and overall design. We also reported other relevant observations, such as noise level, included accessories and perceived value.
Magic Mill Food Dehydrator($190 at Amazon):Generous capacity and even heating make it a cinch to dry larger batches of food. This model also has some other great features, like a see-through door and quiet operation. Unfortunately, this dehydrator is also sold out at all major retailers, so we’re taking it out of consideration until we can test an updated model.
Cosori Food Dehydrator($136 at Amazon):Essentially the larger version of our pick for smaller kitchens, this model is best for households with dedicated storage space to house the unit and families needing to dehydrate larger quantities of food. We liked how much drying space the six racks offered and found it simple to operate and clean. However, we would have appreciated the inclusion of more than one fruit leather drying tray.
Excalibur 6-Tray Select Digital Dehydrator($200 at Amazon):This model has the largest footprint of all the dehydrators we tested. Size alone kept it off our list of top picks since the average home kitchen doesn’t offer enough counter space for storing or using. It’s best for serious gardeners and hunters with extra space, such as a large pantry or garage. We encountered a slight learning curve when operating the settings, but it became easier to use with some practice.
Is dehydrating food healthy?
Dehydrated foods can be healthy and flavorful, and help you reduce food waste. However, homemade dehydrated foods have the edge over most store-bought options. Many packaged dried fruits and vegetables contain added sugars and/or oils to enhance flavor and texture, which add extra calories. Some also contain additives or preservatives that you likely don’t have in your kitchen to protect the color of the finished product or increase shelf-life.
Melissa Bistricer, M.S., RDN, CDN, a registered dietitian and personal chef, acknowledges there is a misconception that dehydrated fruits or vegetables lose nutrients during drying and are high in calories due to sugar content.
Dried fruits contain a more concentratedsource of calories and sugarthan fresh fruits because they remove the water content. Homemade versions can be a good energy source, so long as you’re aware of portion sizes and don’t eat too many in one sitting.
While some vitamins and minerals can be lost or destroyed when exposed to heat, the low temperatures used to dehydrate foods don’t result in as much nutrient loss as high-heat cooking methods, such as boiling, roasting and grilling. That means dried foods are still a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Homemade dehydrated produce also counts toward your daily fruit and veggie consumption, can help increase your fiber intake and supportregular bowel movements.
Are food dehydrators worth it?
Whether a food dehydrator makes sense for you depends on how often you plan to use it. Most food dehydrator machines take up a lot of space, and most foods take hours to reach the desired level of dryness.
You’re also limited in how much you can dry at once, even in machines with multiple trays, since the food needs to be spread out so air can fully circulate. Considering the long drying time and the fact that most food dehydrators produce a lot of heat, you may not be comfortable “setting and forgetting” as you would with a slow cooker.
Food dehydrators are absolutely worthwhile if you’re serious about food preservation. Regularly dehydrating your own food can help you save money on groceries over time, especially if you use them to preserve discounted and bulk finds. They’re also a great choice if you have an herb garden, so you can dry fresh herbs for your pantry.
How do you store dehydrated foods, and how long does it last?
Moisture, light, air and heat can shorten the shelf-life of dehydrated foods, so you should store them in a cool, dark environment with low humidity, such as a pantry closet or kitchen cabinet. You can also store dehydrated foods in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh for longer.
How you package your dehydrated foods for storage also contributes to how long they’ll last. Allows your dehydrated items to completely cool before transferring them to storage containers. Any residual heat from the dehydrating process can create humidity that affects the dried texture of your food.
Once your dehydrated foods are completely cool, they should be stored in sealed packaging. You can usestorage containersor jars with an airtight lid,plastic storage bagsthat you can squeeze the air out of, or avacuum sealing system.
Properly stored dried foods can last anywhere from four months to one year. Dehydrated foods that retain some moisture, such as dried fruits and fruit leather, should be used within a few months. Thoroughly dried foods, such as dried herbs, can last up to one year.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.National Center for Home Food Preservation.Packaging and Storing Dried Foods.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.National Center for Home Food Preservation.Packaging and Storing Dried Foods.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
National Center for Home Food Preservation.Packaging and Storing Dried Foods.
