Dehydrated Lemon
Making dehydrated lemons is an easy way to preserve this yummy fruit. They’re great for baking, cooking, decor and snacking. Here are 4 easy methods!
I don’t know about you but because lemons last so long in the refrigerator drawer, we always have one or two that make their way to the bottom of the drawer and end up bad because we forgot them.
That doesn’t happen anymore. If we buy lemons for a recipe and have one or two leftover, they get sliced and immediately put into our dehydrator. We now have no more unused lemons in the fridge which is really stretching the grocery bill.
What you need
The only ingredient that you need for this recipe is lemons. Buy good quality, fresh, organic lemons that have not been sprayed with chemicals, if you can find them.
If not, just wash the outside of the lemons well with a vinegar and water solution or a mild soap.
Try to pick thin skinned fruit, like Meyer lemons. They have less pith so will tend to be less bitter.
How to dry lemon slices
In your dehydrator
Step One
Wash and dry lemons well.
Step Two
Slice lemon into ¼ inch slices. Use a sharp chef’s knife, serrated knife or mandolin.
Step Three
Arrange slices in a single layer on dehydrator racks.
Slide rack into dehydrator.
Pro Tip:
Don’t throw out the ends. Dry them too. They are great for citrus powder.
Place the uneven slices on a separate rack. They will take less time, generally.
Set dehydrator to 100°F / 40°C. Dehydrate for 18-24 hours. Flip slices every 8-10 hours so that they dry evenly.
Test them after 24 hours. If they are not quite dry, continue to dehydrate until they are dry.
If you would like to speed up this process, you can turn the dehydrator up to 170°F / 80°C. They will take 2-4 hours at this higher temperature. The reason I like to do them at a lower temperature is that they keep their lovely color much better. Turning up the heat can make the natural sugars in the lemons turn brown.
See section below entitled “How to tell if lemon slices are dry”
How to use your oven
Lemon slices can be baked in the oven to dry. Perform steps one and two above. Place them in a single layer on parchment paper lined baking trays. Turn oven to it’s lowest setting (generally 150-170°F / 80°C) Slide the sheets on to the oven rack, crack open the door and prop it with a wooden spoon or something similar that will not conduct heat.
Allow the slices to dry for about 2-4 hours. Flip them over every 30 minutes or so. This will ensure that they dry evenly.
See section below entitled “How to tell if lemon slices are dry”
How to air dry / sun dry
If you live in a hot, dry climate, think Arizona or southern California, you can air dry / sun dry lemon slices too. Perform steps one and two above. Place them on a piece of cardboard or on parchment lined baking sheets. Allow them to dry for a least a couple days.
If nights tend to be damp, remove them to the house or garage and then place them back out in the full sun the next day.
See section below entitled “How to tell if lemon slices are dry”
How to use your air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to it’s lowest temperature. Perform steps one and two above. Arrange slices on air fryer basket. Air fry for 30 minutes. Remove and flip the pieces over. Air fry for an additional 20 minutes.
Check the progress. If the lemon slices are not quite dry, air fry in 5 minute intervals, turning the slices over each time you check, until they are dried.
See section below entitled “How to tell if lemon slices are dry”
Pro Tip: Dehydrate citrus fruits together. They take the same temperature and approximately the same time.
How to store dried lemon slices
Store dried lemon slices in a Mason jar or similar air-tight container. We’ve found that adding a food safe silicone packet will prolong the shelf life of the product by reducing potential moisture contamination.
Dehydrated lemon slices will last at least two years. Store them in a cool, dark, dry location to prolong shelf life.
Are they healthy?
We all know that lemons are one of the healthiest fruits. They are low in calories and high in vitamins C, potassium and B6. They are high in anti-oxidants, may help to control blood pressure and can help with weight loss.
As with all health questions, consult your physician for more information. We are not doctors so your doctor will know best.
Conditioning your fruit
Conditioning your fruit is an important step in the drying process, so don’t skip this step.
Conditioning is the process of testing the fruit to make sure that it is thoroughly dry.
Even a bit of moisture in a couple of pieces has the potential to ruin a whole batch.
Allow the dehydrated fruits to come to room temperature. Immediately place them into a glass mason jar. Place the jar in a dark area.
Shake the jar daily to break up any stuck pieces. Allow them to stay in the jar for 7-10 days, shaking daily.
If you see any moisture droplets collecting on the jar. You know you have moisture in them.
If you see any evidence of moisture or any condensation in the jar, re-dry the food in your oven or dehydrator. After re-drying condition them again. Once they are fully dry, pack in tight fitting glass jars.
If you see any evidence of mold during the conditioning process. Discard the product.
What do you do with them?
- Use the slices for a garnish for cocktails. They are especially good with gin cocktails.
- You can use them to garnish cakes, and breads like our lemon zucchini bread.
- Use to flavor water, sparkling water or punches.
- Grind it in a spice mill or coffee grinder to make Lemon powder.
- Lemon powder can be used to flavor baked goods, make lemonade, and flavor meats and seafood dishes. It’s especially good with shrimp and fish.
- Add to soups, sauces and stews.
- Make potpourri to give as gifts around the holidays. Add other dried citrus as well.
- Use a bit of jute twine to make Christmas tree ornaments.
- Make a garland with other citrus.
- Give jars to friends and family for a fun homemade gift around the holidays.
- Make lemon salt for gifting or just to use.
More Lemon Recipes
More recipes to dehydrate
- Dried orange slices
- Dehydrated Limes
- Dehydrated Grapefruit
- Dried Chives
- Dehydrated Garlic Scapes
- Dehydrated Strawberries
Conditioning your fruit
Conditioning your fruit is an important step in the drying process, so don’t skip this step.
Conditioning is the process of testing the fruit to make sure that it is thoroughly dry.
Even a bit of moisture in a couple of pieces has the potential to ruin a whole batch.
Allow the dehydrated fruits to come to room temperature. Immediately place them into a glass mason jar. Place the jar in a dark area.
Shake the jar daily to break up any stuck pieces. Allow them to stay in the jar for 7-10 days, shaking daily.
If you see any moisture droplets collecting on the jar. You know you have moisture in them.
If you see any evidence of moisture or any condensation in the jar, re-dry the food in your oven or dehydrator. After re-drying condition them again. Once they are fully dry, pack in tight fitting glass jars.
If you see any evidence of mold during the conditioning process. Discard the product.
Helpful Tools
These Dehydrated Lemons are incredibly easy with very little hands-on time. They’re also a great way to reduce waste and stretch your grocery budget. Make some today.
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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today.
Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
Dehydrated Lemon Slices
Ingredients
- 2 fresh lemons
Instructions
Drying in dehydrator
- Wash and dry the outside of the lemons well.2 fresh lemons
- Using a sharp knife or your mandolin, slice about ¼ inch thick. Try to get slices as uniform as possible so that they dry at the same rate.
- Arrange slices on dehydrator racks. Pat both sides dry with paper towel.
- Slide rack into dehydrator.
- Set dehydrator to 100°F / 40°C. Dehydrate for 18-24 hours. Flip slices every 2-3 hours so that they dry evenly.
- If you would like to speed up this process, you can turn the dehydrator up to 170°F / 80°C. They will take 2-4 hours at this higher temperature. The reason I like to do them at a lower temperature is that they keep their lovely color much better. Turning up the heat can make the natural sugars in the lemon turn brown.
- See important recipe notes below.
Drying in your oven
- Wash and dry lemon well.
- Using a sharp knife or your mandolin, slice about ¼ inch thick. Try to get slices as uniform as possible so that they dry at the same rate.
- Place them in a single layer on parchment paper lined baking trays.
- Turn oven to it’s lowest setting (generally 150-170°F / 80°C) Slide the sheets on to the oven rack, crack open the door and prop it with a wooden spoon or something similar that will not conduct heat.
- Allow the slices to dry for about 2-4 hours. Flip them over every 30 minutes or so. This will ensure that they dry evenly.
- See important recipe notes below.
Air dried
- Wash and dry lemon well.
- Using a sharp knife or your mandolin, slice about ¼ inch thick. Try to get slices as uniform as possible so that they dry at the same rate.
- If you live in a hot, dry climate, think Arizona or southern California, you can air dry lemon slices too. Place them on a piece of cardboard or on baking sheets. Allow them to dry for a least a couple days, depending on how hot it is.
- If nights tend to be damp, remove them to the house or garage and then place them back out in the full sun the next day.
- See important recipe notes below.
Drying in the air fryer
- Wash and dry lemon well.
- Using a sharp knife or your mandolin, slice about ¼ inch thick. Try to get slices as uniform as possible so that they dry at the same rate.
- Preheat the air fryer to it’s lowest temperature. Arrange slices on air fryer basket. Air fry for 30 minutes. Remove and flip the pieces over. Air fry for an additional 20 minutes.
- Check the progress. If the lemon slices are not quite dry, air fry in 5 minute intervals, turning the slices over each time you check, until they are dried.
- See important recipe notes below.
Condition your fruit
- See instructions in notes below.
See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Use the slices for a garnish for cocktails. Thy are especially good with gin cocktails.
- You can use them to garnish cakes, and breads like our lemon zucchini bread.
- Use to flavor water, sparkling water or punches.
- Grind it in a spice mill or coffee grinder to make Lemon powder.
- Lemon powder can be used to flavor baked goods, make lemonade, and flavor meats and seafood dishes. It’s especially good with shrimp and fish.
- Add to soups, sauces and stews.
- Make potpourri to give as gifts around the holidays. Add other dried citrus as well.
- Use a bit of jute twine to make Christmas tree ornaments.
- Make a garland with other citrus.
- Give jars to friends and family for a fun homemade gift around the holidays.
Nutrition
Originally published July 9, 2022.
Cool! I’m so glad that you like it Jackie!