Dried Grapefruit
These Dried Grapefruit only take a few minutes hands-on time. They are great for garnish, baking, decoration and more.
What you need
You only need whole, fresh grapefruit. Some grapefruit have thinner skins than others, hence less pith, which is bitter. Try to find thin skinned varieties.
Try to source organic grapefruit that have not been sprayed with chemicals. If you can’t find organic then wash the skin with soapy water and rinse with hot water. Dry off before slicing.
How to grapefruit in a dehydrator
Step One
Wash and dry fruit well.
Step Two
Using a sharp chef’s knife, serrated knife or a mandolin, slice ¼ inch (6 mm) thick slices.
Step Three
Arrange them on racks.
Step Four
Slide racks into dehydrator.
Set dehydrator to 100°F / 40°C. Dehydrate for 18-24 hours. Flip them 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. They can take up to 48 hours.
If you would like to speed up this process, you can turn the dehydrator up to 170°F / 80°C. They will take 4-6 hours at this higher temperature. The reason we 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 grapefruit turn brown.
See section below entitled “How to tell if grapefruit are dry”
How to dry in the oven
Grapefruit 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 them to dry for about 4-6 hours. Flip them over every 30 minutes or so. This will ensure that they dry evenly.
See section below entitled “How to tell if grapefruit 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 grapefruit 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 grapefruit 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 grapefruit are not quite dry, air fry in 5 minute intervals, turning the them over each time you check, until they are dried.
See section below entitled “How to tell if grapefruit are dry”
How to tell if grapefruit are dry
Since these fruit have so much sugar, they may still look a bit shiny due to the sugars on the outside of the slices. To test, break a slice in half. The rind should crack pretty easily and have very little bend left. (the flesh will still bend)
How to condition dried fruit
Dried fruit must be conditioned to prevent molding. This is an important step.
- Fully cool the fruit on racks.
- Add to containers with a very tight fitting lid. Canning jars are perfect for this.
- Shake the jar daily for 7-10 days. This will help them not stick together.
- Check the jar daily. If you see any tiny droplets of moisture or condensation inside the jar at any point. You will need to more fully dehydrate them. Return them to your dehydrator for additional drying time.
- If you see any evidence of mold, discard the product.
How to store them
Store dried grapefruit 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 grapefruit will last at least one year. Store them in a cool, dark, dry place to prolong shelf life.
How to use them
- They make a great garnish for cocktails or beer.
- Grind them up in a coffee mill or spice grinder and make a grapefruit powder.
- Flavor drinks with the powder.
- Use the powder to make salt for cocktails or sugar for baking.
- Flavor water, soda or sparkling water.
- Use it for flavoring for cakes, cookies and other baked goods.
- Make a delicious Grapefruit Buttercream Frosting.
- Make a grapefruit salt for gifting or to keep in the pantry.
- Add them to a potpourri with other citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice and the like for decoration around the holidays.
- Use them for a holiday wreath with lemon, lime slices and orange slices.
How to make the powder
You can use lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruit to make citrus powder. Make sure that your citrus have been fully dried.
- Break up the fruit with your hands.
- Add it to a blender, spice mill or food processor.
- Pulse a few times to make the pieces smaller.
- Then run continuously for 2 to 5 minutes until you have a fine powder.
- Run the powder through a fine mesh strainer to remove larger pieces.
- Reprocess those larger pieces until fine.
- Store in airtight jars. Use for baking and more. See suggestions above.
More things to dehydrate
- orange slices
- lemon slices
- lime slices
- raspberries
- strawberries
- chives
- garlic scapes
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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today!
Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
Dried Grapefruit Slices
Ingredients
- 1 fresh grapefruit
Instructions
Drying in dehydrator
- Wash and dry the outside of the grapefruit well.1 fresh grapefruit
- 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 8-10 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 4-6 hours at this higher temperature. The reason we 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 grapefruit turn brown.
- See important recipe notes below.
Drying in your oven
- Wash and dry grapefruit 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 4-6 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 grapefruit 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 grapefruit 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 grapefruit 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 grapefruit 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
- Important Step: See details 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. They are especially good with gin cocktails.
- You can use them to garnish cakes, and breads.
- Use to flavor water, sparkling water or punches.
- Grind it in a spice mill or coffee grinder to make grapefruit powder.
- Grapefruit powder can be used to flavor baked goods, flavor drinks or cocktails, 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 19, 2022.
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This is such a great idea. My kids have taken to sucking on them for a snack. What a wonderful, healthy alternative to other snacks. Thanks.
Wow! Good for them! I’m glad you like them Louise.