Are you looking to whip up some delicious, healthy snacks at home? Maybe you want to preserve garden-fresh produce or make your own jerky? If so, you’ve probably considered a food dehydrator. But what if we told you your trusty air fryer could do double duty, becoming the best air fryer for dehydrating food?
That’s right! Many modern air fryers come equipped with a dehydrate function, turning them into versatile kitchen powerhouses. This means less clutter on your countertop and more delicious possibilities. Let’s dive into why an air fryer is a fantastic choice for dehydrating and explore the top models that excel at it.
Why Dehydrate Food with an Air Fryer?
Dehydrating food is an ancient method of food preservation that removes moisture, inhibiting bacterial growth and concentrating flavors. With an air fryer, this process becomes incredibly convenient. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
- Space-Saving: Instead of a dedicated appliance, you get an air fryer that handles crispy fries, roasted veggies, and now, dried fruit!
- Efficiency: Air fryers use a powerful fan to circulate hot air, which is precisely what you need for effective dehydration.
- Healthy Snacks: Say goodbye to store-bought snacks packed with sugar and preservatives. Make your own fruit leathers, vegetable chips, or beef jerky.
- Cost-Effective: Utilizing an appliance you already own (or plan to buy for other cooking methods) can save you money compared to purchasing a separate dehydrator.
Finding the best air fryer for dehydrating food means looking for specific features that make the process efficient and easy.
What to Look for in the Best Air Fryer for Dehydrating Food
When selecting an air fryer with dehydrating capabilities, keep these key features in mind:
- Temperature Range: Dehydrating requires low temperatures, typically between 105°F and 160°F. Ensure your chosen air fryer can reach and maintain these low settings.
- Capacity: Dehydration often means doing large batches of food. A larger capacity (measured in quarts or liters) is a huge plus, especially for families or meal prepping.
- Included Accessories: Look for models that come with dehydrating racks or trays, as these allow for multi-layer drying and better air circulation.
- Airflow and Fan Speed: Consistent, gentle airflow is crucial for even dehydration. Some air fryers have specific low fan speed settings for this purpose.
- Pre-Set Dehydrate Function: While you can manually set temperature and time, a dedicated “dehydrate” preset makes things even easier.
- Ease of Cleaning: Dehydrating can be messy, so dishwasher-safe parts are a huge bonus.
Now, let’s explore some of the top contenders that can truly be considered the best air fryer for dehydrating food on the market today!
1. CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie
This CHEFMAN air fryer is a true multi-tasker, making it a fantastic choice for anyone who loves kitchen versatility, including dehydrating. It boasts a spacious interior and multiple racks, allowing you to dehydrate plenty of your favorite fruits, veggies, or jerky in one go. Its rapid air heating system ensures quick and even cooking, and the clear window lets you monitor your snacks as they transform.
- Versatile countertop cooking: Air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, or roast.
- Cooks faster than traditional ovens with rapid air heating.
- Uses 98% less oil for healthier meals.
- 17 preset options and easy-to-use capacitive touch screen.
- Includes three air flow racks, rotisserie oven spit, and drip tray.
- Extra-large 10-Liter capacity for family-size meals.
- Interior lights and large window to monitor cooking.
- Removable drip tray and dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleanup.
Pros:
– Excellent multi-functionality, reducing kitchen clutter.
– Large capacity is ideal for big batches of dehydrated food.
– Comes with dehydrating racks and rotisserie accessories.
– Easy to use with presets and touch screen.
– Simple to clean with dishwasher-safe parts.
Cons:
– May take up significant counter space.
– Some users might prefer analog controls over touch screen.
User Impressions: Customers frequently praise this Chefman model for its versatility and large capacity, often mentioning how much they appreciate being able to air fry, roast, and dehydrate all in one appliance. The ease of use and cleanup also receive high marks.
2. Ninja Air Fryer
The Ninja Air Fryer is a compact yet powerful option that brings Ninja’s renowned air frying performance to your kitchen, with a dedicated dehydrate function to boot. While it might seem smaller than some air fryer ovens, its efficient design and precise temperature control, especially down to 105°F, make it surprisingly effective for creating flat, chip-like dehydrated snacks.
- Air fries with up to 75% less fat than traditional methods.
- Wide temperature range: 105°F-400°F, perfect for dehydrating or crisping.
- Family-sized 4-quart ceramic-coated nonstick basket.
- 4-in-1 versatility: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
- Specific “Dehydrate” function with low fan speed and temperature for thorough drying.
- Easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate.
- Includes a 20-recipe booklet for inspiration.
Pros:
– Excellent temperature precision for optimal dehydration.
– Compact size fits well in smaller kitchens.
– Very easy to clean with dishwasher-safe components.
– Dedicated dehydrate function ensures proper settings.
Cons:
– Smaller capacity compared to air fryer oven models, limiting batch size for dehydrating.
– Only one level for dehydrating unless specialized accessories are bought separately.
User Impressions: Users love the Ninja Air Fryer for its reliable performance across all functions, especially its ability to create crispy air-fried foods and effective dehydrated snacks. Its user-friendly design and quick cleanup are also frequently highlighted.
3. Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Emeril Lagasse’s Extra Large French Door Air Fryer is not just a mouthful to say, it’s also an incredible multi-cooker that will elevate your kitchen game. With its massive capacity and unique French doors, it’s perfect for large families or entertaining. Beyond roasting and toasting, its dual-speed fan and precise controls make it an excellent candidate for dehydrating, ensuring even air circulation for perfectly dried results.
- Versatile air fryer and multi-cooker combo for various meals.
- Perfect toast function with automatic shut-off.
- 25 cooking pre-sets, including Roast, Bake, and more (implying dehydrate within broader presets or manual control).
- Dual-speed fan with 360º superheated air circulation for golden crisping.
- Extra-large 26-quart capacity, suitable for 4–6 people, can rotisserie a 6-lb chicken.
- Elegant stainless steel exterior with French doors and interior light.
Pros:
– Extremely large capacity for big batches, ideal for dehydrating.
– Excellent air circulation from dual-speed fan.
– Versatile with a wide range of presets for different cooking methods.
– Stylish design with French doors and interior light.
Cons:
– May be an overkill for smaller households.
– Specific dehydrate racks or low temperature function may need confirmation (though typically implied by “multi-cooker” and fan system).
User Impressions: Owners are consistently impressed by the sheer size and versatility of this Emeril Lagasse appliance, finding it incredibly useful for large family meals and various cooking tasks. The high-quality build and aesthetic appeal also receive positive comments.
4. Air Fryer Oven Large 20 QT, 10-in-1 Toaster Oven Air
This 20 QT Air Fryer Oven is a true kitchen workhorse, combining ten different appliances into one sleek unit. For dehydrating, its generous capacity and inclusion of three dehydrating racks right out of the box are major advantages. With 360° hot air circulation and an intuitive LED digital touch screen, it makes creating healthy, homemade dried snacks incredibly simple and efficient.
- 10-in-1 versatility: Fry, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, toast, and more.
- Powerful 1800 watts and 360° hot air circulation for even cooking.
- Non-toxic design: All accessories are dishwasher-safe and free from harmful coatings (PFAS, PFOA, Teflon, BPA).
- Includes 11 accessories: rotating basket, drip tray, 3 dehydrating racks, chicken fork, etc.
- Large 20-quart family size (W14.6″xD13.4″xH15.4″) for whole chickens and big batches.
- Beginner-friendly LED digital touch screen with one-touch cooking.
- 1-Year Warranty included for added confidence.
Pros:
– Massive 20-quart capacity is excellent for large-scale dehydrating.
– Comes with dedicated dehydrating racks, a huge plus.
– Multi-functional, replacing many other kitchen appliances.
– Non-toxic materials for health-conscious users.
– Intuitive digital interface for easy operation.
Cons:
– Large footprint may be an issue for small kitchens.
– Requires proper storage for the numerous included accessories.
User Impressions: Customers love the sheer number of functions and the spacious interior of this air fryer oven, often highlighting its ability to cook entire meals and dehydrate large quantities of food efficiently. The included accessories and ease of use are also frequently praised.
5. SICHEER Dehydrator Rack Stainless Steel Stand Accessories
While not an air fryer itself, this SICHEER Dehydrator Rack is an essential accessory if you own a compatible air fryer (like the Instant Vortex Plus 6-quart) and want to maximize its dehydrating capabilities. It transforms your single-level air fryer basket into a multi-layered drying station, significantly increasing your capacity for making jerky, fruit leather, or dried herbs without buying a separate dehydrator.
- Customized size designed to fit Instant Vortex Plus 6-quart Air Fryer.
- Four stackable layers for efficient dehydration of fruits and meats.
- Made from food-grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel for safety.
- Stackable design saves countertop space when in use.
- Dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
- Hand-sanded with burr-free edges for safe handling.
- Rigid diamond mesh reduces the risk of dents.
Pros:
– Significantly increases dehydrating capacity in compatible air fryers.
– Food-grade stainless steel ensures safety and durability.
– Easy to use, stack, and clean (dishwasher safe).
– Cost-effective way to enhance an existing air fryer’s capabilities.
Cons:
– Not an air fryer itself; requires a compatible air fryer to function.
– Compatibility is specific, so check your air fryer model before purchasing.
– An additional purchase on top of the air fryer.
User Impressions: Users who own compatible air fryers rave about how this rack transforms their dehydrating experience, allowing them to make much larger batches of dried snacks. The quality of the stainless steel and ease of cleaning are commonly praised.
6. 7-In-1 Air Fryer with Visible Window, 5QT Large Capacity
This 7-in-1 Air Fryer offers a great balance of features, capacity, and convenience, making it a strong contender for dehydrating food. Its 5-quart capacity is perfect for small to medium-sized families, and the visible window is a fantastic feature, letting you check on your food without interrupting the drying process. With dedicated presets and a wide temperature range, it handles dehydration with ease.
- 7-in-1 functionality: Fry, cook, dehydrate, toast, and more.
- Visible window and LCD screen for easy monitoring and control.
- Auto shutoff for safety.
- 5-quart capacity, suitable for small or no-oil cooking.
- 8 easy presets with adjustable time (1-60 min) and heat (120°F-400°F).
- Basket stops cooking when pulled out for safety.
- Fast, even cooking with 1500W power and strong airflow.
- Removable, dishwasher-safe parts for quick cleanup.
Pros:
– Visible window is a game-changer for monitoring dehydration progress.
– Dedicated dehydrate function within its 7-in-1 capabilities.
– Good 5-quart capacity for everyday use and decent batch sizes.
– Intuitive digital touchscreen and safety features.
– Easy to clean with removable, dishwasher-safe parts.
Cons:
– 5-quart capacity might be too small for very large dehydrating projects.
– May require separate dehydrating racks for multi-layer drying.
User Impressions: Customers appreciate the convenience of the visible window and the ease of use with the digital presets. Many find the 5-quart size perfect for their needs, consistently achieving great results for both air frying and dehydrating.
7. Ninja DZ401 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone XL 2-Basket
The Ninja DZ401 Foodi DualZone Air Fryer is a beast when it comes to multi-tasking, especially for larger families or meal prepping. Its standout feature is the two independent baskets, allowing you to cook two different foods in two different ways simultaneously – and yes, one of those ways can be dehydrating! This means you could be dehydrating fruit in one basket while air frying chicken in the other. This truly makes it a best air fryer for dehydrating food for those who need capacity and versatility.
- XL air fryer with 2 independent 5-quart baskets (10-quart total).
- DualZone Technology with Smart Finish (foods finish at the same time) and Match Cook (copies settings across zones).
- IQ Boost distributes power for quick cooking.
- 6-in-1 functionality: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
- Cooks up to 8 lbs of chicken wings or a 6-lb whole chicken and side.
- Wide temperature range: 105°F–450°F.
- Easy-to-clean baskets and dishwasher-safe crisper plates.
- Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying.
Pros:
– Dual baskets allow for simultaneous dehydrating and other cooking.
– Massive 10-quart total capacity is ideal for large batches of dehydrated items.
– Dedicated dehydrate function with low temperature capabilities.
– Smart Finish and Match Cook features add incredible convenience.
– Easy to clean with dishwasher-safe parts.
Cons:
– Higher price point due to advanced features and dual zone.
– Large footprint requires ample counter space.
User Impressions: Users absolutely love the dual-basket functionality and large capacity of this Ninja Foodi, finding it incredibly efficient for preparing full meals or large quantities of snacks. Its dehydrate function is also highly rated, allowing for convenient batch drying.
Conclusion
Choosing the best air fryer for dehydrating food really depends on your specific needs. If you’re looking for ultimate versatility and large capacity, an air fryer oven like the CHEFMAN or the 20 QT 10-in-1 model might be your top pick. For those who prioritize simultaneous cooking or massive batch dehydrating, the Ninja DZ401 DualZone is an absolute game-changer. And if you already have a compatible air fryer, a dedicated dehydrator rack like the SICHEER can unlock new possibilities.
No matter which one you choose, adding an air fryer with dehydrating capabilities to your kitchen is a fantastic way to enjoy healthy, homemade snacks and expand your culinary horizons. Happy dehydrating!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can all air fryers dehydrate food?
A1: No, not all air fryers have a dehydrate function. Dehydrating requires specific low temperatures (typically 105°F-160°F) and consistent, gentle airflow. Look for models that explicitly list “dehydrate” as a function or offer a wide, low temperature range.
Q2: What types of food can I dehydrate in an air fryer?
A2: You can dehydrate a wide variety of foods, including fruits (apples, bananas, berries, mangoes), vegetables (kale chips, sweet potato slices, bell peppers), herbs, and even meats for jerky. Ensure fruits and vegetables are sliced thinly and uniformly for best results.
Q3: What temperature should I use for dehydrating in an air fryer?
A3: Most foods dehydrate best between 120°F and 150°F (approximately 50°C to 65°C). Lower temperatures (around 105°F-115°F) are ideal for herbs and delicate items to preserve flavor and nutrients, while higher temperatures (up to 160°F) can be used for jerky. Always consult your air fryer’s manual or a reliable dehydrating guide for specific recommendations.
Q4: How long does it take to dehydrate food in an air fryer?
A4: Dehydration times vary widely depending on the type of food, its thickness, moisture content, the air fryer model, and the desired level of dryness. It can take anywhere from 3-4 hours for thin fruit slices to 8-12 hours (or even more) for jerky or thicker items. Plan for several hours, and check periodically for desired texture.
Q5: Do I need special accessories for dehydrating in an air fryer?
A5: While some air fryers come with dedicated dehydrating racks, not all do. For best results, especially with larger batches, multi-layer racks (like the SICHEER accessory reviewed above) are highly recommended. These allow for better air circulation around more food. If your air fryer doesn’t have them, you might need to dry food in single layers or rotate batches.
Q6: Is air fryer dehydrating as good as a dedicated food dehydrator?
A6: For casual or moderate dehydrating, an air fryer with a dehydrate function performs very well and offers the convenience of a multi-functional appliance. Dedicated dehydrators often have more trays, a larger capacity, and more precise control over humidity, which can be beneficial for very large batches or professional-level results. However, for most home users, an air fryer is more than sufficient.
Q7: How do I store dehydrated food after using my air fryer?
A7: Proper storage is key to extending the shelf life of your dehydrated food. Once cooled completely, store dehydrated items in airtight containers (glass jars, vacuum-sealed bags, or zip-top bags with as much air removed as possible). Keep them in a cool, dark, and dry place to prevent moisture reabsorption and spoilage.