Dried mangoes make great summer treats. That is why a lot of people want to know how to dehydrate mangoes from the comfort of their home. If you are one of those people who want to create your own dried mangoes, here is a step-by-step guide for dehydrating mangoes in the oven to get yourself started.
How to Dehydrate Mangoes in the Oven
Although dehydrating mangoes in the oven will ensure great results, you will need to pay a lot of attention in ensuring that you get the level of dryness you want, particularly while the mangoes are in the oven. One misstep and the mangoes will either come out with moisture or they will be too try and hard, and therefore not enjoyable for consumption.
For dehydrating mangoes in the oven, you will need the following things:
Cutting board
A sharp knife
Oven
A wire rack with a baking sheet set on top
A baking sheet, which should be lined with a silicone baking sheet
Parchment paper-lined baking sheet
Here are the steps you need to follow to dehydrate mangoes in the oven:
- Wash the mangoes under running water.
- Afterward, place them on a cutting board, ensuring that the stem end faces towards you.
- Using a sharp knife, peel the mango, making vertical thin cuts starting from the stem to the mango’s bottom. Continue doing this until you’ve removed all of the skin.
- Cut the cheeks from the core while keeping the fruits in place. Then, slice the mango into strips. Thinner strips make for faster drying.
- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once done, place the mangoes in the oven. Every thirty minutes, flip your slices. Continue to do this until the mangoes look flat and shrunken. It will take an average of two to three hours for the mangoes to completely dry.
Bonus tip – drying honeyed mangoes
Mangoes and honey make a perfect pair because they complement each other’s sweetness, making this recipe a great treat especially for kids.
For this method, you will need the following things:
5 ripe mangoes
1 tablespoon of raw honey
1/4 cup of lemon juice
Here are the steps you need to follow:
- In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice and the honey. Mix these two ingredients well until the honey dissolves.
- Peel the mangoes and slice them into small and even strips. Remember that the smaller the strips, the faster they will dry.
- Dehydrate mangoes in the oven as described before
How to store dehydrated mangoes
Now that you know how to dehydrate mangoes in the oven, the next thing that you should learn is properly storing them. Normally, dried fruits can last for weeks, but that lifespan can be shortened by poor management. So, if you want to have your snacks last for weeks, follow this guide for storing dried mangoes.
Do not package dried fruits until they are completely dry
Warm dried fruits are surrounded by air with a lot of moisture, so storing them while they are still warm will encourage moisture to be stored with them, thus leading to re-hydration. This will, in turn, shorten your dried food’s shelf life.
Place them loosely
Do not cramp a lot of fruits into one container. When putting them in jars, make sure that you only fill the jar halfway, and shake the jar at least once a week. The first week of storage is what we call the conditioning period, and during this time, if any form of moisture appears, you need to dehydrate your fruits again.
Store your fruits in airtight containers
This tip goes without saying. Storing your dried fruits in airtight containers will ensure that no moisture gets in, which can lead to re-hydration. You can use an airtight jar, which can even double as a kitchen decoration, or you can store your dried fruits in freezer bags. Either way, it’s important to keep your dried fruits in these kinds of containers.
If you are using bags, get rid of the air inside first before you seal them. This will keep your dried fruits fresh indefinitely, as no air means no moisture.
Store dried fruits in small batches
You will be able to maintain the fruits’ freshness indefinitely if you do not cram a lot of them into one jar or bag. Furthermore, not putting a lot of fruits in one container will eliminate the possibility of contamination.
Finally, it’s best if your storage per container is equivalent to one serving, as opening and closing the container will let air in, which will lead to spoilage.
Do not forget to put a label on the container
On the label, indicate when you dried the fruits and when you packaged them, as you don’t want to make it a mystery to yourself or to anyone else how old the dried fruits are. This will also make sure that you keep track of which batches of dried mangoes are fresher than others.
Keep fruits dry and cool
Store your dried mangoes in a dry, cool, and dark location. Storage temperature should be at a maximum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dried mangoes are excellent snacks, and if you plan on making a batch for you and your family, it’s best to know the best way to make them and the best way to store them. Knowing the proper way of creating and storing dried mangoes will ensure that you have a continuous supply of healthy snacks for a very long time.
