Whenever it’s your favorite fruit season, all we want is to preserve it for a whole year to have it anytime, regardless of the season. Fig is one of the delicious, juicy, and magical fruit, so most of us can’t resist but think about preserving it for a long time in our homes to add up to our desserts.
And now when we are on the same page, we will discuss how you can dehydrate figs to use them all year long. This fruit is quite delicate and can’t stay fresh for a long time so let’s dive into the method and some of your questions.
How do you prepare figs for dehydration?
It’s normal to get a bit sensitive when preparing your favorite fruit for the dehydration process. None of us want to create a mess out of it or compromise on the taste. Figs preparation is not a big deal as the fruit is simple, and every dehydrated element becomes dry after the process, so there is no need to overthink. For the preparation, wash them thoroughly, leave them to dry, and don’t use water on them after drying out in a dehydrator.
Cut them in halves, and you can determine the mid-point from the stem. Spread them on a tray without pouring any more water, or else you may have to give them more time to dry. Even a limited amount of moisture can make your hard work go in vain because after a week or two, it will start spoiling. Prevent the halves from overlapping, and they are ready to slide into a dehydrator.
What is the best way to dry figs?
When you are about to dry figs, there is no need to get nervous, because there is nothing so complicated in the process to make your hands tremble. You will enjoy this process after the successful completion of the first batch. Follow the following steps, and you will dry figs without burning them.
- As we mentioned earlier, you have to wash figs, let the water dry, and cut them in halves from the stem. While setting figs and cutting them, preheat the dehydrator for about 5-10 minutes at 120C before loading your first tray.
- Spread figs on a dehydrator tray and don’t overlap because, in the end, some of the pieces may have moisture which can be a pretty annoying sight to witness. Also, place parchment paper on a tray before laying figs on it. Figs should not stick to the base because dehydration can damage the pulp.
- Slide the tray into the dehydrator, and you can keep several trays at once. The time of dehydrating figs depends on the size, quantity, and humidity. Sometimes it may take 6 hours, but in a different cases, it can consume more than 9 hours. The flip of figs every few hours also depends on dehydrator functionality. Some require tray rotation, while other works on air circulation technology to distribute heat evenly.
- If figs are burning, you can stop the process for a few minutes or open the door of the dehydrator to let them dry naturally. You can start from a lower temperature to prevent them from burning, it may consume more time, but figs will be saved from getting bitter. When you are done with the whole process, slide the tray out and let the figs cool.
- Store them in an airtight container in a cool and dark place. Ensure that none of the figs have moisture inside to increase their shelf life. You can keep them in the open air for a while if you think additional heat will burn them up.
How long do dehydrated figs last?
The best thing about dehydrating fruits or vegetables and other ingredients is that they last longer than canned food. If you are a frequent traveler and don’t like to chase stuff at the last moment, dehydration is the best option. After this process, you can keep your favorite food in your home for years without compromising on taste.
As we are discussing figs today, this fruit has proven to be essential for health and equally delicious. Figs are simple to dehydrate, and you don’t have to get into the long blanching process before moving on to the main point. Dehydrated figs can last for 2-years, and you can add them to any meal. There will be no difference in taste until and unless they are cooked inside a dehydrator and then dried out.
How do you dehydrate whole figs?
Drying whole figs process is different because they require blanching and thorough washing.
- Wash them and place them in an open-air to remove water residue on the skin.
- When they are dried, pour some water into the pot and let it boil. Blanch quickly and drain. Again, leave figs in the open air or dry them with a cloth.
- Preheat the dehydrator till you spread figs on the tray. They should not touch each other or overlap during the dehydration. Slide the tray into an appliance and set the temperature at 140F. Whole figs require 10-12hours minimum to dry out completely.
- Dehydrating a whole fig is not a wise idea because it would be difficult to determine whether they are dried from the inside or not? Their shelf life is also not long, as they can only last for 2 months. If you want to use it after 2-months, check for mold to ensure it’s safe to eat.
Final Thoughts
With all being said, we are at the end and have successfully dehydrated figs to use for a year which brings ultimate joy. Figs are ridiculously delicious and addictive to taste buds, so get your hands on as many figs as you want to.
From adding them to baked goods to snacks, they are compatible with almost anything. Being a natural sweetener, you don’t have to worry about consuming additional calories as it’s full of fiber and keeps you charged. Whether you are on a diet or like to have something light in a snack, figs are the go-to for everyone.
