Can you dehydrate zucchini?
Yes. Zucchini is a high-moisture vegetable, so it shrinks a great deal and takes some time, but it dries well. You can make crisp snack chips, leathery slices for cooking, or a fine powder that works as a flour supplement in baking. The method below uses a dehydrator or a low oven.
Choose and prep
- Pick small to medium, firm zucchini. Large ones have seedy, watery centers that dry unevenly.
- Wash thoroughly and trim the ends. Peeling is optional.
- Slice evenly. About 1/8 inch for chips, about 1/4 inch for slices you plan to rehydrate. A mandoline helps a lot.
Does salt dry out zucchini?
Salt pulls water out of zucchini, so it can speed things up. Sprinkle slices lightly with salt, let them sit for 30 to 60 minutes, and then blot them thoroughly with towels. This reduces the surface moisture and seasons the chips. If you salt heavily, press and rinse gently, or you will end up with very salty chips. Salting is optional, and blanched or unblanched slices both dry.
Recipe: crispy zucchini chips
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced about 1/8 inch thick
- 1 to 2 teaspoons olive or avocado oil (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried dill, or a little cinnamon and sugar for a sweet version
Method
- Pat the slices dry. Toss with oil and seasoning, or arrange plain and dust with salt.
- Arrange in a single layer on dehydrator trays without overlapping.
- Dry at about 135 to 140°F. Many recipes report around 4 to 6 hours, but humidity, slice thickness, and your dehydrator all change this, so check from the 3-hour mark.
- Rotate the trays and remove finished chips as they dry.
- Chips are done when they are crisp and snap cleanly. Cool a few minutes and test again, since warm chips can seem softer than they are.
For an oven, use the lowest setting with the door slightly ajar and wire racks on baking sheets; see our notes on drying carrots in the oven for oven tips. Oil adds flavor but also means the chips are best eaten within a few weeks.
Dried zucchini for soups and stews
For cooking vegetables, slice 1/4 inch thick and dry until leathery to brittle. Blanching zucchini briefly before drying is recommended by many sources for longer storage, since it slows enzyme changes; if you skip it, plan to use the dried slices sooner. For long storage, dry slices until fully brittle, not just flexible.
To use, add directly to soups and stews, or soak in hot water for 10 to 20 minutes before adding to sauces, casseroles, or frittatas. Rehydrated zucchini is softer than fresh, so it works best in dishes where texture is not the main point.
Zucchini flour (powder)
Fully brittle dried zucchini can be ground into a fine powder in a blender or food processor. Some bakers replace up to about a third of the flour in quick breads, muffins, or pancakes with it. Results vary by recipe, so start with a smaller substitution and adjust. The powder also thickens soups and adds color to doughs. Keep it in an airtight jar because powders absorb moisture fast.
A note on oil-packed dried zucchini
Some traditional recipes dry zucchini until pliable, then pack it in olive oil. Semi-dried vegetables stored in oil at room temperature can create conditions where the bacteria that cause botulism can grow. Food safety agencies advise against storing low-acid vegetables in oil at room temperature. If you want to try pliable dried zucchini sautéed in olive oil, cook and eat it fresh, or keep any oil-packed pieces in the refrigerator for only a few days. For pantry storage, dry slices until crisp and store them dry.
Storage
- Cool the dried zucchini completely before packing.
- Store in airtight jars or bags in a cool, dark, dry place.
- If you see any condensation, dry the pieces longer. Throw out anything moldy.
- For longer storage, you can keep jars in the refrigerator or freezer.
What pairs well with zucchini?
Zucchini goes well with garlic, lemon, mint, basil, tomatoes, parmesan, feta, and chili. Dried slices add body to minestrone, ratatouille-style stews, and grain bowls. For more plant-based ideas, see our dehydrated vegan recipes.