Potatoes have always been the favorite veggie for many people. We most commonly use them fresh, but what if you could dehydrate potatoes with a food dehydrator?

In addition to being inexpensive, there are just so many uses with potatoes.  You can mash, fry, boil, bake and grate them.  Or, add to soups, casseroles and stews for added heartiness and carbohydrates. 

With such a wide range of ways to eat our beloved potato, wouldn’t it be great to store potatoes for use at any time!  Indeed, have you ever thought about what you could do with dehydrated potatoes?

Potato storage is generally quite easy & convenient.  The only requirement is that you have a cool, dark, and dry place and they should last a few months. 

However, in most modern homes, the overall setup is quite airy – especially around the kitchen.  We no longer have cellars, and sometimes, not even a basement.  Therefore, it can be quite difficult to store these veggies effectively. 

So, how can you store potatoes conveniently and for long periods?  The best option we found is to dehydrate potatoes with a dehydrator.

Why Dehydrate Potatoes With A Food Dehydrator?

Dehydrated potatoes serve to be one of the best solutions for recipes using the slow cooking method.  However, they are also fantastic for stews, casseroles, and even scalloped potatoes. 

At the same time, these are also ideal solutions for your picnic or camping trip and take up way less space.

In fact, are you into prepping?  Dehydrating potatoes and storing them in the freezer will give you an option for many years!  Especially if you vauum seal the bags before adding them to the freezer.

Are you concerned about your overall health?  Deep-fried, crispy potatoes are usually not included in your menu. 

However, this should not dissuade the potato-lover in you to enjoy some yummy, crunchy spuds. 

You can dehydrate potatoes in a food dehydrator, then make chips out of them.  Use minimal oil and cook them in the oven to minimize the overall health risks.

Some additional reasons for dehydrating your potatoes in a food dehydrator are:

• Improper Storage Space: As mentioned, you can store potatoes for long periods in a dark, dry and cool environment.  For most of us, that means in a cupboard or shelf in the kitchen.  However, did you know it is not recommended to store the potatoes in your fridge?  They develop black spots quickly in this moist space and develop a weird taste. This is where the importance of dehydrating them for long life comes in.

• Convenient Pre-made Recipes: Dried or dehydrated spuds are terrific for au gratin potatoes, home-made scallops or for taking camping or other trips.  Taking up less than 1/5 of the space of a potato, having some dehydrated potatoes means less weight and more food for everyone.  In fact, if you have a busy weekday, the dehydrated potatoes are going to be your savior for sure. 

Dehydrating Potatoes Using A Food Dehydrator

There are several conventional methods of dehydrating potatoes in your home.  However, if you are looking for overall convenience and quick results, make use of a dehydrator for optimum outcomes.

Here are some steps to follow to dehydrate potatoes in a food dehydrator:

Step 3: 

Whether you go for slicing or shredding your potatoes, place them in a bowl of water right away.  This helps in preventing the process of oxidation which causes the potatoes to start turning brown.

Step 4: 

The next step is to blanch potatoes before you begin the process of dehydration.  Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.  Add the sliced or shredded potato pieces to the boiling water and let it simmer for a few minutes.  The potatoes are ready when it is fork-tender, usually around 4-7 minutes. Fork tender implies that you are capable of inserting a fork easily without crumbling the potatoes.

It is suggested that you never skip the step of blanching potatoes.  Potatoes that have not been blanched will be highly unappealing, with a grey to black appearance upon dehydration.  While they are not harmful to consume, they are truly unappetizing! 

Step 5: 

Scoop out the potatoes with a large slotted spoon, or, simply drain the water from the pot.

Step 6: 

Now you can dehydrate your potatoes in a home food dehydrator.  Start by layering the potatoes on the racks of the dehydrator – we suggest lightly spraying racks with cooking oil to ensure the slices don’t stick.  Make sure the potato slices are not overlapping.  In the case of shredded potatoes, we suggest placing cooking paper on the racks.  Spread the shredded potato evenly for proper drying. 

Step 7: 

Place the dehydrator on the countertop and start the dehydrating process.  Set the drying temperature to around 52 Degree C or 125 Degree F for around 8 to 10 hours. 

If you are doing a mix of sliced & shredded potato pieces, you will need to keep a close eye on them.  Potato shreds will dry must faster than the slices so put the trays with the slices on the bottom.  You may be required to rotate the trays, or, remove the potato shreds as they become done. 

As the process of dehydration continues, the potatoes will become slightly translucent as well as crisp throughout.  They will appear like potato slices in the box containing scalloped potatoes. 

In case you are leaving the peel of the potatoes on, then they appear as home-made goodness. 

Step 8: 

Allow the potato slices or shreds that have been dehydrated to cool.  Once fully cooled, you can store them in a container so they do not get crushed.  You could also use a vacuum sealer to seal them in food bags and store them in the cupboard or freezer.  Now, you are ready to enjoy your dehydrated potatoes in any way you like.

Using Dehydrated Potatoes

If you are wanting hash-browns, just soak the shredded pieces in water for around 15 minutes.  Then, drain and fry in the pan. 

For potato slices that are dried completely, you can use them either dry in a casserole, for scalloped potato dishes or potato au gratin.  They do well when frying them in a pan upon re-hydrating, and taste the exact same as fresh potatoes.

Conclusion

Dehydrating potatoes turns out to be one of the best ways of storing them for a longer period.  To dehydrate potatoes in a food dehydrator, simply follow our easy steps above.  Not only will you save money and waste, but you will also have delicious creamy potato meals wherever and whenever you like.  

Don’t have a food dehydrator?  Find one in our Best Home Food Dehydrator Reviews for 2021.