How to make dried potatoes at home

In one tourist song there are the words: “People walk around the world... They seem to need a little,” to which I would like to add: “If only there were dry potatoes, the path would be easier.” Dried potatoes are a product that retains its beneficial properties for years. It will save you energy on hikes, feed you at any time, and preparing it at home will not be difficult.

In this article we will tell you how to quickly dry potatoes in different ways: in the fresh air, in the oven, in an electric dryer, in a microwave oven, as well as how to do it correctly.

Why dry potatoes?

There are many reasons to stock up for future use:

1. Drying increases the shelf life of potatoes. In the absence of a good cellar, saving the harvest is a big problem. There is usually not enough space in the refrigerator, and the taste of the vegetable deteriorates. At a temperature of 2-4°C, the sugar content in tubers increases to 8-10%, and “saccharification” of starch occurs. And being warm, it quickly germinates and rots.
2. Dried potatoes can be stored for 3-5 years.
3. Dried tubers are easier to carry in a backpack or bag, which is especially important for tourists when every gram of luggage counts. The weight of raw potatoes after drying is reduced by 5 times.
4. Food is always available.
5. Reduces cooking time. You once spent your free time preparing a semi-finished product, and in the future, preparing a dish with dry potatoes will take much less time than with raw ones. At the same time, vitamins of group B, PP, as well as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron are not lost.The amino acids in dried potatoes are well absorbed by the human body.
6. The taste of potatoes is also preserved.

Optimal drying conditions

The potatoes are boiled a little before drying. If this is not done, raw sliced ​​​​slices will quickly darken and take on an unappetizing appearance:

1. Wash the tubers and remove the skins.
2. Cut into thin slices up to 3 cm long and 3-4 mm wide - this will dry them faster.
3. Rinse the chopped potatoes well and soak in water for 10-15 minutes. This will remove some of the starch and speed up drying.
4. Place in boiling water, after salting it. After boiling, cook for about 5 minutes. The main thing is that the slices remain strong.
5. Pour the contents of the pan into a colander and cool under running water.
6. Let the water drain and start drying.

How to dry potatoes at home

All kitchen appliances that produce heat are used to dry potatoes: oven, microwave, fruit and vegetable dehydrators.

Drying time depends on the equipment and ranges from three to ten hours. The moisture content of dried potatoes is about 12%.

Important! To determine doneness, bend the dried slice. It must break.

In the oven

The most successful drying unit. Allows you to place products on several baking sheets. Here's how to make dried potatoes in the oven:

1. Set the temperature to 80-100°C.
2. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, place the potatoes prepared for drying in 1 layer.
3. After 30-40 minutes, turn the slices over.
4. Drying lasts 3-6 hours.

To prevent the temperature from rising above 100°C and for better ventilation (if the oven is without convection), open the oven door slightly. You can insert a pencil.

In an electric dryer

The yield of finished products in this case is lower, and the process takes longer than in the oven. Here's how to dry potatoes in an electric dryer:

1. Place the potatoes prepared for drying on trays in 1 layer.
2. Dry first on the minimum setting for 2-3 hours, then switch to the maximum setting.
3. The total drying time is 8-10 hours.

Outdoors

At a temperature of +30°C, sunny weather and low humidity, potatoes are dried under natural conditions:

1. Cover a baking sheet, tray or tray with gauze or use thick paper.
2. Place the chopped blanched potatoes on the prepared areas in one layer and dry in the sun until tender.
3. Turn over periodically to speed up the process.
4. Drying time – 2-4 days. At night and during rain, the workpieces are removed indoors.

In the microwave

Microwaves instantly penetrate the product, heat and evaporate water. Drying occurs quickly:

1. Wash the potatoes, peel them, cut into thin slices 3-4 mm thick.
2. Fill with cold water and soak for 10-15 minutes to partially remove starch.
3. Place the slices on a tray in one layer.
4. Bake at maximum power for 7 to 15 minutes depending on the type of oven.

Turn the slices at least once during the drying process.

The small volume of a microwave oven does not allow you to prepare a lot of products at one time, but the process can be repeated many times.

other methods

Freeze drying is the evaporation of ice from frozen potatoes. For this method, use a freezer without the “No frost” mode:

1. Cut the potatoes into thin slices.
2. Place in one row on a tray.
3. Place it in the freezer, free from other foods.
4. Leave for 1-2 weeks.
5. Check whether the product is dry: if it does not turn black after thawing, then drying is complete.

Drying with silica gel, a granular mineral gel based on silica, is also practiced. It does not pose a danger to living organisms. Silica gel is used in floristry for quick volumetric drying of flowers. Theoretically, it is also suitable for drying potatoes.

How long to dry

Drying potatoes is a time-consuming process; each method has its own standards:

• in the oven – at a temperature of 80-90°C for 3-6 hours;
• in an electric dryer - at 65-80°C for about 8-10 hours;
• in the microwave at maximum power – 12-15 minutes;
• outdoors – 2-4 days;
• in the freezer - 1-2 weeks.

How to store dried potatoes

Dried potato pieces store in a dark place, avoiding moisture:

• in jars with well-ground or screw-on lids;
• in plastic, tightly closed bags.

Shelf life – 1-2 years from the date of preparation, in vacuum packaging – more than three years.

It is not recommended to store all products in one place. Place the dried potatoes in small jars or bags so as not to lose all the preparations due to a raw piece.

Read also:

Rules for storing seed potatoes.

How to properly store potatoes without a cellar in the ground until spring.

The nuances of storing potatoes in a vegetable store.

Conclusion

Dried potatoes are a complete replacement for fresh vegetables in terms of composition and taste. It is popular due to its long shelf life, ease of use, and significantly lower weight. Store it in a dark place in hermetically sealed containers for two years.