by: Susan Gast / Author, Blogger at Beesville Books, Bored Boomers, and a Food Dehydrating Fanatic!
So you want to know how to dehydrate spinach... keep reading!
The best and easiest way of dehydrating spinach is to use an electric dehydrator or dry the leaves in a regular oven. Both "how-to" methods are covered on this page.
Not only does dehydrating spinach lengthen its shelf life, but you can also create nutritious spinach powder for use in smoothies and other recipes!
Top question is "how to dehydrate spinach?"
On the page you're reading, you'll see how easy it is to dry spinach on a dehydrator.
Dehydrate spinach in oven?
You'll also see how to dry spinach in a regular oven, too.
Can you dry spinach in air fryer?
Yes, you can dehydrate spinach in an air fryer. Here are some tips:
Spinach is done when leaves are very crispy and brittle and are a deep green color. If any moist spots remain, dehydrate it a bit longer.
Allow the leaves to completely cool before storing dried spinach in an airtight container like a Mason jar or a food vacuum-sealer bag for up to 1 year. Use in soups, smoothies, egg dishes etc.
How do you make dry spinach powder?
See how to make dry spinach powder at the bottom of this page!
VITAMINS: Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. It also contains Vitamin K1 and is packed with Folate.
MINERALS: Calcium, although the oxalic acid it contains can inhibit calcium absorption. But don't let that put you off as spinach is a great source of Potassium and Magnesium, along with dietary fiber.
This green leafy veggie is loaded with antioxidants such as Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Beta-Carotene.
No matter what method you choose for dehydrating spinach, a few crucial tools are needed. First, you'll need an electric dehydrator or an oven.
To me, a dehydrator is best because it allows a more precise temperature control to make sure your spinach doesn’t get too hot.
You’ll need baking sheets (for the oven method) or dehydrator trays when using a dehydrator!
Next, have a colander handy for washing the spinach, and finally, an air-tight container or bag for storing the dehydrated spinach such as an airtight container like a Mason jar or food vacuum-sealer bags that are made purposely for storing dehydrated foods.
Spinach Prep: Rinse it under the kitchen faucet in a colander in the sink using cold water to get rid of any grit, soil, or bugs.
If you’re wondering how to dry spinach after washing, use a salad spinner. If you don't have one of those handy salad spinners, pat the leaves dry - gently - with a paper towel or two.
Before dehydrating your spinach, you might want to consider blanching it. Blanching (read more here) can help retain the color and some of the spinach's nutrients, but this step is optional.
If you do decide to blanch the spinach, cool it down quickly in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Thoroughly dry it with paper towels before starting the dehydration process. Dehydrators like towel-dried leaves!
Next up: How to dehydrate spinach in a food dehydrator or an oven is coming up next.
First up is using a dehydrator, which is the best way in my humble opinion.
Why? Because a dehydrator gives you better, precise temperature control (vs the oven-drying method).
Try not to rush the drying process.
Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!
Here's how to dehydrate spinach in the oven If you don’t own a dehydrator. You can use your regular stove oven. Spread the prepped spinach leaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure the leaves don’t overlap. Place the baking sheet in the oven.
The challenge with dehydrating spinach in an oven lies in temperature management. You need to set your oven to the lowest temperature setting possible, ideally not above 200°F.
Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!
It's quite hard to do as oven temperatures become inconsistent with the oven door ajar (as mentioned in the tips, below)... and too high of a temperature may cook the spinach instead of dehydrating it.
Drying spinach this way takes about 2 to 3 hours, but keep a watchful eye so it doesn't shrivel up to nothing!
A useful tip when dehydrating spinach in the oven is to keep the oven door slightly open, using the handle of a wooden spoon to create a gap. This allows cooler air to get in the oven and stops the oven from getting too hot, plus it allows the moisture to escape.
Also, remember that temperatures can vary within an oven, so rotating the baking sheets certainly helps to promote even drying.
Whichever method you choose to dehydrate your raw spinach, allowing the dehydrated spinach to cool down to room temperature is important, as with any dehydrated fruit or vegetable.
Attempting to store spinach that is still warm leads to condensation in the storage container which can lead to mold growth. And that's where oxygen absorbers come in. More on those coming up.
Plan to let the spinach cool for approximately 20 to 30 minutes after the dehydration process.
Before we tackle how to make dried spinach, some of you may be wondering: why do it?
Fresh spinach is widely available in our grocery stores so what's the point of drying it?
The main point is to give your spinach a longer shelf life. When dried, it's easy to add to recipes such as smoothies and soups, or dishes where you don't usually use fresh spinach.
Another reason is if it's out of season - if you're not lucky enough to live in prime growing areas such as California and the Pacific Northwest.
It's also a super way of using up the fresh spinach before it turns bad.
The quality of your dehydrated spinach starts from the moment you pick or buy your fresh spinach.
Inspect spinach carefully. It should be vibrant and free of any yellow, wilting, or damaged leaves.
Fresh, organic spinach provides the best taste and nutrient profile.
There are a few differences between dehydrating baby spinach and regular spinach:
Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!
So in summary, while there are some differences, both types of spinach dehydrate well and can be used interchangeably in most recipes.
Once your spinach has cooled, one way to store it is in an air-tight container, such as a Mason jar. Use a Ziploc bag if you want to use the spinach the following day or so. Read more about storing food here.
If you want to store it for the long term, then use food vacuum sealer bags. Once vacuum-sealed, store your dehydrated spinach in a cool, dark, and dry place.
When using a food vacuum sealer, remember to add oxygen absorbers to your vacuum sealer bags. Add a 100cc oxygen absorber inside the vacuum-sealer bag before drawing the air out. Read more about oxygen absorber sizes here.
Note: Make sure your hands are clean and dry (or wear latex gloves) before handling your dehydrated spinach. Doing so helps prevent bacteria (from you!) from getting onto your dehydrated spinach flakes and having them go moldy later on.
Dehydrated spinach can last for up to one year if properly stored. It will keep its flavor and nutritional value.
It's important to check your stored spinach periodically for any signs of moisture or mold. If you find any, discard the entire batch as it's no longer safe to consume.
When you’re ready to use your dehydrated spinach for soups or smoothies, add the dried spinach directly and it will rehydrate while the dish is cooking (or while the smoothie mix is blending).
If you want to use it in other recipes, soak it in cool water for about 15 to 20 minutes to rehydrate it.
Here are some tips for grinding dehydrated spinach leaves to make spinach powder:
Grinding dehydrated spinach means you can easily add this nutritional spinach powder to green smoothies, soups, sauces, and more.
Thanks for stopping by to learn how to dehydrate spinach! Check out our other veggies here.
Don't forget to get your free "Six Simple Steps" eBook where I share how to dehydrate food safely!
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Hi, I'm Susan Gast and I've been making food preservation simple since 2010. Let me show you how to keep your food pantry full, whatever the reason or season!
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easy FOOD DEHYDRATING: Making food preservation simple since 2010.
I show you how to keep your food pantry full, whatever the reason or season!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: I am an Affiliate for Amazon, and other sellers of quality merchandise.
Should you purchase an item through their links, I may receive compensation. The price you pay does not increase.
THANKS for your support! Read full disclosure here.
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easy FOOD DEHYDRATING: Making food preservation simple since 2010. I show you how to keep your food pantry full, whatever the reason or season!
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