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How to Dehydrate Zucchini

Susan Gast, founder of Easy Food Dehydrating

by: Susan Gast / Author, Blogger at Beesville Books, Bored Boomers, and a Food Dehydrating Fanatic!

I'm so happy you're here to learn how to dehydrate zucchini! Let's get going...

Zucchini collage

It's one of the easier vegetables to dehydrate and makes fantastic zucchini bread from this Allrecipes' site.

Dehydrate zucchini for fantastic zucchini bread (as linked to above),  or make a chip dip, or maybe battered and fried zucchini! Dehydrated zucchini can be added to soups and casseroles too.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to make dehydrated zucchini chips?

Here is a simple recipe for making tasty dehydrated zucchini chips:

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium zucchini
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1⁄4 tsp sea salt
  • 1⁄2 tsp Italian herb seasoning blend

Instructions:

  1. Slice zucchini very thin (1/8 to 1⁄4 inch). Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, salt and herbs.
  3. Arrange zucchini slices in a single layer on dehydrator trays and lightly brush herb-oil mix evenly over the tops.
  4. Dehydrate at 135°F for 6 to 10 hours, until the slices are dried and crispy chips.
  5. Flip chips halfway through and rotate trays periodically for even drying.
  6. Cool completely then store dried zucchini chips in an airtight container. Keeps for up to 6 months.

Enjoy as a crispy, nourishing snack! Sprinkle additional salt, spices, cheese, or dip.

Feel free to experiment with other seasonings like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, or lemon pepper before dehydrating. Create your own signature zucchini chips!

How to dehydrate zucchini is the second "top question."

And full deets on how to dehydrate zucchini is on this page.

How do you make dried zucchini noodles?

Making dried zucchini noodles (aka zoodles) to enjoy all year is simple with a dehydrator:

Ingredients:

  • Zucchini squash, spiralized into long noodle strands
  • Salt and pepper (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Wash and spiralize zucchini lengthwise into long noodle shapes using *Blade C if possible (pappardelle-shaped noodles).
  2. Optionally sprinkle lightly with salt to draw out moisture and soften texture, set aside 10 mins then pat very dry.
  3. Arrange zucchini noodles in an even single layer on dehydrator trays, being careful noodles don't overlap.
  4. Dehydrate at 115°F for 6 to 10 hours, checking periodically. Rotate the trays and gently flip the zoodles over.

*NOTE: Blade C are blades that are used in Paderno, Mueller, or Inspiralizer brand spiralizers.  Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

Zucchini noodles are done when they are very lightweight, brittle looking and slightly shrunken down but haven't lost shape.

To use, soak noodles 10-30 minutes to rehydrate. Then sauté, turn into pasta bakes, or toss with sauces. Enjoy!

Adjust time depending on humidity and desired final texture. Season the rehydrated zoodles later on. Get creative with shapes using different blade cutters!


A person with dehydrator, fresh food

Zucchini Nutrition Info.

VITAMINS: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Choline, followed by Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, and Riboflavin. Trace vitamins are Folate, and Vitamin K.

MINERALS: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Calcium, followed by Zinc, Iron, Manganese, and Copper. There are also trace amounts of Selenium.

Zucchini contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

How to Dehydrate Zucchini

There's not much preparation necessary aside from washing and lightly scrubbing zucchini first in cool, clean water!

steaming sliced zucchini
  1. Wash and slice the zucchini and cut into 3/8" slices. Throw away the ends. *Steam zucchini over boiling water for a few minutes.
  2. Arrange the zucchini on your food dehydrator trays, making sure the zucchini slices don't overlap.
  3. Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions).

*NOTE: You MAY skip the steaming step if you're not concerned with retaining the bright green color of the zucchini rind.

Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

  • Dehydrated zucchini will be brittle when fully dried.
  • Drying time: between 5-11 hours.
  • Please remember to rotate your trays for even drying.

Treat Your Veggies & Yourself  to a Professional Chef's Knife

Cutluxe 8
Cutluxe 8" Chef Knife, Full Tang

Begin by Using a Good Sharp Knife by Cutluxe!

Check out this great chef's knife with a full tang that means the handle and blade "are one" so they can't come apart when we're slicin' and a dicin'.

I know these Cutluxe Chef knives may be a little expensive, but they do last pretty much a lifetime when you maintain their cutting edges.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

Progressive International Slicer - PL8
Progressive International Slicer - PL8

Check Out this Progressive International Mandoline Slicer

This is a fantastic mandoline from Amazon, but be very careful of the sharp blades – always use the slicing hand guard when appropriate!

It's a PL8 model and comes in white.

I just had to get this fantastic slicer shown below...

SUPMAKIN 5-in-1 Mandoline Slicer
SUPMAKIN 5-in-1 Mandoline Slicer

SUPMAKIN Slicer + Dicer Mandoline ~ OnceForAll Brand

French fry cutter, vegetable chopper, vegetable slicer cutter, potato slicer, chopper for kitchen meal prep.

A multi-function mandoline that I just couldn't resist getting!

Makes SUPER FAST work of chopping veggies! :-)

Slicing Zucchini and Fully Dried in a Bowl

Slicing zucchini for dehydrating
Dehydrated zucchini in a bowl

Here I am, showing off my knife skills... and the other image are those very same zukes all dried and ready to vacuum seal!

Dehydrating Zucchini for a Delicious Ratatouille Recipe

I love this veggie in ratatouille, which is a dish comprising onions, squash, zucchini, black olives, Italian herbs, tomatoes...

Ratatouille in a non-stick saucepan

You can use it either fresh or dehydrated, and I'll show you how easy it is to add to ratatouille. Check out my "ratatouille" here!

If you want to make our ratatouille with fresh veggies, please check out my eBook, too. It also contains quantities of fresh ingredients to use instead of dehydrated vegetables. Just thought you'd like to know that. Read more about the eBook here.

Or optin to Grow.me. You'll know you haven't opted in previously if you see the "Exclusive Content" pop up in the "fresh ingredients to use" area... So join Grow (it's free!) and you'll see all the fresh ingredient amounts (immediately!) to use for any of my recipes! See my Recipes hub page here.


if you're into gardening ...

if you're
into gardening ...

What Are the Different Types of Zucchini?

Different varieties of Zucchini

There are many different types of zucchini that you can grow.

Some of the most popular varieties include:

  • Black Beauty
  • Costata Romanesco
  • Eight Ball
  • Golden
  • Ronde de Nice

Is Yellow Zucchini Also Known as Summer Squash?

Yes, yellow zucchini is also known as summer squash. Summer squash is a type of squash that grows on a vine and has a soft, edible skin. Summer squash can be eaten raw or cooked.

Can You Shred Zucchini as a Pasta Substitute?

Zucchini squash can be eaten raw, cooked, or even used as a pasta substitute.

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to traditional pasta, zucchini noodles are a great option. They’re lower in calories and carbs than pasta, and they’re a good source of vitamins and minerals.

In addition, zucchini noodles are quick and easy to make. All you need is a sharp knife and a cutting board.

Here’s how to make zucchini noodles:

  1. Start by trimming the ends off of the zucchini.
  2. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise.
  3. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the center of each zucchini half.
  4. Use a sharp knife to cut the zucchini halves into thin noodles.
  5. Serve the noodles raw or cooked, as desired.

If you’re looking for a healthy, delicious pasta alternative, give zucchini noodles a try. They’re easy to make and a great way to eat yer veggies.

Best Areas to Grow Zucchini

Zucchini grows on a vine. Colors are green, yellow, or white.

The best areas to grow zucchini are in an area with full sun and well-drained soil and should be watered regularly and should be fertilized every year.

When Are Zucchini Ready to Harvest?

Zucchini is usually ready to harvest in late June or early July. It can be harvested by hand or with a garden hoe.


Baked Zucchini Recipe
from Spend With Pennies

baked zucchiniPhoto and recipe courtesy of Spend with Pennies

When you've finished dehydrating zucchini and you want to make something special, here's an easy Baked Zucchini recipe from Spend with Pennies.

Don't these zucchini slices look delicious? Remember to rehydrate your zucchini prior to using it in the recipe.

Baked Zucchini stuffed with
Chouriço Sausage and Cream Cheese Recipe

baked stuffed zucchiniPhoto by Permission of Jen Reviews

How about this delicious baked zucchini stuffed with Chouriço and cream cheese recipe complete with step-by-step pictures and detailed instructions?

Notice how the zucchini is in LONG strips, so maybe this recipe is better for fresh zucchini, but I wanted to share this with you all!


Thanks for stopping by to learn how to dehydrate zucchini. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop me an email here.

Don't forget to get your free "Six Simple Steps" eBook where I share how to dehydrate food safely!

🥦 Dehydrating

Easy Food Dehydrating & Safe Food Storage book coverREAD MORE

🍲 Recipes

20 Taste-Tested Easy Recipes book coverREAD MORE

⁉️ FAQs

How to Dehydrate Food - Top 20 Topics, 225 Questions AnsweredREAD MORE

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