This method is particularly convenient in areas with a tropical climate, during summer or when drying basil in large quantities. Repeat it a few times until the leaves are thoroughly dry. Make sure you don’t pile them on one another, carefully separate them. You may place several rocks on the mat to weigh it down. Microwaves work by agitating the water molecules in whatever is inside the oven. Bake. How to Dry Basil Leaves in The Oven. Dry Basil Without a Dehydrator. To dehydrate basil in the oven, simply pluck off the leaves from the stem. After you pat it dry, look at your basil. Using the oven to dry basil will take just several hours to show your desired result. Cut your basil and wash it. Here are a few tips about the basic method: Microwave on High in three bursts: Place the basil leaves on a plate between two towels. Find out, what are the easiest methods of drying basil at home! One advantage of using the microwave in drying basil is that it dries out the leaves but preserves its natural green color and most of the flavor, unlike the other drying techniques. If the leaves are not completely dry and are still moist or flexible, hang them to dry for another week. Place the basil leaves on the tray in a single layer then bake in the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until dried through. The easiest, most low-cost method for drying basil is to air dry it. In fact, research from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology reveals that basil contains (E)-beta-caryophyllene (BCP) which could be beneficial in treating inflammation in the body particularly arthritis and bowel disorders. Cook for 45 seconds, then 30 seconds, then 30 seconds again. For centuries people have been hang drying herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, and mint as well as many other herbs. The best time to cut herbs for drying is just before they flower. Others prefer to crush the leaves after drying basil so it can be stored in small jars and then sprinkled on top of food. Basil is too-often sold at nurseries and grocery stores in cramped pots. During cold months, that means it’s best to keep basil plants indoors and away from windowsills. Make sure your basil is washed and completely dry. You only need to pinch several good quality leaves from the plant. Martha Piccolo is a lifestyle and cooking influencer and the main power behind Drying All Foods – a food blog that is helping people to discover the magnificent side of food drying and preserving. Hang the drying basil in a dimly lit to dark room with low humidity and warm temperatures. Tie the individual leaves together with a twist-tie or string and hang them up on a hook in a well ventilated and somewhat sunny location to dry. Remove excess moisture. Basil dried like this will lose some of its color and become a dull gray-green … You can also dry basil in a food dehydrator. Basil restricts the growth of harmful microbes including E. coli, listeria, staphylococcus among many others. All you need is basil (of course), some string, a plastic bag and two eye hooks. Food Dehydrator. Place them in the oven at the lowest setting for 1.5 to 4 hours. After an hour of drying you can turn the oven back onto the lowest setting for ten to fifteen minutes. Some experts also advise harvesting the leaves before the plant flowers, at the time when the leaves are lush and blooming since the leaves before the plant’s reproductive state has the highest concentration of aromatic compounds responsible for its unique flavor. Rinse them to remove any dirt and other impurities from the leaves, and then using a paper towel, gently pat the leaves to remove any excess moisture. Finding in a suitable place in the house to use in drying basil can also be a challenge. Gently wash basil leaves in cool water taking care not to damage the leaves. Dry the leaves thoroughly and then flash freeze and transfer to freezer bags as described in option 1. Place them in a cookie sheet or single layer of roasting pan and bake for 20 minutes in the temperature of 200 degrees. After about two weeks, your basil leaves will be completely dried. Leaves are best harvested mid-morning as soon as the dew has evaporated since excess moisture causes mold growth. That's right, you can dry herbs in a microwave and it's pretty easy to do! Hence, several chefs, home cooks, herb enthusiasts, and foodies opt to preserve the dried leaves of the plant so they can enjoy its flavor and reap its health benefits all- year round. If not, you can bake them again in 5-minute intervals, leaving the leaves inside the oven until it cools. Copyright © 2021. Leave the door shut and let the leaves dry out for 10 hours or so. Dried basil, like most of other herbs and spices, is best preserved by storing them in small airtight containers away from the light. Bundle your basil in small bundles with only a few stems in a bundle at a time. Set the dehydrator at 95-110 degrees and run for two to four hours. Bake your leaves for 20 minutes, then turn off the oven. DFJ will show you how to easily and quickly dry and store your basil for use all year round. Can't use all your fresh basil during the season? If you want to dry the leaves more quickly, you can go ahead and... 2. This is when the … Wash the leaves in cool water. Basil is an annual herb that grows best in hot and dry conditions, and it is cultivated in many countries around the world. You might not want the herbs to be openly visible as it may disrupt your everyday household activity or too “hidden” that you may completely forget that you are drying basil somewhere in your home. If you do not have a dehydrator or oven to dry basil in, you can simply harvest your basil and keep the stems on. There are several methods of drying basil: air drying, sun drying or using the oven, microwave or food dehydrators. LEARN MORE: How to Preserve and Store Dried Basil. Here is a great tutorial video about how to dry herbs in the microwave. Don’t open the oven door and leave your basil leaves overnight. Before we dig into different methods of drying basil, let’s see what’s good in basil and how you should grow and harvest basil. It is quite sensitive to cold, which is why you usually see it in the southern regions of Europe, Southern US states, Northern parts of Australia, New Zealand, and as well as in Southeast Asia. Air drying. Drying basil in the oven. Ensure that temperature is not too high since that could impart a slightly bitter taste on the herb. Remove the leaves from the stems after harvesting. You want to remove moisture from leaves without burning them, so low heat is critical. To dry basil in the oven, you just need to wash and trim fresh basil and lay the leaves on a baking sheet. Basil likes warm weather, so keep it away from temperatures below 50°F. Turn your oven on to the lowest possible setting (usually around 140° F) and get it warm. It is also important to take note that metal darkens the basil leaves, hence, always remember to place a parchment paper or Silpat whenever drying basil on a metal tray. Place the basil leaves on a clean oven proof tray and place them in the oven. Harvested leaves may be placed and spread out on some a wire-mesh screen, a clean bed sheet or a drying mat, and then placed under the sun for several days depending on weather conditions. The most traditional and perhaps easiest and most economical way of drying basil is air drying. How to dry basil. Damaged leaves tend to turn black or brown, and improper handling can release the oil prematurely from the leaves which removes its essential flavor. This method is not just great for drying herbs like basil, but also for drying and preserving fruits, and vegetables as well. This agitation has side effects. Place the leaves on a cookie sheet or pizza pan and preheat the oven to the lowest setting possible, 200 degrees Fahrenheit on most American ovens. Place your basil on a cookie sheet. It should be away from direct sunlight, warm, and the humidity in the room should be low. You only need to be extra cautious when doing this procedure and make sure that the leaves or the paper towel do not catch fire. Rinse the leaves and pat them dry. A convection oven will help keep the air circulating allowing the basil to dry even more quickly but as the basil leaves become lighter and brittle they may fly away, wasting all your hard work. The time may differ depending on the exact location. You can either let the basil air dry or gently pat it dry with a towel. For now, feel free to continue reading. What to look for. Microwave Drying. To speed up drying or if you have just a few leaves, the microwave can also be used to dry herbs like basil. I bet you already have these in your house. For this method, you’ll need an oven, flat baking sheets, and parchment paper . Growing Parsley: The Complete Guide to Plant, Grow and Harvest Parsley. Gently wash and throughly dry your basil. The drying process may take up to 4 to 6 hours depending on the moisture content of the leaves and how hot the lowest setting is in your particular food dehydrator. This is done by tying a bunch of fresh basil sprigs carefully using a rubber band, twist tie or any available sturdy string. This usually takes 2 to 3 minutes depending on the microwave power setting. Oven and Air Drying Basil Leaves. The bag will catch dry bits of the leaves as they fall off. Pick the one that is best suited for the quantity of basil leaves your need, the time it takes to process and of course your own budget and convenience. Choose a pot that’s large enough. Place the wet leaves on a clean dish cloth and allow to air dry on the counter. First, … Turn the oven to low and prop the oven door open. There are several varieties including Thai basil, holy basil, lemon basil, but perhaps the most popular and typically used is the sweet basil. DryingAllFoods.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, 3 Easy Methods for Drying Mint Leaves for Tea. Let the leaves dry off after rinsing them. One major drawback of using this method of drying basil is it takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks (depending on the drying condition) for the herb to completely dry up. Plant in a well-drained area. Let it soak for a few minutes and swish it around. This dried basil method uses a microwave.