Drying herbs in oven? Why would you do that? Well, for starters, it’s a good way to save money, but it is also a fun and straightforward process.
Prevent your fresh herbs from becoming bad and use them first. Oven drying herbs is a great hobby and saves you resources too.
Follow These Easy Steps to Drying Herbs in Oven for Perfect Seasoning
Here are the 6 steps to oven drying herbs like an expert:
Step #1: Gather your equipment and ingredients first
To begin, you’ll need your clean dry herbs, baking sheets, the oven, and a container or bag for the dried product.
We recommend that you dry at least two varieties at a time, but not more than that. This way the process is more predictable and manageable.
Step #2: Pick out the right herbs
While it seems obvious, it isn’t always. Picking out the right herbs to dry is a key part of the process.
Some easy herbs to dry include parsley, mint, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
These are also the most common herbs, so you will probably need to use them often.
Step #3: Clean the herbs
As with most produce, cleaning the herbs is a key step. Wash them thoroughly and dry them. Make sure they are not damp, as this could ruin the drying process.
Another tip to follow is to remove stems and large leaves on some of the herbs. It’s better to dry big leaves by themselves.
Step #4: Prepare the oven while you clean the herbs
You need to check that the oven is set and ready before you start oven-drying herbs.
Check that the oven remains on at the lowest setting possible, usually around 170-175 degrees F.
Step #5: Time to start drying!
Once hot, you can begin drying your chosen herbs. To do this, place them on baking sheets and set these toward the middle of the oven.
Keep the oven door slightly open, so that moisture can escape. If you have a gas oven, open it throughout the process instead.
Check the herbs at the 30-minute mark and rotate or shake the drying sheets if necessary.
Keep in mind that some herbs have less water content, so they can be dried quicker. Continue checking every 10-15 minutes.
Most herbs will be done in less than an hour, and they should crumble when you grab them with your fingers.
Step #6: Store your oven-dried herbs appropriately
Before storing, allow your herbs to cool down completely. Otherwise, you risk moisture and mold growing.
Crumble the leaves and place them in a glass jar or airtight container. Some people also prefer storing them in a Ziploc bag.
You can keep your herbs on the kitchen counter, but make sure it is dark and not too warm.
What are you waiting for?
Now, you are an expert at drying herbs in the oven! Make sure you check your herbs every once in a while.
Enjoy with soup, marinade, or in any meat!
