If you’re looking to enjoy the goodness of mangoes in a dried form without any added sugar, here’s a step-by-step guide to dehydrating mangoes:
Ingredients:
- 10 ripe mangos (organic and fresh)
- 2 tbsp. honey (optional)
- ½ cup lemon juice
Instructions:
- Start with ripe organic mangos. Gently press the peel with your fingers to ensure it’s soft but not spoiled, indicating the fruit is ready for slicing and dehydration.
- Cut off both ends of each mango, exposing the yellow interior. Stand the mango upright on one of its flattened sides and carefully peel it using a sharp knife or mango slicer.
- Once the peel is completely removed, slice the mango fruit into ¼” thick slices. It’s important to maintain consistent thickness to ensure even dehydration.
- Preheat your dehydrator to 135 degrees Fahrenheit (or follow the manufacturer’s instructions). In a separate bowl, mix the honey and lemon juice until well combined. Dip each mango slice into the mixture, removing any excess liquid.
- Arrange the prepared mango slices on the dehydrator trays, leaving space between each piece for proper airflow and dehydration.
- Dehydrate the mango slices for approximately 8 hours. Check the texture to ensure they are solid and no longer sticky. Keep in mind that the dried mango may slightly moisten after cooling for 30 minutes.
For Unsweetened Dried Mango: Simply skip the honey in the mixture. This way, you can enjoy the natural, tangy sweetness of mango while preserving its nutritious qualities.
Optional Dehydrated Mango Recipes:
- Chocolate Covered Mango:
- Bittersweet or dark chocolate
- Chop the chocolate and melt it in a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until it reaches a liquid consistency.
- Remove from heat and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip each dehydrated mango slice in the melted chocolate and place it on the baking sheet.
- Cool the chocolate-covered mango slices in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Enjoy or store in ziplock bags!
- Spicy Dried Mango: For a spicy twist, sprinkle a bit of hot pepper, such as cayenne, on the freshly dipped chocolate mango slices before chilling them in the fridge.
- Mango Fruit Juice in Powder Form:
- Puree peeled mango fruit in a food processor until smooth. Add water or fruit juice as needed for consistency.
- Set your food dehydrator to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the mango puree on non-stick drying trays, creating a ¼” thick layer.
- Dehydrate until the puree solidifies and becomes non-sticky. After cooling for 30 minutes, blend it into a fine powder.
- The resulting fruit powder can be mixed with water to make a refreshing mango fruit juice with concentrated flavors.
A fruit dehydrator is a useful tool for creating convenient and cost-effective snacks that retain the nutrition and flavor of mangoes. Enjoy your homemade dehydrated mangoes and explore various recipes using this versatile ingredient.