What’s The Difference Between Air Drying And Using A Dehydrator For Herbs?

“I’ve started growing a small collection of herbs at home this year, and I’m absolutely loving it! I’ve been thinking about preserving them, but I keep seeing advice that talks about either using a dehydrator or just air drying them naturally. I’m okay with putting in a bit of work but don’t feel like buying a lot of extra gadgets if I don’t have to. What exactly are the differences between air drying and using a dehydrator for herbs, and when should I choose one method over the other?” Thanks, Nancy, Perth, Australia.

What’s The Difference Between Air Drying And Using A Dehydrator For Herbs?

Great question, Nancy! Growing your own herbs is so rewarding, right? But once they start thriving, it’s easy to find yourself with more parsley and rosemary than you can use fresh. Both air drying and using a dehydrator are fantastic methods for preserving herbs, but each method has its pros and cons. I’ll walk you through everything—how each method works, the differences in quality, and when to use each one—so you can make the best choice for your setup at home. Let’s break it down!

How Air Drying Works

Air drying herbs is the most traditional (and oldest) method of preserving them. It’s super simple and doesn’t require much other than some string, maybe a few brown paper bags, and a dry, ventilated location in your home. The idea is to let herbs dry slowly over time by exposing them to natural airflow, which gradually removes moisture from the leaves.

The Steps for Air Drying Herbs

Air drying is pretty low effort—and that’s part of its charm. Here’s what you do:

• Harvest: Snip your herbs in the morning after the dew has dried, but before the heat of the day wilts them. Trust me, this timing can make a big difference in flavor retention.
• Prepare: Gently rinse the herbs, and pat them dry to remove any dirt or bugs.
• Tie it up: Bundle small bunches of herbs together and tie them loosely with string or an elastic band (they shrink as they dry!). Alternatively, lay them flat on a drying rack or tray if bunching isn’t your thing.
• Hang or spread: Hang your bundles upside down in a dry, warm place with plenty of air circulation, like inside a pantry, near a window that gets indirect sunlight, or under a porch. Watch out for humidity—it slows the drying process and can lead to mold.
• Wait: Depending on the humidity in your area, it can take a week or more for the herbs to fully dry. You’ll know they’re ready when the leaves crumble easily between your fingers.

Using a Dehydrator for Herbs

Now, if you’re looking for a quicker and more controlled method, dehydrating herbs with an electric dehydrator is the way to go. A dehydrator uses heat and a fan to speed up the drying process, and unlike air drying, you can tweak the settings to get the perfect drying conditions for more delicate herbs like basil, which bruises easily.

The Steps for Dehydrator Drying

Using a dehydrator for herbs is a little more involved (especially because you’ve got to set up the machine), but it’s still very beginner-friendly. Here’s how you do it:

• Harvest: Just like air drying, you want to pick herbs early in the day for maximum flavor.
• Clean and prep: Wash the herbs gently, and shake off excess water. With larger, thicker herbs, like rosemary or sage, removing individual leaves from the stems speeds things up.
• Spread out: Lay the herbs in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Don’t overcrowd them, as good airflow is key to even drying.
• Set the temperature: Depending on your dehydrator, you’ll want to set it around 95°F to 115°F (30°C to 45°C) for most herbs. Delicate herbs like mint might need a lower temperature, whereas stronger ones like thyme can handle more heat.
• Wait (but not for long!): Drying herbs in a dehydrator usually takes anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on how thick the herbs are and how humid it is where you live. It’s way quicker than air drying, but you’ll need to check them regularly.

Air Drying vs. Dehydrator: What’s The Difference?

There are a few key things that set air drying and using a dehydrator apart when it comes to preserving your herbs. Let’s dive into the details:

1. Time

There’s a big time difference between the two methods. Air drying is slow—depending on where you live, it can take up to several weeks for fully hydrated herbs to dry out naturally. If you’re not in a rush and enjoy a lower-maintenance approach (like me when I’m busy with a hundred other garden projects), this can work. With a dehydrator, it’s all about speed, drying herbs in just a few hours. If you’ve got a lot to preserve all at once, a dehydrator might save you a lot of hassle.

2. Control Over the Process

A dehydrator gives you much more control. You can adjust the temperature and drying times based on the type and moisture content of the herbs. With air drying, you’re at the mercy of the weather and environmental conditions—high humidity or insufficient airflow can lead to less-than-ideal results or even mold (nobody wants moldy herbs, Nancy!).

3. Flavor Retention

This is where people have really strong opinions. Air drying is so gentle that some people swear it preserves the “true” flavor of the herb better. With a dehydrator, though, you still get fantastic flavor retention, but there’s a risk of overheating delicate herbs like basil or mint. I’ve accidentally crisped some mint once or twice in the dehydrator because I wasn’t paying attention. Oops! A lower heat setting usually prevents that issue.

4. Space and Equipment

If you’re short on space or you don’t want to invest in new kitchen gadgets, air drying might be the better option. All it takes is a little bit of space to hang your herbs and wait it out. Dehydrators, on the other hand, take up space and can be a bit of an investment if you don’t already own one.

5. Appearance

If you’re all about aesthetics, air-dried herbs usually maintain their color a bit better, especially if dried in lower light conditions. With a dehydrator, herbs can sometimes turn slightly brown if they’ve been exposed to too much heat. No one’s going to complain about brown oregano in their pasta, but it can bother you when you’re going for that lush, green look in your spice jars!

When To Choose Air Drying

Air drying is perfect for the patient herb grower who enjoys the slow process of preservation. You’ll want to choose air drying if:

• You aren’t in a hurry and are okay with waiting a week or two for your herbs to fully dry.
• You have a dry, moderately warm place to hang herbs, like a sunny windowsill or a screen porch.
• You are preserving heartier herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage, which can handle the slow drying process without losing flavor or essential oils.
• You don’t mind monitoring the drying herbs occasionally to make sure they aren’t getting too dusty or exposed to moisture (this can be more of an issue in humid climates).

When To Choose a Dehydrator

On the flip side, dehydrating herbs is the way to go when you’re in a rush or have a large harvest to get through quickly. Here’s when you might opt for this method:

• You want your herbs dried quickly—within hours instead of days or weeks.
• You have a lot of herbs to preserve and need a consistent result. A dehydrator lets you work through large batches with minimal guesswork.
• The weather in your area doesn’t play nice with air drying. If you live somewhere humid, like during the rainy season, a dehydrator will reduce your risk of mold and spoilage.
• You’re dealing with herbs that are more delicate (like basil or mint) and need more control over the drying temperature to avoid burning them. Just remember to use the lower temperature settings!

What To Watch Out For: Common Issues

Whether you choose to air dry or use a dehydrator, there are a few hiccups you can run into. But don’t worry, with a little planning, you can avoid them!

Humidity

As I’ve mentioned, herbs need dry air to dry out properly. High humidity can cause air-dried herbs to mold before they fully dry, which is seriously heartbreaking after all your hard work. If you live in a humid climate, air drying is a bit trickier. You might want to give dehydrating a try if you’ve got moisture troubles.

Overdrying

This one’s for you, Nancy! When using a dehydrator, especially with more delicate herbs, it’s easy to overdo it and make them a bit crispy. While you want them crunchy enough to crumble, you also don’t want them turning into herb-flavored ash. Always check on your herbs regularly, and use a low-temperature setting if you’re unsure.

Brittleness

Air-dried herbs tend to crack and crumble more easily than those dried in a dehydrator. If this bothers you, go for a dehydrator where the faster drying method helps retain some structure. If not, you can live with flakes, and it might not even be noticeable once they’re stored in jars.

Final Thoughts…

Nancy, it sounds like you’re well on your way to becoming an herb-preserving pro! Whether you decide to air dry or use a dehydrator depends on your preferences, space, and how fast you need to preserve those beautiful herbs. If you’ve got time, patience, and a little space for hanging bunches of herbs, air drying is simple and reliable. If you need speed, or your climate is working against you, a dehydrator is a fantastic tool that gets the job done fast. I personally switch between both depending on my time and how many herbs I’ve got to deal with at once—don’t shy away from using both methods! You’ve got this, and soon you’ll have jars full of beautifully preserved herbs to flavor your cooking all year long.

Thanks so much for your question!