Summer Fun - Dried Banana Chips

Ahhh, the fruits of summer. Actually, in today's modern markets, you can get almost any fruit at any time of year. Here is a treat that you can make using bananas.

Bananas -- Dried

Vary the flavor of dried bananas before drying them by sprinkling them with flavored gelatin powder or dipping them in lemon juice or a lemon juice and honey mixture. After dipping, they may be rolled in chopped nuts, sesame seeds or shredded coconut. Bananas should be solid yellow or slightly brown flecked with no green on the peel. Avoid bruised or over-ripe bananas. Bananas which are slightly brown flecked will have the sweetest, most pronounced flavor when dried. Peel and slice bananas ¼” to ” thick crosswise or lengthwise. Dry at 150F for one to two hours, then at 130F until dry.

The drying can be done in a regular oven, but I prefer to use a food dehydrator because it (a) it uses less electricity or gas, and (b) it doesn't heat the house up near as much which is especially important during warm summer days.

Try another fun fruit drying activity by making your own Fruit Roll-Ups.

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