Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (2024)

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Learn how to make the best dehydrated Zucchini Chips with super simple seasoning. They make an easy and tasty snack with crunch!

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (1)

I love making snacks from scratch that I know my family will love. We all love crunchy snacks like potato chips and kale chips, so I started making dehydrator zucchini chips.

It’s a great way to use extra zucchini from your garden or the Farmer’s Market. All you need are fresh zucchini, olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder and a food dehydrator to make these tasty veggie chips.

Try my delicious recipe for dried zucchini this summer, and hopefully your kids will have a new favorite vegetable snack.

Table Of Contents

  1. Ingredients and Tools
  2. By the Numbers: How to Dehydrate Zucchini
    • Step 1: Slice Zucchini Rounds.
    • Step 2: Coat Zucchini with Olive Oil.
    • Step 3: Season Raw Zucchini.
    • Step 4: Arrange Slices on Dehydrator Trays.
    • Step 5: Dehydrate Zucchini Chips.
    • Step 6: Cool and Store Chips.
  3. Tips for Making Zucchini Chips
    • What size zucchini works best?
    • How to get perfect zucchini slices?
    • Other seasoning tips and ideas?
    • Best dehydrator for home use?
    • How to make zucchini chips without dehydrator?
    • How to store zucchini chips?
    • Where to buy zucchini?
    • More Ways to Use Zucchini.
    • Other Food Preservation Recipes.
  4. Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe
  5. More Food Preservation Ideas
Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (2)
  • 4 small zucchini
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Measuring spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Dehydrator

By the Numbers: How to Dehydrate Zucchini

Follow these simple steps to learn the best way to dehydrate zucchini into crispy chips.

Step 1: Slice Zucchini Rounds.

The first step is to cut 4 small zucchini into thin slices. The thinner you make them, the faster they will dehydrate and the crispier they will be when finished. I typically slice mine to be about ¼” thick and find that to be perfect.

Pat dry zucchini with a paper towel if there is any moisture on them. Once dry, transfer the sliced zucchini into a mixing bowl.

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (3)

Step 2: Coat Zucchini with Olive Oil.

Evenly coat your zucchini slices with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. You don’t need much oil – it’s mainly to help the spices stick.

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (4)

Step 3: Season Raw Zucchini.

Next, sprinkle ¼ teaspoon each of sea salt and garlic powder over the zucchini, making sure it is evenly coated. If you have too much salt in one area, that chip will be incredibly salty because of how much the zucchini will shrink down during the drying process. Do not over-salt.

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (5)

Step 4: Arrange Slices on Dehydrator Trays.

Lay out the seasoned raw zucchini slices in a single layer on each dehydrator tray until you’ve used all of your squash or you run out of space.

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (6)

Step 5: Dehydrate Zucchini Chips.

Turn the dehydrator onto 135° F and allow it to dry for approximately 6 hours. The amount of time needed will vary depending upon how thin your slices are and how large your zucchini were. It’s best if you can rotate the trays a few times. The top trays will get more air than the bottom trays, so they’ll dry unevenly if you don’t rotate.

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (7)

Step 6: Cool and Store Chips.

Once cooled to room temperature, store your crispy zucchini chips in an airtight jar or other container until ready to eat.

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (8)

Tips for Making Zucchini Chips

Answers to all of your questions about making my easy zucchini chips recipe.

What size zucchini works best?

I prefer to use smaller zucchini because they have smaller seeds, less water and therefore seem to dehydrate more evenly. That said, you can use any size zucchini.

You’ll be surprised by how much larger zucchini shrink down during the dehydrating process. Large zucchini may also take longer to dry fully, so you may have to adjust the dehydrating time accordingly.

I personally don’t recommend using this method with other summer squash like yellow squash. The seeds in the crookneck squash are much larger and have a harder texture compared to zucchini.

How to get perfect zucchini slices?

While I love my food processor, it just doesn’t give the perfect slices that I can get with a mandolin slicer or sharp Chef’s knife. I used my Misen Chef’s Knife in the pictures you see in this recipe because I love how smoothly it cuts.

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (9)

I slice my zucchini to a thickness of about ¼” because it shrinks down so much. You can slice it thinner and it will dehydrate faster, but be aware that the chips will be paper thin. If you slice it too much thicker, it will take forever to get dry enough to store.

If you want to mix it up, a lot of mandolin slicers also have a crinkle cut attachment. I find kids love crinkle chips.

Other seasoning tips and ideas?

While I kept the ingredients super simple, you can add additional spices to create new vegetable chip flavors in your second batch.

  • If you like savory seasonings, try my Cajun Seasoning or Taco Seasoning.
  • For Vinegar Zucchini Chips, soak the zucchini in apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar) before dehydrating.
  • For a sweeter flavor, replace the ACV with balsamic vinegar.
  • Another favorite combo is Parmesan Cheese with Italian Seasoning (use nutritional yeast instead of cheese for a vegan alternative).

Just remember not to over-season or your chips will be inedible.

Best dehydrator for home use?

The most popular brand is the Excalibur Dehydrator. If you do a lot of food dehydrating, it’s a great choice because it has a ton of space to dehydrate foods, and I love how the trays pull out.

If you’re on more of a budget, Nesco has great-quality dehydrators as well. They’re more reasonably priced, but the tray system isn’t as convenient. Since the heat source is in the top of the lid, you have to rotate the trays. I have used mine for years although I’d love to upgrade to an Excalibur someday.

How to make zucchini chips without dehydrator?

The reason I prefer to make dehydrated zucchini chips is that you don’t have to crank on the oven on a hot summer day. Even the air fryer heats up the house more than I’d like.

However, if you don’t have a dehydrator, you can also make zucchini chips in the oven or air fryer. It’s good to keep these methods in mind in case you end up slicing up too much zucchini to fit on your dehydrator trays!

  • Oven Method. Spread the seasoned zucchini slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake on the lowest temperature setting for 2-3 hours, or until completely dried.
  • Air Fryer Method. Lay your zucchini slices out on your air fryer racks or in the basket. Cook the zucchini at 270˚ F (or lower) for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

How to store zucchini chips?

As soon as your zucchini chips are cooled, you want to put them in an airtight container like a mason jar or plastic Ziploc bag. Store them at room temperature for up to a week. If they soften (it happens if there’s any moisture left in the zucchini at all), you can crisp them back up with just a couple minutes in the oven.

Where to buy zucchini?

If you don’t have a garden, most grocery stores have plenty of zucchini. I often buy mine from Misfits Market because they have a better price on organic zucchini than my local grocery store does. Plus I love having my groceries just show up on my doorstep each week.

More Ways to Use Zucchini.

During zucchini season, most of us have more than enough of this versatile summer squash to go around. If you find yourself with extra zucchini, here are some different ways to enjoy it!

  • Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters
  • Gluten Free Zucchini Bread
  • Instant Pot Gluten Free Pasta (tips show how to add zucchini during cooking)
  • Easy Zucchini Noodles

Other Food Preservation Recipes.

If you have a garden, you probably have a lot of produce you want to preserve. While I love dehydrated food, there are other ways to preserve your garden’s bounty too.

Here are some of my favorite recipes you can use for this year’s produce haul:

  • Dehydrated Apple Chips
  • Dilly Beans
  • Sweet Pickle Relish
  • Fermented Spicy Carrots
  • Fresh Garden Salsa

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (10)

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe

Learn how to make the best zucchini chips in the dehydrator in this easy snack recipe.

4.50 from 26 votes

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Recipe Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 small zucchini
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Equipment

  • Knife

  • Cutting Board

  • Measuring spoons

  • Mixing bowls

  • Dehydrator

Instructions

  • The first thing you want to do is to cut the zucchini into thin slices that are about ¼” thick, then place them in a bowl.

    Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (11)

  • Lightly coat the zucchini slices with olive oil so the spices stick.

    Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (12)

  • Season the zucchini slices with sea salt and garlic powder, making sure everything is coated evenly. Don't add too much salt as the zucchini will shrink a lot.

    Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (13)

  • Arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer on your dehydrator trays.

    Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (14)

  • Turn your dehydrator onto 135° F and allow it to dry for approximately 6 hours or until the zucchini is dry and crisp. For best results, rotate the trays a few times so everything dries evenly.

    Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (15)

  • Cool completely, then store your homemade chips in an airtight jar or container if not eating immediately.

    Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (16)

Nutrition Information Per Serving

Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 902mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 960IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg

More Food Preservation Ideas

How to Choose Food Canning Supplies

Easy Kimchi Recipe

How to Make Fermented Carrots

Homemade Blueberry Syrup Recipe

Sweet Pickle Relish Canning Recipe

How to Make and Can Chicken Stock on the Stove Top

Dehydrated Zucchini Chips Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should you salt zucchini before dehydrating? ›

Salt will draw moisture out of the zucchini and will help it to take on the flavors. Let the seasoned zucchini sit for a few minutes before drying it. For steamed zucchini, add seasonings after it is steamed, in a bowl, just like raw zucchini. Seasoning mix for 1½–2 pounds of zucchini (680–900 g):

How long do you dehydrate zucchini? ›

Dehydrate at 125ºF (52ºC) for 6-12 hours until the zucchini is dry and brittle—they should break, not bend.

Does shredded zucchini need to be blanched before dehydrating? ›

Those are ones to leave on your neighbors porch while they're sleeping! To prepare your zucchini for dehydrating, wash it, and remove any seeds that may have formed. Zucchini may be cut into slices, diced, or shredded before dehydrating. Blanching is not necessary.

Is dehydrated zucchini good for you? ›

The good news? By dehydrating zucchini, you can extend the shelf life of this ingredient without sacrificing any of its nutrients or quality.

Why are my dehydrated vegetables not crispy? ›

If your dehydrated food feels soft, spongy, or sticky it's probably not dehydrated enough. Put the product back in for additional time. Hard and crunchy or breakable pieces are done.

What is the best way to dehydrate zucchini? ›

Instructions
  1. Slice the zucchini into thin rounds. Add the rounds in a bowl and toss with the olive oil, salt and pepper. ...
  2. Turn the dehydrator on to 135 or 140 degrees F and let them dry for 4 – 5 hours, until they're nice and crispy.
  3. Serve with guacamole, bean dip, hummus, you name it. Or eat them plain, as is.
Apr 29, 2022

Does dehydrated zucchini need to be refrigerated? ›

Once you have your zucchini packaged, it can be stored in a cool, dry, dark area from four to six months. It's not necessary to refrigerate the storage area, but the higher the temperature of the room, the shorter the storage time.

Can spiralized zucchini be dehydrated? ›

Step one: Spiralize zucchini. I use this spiralizer. Step two: Place small mounds of zoodles on a dehydrator tray. I use this dehydrator.

Do you have to cook vegetables before dehydrating? ›

A general rule of thumb for dehydrating vegetables: If you can normally eat them raw, you don't need to cook them before drying. Depending on your rehydrating method, though, you might want to cook all your vegetables first.

What happens if you don t blanch vegetables before dehydrating? ›

This blanching step destroys enzymes that would otherwise survive the dehydration process and cause the food to decline in quality over time. Once they have been blanched, the vegetables will keep their colors and flavors much better than they would have if you had dried them without first blanching.

Do you leave the seeds in zucchini when shredding? ›

To grate zucchini, trim off the ends and remove the seeds, then pass the zucchini over the blades of a plank grater or box grater, or feed the zucchini through the blades of a food processor. The process is simple no matter which tool you choose to use.

What foods can you not dehydrate? ›

Therefore, avoid drying foods like peanut butter or avocados and be sure to trim meat to remove any fat before dehydrating. While nonfat dairy products can technically be dehydrated, it's not recommended and may be associated with a higher risk of foodborne illness.

What not to eat when you are dehydrated? ›

Avoid alcohol, caffeine, soda, or sugar-sweetened beverages because these can dehydrate you even more. If you have kidney issues, the foods on this list may not be right for you, and a healthcare professional may need to monitor your electrolyte and nutrient intake closely.

Should zucchini be salted? ›

Zucchini are similar; whenever I make a frittata or quiche with zucchini they have to be treated first to keep them from turning the whole thing into a soggy mess. Which brings me to this tip: when you are making a dish with cucumbers or zucchini, it really helps to salt and drain them first.

Can you salt vegetables before dehydrating? ›

In addition to extending the shelf life of dried vegetables, adding salt to them before drying can also improve their taste and texture. Salt helps to bring out the natural flavors of the vegetables and can also add a desirable crunchiness to them.

Do you put salt in zucchini? ›

The salt draws the moisture from the flesh which helps ensure that the vegetable stays firm during roasting. This moisture (and excess salt) is patted off with a paper towel before cooking. Added benefit: the salt works its way into the scores of the flesh and seasons the zucchini all the way to the center.

How long to let salted zucchini sit? ›

Otherwise, slicing with a knife is fine too. Sprinkle the 2 tsp of salt on the zucchini as you go and allow the zucchini slices to sit in a colander or for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, run two fingers on either side of the slices, squeezing all the way down over a bowl or the sink, releasing even more water.

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